Some weeks I get to come here and post every day… I get to spend time in the kitchen and develop recipes…Life is good.

And then there are the weeks where the kids get sandwiches for lunch AND dinner and I slurp cold coffee in my bedroom while typing rapidly.

Guess which one last week was?

I did make a couple of things that I loved and I  will be posting soon. Steaks with my dad’s hibachi sauce, my mom’s macaroni salad, and strawberry shortcake…comfort food for me, although I stayed away from the carbs they were fun to look at. :/

I love August because it means that summer is winding down. Summer is nice but I love autumn and I think it is time that people learned to appreciate autumn much more. Think about it…Summer requires us to be half naked which means eating salads with no dressing, sugar free jello, and celery sticks. It is hot and sticky and your hair turns to frizz. If you don’t slather with sunscreen you burn and risk cancer but if you do? Breakouts.  Now, think about autumn… jeans, sweaters, and tweed jackets cover up any jiggly flesh you might have. The weather is cool enough to take long walks and your hair? Perfect.  The light is softer and more golden and makes everyone look beautiful. The food? Autumn offers everything good.

See? Autumn rocks.

• Japanese Shortcake Jelly Roll with Chocolate Whipped Cream I had to add this this week. Why? Because Kelly met me for lunch yesterday and brought me…. THREE pieces. And you really want to make this. I promise.
• Everyday Chocolate Cake
• Cantaloupe Sorbet
• Four Layer Lemon Cake
• Oatmeal Cream Pies ( used to be addicted to these)
• Blueberry Crisp Marshmallows
• Bomb Pop Cupcakes
• Chocolate Cherry Swirl Cupcakes
• Maple SemiFreddo
• Apricot White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Blondies

image:marye audet

Saturday? But it was just Saturday a few hours ago!

I had a busy week. Running to the VA Hospital for a check up on the thyroid levels…shopping for rapidly growing kids…working, of course! I have never felt like I am on a hamster wheel so much as I have in the past few years! I always saw myself as sitting on the front porch, sipping coffee… savouring the delicious smell wafting from the kitchen…

I love my life. I just wish I could turn the switch to slow.

Summers used to be so slow, didn’t they? I would wake up with the delicious feeling that each day held mystery and adventure…and it did. Bike rides, picnics, swimming, fishing, crawfish hunting, the feel of the cold creek as it bubbled around your toes….

Food… what foods remind you of those childhood summers? Corn on the cob, strawberry shortcake, hamburgers on the grill… roasted marshmallows.. Eskimo pies….the fat blackberries the grew in the field not to far away…

Take time to enjoy life a little this summer. I have take much more time off than usual… went to a water park, have gone out to eat, have gone to movies, and have walked around stores. Mostly I have spent time with the people who mean the most to me; my family and friends.

Priceless.

Servin’ up a short stack this week… enjoy!

Adorable Popcorn Cupcakes

Raspberry Carrot Cake

No Bake Zebra Mocha Icebox Cake

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Cherry Pie Squares

I don’t have time to stay and chat but here is what I found for today…

Blackberry Strawberry Lemon Cakes

TexMex Potato Skins

Spicy Chicken and Penne Salad with Lime Chipotle Dressing

Cream Cheese Peach Cobbler

ADORABLE! Patriotic Ice Cream Cones for 4th of July

I am going to stop there and wish you all a wonderful fourth! I am in the midst of yet another birthday celebration preparation… Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Memorial Day is the first day of summer.

Oh, I know…I know that “officially” it is June 21 but… Memorial Day always did it for me. It is usually the first day the public pool opened, the first day my Dad would let me go swimming in our pool… ( growing up in Pennsylvania… well May was NOT what it is in Texas). It signaled that it was now o.k. to wear white shoes and clothing…and it was the first cook out of the year for my family.

If that doesn’t say summer, what does??

Sometimes the reality and the meaning of the  holiday gets lost in all of the celebration and food. Bear with me a moment while I play homeschool mom and tell you a little bit about this important holiday.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The first observance was on May 30 of that year when people put wreaths on the graves of both the Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery . It is interesting to note that the South refused to participate or recognize Memorial Day until after World War I. I am assuming it was because it was Yankee inspired. :::: grin:::::

After World War I Memorial Day was changed to honor all those who had died in the defense of their country.

In the years since Memorial Day has lost meaning for many, if not most Americans. This year President Obama will skip the traditional presidential  speech at  Arlington National Cemetary.. which I think is not only sad, but as a veteran (and the daughter of a veteran, and the mom of a man serving in the military) I think it is a slap in the face.

On Monday, while you are pinching that pie crust, and stirring that barbeque sauce, take a few moments to reflect on the sacrifice that millions of men and women throughout the history of this country have made for the freedoms that we  take for granted.  Not just the ones that died but the moms, dads, wives, husbands, and children that were left behind.

Millions of men and women are away from their families this weekend as the rest of us cook out, picnic, swim, laugh, and eat. A large percentage of those men and women are in danger as you are reading this.

Can this be the Memorial Day where we finally get serious about what it takes to maintain the freedom that we enjoy?  In the year 2000 Congress passed a resolution called The National Moment of Rememberance. It calls for all Americans to pause at 3 pm on Memorial Day, “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

Now, if you have stuck with me this much… are you ready for some surfing?

• Chili Cheese Fries Apple Glazed Baby Back Ribs
• Watermelon Blueberry Margarita from No Fear Entertaining
• Peanut Butter Brownie Cups from the Sweets Life
• Baking Bites Churros con Chocolate
• A Whisk and a Spoon Black Raspberry Ice Cream
• More Than Burnt Toast Fire Seared Antipasto Platter
• Spicy Tunisian Breads My Kitchen in Half Cups
• Daring Bakers Croquembouche Passionate About Baking
• Smitten Kitchen Strawberry Brown Butter Bettys
• Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie Cake or Death?

Have a great Memorial Day… and spend a moment in gratefulness. It’s a good thing.

Another week flew by, didn’t it?

Sometimes I think my life is starting to look like an old fashioned movie on fast forward…Craziness! You just watch it move past, squinting and concentrating to make sure you don’t miss the details… but you always do.

I am beginning to come back to life, feeling more and more myself everyday. I am learning a lot about who I am and who I used to be..and who I pretended to be for a very long time. I am learning about what abuse really is, although I am not prepared to use that word to describe my life it seems that there are some parallels.

I am remembering that I used to be a fun person, that I laughed until I cried, or that I did silly things. I am remembering that although people scare me in real life I really do like them…I am learning that I can accept blessings and that I don’t have to be the one to give all the time. That is a fascinating concept.

I can now tell you my positive qualities…that I am generous, compassionate, encouraging, and a good listener. I am an artist, a writer, and I have never really failed at anything I decided to do. Then there is that whole God’s Favorite thing I have going…

I have to die for eyes…seriously…and while my body isn’t what it was when I was 18…. I am pretty sure I caught a couple of thirty somethings checking me out at the gym last week.

And most of all.. I am learning that I am beautiful and fun and interesting and I like me a lot. This is major for me. Really. Goodbye ugly duckling….hellooooooo swan.

So..you didn’t come to hear about THAT…. I just thought I would tell ya…

Anyway… here are some of my favorites that I came across this week when I was checking blogs. Have a great weekend…

1. Lemon Streusel Bars from Sugar Pies.
2. Strawberry Panna Cotta from One Perfect Bite
3. Guiness Mustard at Stumptown Savory
4. Poblano, Potato, and Corn Gratin from What’s 4 Dinner Tonight?
5. Heath Bar Chocolate and Toffee Coffee Cake Muffins from Cookin Canuck
6. Tuxedo Ladyfinger Dessert from LoveMyPhilly. (this is soooo cute)
7. Chocolate Chip Cookie Affogato from Baking and Books
8. Lemony Pasta with Fresh Peas, Ricotta, and Mint from Food Blogga
9. Lavender Mint Turkish Delight from Rambling Tart
10. Malted Chocolate Cupcakes from Alpineberry

image: marye audet