summertime

Summer, while not official until next week, is official in my book. School is out. The sun is shining (for now). We're prepping for our trip to the beach. Have I mentioned how much easier that prep is when it's an 80 mile drive instead of 1400 miles? Much easier. 

Strawberries are in season! I picked up my first flat on Saturday and we have been eating like they are going out of style. I also bought rhubarb at the farmer's market. Crisp was made with olive oil instead of butter, which was surprisingly good. I'll be buying another flat tomorrow for making jam. And then another for freezing berries for smoothies and ice cream.

Related to the olive oil crisp topping is that I'm doing a 30 day vegan workshop. It has been such a great way for me to segue our family into a summer style of eating - lots of fresh whole foods that are mostly plants. We haven't been strictly vegan. We're still eating all of those eggs from our chickens and have kept yogurt for morning granola (and I have had to keep my tablespoon of half & half for my coffee). But overall, it has been pretty great to discover new dishes through the workshop and figure out how to rework some family favorites. The experience really deserves its own post, so I'll do that once the workshop is finished and I have finished processing what it meant in terms of how we eat. 

I am nearly done with that shawl up there. 1.5 rows, bind off, and blocking left. I'm going to go work on that right now. I'm itching to start a new sweater and I have some granny squares to make. Those and the seaming up of a very old knitting project are the agenda for my beach knitting. The shawl in on the agenda for beach wearing. The Oregon coast in June is big on the grey and drizzly. Perfect for shawl wearing. 

I swore off Facebook and Twitter for the summer. That may mean that I'm here more and it may not. I just don't know. What I do know is that I want to connect with my people in more meaningful ways. I want to walk in the woods and pick berries and sit on the patio with good food, cold beer, and fun conversation. Plus I have a mile long summer bucket list that does not allow for much computer time. I'm looking forward to the break. So, I'm going to live up to that right now. Time to go sit on the patio with my coffee and some leftover crisp and finish that shawl while Kit digs for worms. 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Heather]

Good to see you again here. The kiddos have been talking about yours lately. Love that shawl pattern. I was able to pet some LOFT in person at my LYS here. I too need to catch up on grannies. My Stripe Study Shawl took over my life and became my sole focus.

[Sarah Jackson]

I have to say that I find Loft/Shelter to be pretty unremarkable, and even annoying, to knit with (but the colors are gorgeous). However, the fabric is makes once washed is truly beautiful. So I love it. 

[amanda {the habit of being}]

that crisp sounds good! and the sweater...love, love, love it!

[emily]

You bought rhubarb?! You need to get a plant - I'd give you one but I already gave my two extras away. Our remaining one grows without any help, year after year and is one of the first to grow, which is super nice to see in late winter/early spring when summer seems so far away. :-)

[Sarah Jackson]

I had to. We planted one last year and the rain rotted it right out. I guess I should try again.

[Kelly]

your summer sounds great, enjoy the break.

[Sarah Jackson]

thanks! I forgot to mention the copious amounts of yardwork that started today. But thats all good too. 

[Speattle]

I'm intrigued by your use of olive oil in the baked goods. I tried it for the first time in the recipe found here:
www.http://thepescetarianandthepig.com/2011/08/09/gelatin-free-smore-cupcakes/#comment-62

It was wonderful!