Welcome Summer!

I realize that it’s a little late to officially welcome summer, we are, after all, half way into it… but on the first day of summer I did celebrate its arrival. It’s just taking me a few weeks to share it with you. This was the 3^rd in the two week time period of gatherings I hosted, and only 2 days after Junesgiving.

I’ve always wanted to host a summer solstice party; you know, celebrate the outdoors and the sunshine on the longest day of the year. I think I first got the idea from Real Simple a few years ago. And unfortunately, it’s just never worked out to do it before. There was always some kind of conflict. So I said “This is the year!” A good friend of mine hosted a winter solstice this past winter and we sat around and enjoyed wines and cheeses in the warmth of her home, and it was great fun. What wouldn’t be even more fun about that to do it outside!!!

So on June 21 I had a small gathering on my deck, where we enjoyed delicious seasonal foods, including guacamole which I made for the first time, and homemade Sangria. The guacamole turned into a bit of an adventure… I bought the avocados that Friday since I knew I’d be away all weekend, and when I got them out on Monday to use for the guac they were rotten. So, at 6:15 I had to run to giant, get home, and have food ready for guests to arrive at 7:30. It was a bit rushed, but it worked out well, and was quite delicious. Thought I did manage to get avocado in my hair and cut my hand….

We sat on the deck and enjoyed the summer weather, the snacks, and the conversation (though not really the music I had prepared because with the highway only about 20 yards away it was a lost cause) .

I used an Ina Garten recipe for the guac, and a Bobby Flay recipe for the Sangria. It was kind of a thick guacomole, you were just supposed to mix it with a fork, but I really enjoyed it. I managed to not take a picture of the sangria, which was not only delicious, but I think got an A+ for presentation.

I really enjoyed welcoming summer with seasonal foods and friends, and hope to do it again!

A Junesgiving Feast

So just 2 weeks after the Friends party I hosted (hosted is the key word here, not prepared) Junesgiving. A friend in my small group was given a coupon for a free turkey for Christmas from her work, and had to use it by May 31. So, she thought, why not share it?! Funny thing about buying a butterball in June (her coupon was only good for that brand)- they don’t stock a whole lot. So we had a 21 lb turkey. All the more people to invite!!

I offered to host because I have the most space out of the friends in my group, and we all invited a few extra people (totaling 15 I think). Each of us in the group volunteered a thanksgiving staple, and we came together and shared (just like the first thanksgiving!!). It was delicious and fun, and we all agreed that it was a great meal- which I think sometimes is hard to do with something like Thanksgiving, when everyone has their own way of preparing things. And we all got a week’s worth of leftovers. SOOOO Delicious!!!

got out the fancy blue goblets for this occasion!

This meal could not have been possible without Julie, who not only got the turkey, but spent the day at my house preparing it even though I had to work a wedding that day. So when I got home at 5:00 my house was already smelling like thanksgiving!!!

One thing we did realize in this process: There is a reason that these meals are done in the winter. It was in the mid 90s last weekend and I can tell you that the AC cannot keep up when it’s 95 degrees outside and you’re running the stove and oven inside for about 8 hours…..

here is Julie and her bf Ryan, she's doing dishes and he's carving for us (using the electric knife my mom gave me as a gift in like 2002. this was the first time it's ever been used...)

I decided to get a little Sandra Lee and decorate my tablescapes as best I could with the fact that it was June and I had spent the entire Saturday at work. But I think the pumpkins add a little something, no?

Other highlights of the night included my awesome friends who helped to clean up after nearly everyone was gone, and especially Joe and Marlayna, my roommate and his gf, who cleaned up the ENTIRE kitchen (including dishes, pots and pans, and even putting the tables away) while I was at church the next morning! It was an amazing blessing and surprise to come home to a house where all I had to do was put a few things away and mop up the floors. Which made for a better day considering I rushed immediately to my Father’s Day celebration and was hosting people again the next night (post forthcoming on the final entertaining of late).

Thomas and Steve working on the dishes! So thankful!

Billy resting after the Junesgiving haze... Everyone was a little disappointed that there was no football to watch- they said it wasn't the same. They compensated by watching the US Open. Golf just isn't the same as football though.

After all of this, I am thankful for good food, a house full of guests, and the community that we shared together. And why not be just as Thankful in June for these things as we are in November!!!

Hospitality

I enjoy hospitality. I think I’m pretty good at it. I always score high on hospitality on spiritual gifts assessments (usually just slightly behind Administration and very near Helps. If that’s not a recipe for a recreation major- I don’t know what is). Ever since I’ve been out of college, in fact, even while I was in college, I’ve always liked to host parties and gatherings (our “dorm room extravaganzas” were always a hit). I’m not the world’s greatest or most accomplished cook, but I like to learn and to experiment, and I love a house full of good friends enjoying good food and drink.

These last few weeks have provided me several opportunities for hosting, and they have been a splendid time (at least I had a good time). The first was a few weeks ago when I hosted a few friends to play Friends Scene It. I love the show friends and love to play this game, but you have to specifically invite people who are also fans, or you end up with a crowd of sore losers. (trust me, I know from experience). I believe there were 8 of us and we played 2 games (I won one, I lost one- and though it was a final round loss, it was still a loss- though I think my first one…). It was a fun mix of people, all who at one point or another told me they were a big Friends fan, which made it fun- some old friends, some new friends, and a few of the college students that we’ve worked with this year.

And always, if the star of the party isn’t the game (or the costumes – dress as your favorite character/moment- they were outstanding) – it was the food. I decided to have Central Perk themed treats for the party. So I made muffins (from a box,) homemade cranberry scones, and a fruit trifle (if you’re a friends fan, you know why I made the “English Trifle”). And then, we had vanilla and caramel lattes for all who wanted them (my friend billy has become designated bartender/barista at all my functions, depending on the type of party. I just need one less thing to worry about).

As always, I didn’t take any pictures at the event, here is the food:

the mess of the kitchen....

a trifle (with no beef or sauteed onions!)

Central Perk Scones!

Mother's Day

I’m perpetually behind on things- watching shows on my dvr, movies that came out two years ago, books on my book piles, reading and writing blogs. So today I was catching up on blogs (hadn’t read any in a few weeks) and really enjoyed all the mother’s day ones. So I thought I’d write about mine (only 2 days later!)

 A lot of the bloggers I follow are young parents, and so they have a lot to reflect about on mother’s day. I, however, am not a parent. I currently have no plans to be a parent in the near future (as I’m quite single, I’ll wager that it’s not likely to happen by the next time mother’s day rolls around at least). So, I got to spend this mother’s day (as I’ve spent most others) celebrating the moms in my life.

My recently married sister hosted a gathering for our mom, our grandmother, our aunt and uncle (parents of 3, but the closest of their children is in Dallas, TX), her mother in law, and her mother in law’s parents. She, her husband, and I did all the cooking so the moms didn’t have to bring anything. It was fun. It was the first time that “the kids” took care of the day- not leaving the work to the moms. We had “brunch” (though I still argue that you cannot call it brunch at 2:30pm)

We didn’t do anything to fancy- egg casserole, ham, scones (which my sister made from scratch) and pie. And mimosas. Our new favorite cocktail. But it was nice to just celebrate the moms in our lives. I’m a little embarrassed that it took us until 27 & 29 to serve our moms like this- but we’re slow learners.

I used to think mother’s day was kind of silly. I’m not a fan of these “card company holidays” that make you feel guilty if you don’t participate. However, how many times do we REALLY take the time to celebrate moms? I’m not even a mom and I get how thankless a job it is. I see my friends parenting their young children tirelessly- and it never goes away. I still count on my mom to do much more than me than I really need her to- but it’s just what I’m used to (29 year habits die hard). So, why not take a day to say Thanks to our moms?

I hope that if you’re a mom you were celebrated in a special way on Sunday. And I hope if you’re not a mom you had someone in your life whom you could just love and serve.

The Becki/Julie/Julia Project

So, last week I had a mini Julie/Julia Project. Lest you think I have jumped on another movie bandwagon- please allow me to explain my brief history with this work of pop culture.

Back in 2005 when it first came out I read the original book Julie & Julia- a memoir about a girl on the brink of 30 (hello!) who is frustrated with her life and career (again!) and decides to spend 1 year cooking her way through the Julia Child cookbook- Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I loved it. And became sort of fascinated with Julia Child- even though I have always loved her- I enjoyed watching her show on PBS when I was a kid- and a favorite JC moment of mine is when Oprah did a show on nutrition and "peaked into the refrigerators of famous people." Julia was one of them- and she only had like pickles and condiments and beer. I loved it!! I knew she was a cool woman- even in my (what i can remember was) my early teen years.

About a year ago (or a little more) when I still didn't know when the movie was coming out, etc, I bought Julia Child's memoir: My Life in France. I finally read it this summer and was enamored. What a fascinating woman!! She didn't even start cooking until she was 37!!! (There is hope for me!)

So, in September, I finally saw the movie, and received the famous cookbook as a birthday gift. I have done nothing with it since then.

Some friends of mine and I had the idea (well, it wasn't my idea- i'm was going along with it) to have a monthly dinner club- where we take turns cooking/hosting. So, I signed up for January and said we'd make it "Julia Themed."

So I took on one of the more famous recipes "Boeuf Bourguignon." It was a challenge. I read and studied the recipe- wanting to follow Julia's directions- but realizing that this book was designed for a cook more advanced than I. But with the help of some food savvy friends- I did it!!! I made the stew, with a side of boiled potatoes and a side of peas (what Julia suggests as sides) and I made a homemade key lime pie for dessert (not a Julia suggestion, but I'm just back from Florida...).

It was more or less a success!!! All my dinner guests came in pearls (or brought extra to share- this has meaning if you've read the book/seen the movie), and we ate our stew and veggies avec baguette et vin. We did our best Julia Child impressions, and we watched the movie to close our evening. It was a great time!

I hope to keep trying recipes- I had a few milestones in this cooking- I bought a few things I never had before (including Red Meat!) and some new cookware. I really enjoyed this challenging cooking project. I realized in this experience that I don't know a lot about cooking- and I'm certain to not blame my mom for not teaching me- but I never really paid attention to what goes into cooking. I've been out of college for 8 years- it's time I improve my skills!!!!

The key lime pie (crust hand made as well!)

Tasty dinner by candlelight, a good time had by all! (i hope!)

Berry Cobbler

So, I've mentioned my berry cobbler and have had a request for the recipe, so I'm sharing it with the world. But you have to get the back story first.

This recipe is from my great-grandmother from Texas. My "Poppy" was born and raised on a ranch outside of Houston, Texas. My grandmother "Nanny" grew up in Holidaysburg, PA (you win a prize if you know where that is). They met in California during WWII. Poppy was in the Air Force, and Nanny went out there with her sister to work in an office. She always says "things were different during the war." They got married in Harrisburg, and then moved to Houston after the war because that is where Poppy could get a job. Having grown up on the farm, his mother was always cooking fresh foods and desserts from the farm. She (the original Nanny Smith) made a fresh dessert, I think, every day. My Poppy was used to that, so my Nanny learned his mother's recipes for her new husband. After 3 years in TX my Nanny got really homesick and so they came to PA "for a trial period" and never left. But she brought the TX recipes with her and now we all use them! It's kind of a rough recipe b/c she just passed them along verbally to my nanny.

Nanny Smith's Berry Cobbler

make a pie crust for a 1 layer pie- but use milk instead of water. (refrigerate or put in freezer til ready to use)

mix in a sauce pan: 2/3 to 1 cup of sugar, 1 tbsp corn starch, 1 cup already-boiling water. Stir in water gradually, and bring to a boil for 1 minute- keep stirring.

After 1 minute add in 3 cups of fruit (any fruit that you can bake in a pie will work, but my FAV is black raspberries. my family also does it w/ peaches a lot)

now roll out your pie dough and cut into squares (about 1 inch - 1 1/2 inch)

in a dish (i used an 8x8, but you can use smaller for a thicker cobbler) make a layer of fruit/sauce. sprinkle over top 1 tbsp of butter (in quarters), 1/4 tsp vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then add a layer of crust squares.

* a time saver is rather than adding the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter into the layers, you can just mix some of each into the fruit/sauce mix

repeat this for 3 layers, finishing with squares on top (save the middle squares from your rolled out dough- they're the prettiest), and press down on the squares gently for the juice to come over some of them.

Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.

DELISH!!

here is what was left of mine when I decided to take a picture....

more cooking!!!

I have been on a roll lately... preparing more foods! It's really quite shocking for me, as the person who most nights has cheese and crackers or cereal for dinner. Summer does that to me- all the fresh things and being outside- I'm much more interested in preparing foods. This weekend I've had a few events, so I made a double batch of pasta salad (with fresh basil) and another tomato-mozz-basil salad. And I took a pic!!! I think it turned out to be quite tasty!

Container Gardening and Summer Eating

This year I have decided to work on a small container garden on my porch. When I lived in State College I grew a few things here and there, but this year is the first year that I bought some stuff at the start of the growing season, and plan to use it all summer. We'll see how it goes. I have 3 railing boxes and 2 pots.
Here is the middle box, where I am growing basil, rosemary, and thyme. Some people have asked how they are so big already, but I did not start them from seed. I bought seedlings from my local big box store. I have to start simply- maybe next year I'll be more ambitious.

I am also growing a tomato plant and mint, and then 2 boxes of flowers for some visual appeal. I haven't spent a lot of time on my deck, but it's pretty out there. Above are the mint (L) and tomato (R). i realize that it looks a little wilty, but I took these photos at the end of a hot day. I promise, I really am watering them!

Yesterday I finally used some of the herbs!!! On Thursday I went out to water them (I haven't had to too often b/c it keeps raining) and I realized my basil was starting to flower, which I figured was wrong. So, I called my always reliable herb-specialist (as in she grow herbs, she's not a pot head), Becky, and she affirmed that I should break off the seeds. She also reminded me that I need to be using the herbs or they will become unruly (I simply agreed with her, knowing that they are all well on their way to unruly). I'd like to make some pesto, but am not quite ready for that major of a project. She suggested a tomato-mozzarella-basil salad, and said her favs have some balsamic vinegar in them. I did some searching and found one that I would use from the food network online. [addendum: went back to add the link from the recipe I used and it's gone!! It's like it was only meant for me that day.... I did find the recipe from gourmet mag that it was adapted from. the FN recipe was a double of this. I followed directions with the exception of the dry mustard- which i did not have a could not find. my friend Chris says that is used as a thickening/bonding agent, so maybe my dressing was a little more runny than it could have been, but i didn't mind.]

So yesterday, in honor of summer, and my visit from friends Chris and Sharon, I made such a salad, and I brewed some fresh iced tea that I put some fresh mint in. It was a delicious summer meal that we enjoyed on the deck, with some roasted chicken and pasta (I cannot admit that I roasted the chicken- I bought one already done). The salad turned out well with fresh homegrown tomatoes from a local produce market (mine will not be ready for awhile). For desert we had a homemade raspberry cobbler (which I made the Texas way- not the way anyone around here makes cobbler, another entry for another day) with fresh black raspberries picked (by mom while I was at work Thursday) from my aunt's house.

I have rarely served a meal where nearly everything is homemade from FRESH ingredients. I'd like to more- this kind of thing is important to me, but it is a challenge to keep up with. But a good kick-off to summer eating.

I got my camera out to take a pic of the salad, but we had already dug in when I realized that I forgot. I plan to make one next Friday for a picnic that I'm going to, so I'll include one then! In the mean time- here is my deck ready for summer!