If you visit here often, you know that my list of knitting projects has slowly dwindled away this year. I blame my 365 project and inreasing time spent online for the decline in my knitting time. (My apologies to those of you who come here for knitting inspiration!) Even so, I finally finished a project I started many months ago for the newest member of our family.

It all started with ten skeins of superwash wool and the basic log cabin "recipe" from this book. After that, it was just knit, knit, knit until the yarn ran out. Nothing tricky here, but I did become bored with the process after the initial burst of creative energy.

Last week I decided it was do-or-die time and I made this project a priority. Today it's winging its way to the East coast to my new little great-niece--now two months old. I'd hoped it would greet her upon her arrival in this world, but I think she's still small enough to snuggle in its warmth when cooler days come calling.

For complete details, check my project page on Ravelry.

Labels: Baby, Knitting

posted by Leslie @ 7/14/2009 01:13:00 PM 8 comments

So what do you do with 12 pounds of blueberries once you've picked them? Well, you eat some out of hand, or in a bowl with milk and sugar, and stash bags full of them in the freezer. And of course, if you're me, you bake.

Muffins were first into my oven, but disappeared before I could document them. Next was this cobbler, with a very dense cake-like topping and lots of juicy blueberries underneath. A little vanilla ice cream on top was the perfect finishing touch.

Then it was back to breakfast with scones. This was a new recipe by Molly, and it was a winner. These were just slightly sweet, a little crunchy on the outside and very tender and moist inside. I'll definitely be adding this recipe to my file.

My blueberry supply has certainly taken a hit this week, but it's been well worth it. I may have just enough left, though, to give this a try. What do you think?

Labels: Baking, Blueberies, Summer

posted by Leslie @ 7/05/2009 03:58:00 PM 7 comments

Hope your weekend is filled with these things!

Labels: Polaroid, Summer

posted by Leslie @ 7/03/2009 08:20:00 AM 2 comments

This week marks the halfway point in my 365 project. Which also means that the first half of 2009 is now history. Hard to believe, isn't it? In another six months the photos I'll be taking will be very different.

Speaking of photos, if you want to see my progress so far, take a look here. And wish me luck on the next 182.5 days!

Labels: 365 Project, Summer

posted by Leslie @ 7/02/2009 09:57:00 AM 2 comments

Picking blueberries is one of summer's simple pleasures for me. Last year my timing was off and I was disappointed to find bushes already picked clean or laden with unripened fruit. This summer I was determined to come home from The Berry Patch with enough to fill our bellies and our freezer.

I think I met my goal! Twelve pound of berries, ready to eat. I made a batch of muffins as soon as I got home from picking, and now I'm dreaming of cobbler or perhaps a sour cream blueberry pie. Mmm, the posssiblities are endless. What's your favorite way to enjoy this summer fruit?

Labels: Berries, Outings, Summer

posted by Leslie @ 6/30/2009 03:49:00 PM 4 comments

Most weekends I find myself in the kitchen searching for something to satisfy my sweet tooth. Even in the heat of summer I can be enticed to fire up the oven and put a new recipe through its paces.

When I saw these chocolate goodies last week, I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd be collecting the ingredients and whipping up a batch myself.

Turns out I had most everything I needed in my pantry and refrigerator. I used Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips and plain non-fat yogurt. The batter came together very easily and was thick and chocolatey. These were perfectly done after just 20 minutes in my oven, and moved quickly from the cooling rack to our tummies. I didn't have the whipped cream that was suggested so we settled for a dusting of powdered sugar. A very satisfying snack indeed!

Note: Recipe by David Lebovitz, via Smitten Kitchen

Labels: Baking, Chocolate, Home

posted by Leslie @ 6/28/2009 07:50:00 PM 2 comments

Polaroids and purple coneflowers...sigh.

Labels: Flowers, Polaroid, Summer

posted by Leslie @ 6/26/2009 10:06:00 AM 4 comments