Blush: Raspberry & White Chocolate Tiramisu

So I'm at work today, doing work stuff, and all I can think about is going home and picking my raspberries. It's that season again kids, and I totally love it.  I pad out into the yard, bare feet and all, which confuses the hell out of my handsome man.  "You are not wearing shoes?" he asks in a bit of sweet confusion.  And I reply, blushing just a little, "no, I love the feel of grass and dirt underfoot."  He just smiles and nods.  And slips on my Crocs.  I head back to the hot spot, against the garage and there is the towering raspberry patch.  It has exploded since last year, which means I sometimes have to sit on the ground to catch all of the low low low ones, then stretch to get all of the goodness smack against the garage.  Most of them go into my bowl, but if I'm telling the truth to you, and I always do, a helluva lot go in the mouth.  I relish these fleeting days of scratched up arms and mosquito bites just to pick a basket or two of my favourite berry.  The taste of sunshine is worth it.

Underdog: Apricot & Ginger Tarte Tatin

Given the circumstances, this tart should never have existed.  I was definitely having one of those days where nothing, it seems, was turning out, but because of my stubborn disposition I was not going to let this tart die an unfortunate death because I knew it would be glorious, and it was.

Show and Tell: Blueberry Buckle

...And just like that I find myself sitting at my computer in my little green den (yup, the same colour as my kitchen) scrolling through photos of my summer vacation.  How does two weeks fly by so damn fast?  Seems just like seconds ago I was cramming an already stuffed suitcase with last minute items and zooming away to the airport in the backseat of a taxi driven by the creepiest taxi driver ever.  Happily I arrived at Saskatoon International Airport unscathed, and seven hours later the Deschamps welcoming committee greeted me with open arms in Windsor, Ontario.  Over the course of the next 10 days I would eat and eat and drink and eat and eat like no body's business.  Throw in lazy days of floating in pool, excursions to Target, getting lost on Eight Mile in Detroit (yes, that Eight Mile), eating at a famous celebrity chef resto in Toronto, being somewhat interrogated/flirted with by a US border crossing guard, visits to three very different but equally inspiring art institutions, road trips through lush countryside and late night martini-fueled marathons of GIRLS and you have one helluva vacation.  All that and I ate avocado ice cream too.  There are lots of photos to bore show you and a kick ass blueberry buckle recipe to follow, so let's get going!

While I'm Away...

I'm taking a breather from the pool and the sun and the booze (tough life on holiday, hey?) to say hi from sunny sunny Windsor. While I am missing my garden (oh I hope I've not missed the lilies opening) and my handsome man (hi honey!) I'm having the time of life here.  No recipes from me today, just a list of things I'm loving lately.  I'll write again, once i get settled back into life at home.  There will be a jungle of weeds and emails and needy cats to tend to, but I'll fill you in on the trip in no time. 

First off, how glorious are my Oriental Poppies?  First year growing them and they've blown me away with their beauty.  So fancy and so fleeting.  

If you love Mad Men, you need to see this. 

Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Cake.  'Nuff said. 

Molly's street food. 

This roasted pineapple ice cream has my name all over it. 

This post cracked me up and was highly applicable, but there's no way in hell I will ever raise chickens. 

I'm hoping to have a bumper crop of kale just so I can make this. 

Butter. Made at home. 

Beets and chocolate. 

Coconut milk and quinoa.  Cool.

I want this T-shirt 

Julie's Panna Cotta.  I've a fear of gelatin but will conquer it for this!

Nora Ephron's List.  What's on yours?  

Bon Voyage: Berry & Basil Cream Scones

As you read this, I am probably flying over Canada, wracking my brain to see if I forgot the essential contact lenses, bathing suit, passport, cell phone charger and volume-boosting shampoo.  My destination is Windsor, Ontario where I'll visit one of my oldest friends in the whole world - Miss Stacylee.  She and I met almost twenty years ago in a studio art classroom at Concordia University in Montréal.  Bonding over 90210, Duran Duran, Woody Allen and Earl Grey tea (okay, we drank more than tea, but that's for another post, another time) we soon became kindred spirits and though we are separated by one massive country, I carry her heart with mine.  Seeing the face of an old friend at the arrivals gate is one of the best things ever and on July 1 there will be lots of happy tears and hugs.  Stacy has a pool, a well-stocked liquor cabinet, and two of the cutest little boys ever.  The eldest is giving up his bed for me.  I wonder if I'll be sleeping on Spider Man sheets?