Blackberry-Thyme Scones with White Chocolate Glaze

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes –
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”
– Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Blackberries are in season and chock full of nutritious benefits.  After being inspired by the blog Une Gamine Dans La Cuisine, I thought I would try them in my go-to scone recipe.  Did you know blackberries have the highest level of antioxidants than any other food?  They are also a good source of anthocyanins, which have a protective effect against Alzheimer and dementia as well as against GI cancers such as colon cancer. Of course having them just plain is best,  but who can resist having them in a scone with white chocolate?

Mediterranean Bow Tie Pasta and Grilled Tuna Dinner Salad

“Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes!”

 Author unknown

With cooler  nights and shorter days upon us, I’m trying to hang on to summer as long as possible in the kitchen.   This salad showcases luscious, organically grown tomatoes from my neighbor Marty’s amazing garden which I am invited to raid at leisure.  Great tomatoes are readily available at local farmers’ markets if you don’t have your own garden-grown source.

Monogrammed Fall Front Door Basket Wreath

 

Wreaths are a signature welcome at our front door and I like to keep them seasonal and change them often.  With ongoing glorious weather and plenty of blues, pinks and greens in my garden, I wanted to refresh the summer wreath but was not yet ready for pumpkins, mums and fall colors.

Tomato-Basil Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Step away from the can of tomato soup!

Andy Warhol 1962

THIS is the grown up version of cream of tomato soup! But have no fear, the grilled cheese sandwich is the still perfect pairing for the soup.  This chunky fresh tomato soup takes advantage of the gorgeous tomatoes ready to harvest in the garden and of the abundant fresh basil.  Its texture is thick, satisfying and very tomato-ey.   Cutting the grilled cheese sandwich into crouton-sized pieces on top is a fun twist that had my 18 year old exclaiming to always make it this way from now on!  An American classic.

Tomato-Stuffed Tri-Colored Roasted Peppers

Get a crusty loaf of bread ready!  You are going to want to sop up every last drop of the sublime juices of these stuffed peppers.  With both peppers and tomatoes in season this is a perfect recipe to showcase the season’s stars.

Playing with Stones: Building an Inuksuk

Inuksuk: defined as something which acts for, or performs the function of a person.

Everyday as I gaze out my kitchen window, I  look upon a stone work of art that I love and is meaningful. This organic, unique and beautiful Inuksuk sculpture was  built by hand by my husband and youngest son.  They hunted together for the perfect stones to build it in the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania and hauled them home.  It is constructed without mortar or any kind of support.  It is a marvel of engineering from the natural world.  The stones are nestled ingeniously, much like a puzzle, and stacked into a delicately balanced one-of-a-kind sculpture.

Pin It! Creative Storage For Brooches

Brooches have always fascinated me and are a staple of my wardrobe.  Over the years my collection of brooches has grown, with many pieces received as gifts or inherited.  My husband often surprises me with a  brooch when he travels, selecting pieces that  are handmade by local artists.  These are the most meaningful brooches of my collection.

Hand painted pieces by American artist Christina Goodman; sunflowers by Michael Michaud

Monogrammed Gingerbread Cookies

Life’s accomplishments can all be relative.  When I was working full time as a periodontist with 3 young children born 3 years apart, I won the “Best Snack Mom of the Year” award at my sons’ preschool. The “over the top” homemade soft pretzels in the initial of every child in the class probably cinched the title for me.  What was I thinking?  It was all downhill from there!  I recently did revive the monogram idea  by cutting free-hand initials out of our favorite gingerbread dough.

Just Peachy! Blueberry-Peach Crostata

With juicy peaches in season, showcase them in a free form crostata. A crostata is essentially an open top rustic tart.  It is easy to make and lets the beautiful fruit become caramelized while baking.   It has a certain casual flair, perfect for a lazy summer dessert.  Top it with ice cream or whipped cream, and this dessert is sure to be a hit.  When it is baking, the spices make the house smell sooooo divine!

Seared Hake and Orzo Salad with Nectarine Salsa

Summertime and the living is easy.   A salad featuring summer’s bounty is a great meal option.    This orzo salad topped with succulent fish and a fresh, bright and aseasonal nectarine salsa is a little different.   Peaches, nectarines, cherries, apricots could all be substituted.  The pasta, salsa and fish can all be made in  advance and assembled just before serving.  Fresh summery bursts of flavor in every bite.   Not a fish lover?  Substitute chicken.