birthday express…

Posted on January 8, 2013 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

I have been busy with the fabulous festivities of a boy turning 3! We celebrated Finn’s 3rd. birthday this past Friday (hence, no post). The day started off with a VERY early morning wake-up…(I went to bed at 1 AM – so it felt VERY early to me!) – I should say, a sprint down the stairs is how it actually started – and I wasn’t the one sprinting…

I had been up, late the night before, creating a train cake complete with wheels, track, cargo and a chocolate covered smoke stack. Not the best time of day for photographs…hence the not so great lighting…

Then busy wrapping presents and helping Michael hang streamers, blow-up balloons and create the party atmosphere so vital to the morning ‘of’ that I had no time to post…

…it was a lovely day of simple pleasures… breakfast and opening presents (just the three of us) then a drive down to Portland to visit to the children’s museum – funny enough, serendipity and its willingness to ‘give’ – gave us free passes to the museum – Finns birthday was ‘Free day’ at the children’s museum – we had no idea, what a fun surprise for us (and our wallet) – as Finns’ grandparents and great-grandparents met us there too!

Celebrating a birthday doesn’t have to break the bank. I picked up streamers, balloons, wrapping paper, fun party napkins and plates all from the $1 store. I baked the cake, prepared the icing (no food coloring used) and purchased small amounts of candy (for the cargo) from my local health food store (no chemicals here)… the total cost was about $15, a far cry from a store or bakery bought, chemical laden cake…The passengers are from Finn’s train set as are the little trees and house.

Going out to eat after the museum did cost more than dining at home, though we wanted to celebrate with family who had traveled so far to meet us in Portland – so out for Mexican it was! Appetizers to share kept the bill low (relatively speaking) and decorating the table and chairs with balloons, party hats and festive napkins made it fun – being able to enjoy the cake in the restaurant made the night complete!

Decorating your house for the morning of is easy enough (use stuffed animals with leis or party favors to stand in as friends – until the real ones arrive), hang streamers, balloons and birthday banners. If your going to have a party at home – keep it simple and remember, bouncy castles aren’t a requirement for fun – creativity is. Kids love bubbles, art supplies, music, face painting and fun food – so why not keep it simple while keeping your budget in tact? Happy Birthday little man – I’m so happy you chose me to be your momma!

cranberries for Christmas

Posted on December 18, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Orange – cranberry cake that is. This is a fabulous recipe! Definitely worth the time, which really isn’t very much – it’s the chopping of the cranberries which is a bit time consuming – but hey, pop on some great music and chop away…Try it, you won’t regret it – everyone loves it! Plus, it’s easy and won’t break the budget, even though your taste buds will tell you otherwise…

Gift Idea – make small loaves, wrap in simple wax paper, tie with twine (or red ribbon) and add a sprig of greenery – who wouldn’t love that? Extra bonus, include the recipe.

Happy Holidays.

Orange-Cranberry Cake

What you’ll need;

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 butter, softened

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 cup milk

2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. finely shredded orange peel

1 recipe orange glaze

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan (I used a square 8×8 pan – I don’t own a tube pan – though I’d suggest using one if you have one – if not, improvise, like I did); set aside.

2. In large bowl stir together flour, oats, baking powder, soda and salt.

3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add 1 cup sugar; beat until well combined. Add eggs; beat until well combined. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beating on low speed after each addition until combined.

4. Toss cranberries with 2 tablespoons sugar; fold into batter with orange peel. Spread cake batter into prepared pan.

5. Bake 50-60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool on wire rack.

6. Spoon orange glaze over cooled cake. Let stand until glaze is set. Makes 12+ servings.

Orange Glaze: In small bowl combine 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel. Add 2-4 teaspoons orange juice to make drizzling consistency.

Enjoy

I came across this recipe in a magazine years ago… I neglected to make note of the magazine (and it’s nowhere on the page)… Whomever the credits go to, they are deserved. Thank you, this is delicious!

fish chowda’

Posted on December 15, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

The ponds are starting to freeze over, the wind is beginning to bite and snow is only a matter of time…warm soup and warm bread – good for the bones and soul (especially on a cold December night, in Maine).

Around here people say, ‘fish chowda’, not fish chowder. You’ll find this soup (or a variation thereof) on just about every menu in the state of Maine (ok, not every menu), but a lot, that’s for certain…yet, it’s far less expensive to prepare and enjoy at home. A few basic ingredients, some white fish and a bit of time is all you need. Prepare in the morning (if possible) and let stand all day…like any soup, time only enhances the flavors and textures…

Fish and Potato Chowder

What you’ll need;

2 tbsp. butter

1 medium onion, chopped

1 leek, chopped (no leeks? replace medium onion, above, with 1 large)

2 tbsp. flour

3.5 cups whole milk (whole milk only)

1 – 2 bay leaf

small handful chopped fresh parsley

1 pound haddock (or any mild flavored white fish – smoked fish also works brilliantly)

1 – 2 pounds potatoes – cooked and smashed – the more potatoes, the thicker the soup…

1 good pour heavy cream

course salt + freshly ground pepper

Peel (or not – depends if you like skins in your soup) potatoes. Cut. Boil for 20 minutes or until soft enough to be pierced, gently…drain and smash with a bit of butter, dash of milk and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

While the potatoes are boiling away, melt butter (I use a bit more than this recipe calls for – butter is so tasty) in a large heavy bottom pot, over medium heat, add onion and leek and saute until slightly softened and lightly browned. Meanwhile,

Mix the flour in a small bowl with enough of the milk to make a smooth paste, then stir into pot, (stirring constantly – you don’t want the roux to burn) until paste is thoroughly blended with the onions (about 2-3 minutes), then gradually stir in the remaining milk.

Add the bay leaf and parsley and season to taste tie salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Rinse fillets under water, pat dry, then cut into large (the fish will likely break into smaller pieces once in the soup) chunks. Add to the soup and cook for 15 minutes, or until fish is tender and cooked right though.

Add the smashed potatoes and stir in cream. Simmer just 5 minutes more. Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Ladle into warm bowls, serve with fresh, warm – crusty bread, and salad or greens…add a glass of red wine and candlelight – deliciousness and heartiness for under $10. Serves 4 – 6.

Fish and potato soup adapted from The Fish & Seafood Cookbook – From Ocean to Table, 2005.

enjoy.

granola go-go bars

Posted on December 11, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Granola. I love it. I love its’ simplicity. It may be enjoyed on its’ own, on top of yogurt or ice cream, or simply as a breakfast cereal or late afternoon snack with tea…whatever your fancy. Here’s a basic recipe for granola bars.

3.5 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup chopped almonds

1 egg beaten

2/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup sunflower kernels

1/2 cup flaked coconut (unsweetened)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Butter, then flour (sides and bottom), a 15 inch X 10 inch X 1 inch baking pan (or thereabouts…). Combine oats and almonds in bowl, toss, then add to prepared pan. Bake at 350 F for 15-25 minutes, or until toasted, stirring occasionally.

While that is going on, in a large bowl combine the egg, butter, honey and vanilla. Stir in sunflower seeds, coconut, cranberries, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Stir in oat mixture.

Butter and flour pan again (if necessary) then press mixture into pan.

Bake at 350 F for about 15-20 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Store in an airtight container, if they last that long!

The best part of this recipe – I always love recipes where ingredients can be substituted or omitted, without affecting the overall taste – is the variety of ‘additions’ which may be added or not. You could try using raisins, dried apricots, chocolate chips, flax… use what you have on hand and relax. I made these without the coconut, because I didn’t have any…they were still delicious! Want to make them a bit festive? Drizzle chocolate sauce over top, once cooled, before cutting…

Granola bars on the go – perfect for anywhere and anyone as these are gluten free (if you dust pan with gluten free flour of course). Baked with love – not only better for your budget, but better for your body.

enjoy!

quiche – perfect for everyday

Posted on November 23, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Quiche.
I’m especially fond of its’ versatility. It may be enjoyed warm or at room temperature; it may be prepared ahead of time and frozen or made fresh – though fresh is best; it may be served for lunch, brunch or breakfast and the ingredients can be just about combination of cheese, meat and or vegetable you can think of – not to mention it’s delicious, easier than it looks and fairly inexpensive to make.

Here’s a basic version, adapt as you wish.

For the crust;
Make a single crust (or buy if you prefer).

Need a recipe? See here. Chill dough in fridge for at least 30 minutes. Roll on lightly floured surface. Size to fit pie plate. Lay sheet of aluminum foil (shiny side down) or parchment paper over the bottom and up sides of crust. Fill with beans, rice or pie weights. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Carefully lift out paper/foil with weights inside. Using a fork, carefully prick the entire bottom of crust and then return to oven for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the entire crust is nicely browned. Let cool on rack. Crust may be made a day ahead of time (simply wrap and store in fridge) and or freeze to use at a later time…while crust is baking assemble your ingredients and begin sauteing your veggies…

1.Saute 1/2 cup chopped onions until browned add 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms and then 1/2 cup chopped broccoli – fresh or frozen.

2. Place sauteed veggies on bottom of baked pie crust. Add a good pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper and fresh herbs if you have. Parsley is perfect for just about any combo.

3. Whip 8 eggs with 1/2 cup cream, milk or half and half. Pour custard (egg mixer) over veggies (and meat if using). Top with sliced or grated cheese if desired.

4.Bake in 375 degree oven until the filling is browned and set – about 25-30 minutes. If more time is needed, simply cover quiche (including crust edges) with foil, lightly, and check for doneness periodically. This prevents over browning of the crust.

Bake, chop, saute, mix, pour, bake – that’s it.

More combination ideas – artichoke hearts, garlic, kalamata olives and feta or try diced fresh tomatoes, basil, sauteed onions and goat cheese or add spinach, swiss chard, broccoli or cheddar to any of the above – meat lovers may also like to add cooked sausage or fried chopped bacon…combine what you love.

Keep it simple – prepare a crust ahead of time and use ingredients you have on hand. Quiche. Any time, any day – especially perfect for weekend guests and brunch. Bloody Mary’s anyone?

enjoy.

bake, cook, hike, eat

Posted on October 23, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Sunday was beautiful, we knew we wanted to be outdoors, but what to do? We also knew we didn’t want to drive far, we didn’t want to spend any money and we wanted to do something different. So, we decided to take a hike, locally, and we’re so glad we did. It was a trail we’ve been meaning to hike, but just hadn’t yet – today was the perfect day. We live on the tip of a peninsula, in Maine. This peninsula has taken land conservation seriously, thankfully a lot of Maine has… there are miles of scenic and varied hikes here and the beaches are incredible…yet, so are the insects. This is the best time of year to go hiking/walking in the woods, the issue of ticks and mosquitos has waned, the weather is crisp, the light is low and lovely, yet you want to go on a Sunday – it’s hunting season right now…neon orange is a must any other day of the week; Sundays are no hunting days, it’s the law, thus it’s the best day to go for a walk in the woods…so that’s what we did.

But what to make for dinner before we head out?

It’s not as though we can just go out and ‘grab’ something to eat, (there is nowhere to go for 20 miles – at least this time of year) plus, it would just be nice to come home to dinner already prepared… So what to make was the question? Utilize what we have was the only answer. Decision – go with simple comfort food – crispy corn bread in a skillet (if you don’t have a cast iron skillet, then a 9 1/2″ round baking pan may be substituted) and spicy red bean chili.

Both can be quickly re-heated, the perfect solution after a long day out and about.

Want to know how? It’s pretty easy and you can substitute/increase/decrease ingredients according to needs. Here you go;

Spicy red bean chili

1 large onion

1-2 cloves garlic

2 cups kidney beans (freshly cooked or canned)

2 cups carrots

1 cup celery

2 cups corn (thawed frozen works well)

1 32 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 fresh tomato

1-2 cups fresh greens (swiss chard or spinach)

1 teaspoon chipotle powder

2-3 tablespoon fiesta chili powder or mix cumin, ancho cilii, coriander, and oregano

1/2 +/- cup vegetable/chicken stock

salt to taste

dash of butter

Variations – add one or more of the following; red and green peppers, jalepeneos, cooked beef (organic or local if you can), diced potatoes, black beans, cannelloni beans, shredded pork (organic or local if you can)…go wild. Play with the spices – make it more hot or not.

What to do; Chop onion, garlic, carrots, celery, tomato and greens. Saute onions until translucent, add garlic, carrots, celery.

Add greens and tomato.

Add a dash of butter and then spice.

Mix briefly. Lower heat and add crushed tomatoes, beans and stock.

Simmer.

Add salt to taste. Adjust seasonings. Simmer till all is blended. Meanwhile get the cornbread going…

Crispy cornbread in a skillet

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal (organic if you can)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
2 beaten eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter ( I know!)

In a large bowl mix together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Add butter to a 10-inch cast iron skillet

Place the skillet in a 400F degree oven for about 3 minutes or until the butter is nearly all melted. Remove skillet from oven – be sure to remember to use a rag or oven mitt – and swirl butter in pan to coat sides and bottom of pan.

Then, in a small bowl combine eggs (beaten), milk, and melted butter.

Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir until just moistened.

Pour batter into hot skillet.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm – it’s the best this way!

Top chili with sour cream, plain yogurt, freshly grated parmesan or goat cheese and freshly diced herbs – parsley, cilantro, or chives…
The fun thing with this combo is that so many things can be added or substituted – use what you have and substitute for what you don’t.

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite comfort food?

not sure what to do with all those apples? bake a pie…

Posted on October 19, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

The other day I decided it was time to use up the last few pounds of apples from our picking adventure a few weeks ago – wasting food is such a crime in my eyes – so what to do? Make pie! I’ve made pies before, but I’ve never made apple – odd, I know. I thought I’d make one pie to eat right away, and one to freeze. We’ll see how the frozen one works out when my friend visits in a few weeks…I’ve realized, apple pie is pretty easy, once you’ve made the crust and peeled the apples…ha ha, I know, but it’s true.

Despite all the peeling – I will certainly make this pie again. It’s delicious and really quite easy if you either pre-make (and freeze or keep in fridge) the crusts or buy pre-made crust. I personally can’t bring myself to buy a crust. I am usually outraged with the ingredients or it seems when the ingredients are actual food, then the price is more than what I am wanting to pay…so, I make my own. I’d rather do without than settle. It’s really not as challenging as you may think…
I don’t use a pastry blender/knife or two knives, I just use my fingers. I realize this may bother other pastry bakers, as your not supposed to ‘handle’ the dough a lot – but it works for me. I like the outcome, as does Michael and Finn. So why not try? Want a simple recipe? See here.
Back to the pie. Yes, it really is simple. Make the crusts in advance. I made mine two days in advance, wrapped them in wax paper, and then refrigerated (dough can also be frozen). Assemble the ingredients;

apples, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, flour, lemon juice and crusts. If your crusts are frozen, be sure to thaw them the day before in the fridge. When stored in fridge, take out a few hours ahead of time to allow to soften – but not too much. Length of time depends on your climate…Roll (both crusts), peel (apples), mix (spices and apples), top (with second crust), bake. Pie is ready.

Now if you’d like a bit more of the specifics here you go;
2 pie crusts (one for the bottom, one for the top)
6 cups thinly sliced, peeled pie apples (I used cortland and macintosh) = roughly about 2.5 lbs.
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins or chopped walnuts (optional)

Prepare and roll pastry. Line a 9″ pie plate with one pastry (crust). Set the other aside.

Slice apples (help with this task really speeds up the process – or an apple peeler/corer).

Place in large bowl. Sprinkle apples with lemon juice, toss.

Mix together sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over apples. Toss and coat.

Transfer apple mixture to the pastry-lined pie plate.

Cut slits in remaining pastry; place over apple filling and seal. Crimp edges as desired; I’m not too fussy about this part, mine aways end up with a rustic homemade look – I’m ok with that, in fact, I like it – it tastes just as lovely as one with perfectly crimped edges.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 50-60 minutes. To prevent overbrowning, loosely cover edge of pie for the first 25 minutes, then remove foil for the final 25-30 minutes. Bake until top is golden.

Cool on rack.

The recipe calls for the pie to cool completely before serving, but I like mine a bit warm…serve as you wish. Top with fresh cream or vanilla ice cream.

Here’s a few more ideas for fresh apples – apple cake, apples with peanut butter, apple crisp and caramel apples.

What’s your favorite apple recipe?

apple picking in New Zealand and Maine

Posted on October 12, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Apples. Love ’em. Especially this time of year. The smell of apples, fallen leaves, wearing boots and sweaters and feeling the crisp air is just lovely this time of year…the last time I had picked apples was a little over 10 years ago – in New Zealand. Now, my most recent apple picking experience – this past weekend, in Maine – was vastly different than my last apple picking experience, in New Zealand.

Michael and I visited New Zealand while on our ’round the world trip. We stayed for four months. We camped, hiked, fished, visited thrift shops, bought a car, met some amazing people and drove all over the entire country – both the North and South Islands. While there, we did what a lot of travelers do, we looked for work. We were in the middle of our year + long travel trip and wanted to keep our ‘kitty’ afloat as well as have some for when we arrived back ‘home’ – wherever that was to be…so we worked along the way. We were in New Zealand during their apple season; we had heard about the prospect of apple picking and had met quite a few people who had done apple picking themselves and made suggestions as to where to do it. So we did. (photo of a photo of our tractor while in New Zealand – each pair of pickers had their own tractor, this was ours)

We found a beautiful orchard with lovely owners and the job allowed us to live on the property (for a small weekly fee) in a one room studio. It was hard work. Up at sunrise, pick, pick, pick, drop off at sunset, eat, rest, sleep. Four weeks we picked. I gained a whole new appreciation for apples. Apple picking for profit and apple picking for pleasure are entirely different experiences…

This past weekends’ experience was for pleasure, Michael, Finn and I went apple picking.

You choose a wagon, a bag and go out into the orchard.

Pick, pick, pick till your hearts content.

We ended up with 19 pounds of apples – that’s a lot of apples – nothing compared to what Michael and I would pick on a daily basis in NZ, but a lot for three people to eat nonetheless. Now, I know – apple pie, apple sauce, apple bread, apple crisp, baked apples, caramel apples – but there’s only so much time in my day, so I’ve decided to make pies (and freeze) and apple crisp. I have the best recipe for apple crisp. Really. I found it in a cookbook given to me by my grandmother, 12 years ago. It’s a cookbook created by and for the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary; titled, Savoring Cape Cod.

This recipe can also be used for blueberry crisp, raspberry crisp and a combination thereof. It’s quick, delicious and easy. Top with a bit of fresh creme and or vanilla ice cream and well, your in heaven…

Apple Crisp

5-6 apples (any god pie apple) – peeled and sliced. I used Cortland and Macintosh.

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1 stick butter (1/2 cup), melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9″ X 13″ baking pan.

Spread apples in pan.

Blend dry ingredients. Add egg and melted butter. Mix until dry ingredients are moistened.

Pat mixture over apples.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until top is browned.

Enjoy.

coffee and cake, need I say more?

Posted on October 5, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

Coffeecake. I can’t remember the last time I baked one or ate one for that matter…but last weekend, I thought, ‘I’d like to bake a coffeecake’ (thus eat some), so I (we – Finn and I) did. It was delicious. I also realized it’s good for a crowd – it makes a substantial amount, 12-16 servings. Perfect for a brunch or as a light dessert for a dinner party – drizzle with heated, melted chocolate and freshly whipped cream – or simply enjoy on a crisp Saturday morning, coffee in hand, with nothing to do…

I found it in a cookbook titled; Joy of Cooking, All About Breakfast & Brunch, by Irma S. Rombaur, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker

This was the first time I tried this recipe – I loved it – see what you think.

Yogurt Coffeecake

Prepare and set aside streusel topping.

Streusel Topping

Blend the following with a fork or or pulse in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs – (I just used my hands);

2/3 cup flour (I used white wheat)

2/3 cup chopped walnuts (recipe calls for finely chopped, I prefer chopped – you choose)

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

5 tablespoons butter, melted (recipe calls for unsalted butter, I didn’t have that, so I substituted salted butter)

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

Have all your ingredients at room temperature (I didn’t do this – I didn’t want to wait for things to come to room temp. – you decide) Position a rack in the lower third of the over. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 X 9 X 2 – inch pan.

Whisk together thoroughly;

2 cups flour (it calls for all-purpose – I used white wheat)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1.2 tsp. salt

Combine in another bowl and set aside;

1 1/4 cups yogurt (sour cream can be substituted)

1 tsp. vanilla

In a large bowl, beat on high speed until lightened in texture, 3-4 minutes;

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (again, I used salted, no problems) – here, it is easier if you use room temp. butter – I didn’t, but will in future.

1 cup sugar

Beat in 1 at a time;

2 large eggs

Add the flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with yogurt mixture in 2 parts, beating on low speed or stirring until smooth and scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the streusel. Bake until toothpick inserted (or knife, as I use) in the center comes out clean – about 25-30 minutes. Let cool briefly in the pan on a rack.

Serve warm.

Yum.

Fun fact. The cookbook, the baking pan, the cooling rack, the dish and mug are all from, the ‘dump.‘ The Laguiole knife, I actually purchased.

Don’t think you need high tech gadgets or the ‘best of the best’ to bake, cook or prepare any meal – you only need some basic tools (a lot of second hand stuff rocks) – and a willingness to try.

Enjoy

bloggers block

Posted on September 16, 2012 by ripe ~ red ~ berries

I have it. Well, I don’t really have it, I just haven’t finished the post I had hoped to publish this past Friday. Usually I get excited about photographing something, or wanting to make a particular recipe, or simply sharing something about my daily life for posts and then I go about photographing whatever it is I want to shoot/write about.

This past Friday while I wrote and wrote it just wasn’t ‘flowing’. It’s a fairly big topic and different than a usual post – more like a philosophical question – not a simple recipe or how to ideas…so while that one is sitting on the back burner, I was left with the question, ‘what to post?’ I had nothing. Well, more like I had great ideas but no photos to include, or just bad photos, or great photos with no real ‘story’… nothing inspired me, thus no post on Friday. But it’s been bothering me. I want to post on a regular basis – Tuesdays and Fridays, bi-weekly is the goal. And while I’ve mostly kept to that, every now and then I haven’t been able to write for one reason or another – and it’s most certainly not because I don’t think about it, that’s far from the truth (blogging is addictive!) – no, it’s more because of my time, or more precisely, the limited availability of it. I enjoy sharing bits of my life through the camera and words, but if nothing strikes me or the photos are blah, then I’d rather not publish anything. So, that’s what happened on Friday. Nothing. Now, it’s Sunday and I’m still thinking…

Then it occurred to me – how about a simple post with photos from the past few days and have it be ‘a day in the life’ … so here it is. Short and sweet – a day in the life. Food, work, play, love…enjoy!