Summer Reading

What's on your summer reading list? So far, I will be spending my summer with a 19th century botanist whose research takes her from London to Peru, to Philadelphia, Tahiti, Amsterdam, and beyond; with a photographer who moves upstate and is still getting used to life outside the city; and with a restaurateur in the Pacific Northwest who brings food and people together. I will also re-visit an island off the coast of Maine where two writers meet a third and many secrets are revealed. And finally, back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to wrap up my winter reading project.

I may bring along a couple of my favorite writing books, definitely my notebook of unfinished essays, and my journals. Oh, and I almost forgot...I'm waiting for The Paris Journal to arrive. A gift from the authors that I can't wait to get my hands on!

The third book is the only one that takes place on the ocean—a complete switch for me. I'm in need of something beachy, something funny, and something that will make me want to read it again. Any suggestions?

Photo: Flickr

The Art of Journaling

Do you keep a journal? I have kept several over the years and I'm a bit addicted to notebooks in general. In business, I have what I call a master book that keeps all of my notes in one notebook, but I am still guilty of using post-it notes and scraps of paper. I'm also guilty of having several journals. One is about my life. I record the days or weeks events whenever I get a moment. I have several writing journals that I pack and take along with me wherever I go. I write about thoughts, ideas, the weather, bits and pieces of future essays...whatever I can think up.

It occurred to me that this might not be the best way to journal. We're told to keep one calendar, one notebook, one master whatever. But creative people (even us left-brained creative types) have a tendency to be all over the place when it comes to keeping a journal.

That's when I read about a person who keeps several journals (on purpose), and I let out a sigh of relief. One is for recounting the day's events. It's happy, it's filled with gratitude, and maybe a rant or two, but it's mostly positive; a journal you would happily read again in your old age. Another is for pouring out your anger and frustration...all those negative thoughts that have to go somewhere, so why not on the page. This notebook doesn't have to be pretty. In fact, once you've worked through a problem, you can gladly burn the darn thing. And the third is an art journal. You fill this one with color, doodles, drawings, and of course, words.

I like this idea. But I also like the idea of combining color and drawings into your everyday journal just to spice things up a bit. And because I don't like to fill my everyday journal with negative thoughts, I really like the idea of keeping a journal you can just vent to, scribble on, and then toss it aside.

I recently bought a small blank journal to keep in my purse. I like lined pages, but I'm trying something new. I'm going to let myself color outside the lines and see what unfolds.

What are some ways you journal?

You might also like, Good Things Come in Pretty Packages and Write Away.

Photo: pamgarrison.com

10 Things to do in May

It's May! The month of crab apple blossoms, lilacs, prom, mothers, and the return of the BBQ. It's time to celebrate spring in all its glory and to welcome the unofficial start to summer as it comes to a close.

1. Smell the flowers. I have a large lilac bush that sits just outside my living room. I love to open the windows and let their intoxicating scent drift into the room. Lilacs are only around for a short time. A small reminder that you should take the time to smell the flowers while you can.

2. Pack the car. Fill the trunk with a basket or bag containing a Frisbee, a couple of tennis balls, non-perishable snacks, water bottles, a blanket, and whatever else you can think of. The idea is to be ready to pull over wherever you want and have a little fun in the sun.

3. Plant an herb garden. Even if you're not a gardener, trust me, you can do this. Mint will grow anywhere (Keep it contained or it will take over. It's perfect to plant in pots.) Thyme (lemon thyme is a favorite), sage, rosemary, lavender...these are all great starter herbs. And if you like chives, they'll spread and thrive no matter what. Even if you don't have a yard, you can fill containers and place them all around.

4. Create an outdoor room. Whether it's adding to your patio or porch furniture, creating a patio area, or something more involved like building you're own playhouse, you'll want a place you can be just as comfortable outdoors as in. Hang a hammock, set out a rocker, buy new pillows... Think sun and shade. I have strapping on top of my pergola so I get dappled sunshine. Think privacy. It's okay to screen an area. Use fencing, lattice, or a few large bamboo roller blinds for privacy. (Check out this outdoor space.)

5. Spruce up. Touch up the house trim, paint the front or back door, replace dated outdoor fixtures. Fix what needs fixing before the good weather really makes it impossible to concentrate on outdoor chores. Don't procrastinate. You'll enjoy the view from that hammock all the more.

6. Get out the grill. Scrub racks, make sure you have enough charcoal or propane on hand, gather new recipes, and pull out tried and true favorites. Anything can be grilled, even vegetables and fruits. That first meal eaten outdoors is the best.

7. Service your air conditioner. I like the windows wide open too, but allergies keep me from taking advantage of this in every room. Before the hot weather hits, you'll be glad you've replaced the filter and scrubbed all of its nooks and crannies.

8. Cut down TV watching. I'm as guilty as the next person. It's cold, it's raining, how much more cleaning can I actually do indoors(!), but it's time to cut the cord. I go an entire month without television in the summer, sometimes longer. Instead, get ready to spend more nights sitting under the stars and talking, playing board games, reading...anything that doesn't involve the TV or technology. Cut back slowly and you won't miss it.

9. Wear a flirty dress. When's the last time you wore a dress? Well, guess what, no more excuses. Short, long, and everything in between is in this season so there are no excuses. Now go ahead a twirl around. Make the fabric move!

10. Drop by. Now I'm the first to admit that I would never just show up to someone's house without an invite, but I have done the occasional drop by. Drop off dessert, a bouquet of flowers, a potted herb to a neighbor or friend. No need to stay. We've all been pent up in our houses for too long, it's just a nice way to say hello.

I'm Just a Mom

"I don't understand why women say 'I'm just a mom'. Remind me again which job on the planet is more important..." Mother's Day is just around the corner. My mum is up from Florida for the season and I got to see her for the first time in months this past weekend. Four generations of women were in the room that day. As I was watching my granddaughter with my youngest daughter by my side, a torch was passed.

No matter how far away she is, my mother is always on my mind.

Read about what my mother has taught me and what I hope I've taught my children. I know I want the same thing for Mother's Day that I asked for last year—to be surrounded by my family...and maybe a little ice cream; that's my idea of the perfect Mother's Day. Here are few gift ideas for mom you may enjoy giving. Gather some simple ingredients and pamper her with sugar body scrubs you can make yourself. Or check out this Mother's Day gift box. (Save 15% through May 11th.)

And here are a few posts on motherhood you may like...Hiding Out, The One Two Punch, and Worrywart.

Quote by Susan Hallum

For the Love of the Game

It's lacrosse season once again. My youngest daughter, Amanda (she's the one on the left) has played in one scrimmage, three away games, and this afternoon is her first home game. We traveled to New England College to see her play, but I'm really looking forward to just driving down the road to watch.

Sports have played a big role in my life over the years. My father taught me to play basketball when I was young and I even tried out for my junior high school team. I made the first round of cuts, but I never made the team. I kept playing anyway, just for fun. Somehow I strayed away from physical activity as I got older, but thankfully I'm back into it.

I married a huge sports fan and my son can recite any statistic you could ask him about. My husband and my youngest daughter are runners (she now does triathlons too). My son played baseball, football, and just about any sport that required a ball, throughout his childhood. He even joined an adult basketball league a few years back. My oldest daughter played lacrosse, field hockey, and now stays in shape with workout videos with a few runs thrown in every now and then for good measure. And three of them ski. (I'm getting tired just typing this.) Me—I'm a walker. But I also love my bike. (We all love to bike.) I went on my first ride of the season this week and it was a killer. Time to work some new muscles. Yoga finally re-entered the picture so I hope that will help.

And of course we're all big New England sports fans. We're fortunate to go to several Red Sox games a year and we try to score tickets for other sporting events when we can. But I can get so frustrated with professional sports. That's why I cheer when I'm there, let go of the negative aspects, and enjoy all of the athletic things we do as a family even more. We do it because we love it. We cheer each other on. We motivate each other. We may not be playing a game, but the saying still applies.

The rain is sure to keep me from biking this weekend. Looks like I'll have to revert to my indoor routine. What about you?

Here are some links you may enjoy...

Some of my all-time favorite movies happen to revolve around sports, including Remember the Titans, The Blind Side, and Miracle. Rainy weekend = movie marathon.

Every November, my husband's family puts on the Edaville Rail Run road race. My daughter's and I man the food tent. Some of them even run it. Come join us!

My husband wants us to train for the 2015 Pan-Mass Challenge...the same year my daughters want us to do a Tough Mudder. I think they're trying to kill me.


Photo taken by Lauren Carney

Do You Read About Food?

I don't think there is any kind of book I won't read, but cookbooks can be tricky. It's so easy to grab a recipe off the internet these days that I wonder if cookbooks have become passé. Not according to The New York Times. Cookbooks have changed for the better. Instead of thumbing through pages and pages of ingredients, we can now look at beautiful photographs, intricate drawings, and learn all about the digestive benefits of cumin—all culminating into an edible feast for the senses. I can remember the first time I came across a Susan Branch book in the 80s and thought, "this is more like it".

I've since sought out storied recipes, instead of the other way around. Frances Mayes led the way with her delectable descriptions of the Tuscan countryside whetting more than just one kind of appetite. Then there are authors like Erica Bauermeister who have written about cooking, but left out the recipes until her readers wanted to know how to make the food she was writing about, so she gave them the recipes too. You can fall in love with Paris (again and again) through the pages of My Paris Kitchen by food blogger David Lebovitz. Visions of beautifully polished copper pots will begin to dance in your head.

In fact, food blogs are taking over blogland with their luscious photographs, potable concoctions, humorous anecdotes, and of course—food. Dinner: A Love Story is a food blog "devoted (mostly) to helping parents figure out how to get family dinner on the table", which leaves lots of room for stories about the family meal and all the challenges that ensue.

You can find recipes focused on seasonal and high quality ingredients that will make you want to get up and drive to the farmers' market right then and there. The revolution of gluten-free and certified organic will have you seeking out your nearest natural market. Thank goodness more and more national chains are starting to include these items among their shelves.

I'm writing this post as I run in and out of my kitchen trying to simultaneously sauté peppers and onions for tonight's supper. My cookbooks sit on a shelf in my pantry and I have maybe two or three I reference on occasion. The rest of my recipes have been collected and created over time and scribbled or pasted into two hefty volumes that I hope to pass onto my children. The best of the best at any rate. (Like my spicy chicken rub and this yummy fudge recipe.)

If you love cooking and eating, I hope you enjoy these links...

Best food blogs of 2014: Saveur magazine

Oldies, but goodies: 10 essential cookbooks.

Make it yourself...you'll be glad you did. Homemade ketchup.

Ever dream of taking a cooking class? (Live in Brooklyn? Try this one.)

Why I love France Mayes.

A cookbook that reads like a book. A cookbook without any recipes. (It's Italian. Enough said.)

Have wonderful weekend, Easter, and Passover!

Photo: nytimes.com

Lemon Cake with Raspberry Sauce

If I'm going to eat dessert, it's probably going to be something chocolate, but during the warmer months, I fall in love with lemons all over again. Lemon shampoo, lotion, lemon water...I can't get enough. So one day when I came across a box lemon cake in the grocery store (Betty Crocker makes a good one), I decided I would make my own and then play with some berries. I love adding blueberries to my banana muffins so I thought maybe strawberries or raspberries would pair better with lemon. I love the combination of sweet and tart the raspberries add. This is what I came up with.

Lemon Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large lemon, zested
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
vegetable spray

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift and mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together shortening, sugar, and fresh lemon juice until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and continuing beating until well combined.
4. Fold in the lemon zest.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients a little at a time. Do not over mix the batter.
6. Spray the pan of your choice with a good amount of vegetable spray. You can pour the batter into a bundt pan, 2 9" round pans, or a large loaf pan, it's up to you.
7. Bake approximately 30-35 minutes. Insert a wooden toothpick to test. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Raspberry Sauce

2-3 pints fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons sugar

1. I set aside a dozen or so for garnish. Use 3 pints if you prefer more garnish.
2. Sprinkle sugar over top and let set for 15 minutes and then I push the remaining raspberries through a sieve. You can use cheesecloth too. The goal is to get as much juice out without any seeds. If you don't mind the seeds, continue with this method but allow some of the seeds and fruit to push through as well.
3. Add garnish and drizzle sauce over cake just before serving.

Even better with fresh whipped cream. (I don't like mine too sweet, so if you're like me, just add the vanilla.)

Spring Color Inspiration

I'm usually not a fan of subtle colors, but when I saw this inspiration board featured in Veranda magazine, it spoke to me. Soothing, serene, yet still infused with some intensity, it inspired me to find these paint colors.

Color Inspiration

BM 808 Sapphire Ice, BM 2069-40 Violet Stone, BM 537 Shades of Spring,

BM 1270 Tara, BM 2067-30 Twilight

The Paris Journal

I've been a fan of Little Brown Pen (now Obvious State) for a while now. Nichole Robertson's photographs are just lovely, but so are her stories. She and her husband Evan have come up with a very ingenious idea by combining Nichole's photographs with fictitious journal entries in their new collaboration, The Paris Journal, Book One. Check out their blog to win a copy and don't forget to sign up for their mailing list for an extended sneak peek.

Photo: Obvious State