Too much of a good thing...

Perhaps picking 13 lbs of tiny, perfectly rip and oh so delicious berries was a bit too much of a good thing?  I was definitely feeling a bit overwhelmed as I worked to clean and preserve this bit of juicy summer goodness yesterday afternoon but after a batch of Strawberry Preserves with Black Pepper and Balsamic (to be served with goat cheese and crostini) and Simple Strawberry Jam (for summertime toast or a winter treat) I ended up freezing 4 lbs to use in smoothies, homemade ice cream and strawberry shortcake.  Making two or three trips is a better way to go but it's been very busy around here and the season is short.  So I'll just say it was too much of a good thing all at one time :)

Since I was here last I sent my youngest off to a two week summer camp with all his friends from Evanston.  He is the 1st child to head off on this type of extended adventure and I had mixed feelings about the whole thing but am so happy to say he seems to be having a great time.  I've received a classic camp note which I will put away and cherish and just returned a call to give him permission to ride horses this week.  I will head over to West Michigan on Thursday to spend time with two dear friends and then pick him up from camp on Friday morning. Can't wait to see him and hear all about his experience.

While the little guy was away C and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary.  He had to be in San Francisco for work and thanks to frequent fly miles I was able to join him.  We spent a day in Dry Creek/Russian River Valley tasting wine and sharing good food and conversation.  The next morning we headed off the beaten path for breakfast before visiting Mill Valley and reminiscing about our time there. Then we drove back across the Golden Gate and spent the day walking our old neighborhood in the city and had an amazing and inspired dinner at State Bird Provisions.  It was a short trip but it was packed full with the best of everything Northern California has to offer and togetherness.  It was just the right amount of a good thing:)

So as you can see summer is in full swing around here.  The garden is going wild, ALL of the lettuces are ready to be picked and we will have salads every night this week.  The snap peas are begging to be picked today and the green beans aren't far behind.  Soon we will have zucchini and summer squash galore and the tomatoes...well let's just say that with 14 plants thriving they are probably going to fall into that too much of a good thing category!  

So, now we are caught up. The kids have different places to be over the next few weeks but I will be here painting, cooking, sharing new work and enjoying the mostly unstructured days of summer.  More soon...thanks for reading.