Today is my first day back at work after a much needed four day long weekend. It’s been hard to come back inside to work since the weather has been incredible here right now. It was hot and sunny but without all the dreaded humidity that we get all summer. I tried to spend as much time outdoors as I could this weekend and when I was inside I had all the windows open.
Saturday morning we headed to the Farmer’s Market to get some veggies for a little BBQ at our place that night. I was so excited to see local asparagus there! It defintely one of my favourite side dishes in the summer.
I bought extra so I can make this Asparagus and Parmesan Frittata again this year.
Whiskey was loving all the other dogs out in the park and spent the entire time running around and trying to get pet by new people. What a ham!
We came home for lunch and I tried to whip up a batch of homemade coconut butter after seeing a recipe online, but it didn’t work 🙁 Maybe I used the wrong type of coconut? As anyone else had luck making this?
The consolation price for a failed recipe was spliting this Tickle Your Tummy sugar cookie with Garrett. I wish it really had tasted like strawberries, but it was still good all the same.
Sunday I headed to my parents’ for a little fun in the sun with these lovely ladies. With my mom and Great Aunt Marian around, you know we had lots of good food, including their homemade deviled eggs which are always gone before they hit the table.
Shadow enjoyed us all being outside and went on quite the run through the swamp. The bad thing about a black dog is that you don’t realize she is covered in black swamp mud until she runs up against you.
The water was perfect for a kayak ride, so my brother and his friend joined me for a paddle up the river.
However, his friend fell in before we even left the dock. At least the water cooled him off!
After we got the other kayak emptied, we headed out for a paddle up the river. I love the new two person kayak because you are sitting on the top….and my brother’s friend likes it because it is more stable.
After our paddle, I helped my mom decorate some chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing.
Who knew that Forget-Me-Nots are edible? Check out this website for more Edible Wild Foods.
Afterwards we headed around the lake to my Aunt and Uncle’s cottage for dinner and fireworks.
The cupcakes were quickly gobbled up in the kitchen along with all the other goodies. I wanted to show this (blurry) picture of my Aunt and Uncle’s kitchen because I just love the feel of their place. The big windows and old floors add so much charm to the cottage.
This is looking into the dining room from the screened in porch, with the living room in the background.
I spent many an afternoon lounging in this room with my cousins when we were little. Now I sneak in here when we’re visiting so I can read some of my Aunt’s awesome decor magazines.
They recently renovated part of the cottage, including this back mudroom. This used to be where we made messy crafts as little kids, but now it is the perfect spot to sit on rocking chairs and watch the fireworks without fear of bugs. I love the tongue-and-groove pine ceiling they just installed and the rustic light.
It was the first bonfire of the season and I only wish I’d remembered to bring smore goodies.
The fireworks haul this year. Lots of “big booms”, which are always a crowd pleaser.
Oohs and ahhs from the crowds, and giddy laughs from kids who have waited all week for the kick off of summer.
