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“Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August”

– Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

apricots and cherries

Hey all!! It’s been a while since we had a real chat – but I blame summer. WHEW summer is always busy, am I right!? I am not complaining. It has been a wonderful, HOT, dry, delicious few months.

Let’s talk about the FRESH FOOD!! I don’t think I’ve ever quite appreciated summer’s bounty until I started blogging about food. Beautiful berries in season, followed by delicious stone fruits and then all of the garden squash and tomatoes. I was blessed enough to be gifted a mountain of cherries and apricots from my in-laws, and bags full of freshly picked saskatoons. My garden has also not disappointed this year in it’s plethora of raspberries, kale, and zucchini!!

saskatoons

I’ve had so much fun coming up with new recipes and experimenting with different flavours. I have so many ideas that I wasn’t able to get to, so I guess I’ll just have to wait until next summer – either that, I’ll be that person blogging about watermelon in November.

Some my favourite recipes from this summer include  my saskatoon-cherry galette, Thai zucchini boats, and my no-bake cherry and chocolate tart. Oh, and it isn’t summer unless you have some ice cream. Seriously, you gotta try the no-churn method. It has rocked my world!

And life? Life this summer has been full of ups and downs, adventures, smiles and tears, and the occasional curve ball.

We celebrated both of our boys’ birthdays this summer. Mr. Wally turned the big 1, and just last week Oscar turned 3. I can hardly believe it! Don’t judge my firetruck cake, it turned out much more pink than red. I think that one needs to be refined a bit before posting on the blog 😉

At the end of June, Etienne had the opportunity to go to Amsterdam for work. I flew out a few days later and met him in Portugal; we toured around for a week and had the time of our lives. Sangria, beaches, and WONDERFUL seafood. I hope you got the chance to read about it!

Sintra, Portugal

Portugal was our biggest trip in a while, but we’ve also gone on a few small road trips. I took the boys to Kimberly by myself to spend some time with friends, and I have to say I quickly learned the value of an out-of-tune radio in the car. Complaining kids? Crank the static. Seriously, it works – or at least, it keeps you sane.

We also went out to my sister’s acreage a couple of months ago. So fun! Oscar had a blast with his cousins, jumping on their trampoline and riding around in his Uncle’s golf cart on the property.

OH – and if you’ve been following along, you’ll have also read that we celebrated the union of a couple of our dear friends. I thoroughly enjoyed the nuptials, the CUPCAKES and the speeches, but I truly enjoyed the company as well. This company that I speak of includes that of a minor celebrity, Alexander Ludwig. Total highlight of the weekend for me!!

On the topic of Hollywood and TV shows, GAME OF THRONES has also been a highlight this summer. This Sunday is the season finale and I kind of want to cry. It’s been so fun being a part of the craze, theorizing and speculating as to what will happen next. Every Sunday night is full of anticipation!!

This week Etienne’s Grandma from South Africa arrived. It was a LONG journey for her, and we’re so grateful that she made the trip. We’d love to go back to South Africa with the boys one day but we’re going to wait until they’re a little older, so they can fully enjoy it. Pssst – if you’re thinking of a cool place to go, SA is AMAZING. Some of the best food we’ve ever eaten, and SO much to see. Beautiful!!

No big deal, that’s just me, walking an elephant (and 6 months pregnant).

L: Stellenbosch (Wine Region) R: Knysna

I digress.

As much as I’m holding on tight, the summer of 2017 is coming to a close. To me, summer is the time where most of the best memories are made. We’ve been blessed with wonderfully hot weather this year, and I feel confident in saying I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything that summer has to offer.

Backyard fires, hikes, splash parks and beaches. Summer, you’ve been great.

Now bring on the pumpkin!!

XOXO

Katherine

 

 

 

 

About Katherine

Heeey! Thank you for stopping by! I like 30-minute dinners and giant peanut butter cups made with only 3 ingredients. I LOVE food! If you do too, you're in the right place.

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19 Comments

  1. Enjoyed reading your summertime fun wrapup! Your recipes inspire me. I need new ideas and you fill that spot❣️ Today I am baking your peach/blackberry muffins. I have 8 cups of Evans cherries pitted and am going to bake a cherry crisp at the same time🍒

    1. Thank you Aunt Linda! I hope you like the muffins, they were a hit around here. I’m jealous of your cherries – I saw you had the 6-cherry pitter too. It sure comes in handy!! Enjoy all the baking 🙂

  2. The firetruck cake turned out so cute! Personally, I prefer pink to red :). And now I’m thinking a blog field trip to South Africa might be in order. . .Hope you had a great weekend, Katherine!

    1. Oh thank you!! I thought the pink was nice too 😉 I am so with you on that!! I would love to go back – the more the merrier!! Thanks Kelsie!!

  3. Next stop is to see what a saskatoon is! Those cherries would have me swooning. Have a super rest of your summer 🙂

    1. Yes!! They’re so good – I will have to wait until next June to taste one again I’m afraid. Thank you Tandy, you too!!

    1. It’s been a great summer!! Thank you Liz – I wish we could hang onto that produce all year long!

  4. Whoa! You had so much going on! And that fire truck birthday cake is super cute and I love that it’s more pink than red 😉 I’m still dreaming about that Portugal trip you had. It’s definitely in our future! I totally know what you mean about not fully appreciating all the beautiful summer produce until you were a blogger. But I guess every season has it’s perks, right? Hello comfort foods of fall! And I do love the crisp cool air of September/October. Hope your week is going awesome, Katherine! XOXO

    1. Hooray, you definitely need to make it out to Portugal! Sooner, rather than later I hope! I do love the air of September as well, and the beautiful leaves!! Thank you Dawn – I hope you’re having a terrific last week of August!!

  5. Can you believe how fast this summer has gone? You made some great memories this year. That firetruck cake is adorable and I bet your son was thrilled. Red is a tough frosting color to nail. Lets hope for an equally as fun and bountiful Fall 🙂 . Take care.

    1. I can’t believe how this summer has flown by. It’s been such a beautiful one, too!! Oscar loved his cake, pink and all. I didn’t realize how tough red was to do!! Thank you Stacey, enjoy this last week of August!!

  6. YAY….THANK YOU for complimenting my beautiful country South Africa. It is a wonderful country and I am glad that you had a great time during your visit here. Hope you visit again soon.😃
    Your sons are adorable and the fire truck you baked looks perfect
    PS. I looooove your blue dress, it looks so pretty.😃

    1. Thanks Ashika!! Your country is GORGEOUS – it really is a wonderful country. We will definitely be going back once the boys are old enough to appreciate it. And thank you!!! I finally found that dress after a long day of shopping haha

  7. Your boys are so cute and adorable!! Love the Firetruck cake! It’s come out pretty well! I personally love fall more than summers, but the fresh and bountiful summer produce beats Fall any day! Lovely to read about your summer Katherine 🙂

    1. Thank you Deepika!! They are pretty sweet little guys. Fall is beautiful, I totally agree – but you’re right, the fruits and vegetables of summer are hands down the best. Have a great weekend my friend!

  8. Sounds like you had a fabulous summer!! I agree that summer seems to be where memories are made 🙂

    1. It has been wonderful. I only wish it lasted longer – it just flies by every year!! I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer too Kelly! XO