I gave my friend a bag of local peaches from a roadside stand. She took one whiff of the opened bag and declared that grocery peaches never ever have fragrance. Or flavor, for that matter. While you still can, grab some stone fruits grown locally and enjoy summer’s last hurrah. Continue reading
Homemade cakes got extra attention when I was growing up. We were a dessert family; store bought cakes showed up occasionally, but when mom made her own, we felt the love. Even when the cakes were lopsided, partially frosted or just plain plain, they were always better than anything we purchased. Continue reading
Maybe you’ve started to entertain again, safely and with distance between your guests. Maybe you are getting more adept at preparing elaborate home brunches, weary of dining options limited to carryout. Or maybe you just want some homemade cake. If you fall into any of these maybes, here is a summery cake for you with fresh raspberries and raspberry fruit spread for a double dose of berry. Continue reading
It’s easy to get spoiled when you live in a climate where stone fruits, specifically peaches and nectarines, are available at local roadside stands and markets. I cannot remember the last time I purchased those fruits from the grocery store. Why would I, when the aroma and texture of Virginia stone fruit beckons, with white and yellow peaches and nectarines and cute smooshed donut peaches nestled in rustic baskets calling to me each time I make a run for vegetables. Continue reading
Blueberry rhubarb crisp – enemy of all white clothing and tablecloths, but oh-so-very-worth it when you take one taste of the ultimate early summer dessert.