Weekend links and photos

by Aimee

This weekend, with its long walks, picnics, and slow gardening, felt like a long exhale after an incredibly busy summer.

It’s been a little quiet around here, as you may have noticed. Other projects have taken up a lot of my time, as well as three little ones trying to squeeze every ounce of fun out of summer. And how!

School starts on Monday and we will be embracing that routine wholeheartedly. For me, it is a return to blogging and book writing, fall baking and just being. September, you are lovely. Thanks for finally getting here.

I’ve been reading and enjoying podcasts more than usual this summer, but there are still plenty of internet haunts that I visit regularly. Here are a few favourite reads and recipes.

• Avocado Caprese Salad: The Reset Button || Food for My Family ~ Shaina’s images and words are breathtaking in this honest love letter to summer.
• When the Rain Rolls In :: Nourishing Days ~ How valuable is rain to a real, bone fide homestead? Very.
• Wild Blackberry Pie with Honeyed Creme Fraiche || Vikalinka ~ I’ve been pining for wild blackberries ever since we had them in abundance during our West Coast travels. This gorgeous pie from Julia only makes me miss them more.
• Banh Mi Rice Bowls :: Cooking for Kiwi and Bean ~ Sarah knows all about cooking for picky eaters, which is why I frequently steal her dinner ideas.
• Smoky Cheddar, Corn and Kale Chowder :: Family Bites ~ Quebec corn is still abundant and it’s going on the menu several nights this week, starting with Jan’s chowder.

Here’s a look at our August in a few snapshots – tons of produce!

Homestead harvest. It’s been steady all August, and so lovely to have.

We hosted that backyard wedding reception I’d been planning, and for dessert, everyone brought a pie. Well mostly everyone. We had around 16 pies for 80 guests and, oh my, it was heavenly. I’m planning to write about it eventually….perhaps here, perhaps for my next book. I haven’t decided yet!

Our friends Tim & Angela welcomed a baby girl into their family, so of course we dropped off some home cooking for them. It’s a good idea to deliver a meal or two when friends are in need. Here’s my ideas for doing this in summer and in winter.

The best neighbors invite you to come pick their tomatoes when they go on vacation.

We welcomed a team of amazing people from Parents Magazine on the homestead this month. Together with a bunch of photographers and stylists, we shot a spread for next summer’s June issue. What a treat to collaborate with these artistic people.

Sometimes I wonder what I would do if I wasn’t a cook, and I often think it would be a potter or painter. Then late summer blooms arrive, and I think I’d definitely be a florist.

I turned 37 this month, and the boys teamed up to bake the chocolate beet cake from my cookbook. They whipped the cream and Clara picked the flowers and showered sprinkles. It was the sweetest.

Oh, how we’ve pickled this summer! Noah eats more than his fair share, so it’s only right that he make a batch or two.

Peach pie has stolen our hearts over and over this August. I’m fond of this filling, with this crust, and this cornmeal streusel topping. Perfection.

Danny, Clara and I adore this homemade ketchup, but the boys have yet to be converted. I’m not giving up, however. It’s made in the slow cooker and just delicious!

My late-summer fridge is looking a lot like it did last year at this time. Lots of good ideas for seasonal eating in there!

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.

What was a highlight from you August?

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