Summertime fruit desserts -

OK, I know I said I wouldn't be heating up the kitchen with the oven - but I did

after all over the weekend!

A punnet of California plums needed to be used so an easy plum galette.

 I used a readymade piecrust, threw in a few toasted sliced almonds - and it 

came out well. I love summer stone fruits, especially when cooked.

Then there are these - the first gathering of Celeste figs came Saturday.  

Still not much rain but all this heat and sunshine has apparently started 

the ripening. They are now coming along fast and furious and I've

started sharing with neighbors.

Jeannette if you're reading this I know you'll want some, so come

on over.

As the oven was on for the galette I used the heat to roast figs in butter, 

 Acacia honey and lemon juice, tossed in walnuts for crunch.

These keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and are great with 

a scoop of ice cream. . . . . . . . but I enjoy them added to my morning

 Greek style yogurt which cuts the sweetness.

. . . . . . and do go HERE for a lovely easy recipe for the little fig frangipane

 tarts I shared a few years back when overrun with figs - great for tea time

or dessert.

Enjoy your week - hope everyone gets some cooler days for cranking

up the oven and baking something fruity and healthy.

Cool, healthy bowls for hot, humid days -

 

Who wants to turn their oven on these hot evenings?  

Not me that's for certain.  

I would prefer an easy to make, and eat, salad in a chilled bowl 

along with a glass of beautiful pale pink rosé.

Above, just a Caesar salad with additions - farm fresh boiled eggs, potatoes, 

radishes, finely chopped scallions. Homemade croutons and an extra

 crunchy slice of grilled bread rubbed with olive oil and garlic. 

I toss my croutons and sliced bread together in the same skillet for ease.

Tip: If you shop at LIDI try the cheese rolls from the bakery.

Just one will serve two and give you enough croutons, plus two slices,

and they are delicious. They are also fabulous for panini 

sandwiches, light and crispy - cheese and tomato with 

some fresh torn basil is my favorite.

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

Oven roast your vegetables, chopped in 1" cubes, for about 30 minutes on a

 cooler day - preferably early morning when heat from the oven is tolerable.

I love eggplant, red and orange bell peppers, zucchini and red onion.

Boil and drain your pasta at the same time then by evening when constructing

your bowl, everything will be cool, no heat required. 

If you would like to have the complete recipe go here to Sprouted Kitchen

where Sara has adapted Ina Garten's original Roasted Vegetable Orzo recipe - and

 of course I then tweaked my own version. You will love what Sara comes up with in

 her kitchen, and if you don't already follow her, you should!

Happy days in a cooler Summer kitchen. . . . . . yes, today is

the first day of Summer!

Housework v. Decorating . . . . . . .

Thinking back over a lifetime of 'keeping house' while balancing on a step stool 

a few days back, I gave a long hard look about me and wondered about today's 

household cleaning chores, both my own and others. 

With one of the hubby's old white sport socks over my hand, and a spray bottle 

of Windex, I was up here cleaning the crystals and other parts of the kitchen chandelier,

 moving on to woodwork armed with Murphy's Oil Soap - cabinets and trim - then 

washing the floor with Bona and mop.

I used to almost enjoy housework, especially once completed. Looking about and 

seeing the furniture and woodwork sparkle, the lack of dust 'bunnies' in the corners,

 smelling that clean fragrance from the products used such as lemon oil, made it all worthwhile.

Now, I find it hard going. Bending, stretching, the difficulty of getting back up from the 

aging knees, and with the current hip problem, quite honestly, house 'work' has 

become a painful drag. 

So what do I do to make things easier on myself? Hubby helps and would do it all, 

bless his heart, but he wouldn't do it like I would! A maid service would be a last 

resort - I've never had anyone clean my home and don't know if I want that…..yet!

So I'll keep on best I can for the time being.

As for decorating?

That part of keeping house I love. Day to day, week to week, little tweaks and 

changes, redoing vignettes, arranging flowers, moving things around.

However, the big thrust now is decorating for Christmas. 

Thanksgiving is nothing more than moving the pumpkins around a bit - we will not be 

eating here, or having company, and we head to the coast the following day for the weekend.

Digging through the attic areas, on hands and knees, to pull out the storage boxes will 

be the hubby's job soon.

I will decorate as usual, although I don't do as much outdoors with lights any longer.

The faux tree will appear in the gazebo decorated with Nature's pretties I've collected.

I so enjoy seeing it outside the kitchen windows, lighting up the winter nights.

I may look for a small fresh tree for inside, taking pleasure in hanging cherished 

ornaments collected over the years.

The wooden snowflakes will dangle in the dining room window. The candles 

will glow once darkness cools the night, Christmas music will fill the air, and the fire 

will burn in the hearth.

Thankfully 'home for Christmas' will happen as always.

So, what are your feelings about house work and cleaning chores?

Do you enjoy them? Do you have help from a cleaning company, 

and if so, how did you find a competent, reliable one whose employees 

take care of your much-loved, precious things?

Does your spouse/partner give you a hand?

As for decorating, I just know you will soon be sharing your beautiful 

holiday items - this is always such a bright and beautiful time of year - and 

I enjoy seeing all your creative endeavors here on your blogs.