6.07.2013

lilacs


The lilacs are almost done blooming. They don't last very long after they've been cut, but I want to enjoy these ones in the kitchen while I still can. The scent reminds me of the first summer that Adam and I were married - we lived in a tiny, tiny apartment in Fredericton, with a shower that Adam had to kneel in. I'm not exaggerating - they installed the plumbing under the tub, so it was raised up a foot or so to accommodate that, in the upstairs of an old house. We met some amazing friends that summer, who lived a block away. (Hi, Jen! Love you!) We spent the loveliest times with them that summer playing cards and mini-golf. The whole summer holds the happiest memories for me - we went for bike rides after dark (the only time it was cool enough to handle it), and played tennis at Wilmot Park in the rain. Outside of our bedroom window were several huge lilacs, and waking up to that scent on sunny mornings at the end of May was just about the loveliest thing possible.

It's Friday! Only a few weeks of work left before summer, and I am ready for a break. Schools here aren't out for summer until June 28, and there are many, many things I need to get done before then. This whole year, for a host of reasons, was just plain crazy. It should be a little less so next year. And I'm planning to thoroughly enjoy a break in between, with lots of visits and campfires.

I'm hoping to make some rhubarb jelly this weekend. I love rhubarb, and always have. And jelly is the perfect way to preserve that amazing bright favour, since it's pretty much just rhubarb and sugar. And the colour is so pretty! I'm also planning to try making up a gluten-free cracker recipe, too, so that Adam will have crackers to eat that don't cost us our firstborn and our life savings. We're expecting a lot of wind and rain, and a generally unpleasant day tomorrow, so I think it will be the perfect kind of day for making delicious things in the kitchen.

Thinking ahead to summer, do you have any amazing book recommendations? I'm looking for some good summer reading. Well-written fiction, nothing too heavy to hold up in bed (I don't mind non-fiction on a screen, but fiction feels better on paper.) Nothing too figuratively heavy, either, but well-written is a must.

Have a lovely weekend!

12 comments:

  1. I love lilacs too, ours have finished blooming already. I miss them.

    Enjoy your weekend of making, the rhubarb jelly looks divine.

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    1. Thanks, Kim! Hope you have a lovely weekend, too. :)

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  2. Our lilacs haven't started blooming yet. Sigh. HOWEVER, I just found out that they are edible, so that gives me time to figure out how to make them the perfect garnish for something - anything - before they disappear!

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    1. EDIBLE! I can't wait to see what you do with yours. :)

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  3. I have filled our house with lilacs this year - nothing beats their scent. I am trying to have more fresh flowers in the house when they are available. Right now it is a purple arrangement of lupins, chive blossoms & flowering sage.

    I would love to have that gluten free cracker recipe - Mat doesn't eat wheat, and rice crackers can get a little boring after a while.

    I think I need to make some rhubarb jelly too...

    Book recommendation: have you read this book? http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3090282-a-homemade-life

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    1. There is nothing that brightens up a house like fresh flowers. :) I bring in chive blossoms, too - I think they're so pretty. I'll let you know how the cracker trial goes! You're right on track with the book suggestion - I have (and love) that book. Her blog is great, too - very well written. And she's got an entertaining podcast, too - Spilled Milk. Have fun making your jelly!

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  4. our lilacs are done... peonies are still around, but coming to the end. i think you might enjoy alan bradley's series with it's heroine flavia de luce!! set in england, in the 50's, a 12 yo girl running around on her bike gladys solving mysteries. delightful in every way and quite the page turners, too.

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    1. We have some peonies that are going to open soon! I'm extremely excited. :) FLAVIA DE LUCE?! Yes, please! That is the best literary name. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  5. AND... (just remembering) The Midwife, by Jennifer Worth (that Call the Midwife BBC series is based on). Absolutely wonderful.

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    1. Oh, fantastic! I haven't started the BBC series yet, but I'm planning to. Now that I know there's a book, I'll read that first. :)

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  6. Lilacs have come and gone here. I was beyond excited to see my new neighbor had a whole row of them between our house and theirs.
    Love how they prompt memories!
    I just picked up Gather by Bill Stanley & Hayley Mason. There is a GF cracker recipe in there I am going to try. If it comes out good I will let you know. The book was actually making me salivate last night. Lots of foodie eye candy!
    Have a great start to the week!

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    1. Wow, Dawn! I didn't think there would be much that would grow here and there, too! I'm going to go check the library for that book right now. Thanks for the tip!

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Thanks so much for your comments - I read and appreciate each one! Sorry about the word verification - the spammers found me and it became necessary. Thanks for taking the time to comment!