Tales of Me and the Husband

eat your cherries and we’re off.

Cherries are a delicious summer fruit.  That’s what I’m eating as of late.  And on a completely unrelated note, the man and I are off for our romantic vaycay.  But, do tune in as I’ve got some posts scheduled and… ooh!… a guest blogger!  

Yes please.

Hubs and I will most definitely be stopping by this fancy shmancy place when we’re in Positano… soon! We’re not staying here but will that stop me from sipping a Bellini in one of those cozy chairs and smooching my husband with that view in the backdrop?  No.  (And then, of course, going to our lesser nice hotel where I will woo him into the morning hours?).
(seen on cup of jo and the movie only you!  stop it.  i know.  i’m done.  please keep loving me.)

fourth of july deliciousness.

I made this two years ago with William and Lindsey.  It was my first, “Look at me go!  I’m Betty Homemaker!”  I was 23, so maybe a little bit too old to be so proud of myself?  Anyway, it was delicious.  I might make it again.  It will require a trip to the grocery store which is the one thing holding me back (I hate the grocery store).  And only for heavy cream and buttermilk!  Boo.  Anyway, maybe you’ll make it this year.  Brought to you from the meticulous Martha Stewart.
Summer Shortcake
Serves 12 to 15
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces cold cream cheese, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk, plus more for brushing
  • Raw sugar or fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling
  • 2 pints blueberries
  • 2 pints strawberries, hulled (small berries left whole, large berries halved lengthwise)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream

Directions

  1. Make the biscuits: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor, pulse flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Add butter, and pulse until largest pieces are the size of peas. Add cream cheese, and pulse again until largest pieces are the size of peas. Add buttermilk, and pulse until dough comes together. Transfer to a bowl, and gently knead into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in the refrigerator at least 1 hour (or overnight).
  2. Divide dough in half. Working with one portion at a time on a lightly floured work surface, pat into a disk, then roll into a 10-inch round. Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  3. Brush biscuits with buttermilk. Generously sprinkle raw or sanding sugar over tops and sides. Brush off sugar from parchment. Bake until dough has risen slightly and is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes (if bottoms brown too quickly, reduce temperature to 400 degrees). Leave biscuits on sheets. Using a 2 1/2-inch star cutter, cut out (but do not remove) 7 stars from one biscuit while it is still warm. Let cool.
  4. Using a paring knife, carefully remove star shapes. Reserve for snacking or another use. (Biscuits can be made up to 8 hours ahead; store on wire racks, and cover loosely with plastic wrap.)
  5. Make the filling: Combine blueberries, strawberries, and 2 tablespoons sugar, and let macerate until juicy, 10 minutes.
  6. Just before serving, beat cream to medium peaks with remaining tablespoon sugar and the vanilla.
  7. Assemble the cake: Place uncut biscuit on a large plate. Spoon half the berries and their juices on top of biscuit, then spread the whipped cream over berries. Top with all but about 1/2 cup berries. (Make sure surface is even; it will support the top biscuit and prevent it from breaking.) Carefully place cutout biscuit on top. Fill star cutouts with reserved berries. Serve immediately, or refrigerate, uncovered, up to 3 hours.

great song. weird video.

when i saw a peter gabriel song featured on this blog it reminded me of one of my fave peter gabriel songs (along with afro celt sound system).

it’s really good.  give it a listen.

i went through a major peter gabriel phase in early high school.  
i think, as a lovesick teenager, i dreamt of that special man holding a stereo 
over his shoulders with “in your eyes” streaming from it.  
right outside my bedroom window. beckoning me to love him.

hope you got the movie reference.

one tip. it’s a good one.

when you order something online, before you check out, google “such and such store promotion codes.”*   you will almost always (as long as it’s a well-known store) find a code for free shipping, and sometimes 20% off.  it is the most satisfying thing in the world.
*not literally “such and such store” but j.crew, oldnavy, whatever.  you probably knew that.
if you don’t do it already, start.  if you already do, bravo to you.
this post reflects my lethargy this morning because it’s already like 90 degrees and it’s early and i am hot.
totally lame.  my apologies.
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