Summer Sunflowers

The lazy days of summer.

      

A time when we are grateful to be gathered together and yet happily go in different directions.

For some, this means daily.

For me, I believe that there is such a thing as sacred idleness.

Days of undoing to balance the days of doing too much.

Between the alfresco lunches, laughter & laundry -

Lovely languid moments to look closely at life.

Like grace, these moments should be savored.

Before the long days of summer take a final bow.

I hope your summer days have been filled with the moments that you love.  A special thank you to Alison, Lauren & Amanda for planting the seeds & growing beautiful sunflowers every single summer!

Photos | Lisa Porter

Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd

April showers created the perfect afternoon for catching up with you all & sharing some goodies that I recently discovered. Grab a pencil!

You know I love lemons, and in my previous post, I showed you why Yellow is currently my favorite color!  But for now, I want to tell you all about Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd!  It is out of this world! 

I discovered Dorie Greenspan while writing a story about Sarabeth Levine of Sarabeth's Kitchen.   I was baking my way through Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours & was looking forward to Dorie's latest book, Around My French Table. 

The evening that I brought it home, I didn't drop it off in the kitchen where I would dive into it the next morning. Instead, I brought it up to my bedside table and by midnight....well, let's just say that Dorie & I had become best foodie friends.  You can be foodie friends with me & Dorie too.  She will hold your hand & tell you great stories & you will learn how to confidently prepare her superb renditions of the great French classics, but home-style!

Last night I was listening to a podcast with Dorie Greenspan at Authors' Answers Series from Leite's Culinaria hosted by award-winning food writer David Leite. They both had me smiling from the start. I love her wonderfully encouraging voice that comes through in the interview & in each and every one of her incredible books! 

Dorie Greenspan has written 10 award-winning books & she also writes the lively blog,  In the Kitchen And On The Road With Dorie! 

I love this quote, “Sarabeth wants to see you. I think you’ve got the job.” from a wonderful story that Dorie shares of how she first met Sarabeth Levine.  

My Francophile friends will enjoy Paris By Mouth, a beautiful collaborative website, edited by Dorie Greenspan & other established food writers, that is changing the way people find and appreciate delicious things in Paris.

I'm getting to the Meyer Lemon Curd.  Good things come to those who read on...I promise!

Many of you know I'm a foodie but I'm no food writer.

Eat Boutique to the rescue!

Maggie Battista founded Eat Boutique in 2007 in order to celebrate handmade food experiences.  She thinks nothing of driving long distances for one amazing night with a great chef, farmer or host.

"We’re a tiny business that shares handmade food stories, curates handmade food gift boxes, and offers handmade food experiences...We believe each bite should be worth it...We believe a great meal is worth driving an extra mile (or ten), especially if the cooks pop out to say hello and thank you...We think indie chefs and restaurateurs are amazing, but so are home cooks and farmers."

Have a look at this wonderful Spring Handmade Food Gift Box from Eat Boutique! 

What a nice Easter gift to give...and to receive!

Now, I'm happy to tell you that Maggie Battista and her team at Eat Boutique are as crazy about lemons as I am!  How about some Meyer Lemon Liquor... 

Or maybe you would prefer Meyer Lemon Liquor with Lavender, Cardamom or Thyme... 

Orrrr Meyer Lemon Marmalade with Booze ;)

 You must try my absolute favorite...Meyer Lemon Curd!

Shelby Larsson is a great food writer and member of the team at Eat Boutique.  Certain that her hubby had forgotten all about Valentines Day, she purchased Around My French Table for herself and fell in love with Dorie Greenspan's Meyer Lemon Curd.  Read more about this melt-in-your-mouth goodness right here!

Shelby also loves cheese and pop culture. I've been reading about her eating adventures over on her blog, Lady Gouda. You'll love her blog & ya gotta love that name!

I hope you enjoy all the goodies!

Dorie Greenspan lives in New York City; Westbrook, Connecticut; and Paris. Be sure to read all about her food adventures in these and other places at www.doriegreenspan.com. 

"Yellow is capable of charming God."

"Yellow is capable of charming God."  Vincent Van Gough

Yellow is

clean,

cherished,

customary,

casual, 

casserole,

comfortable,

conventional,

carefree,

clever,

classy,

& celebratory.

Mr. Porter clearly knows how to charm Mrs. Porter.

With a dozen yellow roses!

Complimented by yellow tulips & daffodils from her garden.

Celebrating twenty-two wonderful years of marriage!

Thank you, sweetheart,