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A Look Back at June


One of the things I enjoy most here on the blog is sitting down at the end of the month to do an overview of what I have covered.  It never ceases to put a smile on my face when I look back at what I managed to get through.  Although it’s now July and Independence Day is behind us, I think I need to go back to June so that I can focus on this month.  As much as I would like to be on schedule with certain stories or get to things on my ‘to-do’ list for any given month, I am sometimes derailed because of any number of circumstances.

Our weather, for instance, has not been cooperating lately.  Let me explain.  Clouds, rain and thunder have been around every single week here in Philadelphia, with not a ray of sunshine to be found.  I’m told that this past month was the wettest on record for our area, which is totally believable.  Since I do not have a lot of professional equipment for photography here at home, I completely rely on sunny days to photograph my stories.  Someone recently wrote to me saying that they were envious of my lighting, but I had to tell them that it’s all thanks to Mother Nature.  I don’t use artificial light.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sunnier weather in the coming weeks and months, otherwise I’m going to be in trouble!

I don’t want to bore you with a long introduction to what was covered here on the blog, so let's just dive into it.  A crafting project, baking recipes, housekeeping, collecting and a good walk around my home, are just some of the subjects I wrote about.  I guarantee that at least one thing will capture your attention.  

Do you love granola, but hate the added sugars, syrups and what-nots?  If you do, you really should try making a batch of the Maple Cranberry Granola I created at the beginning of June.  It’s great as an add-in to yogurt, but it’s equally delicious to have in a bowl with a bit of milk for breakfast.  Those giant Great Big Mixing Bowls from Martha by Mail are used whenever I'm baking large batches of anything.  I love them!



A housekeeping tip I did want to share immediately with you was a new method for polishing copper.  After talking to Michael Bonne and telling him about what I had discovered in a Culinary Institute of America book, he told me about his preferred method using ketchup!  I had heard of this before from several friends, but I had never tried it.  Both methods work!  It’s great that you now have several ways to keep your copper nice & shiny.



These coconut toffee bars are rich and delicious.  Sometimes you feel like having a blondie that's thoroughly satisfying without a lot of add-ins.  With bits of toffee and flakes of tender coconut, the bars will have you reaching for a glass of cold milk.  


Oh my word.  This little booklet from Martha by Mail is so wonderful.  The imaginative and creative ways the editors at Martha Stewart Living featured the line of cookie cutters is still amazing to me.  I look to these types of booklets, pamphlets and decorating cards as inspirational pieces.  There is always an idea or two I like using when I set out to decorate beautiful cookies.

THANK YOU JANET!!!


It was time to branch out and craft on my own.  With this wonderful project to start off, I can safely say that it's doable for anyone.  As long as you have the basic tools and a neutral cup to work with, you too can have customized cups from which to sip coffee.  Use the story as a guide and make your own cups for whatever you want.  If I didn't say so already, either hand wash or place the cups on the top rack of your dishwasher.  Any worn off letters can always be reapplied.  


These decadent chocolate cupcakes are always going to be a favorite with me.  Small cakes packed with the darkest cocoa and iced in simple vanilla frosting will have you smiling.  Make some for a bake sale, a birthday party, a shower or just because you feel like having cupcakes in the house.  One dozen aren't going to last very long...


My friend Aurelia sent me these images from another Martha Stewart Living publication.  I love it!  Vintage photographs showing one how to decorate cookies are so nice.  Revisit that little booklet.


These speak for themselves.  Homemade chipwiches are far superior to store bought.  Believe me!

These prized cookie cutters are courtesy of Aurelia!  I'm still shocked that I have them in my home.  I do plan on doing them justice in the near future with blog posts, so look for those stories.  

THANK YOU AURELIA!!!!


This bucolic walk around our home is so nice, because I get to see something different every single day.  If I go into one of the trails I feel as if I'm in the middle of nowhere.  Once in a great while I'll come across a deer or two on the meadow, but more often than not, they will congregate at the bottom of the hill where our house sits.  There are two newborn babies that stick close to their mother.  Such cutie pies!


June was also the month of Michael Bonne on the blog.  Although you were reintroduced to him only a week or so ago, my friend Janet and I have been conversing with him for several months already.  Due to the nature of our future projects together, I can only give you certain information when appropriate.  One thing I can promise is that we plan on providing you with new heirlooms to cherish.

★

Here's to many sweet, good and wonderful things for July!!!
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Comments

  1. JanetJuly 5, 2013 at 8:56 PM

    You had a GREAT month, David! Thank you for sharing it with me!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good Things by DavidJuly 6, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    THANKS JANET!!! July is going to be fun!

    David

    ReplyDelete
  3. JayneJuly 6, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    Wow, what a great post, good stuff! I have to make that granola!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Things by DavidJuly 8, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    Thanks, Jayne and yes, you really should try that granola! Add whatever dried fruit you happen to like.

    Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete

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