The spring that went past at race pace is now over, and the raspberries are already in full swing. We enjoyed several happy weeks of fresh, crisp asparagus, served boiled with poached eggs or sauteed with garden vegetables.
Then Easter came, and I had to share this bit of the many precious moments from the day.
The artichokes were better this year than ever before, and I had loads of fun tucking them, caramelized, into toasted cheese sandwiches, pureed and folded into souffles and creme brulee, and classically boiled with lemon-butter sauce and plenty of pepper.
Ladybird took this glowing photo of a spiced apple German pancake that we made one Saturday morning, a few months ago.
Now the garden is quietly sucking up the water and nurture that Bethany and I are pouring into it, and we're anticipating lots of corn and a variety of squashes and melons soon. I can't wait for the new cooking adventures they will bring! So far it seems as if all I do is garden and cook, which is close to true. But I've also spent a lot of time running through the countryside before sunrise with Daddy, dandering in the woods with Gavin (he's so delighted to go outside at any time!) practicing piano and finding ways to keep inspired with it, and delving into books from science to gardening to Jurassic Park.
I spent the week before last in Rockaway with my youth group, helping to lead a sports/Bible camp for Pre-K through 6th-graders, and also a youth group for the teens there (which were few). It was an exhausting week, but far more fun and rewarding than I ever anticipated. I had no idea that watching kids, keeping them safe, entertained and teaching them, could be such a struggle. But when we were the weakest, we could see and feel God acting most visibly. It was beautiful to see, and so exciting to be a part of!
Now I'm home and more summer stretches out peacefully in front of me, with the promise of good times with family and friends, and next month, blackberries!
