FOOD

I was looking through our photos to update my photo project, and came across a lot of pictures of food we have made or enjoyed during the summer months. I have taken a lot of pictures of food over the last few years, and coming across the random cupcake attempts and pavlova makes me smile. This summer was no exception: we enjoyed everything from golden raspberries and heirloom grape tomatoes to key lime pie. Through the years, especially after marrying Brad, I have learned something important about myself: I am obsessed with food. Not in a calorie-counting way, but in a what-kind-of-memory-can-we-make-with-this-meal-or-treat kind of way. And Brad enjoys food, but he is much more sensible about it. He doesn't daydream about Le Creuset or pine for an ovenproof skillet. He doesn't study The Joy of Cooking or try their 7 different pancake recipes for the fun of it. Brad may not share my obsession, but he sure is supportive.
With Thanksgiving coming up, I feel like I won't feel too sad that we've eaten the last of our summer blackberries and raspberries from the freezer (but not the blackberry jam!) or that my basil plant has gone the way of the world. And I don't think you'll be too sad in the wake of turkey and stuffing and pies either, so here we go.

(note: not the haircut, just a ponytail.) This does not adequately show the deliciousness of our anniversary Mexican feast at Cactus in Alki. I could eat their Camarones forever. I was so impressed with Brad for finding this place--he ate gluten-free and we ate outside with a view of the Sound (Brad gave me the view of the Sound, sweet man).

The Fourth of July weekend I headed to my favorite produce shop, Top of the Hill. Golden raspberries are a new favorite around our house. Topping fresh lime ice with these berries was the best treat ever ever (thank you, Rick Bayless.)

I made (gluten-free) key lime pie. It was heaven.

Brad made freezer blackberry jam from many of the blackberries we picked. He also made blackberry pie.

We made Summer rolls. I loved that when we made this dinner, Jane could help a lot. She made her rolls (chicken, cabbage, carrots), then ate most of her rolls!

I heard about Trophy Cupcake and Party from a dear friend, and finally decided to make a trek to Wallingford to check it out. We were not disappointed.

Triple chocolate, lemon strawberry, + Jane.


The party supplies. So charming.

Lemon. I love the way they are decorated--they're beautiful, but not too beautiful to eat.
I wondered if any of Trophy's recipes were available online and discovered her Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow. The marshmallow plus this graham cracker recipe from 101 Cookbooks led to these:

gluten-free s'mores, with gluten-free graham crackers. Making marshmallow was highly enjoyable, as was using a toothpick to draw lines and dots on the homemade crackers. These may have to make another appearance at Christmas time in California.
And now Thanksgiving is nearly here. It is one of my favorite holidays--a holiday about FOOD and gratitude and family? Yes, please! I'll have seconds!
If you're still with me, I would love to hear--what are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes and treats? Is there something that must make it to your table? Anything you cannot allow? (Brad has vetoed my idea to make cheesecake this year--which really, is just as well!) What are you doing for Thanksgiving?