all on a rainy day

we have been enjoying the peace garden and bird sanctuary by lake harriet. we are so fortunate to be within walking distance; it's the perfect destination.

{photos by me + craig}

Ristretto

When we saw this iced coffee on the rocks, also known as Ristretto, in the Times Magazine, we had to try it. Luckily, I scored a Chemex at a garage sale for $5 so we could try it out. With this method, the hot water poured over the grounds dribbles right into a bath of ice. Instant iced coffee! Read the story and how-to here.

{photo courtesy Times Mag}

rhubard glow

Thank you sunshine and water for bringing us fresh produce. It's nourishing and lovely.

That rhubarb made one fabulous Upside-Down Lemon Rhubarb Cake. Find the recipe here. I served it with vanilla whipped cream-sooo good.

{top photo by me + bottom photo courtesy of NYTimes}

nothing to protect, nothing to defend

Above all, don't let your ego stand in the way. Self-image is constructed by the ego. It gives you a facade that you can show the world, but it also turns into a shield behind which you hide. If you let your self-image stand in the way, you can't be open and receptive. Real change requires a relaxed, natural attitude. Sadly, most people expend untold energy in protecting their self-image, defending it from attacks both real and imagined. Instead, take the attitude that there's nothing to protect and nothing to defend. You want to be strong, but true strength comes from love that is certain and self-sufficient. False strength comes from building a wall of self-defensiveness.

Excerpted from Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul by Deepak Chopra

all on a sunny day

house on the rock

Clingstone, also known as the house on the rock, is situated in Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay. Can you imagine the view?

See more at the Big Picture.

pretty peonies

blushing on my table

from my beautiful friend

thanks

xoxo

abelardo morell

photographer abelardo morell projects images into darkened rooms and creates fascinating environments.

see more of his work on his website, here.

read a bit more about how he does it at national geographic, here.

chewy granola bars

I found a fabulous recipe for chewy granola bars via Tastespotting. They are peanut-buttery, moist and full o' fiber. Find the recipe here.

*I made a few substitutions and additions to the recipe based on what I had on hand. I used an unsweetened cereal, ground flax instead of wheat germ(I didn't toast it with the cereal and oats like the recipe calls for in order to preserve the omega fatty acids and also replaced some of the cereal with it to increase the amount added to 1/2 cup) and pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts. Use what you have on hand and they'll still turn out fabulous.

{photo and recipe courtesy of pass the sushi}