Drunk Blondies

I haven't had much time for baking lately, plus I've been eating so much ice cream there isn't really room for cookies and things in my sweets arsenal. Still, though, when I fell asleep dreaming about these  bourbon chocolate-chip blondies for four nights in a row, I felt like it might be a good idea to turn the oven on.

I was right- they were amazing. I browned the butter and left out the coconut, but still, man-oh-man, were they delicious. They came together really quickly, too, which is one of my favorite things about brownies and blondies. I'm pretty sure that you should make them, too.

Devereux Beach

Work has been crazy busy this summer. It's mostly a good thing; I have the best coworkers ever, and I also get to work with many adorable children every day. It does, however, mean that I somehow made it to the middle of August with only one beach trip under my belt. This past Sunday, my mom and Dewey picked me up from work and we drove to Devereax Beach in Marblehead. It was a little too cold to swim, but we got plenty of sun and I went up to the water to my knees. It was the perfect thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.

August Diet

For as long as I can remember, all I want to eat in August is corn, tomatoes and peaches (June and July are all about watermelon and ice cream). This year, for some reason (especially considering how little meat I normally cook), I've added steak on the grill to that list.

The August diet is my favorite.

The morning after Gentlemen of the Road, Elizabeth, Emma and I went to breakfast at The Front Room in Portland's East End. It is a tiny little restaurant on the ground floor of a residential building with an open kitchen. We sat at the bar and talked with regulars while we ate some of the most delicious eggs, toast and homefries I've had in a while.

So, people who have been reading my blog for awhile may know that I take birthdays seriously. Other people's birthdays. My birthday? It's fun, but celebrating other people is even better.

My coworkers didn't get that memo this year.

My 27th was arguably my best birthday since becoming an adult, in large part because of that. To top it all off? Elizabeth got the lab where we both work to write me a birthday post. And she said that I had to post it. After I stopped getting all teary, I agreed. 

Thank you so much, GabLab.

Abbie has two of the best qualities a person can have: she always knows how to make a day ten times better, and she makes EXCEPTIONAL pies. – Keri

Abbie is the best motivator and leader I know. A social prodigy some might say... – Julia

Abbie delights in the sights, smells, and sounds of her native city, exclaiming gleefully, "We live here!" - Sara

You can always tell when Abbie is around because you can hear her laughing. – Livia

Everything Abbie does, she does with kindness and enthusiasm. It comes through in her cooking, her work, and her friendships. (And I get to enjoy all 3!) - Elizabeth

Abbie makes delectable confections that I adore. - Joe

Abbie never stops smiling! – Maggie

Abigail is hilarious and bubbly and happy, and makes everyone in earshot bubblier and happier, too. I think she rocks. –Todd

Abbie gives me treats and introduces me to new little people whose faces I can lick! - Echo (note: Echo is a dog.)

Abbie is the most socially graceful person I know! – Ola

I can always count on Abbie for the essentials in life, like lip balm and snazzy German hand lotion. And also for being my partner in crime when a snack time is needed. - Dorice

Abbie has a contagious laugh.  She is always happy and makes others feel happy too! – Cindy

Abbie makes the best rhubarb pie I've ever tasted. Ever. - John S.

Abbie's amazing at celebrating all the moments contagiously! – Joanna

Abbie is fearless against Frighteningly Loud Computer Sounds and always brings cheer to the office! – Irina

Happy Happy, Abbie!

We are so glad you were born, and some years later became our froworker.

Love, Gablab

Gentlemen of the Road

This past weekend, Emma, Elizabeth, Betsy and I went to the Gentlemen of the Road stopover in Portland, Maine. It was so. much. fun. We got into Portland around noon, and spent the entire day on the Eastern Promenade, listening to really great music, eating delicious food (and drinking delicious, specially-brewed beer), and looking out on Casco Bay. At the end of the night, Mumford and Sons played a set, then they brought every single one of the day's artists on stage and played The Weight. (Which, sidenote: I had no idea that that song was called The Weight or that it was by The Band. Now I know.) At the end, there were fireworks. 

Highlight of the summer, for sure.

(Four birthday miles on my favorite path, complete)

Today is my birthday. I have big plans to buy everything I want from the farmers market and only eat very delicious food.

It's going to be a good day.