Strawberry-Rhubarb

I am relatively new to the whole rhubarb craze. I didn't grow up eating strawberry-rhubarb pie, and my mom never stood over the stove, stirring a pot of bubbling compote. Instead, a couple of years ago, a coworker requested a strawberry-rhubarb pie in place of a birthday cake, and I instantly fell in love. Now, it doesn't really taste like June unless I've had a rhubarb fix. I like mine in all of the ways that food bloggers suggest- with a spoon, on top of greek yogurt, or over ice cream. For my mom's annual St. John's day/Midsummer bonfire and strawberry party tonight, I'm going to fold some into whipped cream to make a fool.

I don't really write recipes, but I happened upon exactly the right proportions when making compote the other day and I thought I'd store them here in case you were looking for a little taste of June, too. (And also so that I never run around my kitchen screaming about putting too much sugar in the compote again, too.)

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Frozen Strawberries (one bag of organic ones from whole foods- about a cup and a half)

three mediumish stalks of rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/4 cup sugar

healthy pinch of salt

half a vanilla bean

Add everything to a pot with about a half a cup of water- just enough to make sure nothing sticks. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the mixture, then toss the pod in, too.

Cook on medium-low, stirring much of the time, until everything kind of disintegrates into strawberry-rhubarb mush. There might still be some chunks of strawberries; that's fine, just smash them with a spoon. Let it cool, then pour compote into a jar (vanilla bean, too) and refrigerate.

Happy summer, friends!

A Weekend in Vermont

Last week, I went up to Vermont for the most glorious weekend.

Chris, Betsy and I were going to run a half marathon, which we did in the 85-degree heat (it was a little messy and a lot slow), but mostly we just relaxed and enjoyed a weekend with our friends. 
 

Elizabeth likes cooking even more than I do, so we ate well. We also explored and swam in a river (it was FREEZING, and I was a little worried about getting swept away by the current). I took a million and a half pictures and read almost all of this book.

I feel like now that I've been on that trip, I'm really ready for summer to begin. I plan on swimming a lot, reading even more, and spending plenty of time on my porch.

Convalescing in Cambridge

Over the weekend, I came down with the flu. While it was a less-than-pleasant way to spend  Memorial Day, I did get to convalesce at my mom's house, which proved remarkably restorative.

In general, I'm a real grownup who can take care of herself when she's sick.  After a day where I couldn't get up from the couch, though, all I wanted was for my mommy to feed me crackers and pat my head. When she offered to do more or less just that, I realized how lucky I am to live close to home and whimpered "yes, please." I just sleep better at home, you know?

Tuesday, the back porch became my office and I got to send emails and fiddle with documents while looking at the garden. It was lovely.

This weekend, I'm heading up to Vermont to (maybe) run a half marathon and generally spend some time in the woods. If I'm lucky, a swimming hole may be involved. How about you? Anything good planned?

Fenway!

Last night my friend Elizabeth and I went to a baseball game. It was SO much fun. 

I've written before about how I think that a trip to Fenway is one of the most quintessential "Boston" experiences, and last night's experience reminded me just how true that is.

Even those of us Bostonians who don't really follow baseball really really love the Red Sox, so a trip to watch them play, drink a beer, and be in the presence of thousands of other Boston fans (including Natalie!) is pretty great stuff.

Elizabeth and I left before the Indians started to really beat the Sox (the final score was 12-3!), but we did see Papi hit a home run. That was pretty much the best.

First Burger

Over the weekend, Chris and Elizabeth came over to celebrate the lovely weather with a little barbecue.

I like to start grilling as soon as the temperature hits fifty degrees, but there is something about the first burger of the season that really reminds me that Summer is on its way. Especially if you eat it on your porch with friends who appreciate these things as much as you do.

Spring is pretty lovely this year, which makes me even more excited for Summer. I anticipate plenty of burgers on the porch with my buddies.

Photo Lesson

 

Two weekends ago, Tricia and I got together for a walk and photo lesson. We walked on my favorite little path and she taught me some basics of exposure and aperture and focus. I still have so much to learn, but I'm a little less scared of manual mode now. That feels like a step in the right direction.

Things that are good after a week like last:

french fries at Mead Hall



Trees in bloom at MIT



a breakfast picnic on the back porch



photography lessons and time in nature

Slowly but surely, life is returning back to almost-normal, though as I mentioned on instagram, I walk by the memorial to Officer Collier most days and am reminded that that's definitely not the case for everyone. For those of us who are lucky enough to get to keep going, though, it's nice to have life quiet down a little.