dreaming...

I had a conversation with one of my most favorite people in the whole world yesterday. She always provokes me to dream big and imagine outlandish ideas coming true. I love her for that. I miss her for that. We are always saying, "I wish we lived closer." What if we stopped wishing? 

We talked about uprooting our families and moving to the farm where we would run the day-to-day stuff for my Uncle (her dad). We would be farmers/orchardists, and of course we would be extrememly cute in working in outfits like these:

Farm Girl by crunchypeas featuring long socks

Of course we would also probably wear braids, and possibly flowers in our hair (but only for special occasions).

and of course it would be hard work...but we would be together, and we would laugh a lot. Our families could grow up together. It would be a wholesome life in the country (well mostly, Jenn and I would have to try hard not to get into trouble). 

Then we exchanged several texts about opening a farm stand with fresh fruit, homemade pies and bread, coffee, smoothies, and maybe even some local wines. We could host barn dances...

...you see where we're going with this?

I now have a pinterest board titled "Dreaming of a Farm" and a new book on the way.

It's good to have dreams. They make you smile. Sometimes I dismiss them too quickly. And who knows? Maybe they'll come true someday. I've already have the kids convinced that a farm could be fun! 

crepes our way

It's no secret I have a love affair with breakfast. When I was a little girl my mother used to make crepes. I loved those mornings. They felt special, as if to say, "this day is meant for something fruffy-- it is going to be a day too good for cereal."

I've been feeling a little worn thin lately. I guess there are spaces of time when it you just have to give more, where personalities and circumstances make everyone around you somewhat of a taker. I'm happy to do it, but it can wear a girl out. Oh, and I miss my mom. She was always a giver. 

I made crepes yesterday morning (as I often do). It was my attempt to start happy, to start again, to anchor myself to a little message of love that my mom used to put on my plate. And even if I wasn't going to eat them-- it did me well to make something pretty.

These are by no means authentic or overtly french...but something about them just feels indulgent. Here's how we make them.

This is my favorite recipe. I mix it up in the blender and usually have to make 2 batches one at a time.  I use lots of butter or spray oil to make my 10" pan non-sticky. The burner temperature is crucial. You have to fuss with it a little bit-- somewhere between medium and medium low. I just pour the batter into the pan, swirl to coat the bottom, and then flip it like a pancake when the edges are all bubbly.

It's good to have some helpers in the process. I usually assign someone to the jam and sugar station so I can go back and pour batter in the pan for the next crepe. My people are not patient about these! I have to crank them out. I'm not kidding! They are literally waiting in line with their plates in my kitchen.

Slather butter all over and warmed jam down the center.

Fold the sides over and sprinkle with powdered sugar. (We keep powdered sugar in a parmesean cheese sprinkler jar thingy.)

There you have it. Yummy as can be. Just ask Hannah. She ate 4!

I made use of the discarded egg whites and scrambled them up for myself. Not quite the same... 

live a little

My dear Great Aunt passed away last night. I hadn't seen her in quite some time, but she always left a lasting impression on me. There was so much to like about her. She told me once that my mother was her favorite niece. She called her "Baby Doll". It was like we shared this little bond in our affection for her. She was 90 years old and smart, and witty, and spunky until the end. It doesn't feel so much like a loss, but as someone close to me said- more like a chapter coming to an end. 

So, in light of her passing...I think we should all live a little.

Go out in the rain.

Get your boots muddy.

Laugh. Heck, whoop an shout.

Run fast, play hard.

Love.

Dream.

Imagine.

Do.

Leave something behind.

Because you're here, and because you can!

ps. sorta unrelated... but I love this picture.