and Voila! Peach Crostata

peach crostata, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

After harvesting the peaches; stopping to capture them in watercolor and baking them in a variation of Ina Garten's "summer fruit crostata" here is the result. I am ready to take a bite.....

chicken grape and cashew salad

chicken grape and cashew salad, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

This is a favorite summer salad of mine. It's crunchy with the cashews and fresh with the grapes and very satisfying. It is also very high in iron. I used to make it just with the chicken salad alone but I now prefer it over a bed of baby greens dressed with balsamic vinegar and a good olive oil. Here is the recipe:
Chicken breasts (thighs if you want more Iron) cubed
celery, chopped
red seedless grapes, halved
mayonnaise, celery salt and celery seed to taste
add right before serving;
roasted and salted cashews
serve over baby greens ( baby spinach for more iron)

Cottonwood tree, Denver

Cottonwood tree, Denver, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

This week Whitney and her family moved to Denver. It was a very hot week with no air-conditioning in their "new" house. They moved into a repurposed Lowry air force officers' quarters that is now a townhome in a lovely little neighborhood. This cottonwood tree has been here as long as the buildings and is absolutely beautiful. When the breeze passes through the leaves it provides this rustling sound that is so soothing to listen to. For a break from the lifting and unpacking I would go out to the front lawn, sit in my Adirondack chair that I had shipped along with them and watch Ella and Kate ride their scooters in their new neighborhood. I plan on visiting as often as possible until I can get there too.

adirondack chair

adirondack chair, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

I found this chair in Laguna Beach about 10 years ago. It was a Key Lime green. It went through a repaint and became soft yellow but through my eyes I still see it as lime green. It went to Denver with Whitney and her family and sits on the front lawn.

A day with Kate

You think about it, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

A little fun with time out.

last day in California

last day in California, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Sweet little Kate sits in my garden with me sharing a smoothie wearing her cute little short cake T-shirt. Kate's last name is "Short". This precious little girl and her family leave for Denver tomorrow. I have been brave but it won't last much longer.

Butterfly, flower & tickles

Butterfly, flower & tickles, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

This morning Ella, Kate & I walked to Acorn Park to play. Along the way we found a butterfly that was dead but it was special to take home. We walked home through some overgrown "tickles" and then Ella picked a desert rose flower along the way. This all made for good subject matter for today's journal entry