October

Autumn is here, can you believe it? I'm loving our backyard suppers and bonfires.

 Setting the table for a backyard supper date / dinner is served / Mabel is a film star / studio time / birthday party leftovers.

Grayson Highlands

Camping for two days in Grayson County, VA, we day-hiked an excellent stretch of the Appalachian Trail, from Massie Gap toward Mount Rogers - miles of blue ridge views, secret laurel forests, stone caves, mountaintop meadows, wild ponies, grazing steer, herds of deer and countless tiny creatures.  Here's to a perfect weekend.

Summer, concluded.

September has arrived and it's back to work, full steam ahead. Here, some photos I took whilst the summer was winding down. It's bittersweet to look forward to autumn, but I still do. Crisp evening walks with Mabel, and backyard bonfires, are right around the corner - but before we officially turn the calendar page, let's remember (and appreciate!) the joys of summer.

Saturdays.

Farmer's market flower prizes / the buttermilk chive biscuit brunch scene, at our house.

Tomato season

Fusilli, pesto, a little ricotta, and two handfuls of fresh tomatoes. Supper! 

Napoletana

I am an enthusiast, of many things. Pizza is one of those things.

I recently discovered that the pre-made pizza dough at our neighborhood market is actually good. Like, really good. And I'm not ashamed to tell you, I've been using it to create all kinds of stuff, especially since the market is bursting with midsummer produce.  Last night, we indulged in a post-camping trip lazy Sunday and whipped up a couple of pies. (And somehow found ourselves viewing another episode of The Leftovers... are you watching it? I can't decide if it's rubbish or brilliant).

I've already told you about crispy kale pizza (which is B's favorite and so good that I made it for my book club), but here are a few other favorite recipes...

Ricotta & red onion pizza

Pizza bianca

Pizza del papa

Potato pizza

Grilled pizza

And, you might also point your eyes at Deb Perelman's guide to easy pizza.

Salter Path

It's no secret that I'm partial to Highway 12, but this little stretch of island, along the southern outer banks, has a lot of charm. Also, you're not a proper North Carolinian til you've had a Big Oak shrimpburger on the beach. Just sayin'.