Tag Archives: summer

Peach Pancakes & Peach Berry Smoothie

This morning I was up bright and early to hang out with one of my favorite gals, Abby Ham. We made peach pancakes and peach berry smoothies on Mornings with Fox 43. The peaches came in more of an avalanche than a steady stream this year because of all the rain we’ve had, so we’ve literally just been throwing peaches in everything to not waste any!

Peach Pancakes and Peach Berry on Mornings with Fox 43 | Hannah & Husband

I mentioned these peach pancakes in last week’s post, but in the video below you’ll get a couple tricks for whipping up perfect pancakes of your own. Also, if you’re curious, we love Bob’s Red Mill 10 Grain Pancake Mix–whole grain and hearty.

For the Peach Berry Smoothies, we mix this recipe up all the time based on what’s in season. (By “we,” I obviously mean Husband who actually makes this in the morning while yours truly is still doing her pre-coffee stagger.) In the middle of winter, we use all frozen fruits and more juice. In the summer and fall, we use whatever fruit is in season and less juice because the non-frozen fruit holds more water. While we like the punch of protein, the non-fat Greek yogurt is not necessary for this smoothie to be tasty. Here’s the breakdown of the recipe I made on air:

Peach Berry Smoothie

3/4 cup juice (We like these Tropicana Farmstand blends.)

1 peach, pitted and sliced

1 scoop non-fat Greek yogurt

1 cup frozen berries

Here’s the segment. Thanks again to Mornings with Fox 43 for inviting me to your kitchen!

Wimbledon Whites

As Wimbledon heats up across the pond, Mornings with Fox 43 invited me on this morning to talk about rocking the strictly white look. The idea of “Wimbledon Whites” stems from the club’s strict rules that players wear predominantly bright white on the court–no cream, no off white, and not more than 1 centimeter of trim in a single accent color. (Click here to read more about the fuss that Roger Federer’s red soles made a couple years ago. Scandolous!)

So watch below for a few of my ideas for both men & women on how to own this sporty style.

The Summer of Yes

For us, this summer has been the season of saying, “Yes!” In the past week we closed on our new house, took a trip to the beach with my in-laws, moved into the new house, and spent an afternoon in Virginia partying with the prettiest bride I ever did see. When asked last week about our crazy schedule, I just had to reply, “Life’s short! Who wants to miss out on anything?” So, if you’ll humor me, I must share a few pictures.

Teal on Closing Day | Hannah & Husband

This is a selfie in our new living room a few hours after closing. We can’t brag enough on our real estate agent, who I’ll talk about more later this week. At closing, she brought us a bottle of champagne with a teal bow to match our new living room.

Teal Mantle | Hannah & Husband

Aqua Hat | Hannah & Husband

The next day, we drove to the beach, and I bought a new hat. It was at that moment, that I started to sense I may have a teal/aqua addiction. Are there groups for this sort of thing?

Eastern Lake, Santa Rosa, FL | Hannah & Husband

Seaside Cocktails | Hannah & Husband

Beach Beard + Turban | Hannah & Husband

While at the beach, James grew a beach beard and I wore a lot of turbans (please see The Platinum Blonde Commandments for reference). I’m posting this picture to remind you that you’re not the only one who looks a little wacky on vacation.

rainy moving day | Hannah & Husband

Back in Tennessee on Thursday: moving day. And the rain came. At points, it came down Noah style.

clothing on the moving truck | Hannah & Husband

Wedding Selfie | Hannah & Husband

Friday, we cleaned up and drove to Virginia for a wedding. I have to tell you, it was the most stylish wedding we’ve ever been to! I sense a summer wedding style post in the near future.

Hannah & Julie | Hannah & Husband

Here is the beautiful MRS! Julie and I were best friends in elementary school and had summer camps every year til we graduated. It was such a special treat to be able to share her big day!

Jon & James | Hannah & Husband

Naturally, the MRs needed a picture too!

Unpacking | Hannah & Husband

And then we came home to unpacking. We are officially moved out of ye olde house on Nobel Street where we spent the last 9 years. But I must tell you, the family that bought it was so wonderful that saying goodbye wasn’t really that hard.

On to the next adventure!

Summer in the South

While the summer solstice has yet to grace us, Summer in the South has officially begun!

magnolias-summer-in-the-south-hannahandhusband

The beginning of summer in the south is welcomed by white dresses and seersucker.

Days are spent seaside, creekside, or lakeside.

The last few evenings on the screened porch that will be accompanied by a cool breeze are cherished.

Farmers Markets celebrate the arrival of strawberry season and green tomatoes.

Sweet tea  & lemonade are sipped by the gallon and often spiked with something stronger.

I adore this time of year and, as we mapped out our summer plans this weekend, it started to feel a little more real. This summer has A LOT in store for us, and we’re excited to share our changes, travels, and projects with you!

Is it starting feel like summer where you are?

What signifies the kick-off of the season for you?

 

Strawberry Season

Strawberry Season | Hannah & Husband

Ladies & gentlemen, it’s officially that time of year. Some would argue it’s just as magical as the first crisp wind of autumn or the first snow of winter: Strawberry Season.

Strawberry Season | Hannah & Husband

Yesterday, our first CSA basket of the season really delivered. 3 containers of these bright red beauties! Every year at this time, I think back to the Spring I learned to make strawberry jam. There’s something almost sacred in the practice. So today, a little haiku…

Ripe, red strawberries
On the counter just waiting
for sugar and fate. 

Click here to get our strawberry jam recipe!

It pairs perfectly with this cornbread too.

Homemade Blueberry Soda

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

Put this on your list of simple pleasures: sipping homemade blueberry soda on the front porch in the late afternoon sun.

Sipping sodas used to be a more glamorous pastime as exhibited by Marion the Librarian's hat. Don't you love The Music Man?

Sipping sodas used to be a more glamorous pastime as exhibited by Marion the librarian’s hat.

For months now, Husband has been experimenting at the bar with fresh fruit sodas, and I am relishing my job as official taster. So when an influx of blueberries showed up at our house a couple weeks ago, we decided blueberry soda was a must-have.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

You’ll Need…

1 pint blueberries, fresh or frozen
a quarter cup sugar
water
club soda

First, he made a very simple syrup. To 1 pint blueberries, he added a heaping quarter cup of sugar in a heavy bottomed pot. Then, he filled the pot with water until it covered the berries and simmered on super low heat. Eventually the berries broke down and a syrup formed.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

When it had cooked to a syrup-consistency, he let it cool and then used a strainer to catch the berries as the syrup fell into the jar.

That’s it! Just put a few Tablespoons in a pretty glass and top with club soda! You can store the rest of the blueberry soda syrup in the fridge for a few weeks.

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

Homemade Blueberry Soda | Hannah & Husband

This post was done in partnership with Darby Smart. See those flutes in the picture above? I etched them myself in about 30 minutes using the “Etch: Your Own Glassware” project from Darby Smart. The idea is simple: You choose a DIY project from Darby Smart’s ever-growing list, and you’ll receive a box in the mail containing all the supplies and instructions (with pictures) that you need to complete the project. This one even came with a practice flute just in case. So heads’ up DIY friends, you’re all getting Darby Smart gifts for your birthday!

15 Things to Do with Fresh Blueberries

A few weeks ago, I posted on Instagram and Facebook about a surplus of blueberries that we had in our fridge. This time of year, I am always in danger of pulling a Violet Beauregarde, but I just can’t get enough of the little guys.

In the afternoon, I often cover a spoonful of peanut butter in blueberries for a quick pick-me-up, and tomorrow I’m going to share our blueberry soda recipe. But tonight, I thought I’d share the list of blueberry ideas I got from all of you! Links are there when applicable. Bon appétit!

Happy Blueberry Season! | Hannah & Husband

Favorite thing to do with a surplus of blueberries…
1-2-3-Go!

Make blueberry muffins. 

“Muffins, breakfasts, jams and mojitos no necessarily in that order.” 

Freeze yogurt-dipped blueberries

“Blueberry crisp/buckle. Blueberry syrup for pancakes. Blueberry cake with cream cheese frosting or lemon glaze. Pie, obviously. Blueberry mojito. Or, freeze & use as ice cubes for blueberry lemonade. (Growing up in Maine, you kinda become fluent in all things blueberry.)” -my friend Ellen Foord

Muddled blueberries, grapefruit vodka, soda water, sugared rim–sip

This. But replace rhubarb with blueberries. 

Blueberry infused tequila

“Brew 5 gallons of my Blueberry Honey Amber ale.” 

“Scones for Sunday morning AND cook the other half down with sugar and a little lemon to pour over vanilla bean ice cream tonight!” 

Blueberry Muffins | Hannah & HusbandHere’s our recipe for blueberry muffins, and I’ll share another blueberry recipe tomorrow.

In the meantime, what’s your favorite blueberry treat?

Southern Summer Solstice

A page from my sketchbook this week.

A page from my sketchbook this week.

Today is the Summer Solstice, and I know that in other parts of the country you’re still wearing a sweater on your nightly strolls… But y’all summer has already come to East Tennessee! It was 90°+ all week complete with those familiar, short summer storm bursts as more heat rolls into the valley.

So please accept my wishes for a happy Summer Solstice with this little playlist. It is best enjoyed sipping a gin & tonic (says Husband) or a sparkling water (says me) on the front porch.

Style File: Beach Party

Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle
Fun Fact to start your week: When I was in middle school, I had a slight obsession with the Beach Party movies. I’m pretty sure it was egged on by a trip to Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort that later led to an all out bedroom makeover. However, in my sheltered childhood, there are two things I was too naive to realize when I was 13:
  1. They’re smoking pot the whole time.
  2. It’s really all about sex.

So now when I watch it every summer, I still swoon over the big hair and fabulous clothes–I’m just a little more disturbed by whatever those crazy kids were doing in the early 60s. That, however, will not stop me from doing a little Style File.

Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle

First of all, sing-alongs in the car are the best! What better foreplay than singing about a beach vacation with the one you love? And is there a woman alive who wouldn’t pay embarrassing amounts of money to know just how Annette Funicello got her hair to stay so big in the balmy beach climate? Annette Funicello should have been Southern because sister loves her bouffant. Also, and I won’t dwell on this, who else can own head to toe yellow?

Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle

 

Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle

Annette shows off some seriously ‘good girl wanting to go bad’ beachwear in these movies. In fact, I have this theory that her chest was so provocative in the first movie (see above), that they literally tied it down in the sequel (see below.)
Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle
Aside from the fashion, there were some real life lessons in this movie. The 2 most notable being:
1. Stand by your man… unless he tries to get you into bed before you’re ready. In that case, find an older man to make him jealous that doesn’t pose a threat but gives your new-found sexuality a confidence boost.
Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle
2. It is important to know at least one good defense move like “the finger.” Also, if all bad guys were Eric von Zipper’s gang, watching the evening news would be exponentially more awesome.
Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle
Also noteworthy, in the picture below is Deadhead. I’m pretty sure he was one of the first pioneers for preppy beachwear. Tell me those short shorts don’t look like a Michael Bastian collection just waiting to happen!
Style File: Beach Party #secretsofabelle
Beach Party is on Netflix Instant. You can thank me later.

Kitchen Basics: Peeling Tomatoes

This week I brought in the last of our tomatoes for the year. It is bittersweet because there is nothing quite like cooking or eating a tomato you’ve grown yourself. Nonetheless, when the time comes, you’ve got to figure out what to do with all those little red fellas.

Later today, I’ll share one of my favorite end-of-the-season recipes, but for now I thought I’d share an easy step by step that will teach you how to peel tomatoes yourself. I just started peeling our tomatoes this year before cooking with them, usually in big batches on the weekends. I’ve found it helpful because whether your cook, freeze, or can them, you’ll find the peel will often detach from the fruit and become quite tough changing the texture of your dishes. So here’s what you’ll need…

1. a pot of boiling water
2. a bowl of ice water
3. a bowl for your end result

If you can, set your 2 bowls in the sink. This will really help cut down on the mess.

Finally, here’s how you actually peel the little guys…

1. Bring water to a boil, and drop the tomatoes in for about 2 minutes. Boiling time will be dependent on the size of the fruit, but you’ll see the skin start to change slightly–it may even start to crack.

2. When you start to see the change, drop the tomatoes into the ice water. The cold water on the hot fruit will literally make the skin pull away from the fruit.

3. Finally, hold the fruit in both hands, peeling off the skin. See easy as pie!

*Pro Tip: If you mark the bottom of the tomato with an X, it will make it easier for the skin to loosen.

*Speaking of pie, I’ve found this also works well with peaches.

Anyway, I hope this helps! I’ll be back in a bit to share the perfect 1st-of-Fall-Last-of-the-Tomatoes recipe.