Strawberries, Still...

I found the most amazing baked strawberry pie recipe almost a month ago, and I've been meaning to post it, but as time wore on and strawberry season seemed to be ending, I figured I had blown it. But then I went berry-picking just yesterday, and though we mostly picked blueberries, raspberries and marion berries—resulting in a slightly stressful all-night canning session with my husband—we did get some delicious, amazing strawberries as well.

Which has inspired me at last to post the Baked Strawberry Pie recipe! It's such a great way to use up strawberries, besides the usual jams and shortcake desserts. But here's the trick to your berries not ending up a pile of mush in the pie (the biggest complaint about strawberry pie): once you mix the cornstarch and salt with the strawberries, place the berries in a sieve or colander for at least 30 minutes. I left mine sitting there for 45 minutes, tapped out the excess juice, and then placed them in the pie crust. The result was a still-juicy, not watery or mushy, strawberry pie. (I also mixed in some nectarines and a handful of blackberries I had sitting around the kitchen, and they were a great addition.) So there it is—enjoy the rest of the season!

I have learned to love the lattice top...especially if I'm throwing together a pie and don't have much fruit on hand! 

Bhalo

Such an easy, lovely summer dress, but it's sold out!

Just read about Bhalo on Refinery 29, and had to share some of their summer staples. Nevermind how cool the fashion is, their cotton is hand-loomed and the line is hand-embroidered by rural Bangladesh women, providing them with valuable employment and all that follows, like education and childcare. 

I love the colors in their Canary/Violet Layer Top. 

Get it now before it sells out too!

Doodlers Do It Best

I have major Heath Ceramic envy. If money was no object—and I didn't have two little ones who break on average about 3 bowls a week—I would be their best customer. But alas...we are simply breaking our way through the dishes from Crate & Barrel we got as a wedding gift. My husband couldn't be happier...all along, he's asked me, "Why can't we just get a bunch of plain white dishes from Goodwill?" I'd started to come around, but this cinched the deal: DIY ceramic decorating. This doodling on A Merry Mishap (via Re-Nest) is cooler than anything I've seen. Can't wait to get started...

Eco on the Beach

This picture was taken on Oahu back in December. The sea turtle was swimming only about a foot away from us. Magical.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's just gotten summery. Finally! After a rainy and overcast weekend, we have some 90-degree weather coming up. I actually had to go to my favorite local store, New Seasons, to buy sunscreen today. It was a good feeling. But it's also inspired me to post the Environmental Working Group's 2010 Sunscreen Guide, since there's still so much confusion about which sunscreens we should be buying. (And according to the list, only 8% of the 500 rated are actually recommended!) I know it sounds boring, but the list is a fascinating read...just scroll to the end of the list to see the brands that flunk in more ways than one: many expensive brand-name cosmetic sunscreens, Neutrogena, Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, Banana Boat, drugstore generics. Even if you don't care about how residues from sunscreens effect the environment (good-bye, coral reefs!), you'll care about how they effect you and your family.

For a great summary of sunscreens and their effect on you and the environment, click this link to the GOOD.Is website.

Happy summer!