While the official first day of summer isn’t until June 21, I think it is safe to get out the flip-flops, grab a beach towel and jump into my favorite season of the year.
I have always been a sunshine girl who loves the long summer days, the taste of fresh fruit, family reunions, being outside, and grilling. And did I mention the fireflies! Talk about magical. I have to admit, one of the coolest things about moving from CA to TN is seeing those light up as they dance around in the air.
One moment it is on and the next it has blinked off, still moving, then blinks on and off again. You have to follow the path anticipating where you will see it again. I know we have only been here for a little over a year, but I don’t think I will ever get sick of seeing them dart around on the warm summer evenings.
We just came home from going to a huge family gathering in Ohio to celebrate our niece’s high-school graduation.
Family we don’t often see filled the old timber-framed barn as hamburgers were being grilled and fixings spread out on long tables. Kids ran around on the grass barefoot while squirting each other until they were drenched.
It was fun to have a little one crawl into my lap to be cuddled or play cards with those eager to see if they could outsmart their Aunt Marci at UNO.
One of the highlights was seeing John Lynch pull little homemade carts filled with their grandkids around their property.
Seeing my nieces with kids of their own who looked just like they did when they were that age was a constant reminder of how fast the seasons come and go.
Don’t miss out on this season. Capture the moments like a child catching fireflies in a jar.
Every Summer has a story.
Speaking of STORIES!
I have a new book coming out soon and it is filled with stories for those who love the lake or remember the times they spent at the cabin. Lakeside Retreat: Life-Giving Inspirations From a Restful Shore
And to make the season a bit sweeter, try this amazing recipe for Crumble Top Chery Pie. It is perfect for relaxing at the cabin with family, or just inviting neighbors over and sitting at the picnic table.
Ingredients
- 7-8 cups of fresh or frozen cherries -pitted or thawed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pie crust - purchased or homemade
- PIE CRUST RECIPE
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter - grated or cut into small pieces
- 3 Tablespoons cold water
- STREUSEL CRUMB TOPPING
- 6 Tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh grounded nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Add in lemon juice and cherries. Stir. Cook over low heat, gently stirring until dry ingredients dissolve. Heat until mixture is thick.
- Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Set aside
- Roll out pie crust and place in a pie plate or cast-iron skillet. Crimp edges. Set aside.
- In a microwave-proof bowl, melt the butter.
- Stir in brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. stir until soft crumbles form.
- Pour cherry filling over prepared crust.
- Top with crumble topping.
- Bake until crumble topping is browned and filling is bubbling, approx. 50-60 minutes.
- if the top is getting too brown loosely cover with aluminum foil or use a crust cover.
- Let cool for 15 minutes to allow the filling to set. Serve with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipping cream.
- ENJOY!
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