I have written before about how eating food we have produced ourselves has been a common rhythm in our lives since moving to Vermont in 1991. Yet, I am astonished each time we come in from the fields ( or the farmstand, now) with a dinner just waiting to be made. The fresh vegetables, simply prepared, taste just like you see in the image. I read a lot of cookbooks and cooking magazines, but when it comes right down to it, I love grilled vegetables with a simple vinaigrette, or corn just steamed slightly. I have not yet had enough tomato sandwiches or bread salad to last me until next year, but the weather certainly suggests we may have another couple of weeks until the cold catches us with mealy or green tomatoes.

Happy Birthday, Kevin! It was a giant fantasy cake with meringue trim, made even more fantastical with those sparkler-like candles. I need more of those for another upcoming birthday of the sparkly nature.