Back from the abyss...

I am back and blogging again. After taking quite a long hiatus from my blog, I think I'll give it a crack again. My keyboard is dusty but I think I can manage...

Spring came along and life just seemed to get busier and busier. I was unable to keep up with my Daring Baker's challenges. Perhaps in the Fall I can beg them to take me back. That's when I really start getting into baking mode anyway. Not to say that I haven't baked lately, but it is certainly a more rare occasion in the Summer. Its kind of hard to bake when it's already 90 degrees in the kitchen. (No central a.c., bleh!) We have cookouts for family and friends pretty often so I do sneak in a little baking for those.

Last week I made a chocolate cake. I used the Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe from Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations by Nancie McDermott. This is my latest go-to chocolate cake recipe. It is so moist and delicious. I just don't tell anyone about the secret, "I beg your pardon..." ingredient! My youngest son gave me this cookbook for Mother's Day and I just cherish it. The recipes are fabulous but most of all I cherish it because of the sweet thoughtfulness behind the gift. My son is 13 so I consider it notable that a 13-year-old boy put thought into a gift for his Mom at all!

Since my last post I've found a new little hobby. I am now officially a container gardener! I planted some tomatoes, eggplant, banana peppers and cherry peppers in some containers this year and they proudly sit on my patio. Oh, yes I also have some herbs...basil, chives and rosemary. I'm really enjoying my little garden. Its very relaxing. I picked my first tomato and banana pepper last week. I'll have to take some pictures and post them. I'm quite proud. It really is relaxing to go out on the patio every morning and tend to those little containers. It is truly fascinating to witness the growth of each vegetable (although a tomato is technically a fruit I suppose) every day.

My son's football practice starts today. I love to watch him play but I sure don't love getting him to practice Mon - Fri from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm for the entire month of August. Once school starts, practices slow down a bit. Sigh...I already feel Summer slipping away. Nothing is shorter than a New England Summer (or is that nothing is longer than a New England Winter).

Okay, time to go to work. I will write more later. No really...