Laowai

Per usual the things that are making me happy lately are baking related and garden related. I tried a new recipe from the Midwest Made cookbook. It's the Chocolate Eclair Dessert – a choux pastry topped with vanilla custard and a thick layer of whipped cream. It got really good reviews from my family.

For tonight's picnic at the fireworks I made some raspberry hand pies. I haven't really tried one yet, but I think they will be tasty. I used the pie dough recipe that I like from Zingerman's Bakehouse cookbook. 

And now onto my garden. It's growing… weeds and all.

I feel like several flower beds are disorganized works in progress. Gardening requires so much patience! My vegetable garden is happy and I should have green beans very soon.

The purple coneflowers are blooming. Hello Mr. Bee.

And one more thing that makes me happy – finally having a sunny enough day to hang laundry outside.