Peach and Blueberry Crumble

I've made this Ina Garten recipe several times over the past month, most recently with plums.  All stone fruits work well, with or without the blueberries.

For the fruit:

2 pounds firm ripe peaches or nectarines (6-8) or plums (12-14)

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup fresh blueberries (1/2 pint)

For the crumble:

1 cup all purpose flour

1/3/ cup sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 stick cold unsalted butter, diced

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Immerse peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minutes, until their skins peel off easily.  Place them immediately in cold water.  Peel the peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl.  Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and flour.  Toss well.  Gently mix in the blueberries.  Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.  Spoon the mixture into a prepared baking dish or into ramekins. 

For the topping, combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas.  Rub the mixture with your fingertips until its in big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit.  Place baking dish or ramekins on a sheet pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tops are browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. 

You may make ahead, and store unbaked in the refrigerator to bake before dinner. 

Checking New Fence

We have a fence crew staying in the bunkhouse, as they are installing about 7.5 miles of new fence.  Papa and I hiked this morning to check on their progress.   We saw deep blue wild morning glories. We came within a few feet of a herd of deer, resting under a tree.  We enjoyed walking through thigh high grass and across burbling creeks. 

Rain Clouds at Sunrise

Rain clouds at sunrise are a good omen for the day, on a desert mountain ranch.

Family Photos

Carly, Colter, Madilyn, Colter Lee, and Traven came over this afternoon about 5.  We rode 

up the hill and I snapped lots of family photos in the grass.  A few favorites...

The Importance of Touch and Time

One day this past week, I visited with Savannah.  She is getting married in November and I'm helping with a couple of bridal shower events for her.  We were talking about making marriage and family work over the years.  Two important factors for me are touch and time.  Touch, as in giving a hug or holding a hand to show you care.  Time, as in "being in the moment" and enjoying others company.

Our children and grandchildren live 2000+ miles away from us.  We don't see them often enough, but our touch and our time is worth more than any other gifts we can give them.  When our children and grandchildren are old and we are long gone, I am sure they will have forgotten all (or most of) the material gifts they got along the way, but they will remember the time we spent together, the trips we took, the laughs we shared, exploring the ranch, lighting luminarias, and more.

More Rain and Grass

We haven't had a summer like this one in several years.  We are loving it!  The rain is producing a bounty of grass and weeds, all green!  The grass on the south side of our house is taller than the porch!  We especially enjoy seeing the grass, loaded with seeds, waving in the breeze.

Butterflies

Papa and I rode Bob part way across the ranch today.  The ranch is green, with grasses waving in the breeze and wildflowers blooming.  We were looking for blooming barrel cactus and happened upon several butterflies.  Aren't these beautiful?

Barrel Cactus

Barrel cactus blooms every August.  You can count on it!  I love the brilliantly colored blooms on top of the fishhook covered cactus.  August 2013 blooms are as beautiful as years past. 

Photo to Blow Up

I have done some updating at the Tucson house over the past few weeks, with new drapes, new wood blinds, new pillows, and some rearranging of art and furniture.  After all the moving about, 

I needed a large piece of art for the dining room.  I ordered a 60" x 40" print 

of this favorite photo from this summer's Branding. 

Summer on the Ranch

Back at the ranch after my week with Audrey, for her family's move into their new home in Wilmette.  To date, we've had 8.2" of rain on the ranch this year.  The grass is growing and the Winchester Mountains look like Ireland!  Our views are especially pretty with low clouds. 

My Week in Wilmette

We unpacked boxes for six straight days, with several hours of yard work as breaks.  Much was accomplished and Audrey and Dan have a beautiful home to enjoy.  They still need some basics, 

like a sofa for the family room and a bed for baby #2, but those things will be on order soon.  

By the end of the week, Lauren was enjoying her new space, even helping in the 

yard with her own rake, and Dan was cooking on his new grill. 

Off to Chicago

Papa and I left the ranch on Thursday morning.  We arrived in Tucson in time for lunch at Beyond Bread.  I had a doctor appointment and Papa had the oil changed in his truck.  We ran errands in the afternoon, had a simple dinner, and watched the movie Admissions, with Tina Fey (love her!).  On Friday morning, we hung new blinds in the living room of the Tucson house.  After lunch, I had my hair trimmed, we watched the movie, Mud, and went for dinner at Contigo, a new Latin restaurant. 

We got up by 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, and Papa drove me to the airport for a 6:45 a.m. flight to Chicago.  I hit the ground running at Chicago O'Hare, with Dan picking me up, and whisking me off to his and Audrey's new home in Wilmette.  The movers came today and brought all their furniture and stuff.  Audrey, Dan, and I spent the afternoon unpacking boxes.  We have lots more to go!  Lauren had fun running through the new house, singing, and enjoying her new home and yard.  Neighbors brought dinner for us.  It was a good day!

Licking Salt

We are very fond of our horses.  They have their own personalities and are quite spoiled.  I caught them licking salt at the same time, watching each other's every move.  A quick kick to each other is always a possibility.

Sepia Clouds

We are having a super nice summer, with clouds every day, and 7.3" of rain YTD.  The ranch is lush with grass.  I love clouds in the desert.