Blueberry-Lavender Ice Cream

I miss the blueberries we picked on the East Coast. It was so magical for my little girl to run through the bushes and pick off the sweet blue globes and drop them into her bucket. She loved doing that.

Thankfully, we can get NJ blueberries here. Blueberries don't grow very well here in Utah, though some people have had success. We try to pick up as many pints as we can when they go on sale.

Early on in the summer, we had my husband's cousins over for dinner. I made a few different kinds of lemonade. My favorite was Blueberry-Lavender Lemonade. Blueberry goes very well with the lavender and all I could imagine while sipping my lemonade was how wonderful that flavor would be suspended in a rich ice cream.

The blueberry takes a backseat to the lavender, but rounds it out nicely and contributes the lovely purple shade. We declared it to be perfection.



This was my second batch. Another one is on the way. It's so good. You. can't. stop. eating. it.

Blueberry-Lavender Ice Cream

1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup water
juice of 1/2 lemon

Bring to a boil and cook until berries pop. Mash lightly with a potato masher. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Set aside.

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 tsp. culinary lavender

Bring to a bare simmer over medium heat. Let steep for about 15 minutes, longer if you really like lavender. Strain and add to the blueberry puree.

Chill until very cold. Churn according to manufacturer directions.

Makes about 1 quart.

Mixed Greens with Pluots, Slivered Almonds and Bacon

I bought the most delicious Dapple Dandy Pluots this week at the store. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever had one before. I must go back and get more. They are delightful. The flavor is mostly like a plum, but the texture is firmer. Well, you'll just have to try one if you haven't. They are gorgeous inside and out--a lovely speckled peel and the stunning pink and red flesh.

So juicy and perfect paired with the bitter greens, crunchy almonds, and creamy poppyseed dressing. Oh--and the bacon. Mmm. I love a bit of crumbled bacon on my salads. (Not too much, just a bit.)



Mixed Greens with Pluots, Almonds, and Bacon
2-4 servings

1 bag or tub of organic mixed greens
2-3 ripe, but firm pluots, sliced
4-5 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
1/2 cup slivered almonds (toasted or untoasted)
Poppyseed dressing (we like Brianna's or homemade)

Toss together and serve.

p.s. Thanks again for your encouraging words. I've been doing much better.

Thank you. Really. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your e-mails and comments. I keep reading them and they are helping me feel better knowing I'm indeed NOT alone and I can get through this.

So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'll be back soon. Local peaches are almost on here in Utah and I have loads of recipes I'm dying to try. (And I need to start experimenting with my new camera.) Soon, friends, soon.

XOXO

Bear With Me...

I'm suffering from Postpartum Depression.

It took me a long time before I could say that out loud. I've had some dark, bleak days lately. Most days it is all I can do to get out of bed and take care of our basic needs.

I'm not writing about this for sympathy. I'm not even writing about it to give an excuse for not blogging over the last few months. I'm saying it because I need to say it. I need to accept it and conquer it.

I'm in the process of getting help. Being able to admit to myself that I actually had PPD was the first step. And for that, I thank my friends who have shared their experiences with me and helped me see that it's okay and I'll be able to get through it. I also thank my husband who is truly a saint. No one sees the behind-the-scenes chaos that he calmly sorts out. He's a good, understanding man who is supporting me through this.

All the classic signs and symptoms were there. I just thought I was destined to be a tired, bitchy mom. I didn't see it and it was right in front of me. Of course, there is really more to it than that. I'm oversimplifying.

Bear with me. I thought my blog was the problem, but taking a break from it helped me see the truth. I think it will also help me get through this, but I'm just not ready to come back yet.

But I will be back.