Category Archives: summer

Whoa, there!

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Not to be redundant, but Gorilla Girl is amazing.  She has been interested in horses and riding them for a few years now, perhaps because two of her cousins ride, and has been astride a horse only a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, motherhood, summer | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer rituals: flag day in three oaks

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Before the official arrival of summer, in Three Oaks, Michigan, home of the self-proclaimed “Worlds Largest Flag Day Parade,” summer begins with a  bang on or around June 14th.  The solstice, in its more graceful arrival, its lengthening days and … Continue reading →

Posted in beer, children, rituals, summer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The screen door slams

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Summer, according to the calendar, has fully arrived, but the solstice has nothing on the noiser signs of summer.   Our neighbor noted two days ago that he was glad to finally hear our screen door slamming — and that … Continue reading →

Posted in nostalgia, summer | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Olive oil ice cream: knowing who is boss (of the kitchen)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

First off, I am an ice cream making fool, at least since last summer, when my obsession began. I’ve made an astonishing array of ice cream, including asparagus, most recently. Dorie’s olive oil ice cream, while satisfying and creamy, didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in family, food, ice cream, summer | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

In the blink of an eye: oasis naan

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Oasis naan that was on the menu for this week’s Baking with Julia, and it took  just the blink of an eye to throw together — thankfully, since May was a real challenge not only with keeping up with my … Continue reading →

Posted in bread, summer | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Blueberry trifecta: labor day weekend in Michigan

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

By chance, luck or the randomness of the universe, I scored three pints of the last blueberries of the season at the farmers’ market (hello fall squash and apples, goodbye berries).  In my eagerness make use of the berries,  I … Continue reading →

Posted in autumn, biking, community, corn, endless summer, family, food, holidays, ice cream, neighbors, summer | Tagged , , , , , , | 74 Comments

Look, it’s the “M” store!

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl and Monkey Man call McDonald’s the “M” store when they see the impossibly huge and ubiquitous highway signs. They remain blissfully ignorant of the desires created by the fast food giant, and I want to keep it that … Continue reading →

Posted in affluence, food, ice cream, movies, summer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The smells of summers past

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

With all the rain this summer, it’s ironic that I’ve yet to be rained on during either a bike ride or a run. Maybe the rain has come over night and that explains how I’ve missed it. But a few … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, endless summer, experience, memory, nostalgia, rain, running, summer, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The end of endless summer

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

This post might have been titled Bike Riding in Michigan: Why did that chicken  (NOT) cross the road? I’ve been thinking about writing this post for weeks, and every time I go for a ride in Michigan, I remember something … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, connection, experience, ice cream, inspiration, life forms, summer, tranquility | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Rainbow cone, a memory and a challenge

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Rainbow Cone, a deep-rooted summer establishment on the Southside of Chicago, is home to many memories for kids who grew up with the thrill of Rainbow Cone as a surprise trip at the end of a long and steamy Chicago … Continue reading →

Posted in experience, family, food, memory, motherhood, nostalgia, summer | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments