You say tomato, I say tomato

There is nothing better this time of year than eating cherry tomatoes by the fistful, or heirloom tomatoes with just a pinch of salt. They are that good.

This week's pickings...

...from the Dupont farmers' market

Got too many? Why don't you try out this simple, delicious recipe and freeze a few jars so that you can remember what summer tastes like in a few months when you'll be well into fall.

xo :)

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

For as long as I've known how to bake, my go-to cookie recipe has been an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie from my mom's recipe box.  I finally tried this recipe that my sister has been raving about all year, and I think I have found a new favorite.  They are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, plus they are made with whole wheat flour.*  I like to keep them in the freezer - perfect for hot days (and for keeping me from eating too many at once :)

photo via Diary of a Locavore

You can find the recipe here, at Diary of a Locavore.

*Andy thought they were actually peanut butter cookies because of the texture they get from the flour. I still don't think he believes me that they are PB-free!

The Friday Find

Remember two weeks ago when Anna said it was hot, hot, hot in Maine? I have her beat. This is today's forecast for DC:

Via weather.com

Feels like 121 degrees? Are you kidding me? This week's Friday Find will include popsicles, renting DVDs, air-conditioned happy hours, and begging to get a spot by friends' rooftop pools.

Here is our hot, hot, heat guide on a budget:

1) While I would love a Zoku Quick Pop Maker (which makes popsicles in less than 10 minutes), I would rather spend $50 on new shoes. So I will settle for these lemon, lime, and mint slush cups that fit so nicely in the lemon rinds themselves.

2) A Redbox DVD: use the promo code DVDONME and it's free, free, free!

3) If you're in DC, be sure to check out Masa 14 or Mandu before 7 PM for $4 drinks like gin and tonics and mojitos. Or stop by Loriol Plaza for a $6 frozen margarita. Mmmmm.

4) If you don't have friends who can offer you their rooftop pools, you should check out the public pools in your area. In DC there are a whole bunch and they're not gross at all! In fact, they're quite nice! My favorite one is the Foggy Bottom pool at 25th and N NW. Check it out!

I hope you're staying cool. Have a lovely, lovely weekend!

Summer Snacks

Throwing together my breakfast this morning, I stumbled upon a seriously yummy combination.  It's also pretty much the easiest breakfast ever: fill a bowl with cherries and add a dollop of ricotta on the side.  Dip the cherries in the ricotta and pop 'em in your mouth.  Top it off with a creamy iced coffee and you've got breakfast perfection!

Now my mind is racing with other cherry-ricotta recipes...maybe these scones with cherries instead of raspberries?

Also on the docket today: doing something with this pile of garlic scapes.

I'm thinking pesto...any suggestions?

Hot hot heat

Hello there!  Can you believe it's July already?  It is finally starting to feel like summer in Maine and it has been hot, hot, hot this week!  While I've been chowing down on popsicles and watermelon and holing up with my textbooks, Liz has been in HONDURAS!  I'm sure she'll share some pictures when she gets home, but for now I'll share some pics of what I've been up to.  Andy got me an iPod touch for my birthday and I've been going a little nuts with some of the camera apps. :)

Since we last spoke, I've been...

...playing dress up with Fishy... 

...taking walks on Mackworth Island...

...admiring the hydrangeas...

...taking foggy ferry rides...

...exploring the Hamptons...

...watching thunder storms roll over Portland...

...surviving school with iced coffee and watermelon.