I bake.

I love to bake. If I didn't end up eating the majority of what I bake, I would bake everyday. In the future, I want to own a big, clay, outdoor, wood-fired oven where I could bake all day without heating up the house. Pizzas, pies, fruit bread, cookies, quiche. I would bake them all!

Today I baked a lemon meringue pie. My first. My family uses the recipe on the Jello Lemon Pie filling box, but the secret is to add the juice of a whole lemon and the lemon zest to the pie filling.

And, what better use of leftover dough than cinnamon rolls!

I wanted to share my favorite recipe of all time. It is simple, easy and delicious!!

Aunt Maggie's Brownies!!

Combine dry ingredients.
2/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

On double boiler melt together:
1/3 cup butter
2 squares of unsweetened baker's chocolate

Whisk together:
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat together dry and wet ingredients. Then add melted chocolate.
1/2 cup of nuts are optional.
Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes in a 9x9 inch pan.

They are always delicious, and I usually have all the ingredients in the house.

Enjoy!
Linds

Sunday Parkways

Portland had gorgeous weather this weekend. I have to brag for a second. Portland has had gorgeous weather all summer. We have had less than 10 days with temperatures above 80 degrees, and more importantly no days with temperatures above 90 degrees. Listening to the news, I realize how lucky Portland has been to escape the heat wave that is frustrating the midwest, southeast and east coast.

Omar and I especially enjoyed this weekend's weather. Sunday Parkways came to our neighborhood. Roughly ten miles of city streets, our street included, were closed to traffic other than walkers, runners, bikers, skateboarders, etc. Omar hopped on his skateboard, and I borrowed his bike (mine is in the shop for repairs). We hit the streets for a four hour adventure. So much fun!

One highlight of the day was hula hooping in Wallace Park.

Wallace Park offered hula hooping, juggling, belly dancing, and other fun activities. But back to hula hooping.

There was also uni-cycling. But we didn't enjoy that as much as hula hooping!

Anyway, it was a super fun day. Omar and I caused a bit of a spectacle. On the up-hills and down-hills he hitched a ride by holding on to me. We saw other skateboarders being towed as well, but they were being pulled joyfully by their pet dogs!

-Linds