The changing seasons always get me thinking about the kitchen.  After a sunny weekend outside, my picnic obsession continues.  This picture is from Martha Stewart Weddings Summer 2006, and I just love these retro dresses, blackberry-raspberry tarts tied up with string, and adorable picnic tables.  I have a special picnic date coming up (in June, best to plan ahead), so I think this is the perfect inspiration.

I have been trying to be more conscious of the foods we are eating, which always means more time looking at recipes and day-dreaming about yummy summery foods.  (A lot of times this leads me to ponder the unhealthy recipes I crave too, but eventually we get back to fresh summer fruits.)  These are the links that have me excited:

• Butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and the “big feast” - This preview of some of the foods from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park in Orlando has me drooling.  I think it’s a pretty extraordinary kind of magic that J.K. Rowling can create such intense cravings for foods that we’ve never tasted before.  Really, really hope to get there one day.  Yum.
• This easy recipe substitution for sweetened condensed milk saved me recently.  I was a little skeptical at first, but my dessert turned out great.  I love that this is made without preservatives and was easy to make with things I had on hand.
• Tonight, I’m making broccoli cheddar soup courtesy of Susan Branch. Everything I’ve ever made that was a Susan recipe turns out great.  (Like cinnamon ice cream!)  I think she understands comfort and entertaining better than anyone.  If you haven’t signed up for her newsletters (and the idea of making real homemade chicken stock makes you smile), you should.  It’s the only newsletter I get in my e-mail inbox that feels more like a note from a friend than a marketing announcement.

Ok, I better get started on that soup.  Hope you have a wonderful dinner, too.