Where Have You Gone My Lovelies?

Managing family, work, friends and community is a challenge for everyone...and we are no different.

That said, we hope to keep our blog better updated!

We have quite a lot of catching up to do!

These Boots Were Made for Walking...

The video says it all...

Emma Walks! from Dugald Hall on Vimeo.

In the Kitchen: Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

The combination of tart rhubarb, sweet strawberries and the buttery crunch of crumble topping is hard to beat.

For the topping:

1&1/2 cup AP flour
3/4 cup turbinado sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) of cold, unsalted butter, 1/2 inch cubes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash of nutmeg

For the filling:

2 cups strawberries, quartered
2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces**
1/2 cup turbinado sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch (or AP flour)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping, combine all ingredients and work the butter with your hands until all butter has been incorporated and crumbs begin to form. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

For the filling, combine all ingredients in large bowl and stir well. Place filling in large dish or divide into smaller ramekins. Top with chilled crumb topping.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 25 - 30 minutes until crumble is browned and the fruit is bubbling. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Lock the door - your neighbors are coming to visit.

**If you are fortunate enough to have a neighborhood Publix, they carry wonderful frozen rhubarb.

Image courtesy of Sunday Suppers.

R.I.P. Squirrels

Let's just say the battle has begun.

The colony of squirrels that call our property (and often attic) home have, until this point, been tolerated. I wouldn't call a peaceful relationship, but we have made it work.

Until now.

Dugald and I were very excited that our beautiful crop of sweet corn was ready. We decided to wait a day or two to pick it - planning one of our weekday meals around it.

This is what Dugald found after a trip to the garden:

Every single ear of corn had been eaten by the squirrels in one night! Let's just say we won't have this problem next year. R.I.P. you fluffy, little destroyers.

I Knew This Day Would Come

So, I knew this day would come...and I knew it was close.

It's here.

Weekend Warriors

Ask and ye shall receive...or something like that.

Two weeks ago, Dugald and I put on our landscaper-hats (and gloves) and set out to build a pathway for my parent's house. My parents (mom) had been wanting a path from their front steps to the driveway for some time -- it's quite a distance, let me tell you.

So, after many hours, pavers and retaining walls blocks, the project is finished.

A Snapshot: Scotland

Yes, it's been a while since we posted on our little blog. Honestly, without the details, it's been quite a time in the Hall household. That said, we have just returned from an incredible time in Scotland. Here's a snapshot:

The Hall trio at Edinburgh Castle.

Our sweet cousin, Henry, at the Standing Stones of Stenness.

Mom and Emma at the Italian Chapel.

The puffin-hunting crew at Marwick Bay.

The Ben Nevis Distillery

Ferns growing on a stone wall at Duart Castle.