Saturday, September 01, 2007

Summer Bummer

Looking at the calendar I'm in disbelief that it is Sept 1st already. NO! I really love the summer, and as many of you living in the Vancouver area know, our summer - well - sucked! A few days of decent weather here and there but many cool and rainy days.

I spent much of the summer at swim lesson for our older daughter. I loved being outside (well, when it was sunny), hanging watching her swim while our younger girl played around me. I was still very busy, but now I will be wicked busy with the start of school and activities. Plus, the cool damp weather sets in... and we bid farewell to bountiful organic produce like peaches, basil, tomatoes, and berries for another year. I'm just in denial that school starts this coming week and summer - is over. I've got the summer bummer, boo hoo.

Alright, enough of my pity party. The pic above is from sunnier days, enjoying our dinner in the evening on our patio, with that warm sunshiney love... okay, I said I'd stop. Anyhow, we had this meal at least a few weeks ago, but I'm behind on photos and lots of things! The rice dish will be in ED&BV. It's my Brown Rice 'n Beans "Jumble-aya". Why the silly play on words? Well, it's my adaptation on the classic Jambalaya dish. It's not quite authentic (particularly being vegan), and it brings back memories of a ‘Spanish Rice’ dish my mother often made for us six girls when we were young. So, I named my version “Jumble-aya”! It's a one-pot meal - quite easy, comforting, and flavorful without being spicy.

Hanging out with the Jumble-aya are the green beans I've posted about before (recipe here), and Pizza Focaccia from ED&BV. An incredibly simple side bread that mimics focaccia using a whole-wheat pizza shell. We all love it - nummy!

Okay, I sounded just a bit too peppy that last sentence. I'm going back to sulking now - anyone wanna' join me? Go grab a spoon and pint of ice cream...

14 comments:

aimee said...

So..It's something like 80 degrees and beautifully sunny in Cleveland today and the first thing I was asked by a colleague today was "September already? Where did the summer go?" Umm...hello...look outside!!! Something about this date bums us all out a little bit! Although your yummy food pics sure help make the transition smoother!
Aimee

bazu said...

Dreena- I SO hear what you're saying! I'm in a kind of mourning for summer (even though, at least as far as the calendar is concerned, it's not over for 3 more weeks!)- the weather's cool, kids are back in school, and I don't know where the summer went! I'm not ready for my garden to die and to say goodbye to fresh tomatoes... sigh.
Here in Syracuse, we had an odd summer too.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

as much as I LOVE fall, I wish that summer didn't pass so quickly - and our weather here was crazy too, filled with too much humidity and tons of rain!!

oh my, that vegan jambalaya looks/sounds so comforting; as does the pizza foccacia!! yum!! counting down the days until ED&BV arrives in my mailbox :0)

Teresa said...

I too am overly bummed about summer ending, especially since (like you in Canada) didn't get a good weather summer. Lots of fog and wind and temperatures in the 50's(Fahrenheit). No Fun! It's a good thing that it doesn't have to be hot to enjoy some ice cream!

The jumble-aya looks delish!

laura k said...

Oh... I'm sorry about your bummer of a summer. As for me, I've had TOO much and am ecstatic that it's September 1st! Maybe you and I should switch places (I've always wanted to live in Canada anyway)!

Jumble-aya--that's too clever! As always, visiting your blog reminds me that I can't wait for ED&BV!

wingraclaire said...

I'm with you, Dreena, and I'm a teacher! I've spent the last week (including today) getting my classroom ready; now I have to make it worthwhile for all those kids to give up their vacation days and hang out with me. My teaching partners and I have been planning hard for a great first week at school. Here's hoping that your daughter's teacher is doing the same.

Michelle said...

well, i LOVE autumn.. it's my most favouritest season of all. we've had a particularly hot summer here, so i'm so glad that it's cooling down a bit now! i'm not bummed at all :)

your food sure looks tasty though!

Dr. Melissa West said...

Poor Dreena! I know that feeling. Our summers are so short in Canada. Every day we were in Mexico I kept saying to my husband, we have to come back in the winter.

Food looks great, just think of apple season starting, that will cheer you up! Oh, and all those soups we can simmer on our stoves in the fall!

LK Sisters said...

I'm sorry you're down about the end of summer. It will come around soon enough.

As for me, I'm ready for fall and cooler weather, because it has been unbearably HOT here in Texas - 90's and humid!

Happy Fall!

Peace, Love and Veganism said...

Oh, I love when someone uses the word, "wicked!" It's a Northerner thing. We've had the most incredible weather this Labor Day weekend - but I think you stole all our rain this summer! We were practically in a drought. Hmmmm... despite the fact that I have to go back to work, I still love fall best :)

Anonymous said...

I'll join your pity party with a bag of chips. I'm sad too that summer is coming to an end.
The Veggie Vixen

Carrie™ said...

I can't believe the summer is gone either. I'm totally pumped to make that rice dish. Looks amazing!

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

We had a bummer summer here in San Francisco as well! It was consistently 65 degrees & windy! ugh!

Dreena said...

Hiya everyone... nice to hear from you all, and good to know at least a few of you are a bit bummed with summer coming to a close as I am! I'll try to shake myself out of this funk now. :)