Summer by the Sea(ttle)

Piper and I enjoyed a short summer getaway to the Pacific Northwest and visited with friends and family. We did a little bit of the touristy things before heading up the Puget Sound via the Mukilteo Ferry to Whidbey Island to Bellingham for his cousins wedding. Short but sweet, it was nice to get away from the Appalachian Ohio heat.

always room for dessert

Since the time surrounding my actual birthday was such a whirlwind of activities, I decided to delay celebration and threw a dessert picnic for my friends this afternoon. Friends gathered at our house for a bike parade with streamer sticks to the secret picnic location which I had set up ahead of time. I had so much fun planning for this day.

The delicious spread included peach tarts with pecan crust, blueberry tarts with ginger crust, vegan cashew torte with oatmeal lavender crust, lemon curd tartlets, palmiers and mini flourless dark chocolate tortes baked in paper souffle cups. I also made three varieties of soda pop: lemongrass, peach ginger ale and lavender lemon. I am so thankful to have such wonderful friends in my life and relished in the opportunity to treat them all to a special day.