Happy summer!

Finally summer has arrived!

The skies are clear, the sun is out and my outdoor table clothes are officially in use. With summer solstice a couple of days away, I wanted to savor the vibrant colors and tastes of early summer.

Our lavender is out in full force, as well as the incredible blue of our morning glory vine. The encroaching vines of the passionflower have produced some beautiful flowers, the magnolia tree has displayed it’s first huge white flowers and the bright yellow lilies are in full glory.

From a taste perspective, I’m coming to terms with the end of rhubarb season (I absolutely love rhubarb so this is hard for me). Fortunately the end of the rhubarb season also means the beginning of the short ollalieberry season. If you don’t know what an ollalieberry is, you need to seek it out! Last year I determined it won hands down as the best fruit for a fruit crisp. Of course my longstanding favorite, the strawberry, is finally sweet and worthy of it’s reputation.

Celebrating the summer solstice is the perfect time to savor the sights and tastes of early summer before we are bombarded with back to school ads and Halloween decorations.

Happy summer!