Welcome to the weekend at the cottage! Here are a few things that have been happening around here lately, including some of what’s caught my eye out there on the Internet. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, or maybe treat yourself to a hot chocolate or a glass of wine (it’s five o’clock somewhere!), and settle in for some reading and browsing.

It’s Strawberry Season!

Hereabouts, I think strawberries are the most eagerly anticipated local crop of the year (except for all the other ones, lol). But seriously, they’re the first fresh local fruit of the season, although you could say they tie with rhubarb for that distinction. And, as we know, what grows together goes together, and strawberry rhubarb is a time-honoured combo.

I’ve been enjoying strawberries straight from the farm stand, simply rinsed and eaten out of hand, or layered with yogourt, honey and granola in a parfait. After all, no matter one’s skill as a cook, there’s no improving on the glory of Mother Nature’s bounty. That said, there are lots of good things one can make with strawberries, and in the upcoming week I’ll be publishing a roundup of strawberry and rhubarb recipes from the blog. Plus, I’ll be presenting a new and unique (to me, at least) way to showcase strawberries: pickling them. Who’d have thought?

But, no matter what else you do with your berries, do try to get some into the freezer to bring a touch of summer sunshine to the cold depths of next winter.

I was delighted that Gastropost Toronto, a Friday feature of the National Post, used my photo to publicize their latest mission, “Thank You Berry Much.” I’m looking forward to seeing what berryliciousness other Gastroposters share in next week’s issue.

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Repost from @gastropost using @RepostRegramApp – Our new mission recognizes another reason why summer is the best: berries! We’re staying currant and making sure you celebrate berry season with these sweet treasures. Whether it’s the star of your dessert or a simple snack, like Marlene Cornelis's (@marlenecornelis) strawberries, it’s time to show us how you enjoy them! Hashtag #gastropost and you could be featured in @nationalpost! Berry happy to see my strawberries headlining this new mission!

A post shared by Marlene Cornelis (@marlenecornelis) on Jun 22, 2016 at 7:13pm PDT

Out and About

There’s something so inviting about a bench, tucked away amongst the greenery of the park, beckoning me to sit and reflect. The only problem is that there are so many of these in Springbank Park that I have to ignore most of them or else I’d never get any exercise in!

Recognition From the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance

I was pleasantly surprised (okay, thrilled) to learn last week that Urban Cottage Life has been named one of “9 Inspiring Ontario Food Blogs” by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance. You can see what they had to say about the blog here. It was an honour to be among such good company, including Eating Niagara, the always interesting and beautifully written blog by my friend, Tiffany Mayer.

Around the Web

Oh, how I aspire to make a cake like this (and, if not the cake, I’m going to try that incredible frosting, in keeping with today’s strawberry theme!).

Happy to see one of my cocktails included in this summer cocktails roundup by my friends over at Food Bloggers of Canada.

Interested in food trends? Here are some predictions for Canada in 2106 (wonder how they’re holding up halfway through the year?!). “Watermelon” and “splash” both say summer, and “vodka,” well, that says “vodka.”

Recap

Here are the recipes I’ve posted since the last issue of Urban Cottage Weekend, along with something new for me, the story of my recent getaway to Winnipeg. If you missed the farro salad, the Queen Elizabeth cake in honour of what would have been my parents’ sixtieth wedding anniversary, or my quick skillet granola, do check them out now!

The Black Rabbit’s Sangria