Best-Laid Plans…Unplugged

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“The best-laid plans of mice and men / Often go awry”
~Robert Burns (paraphrased in English translation)

Did you miss me?

Wow. Two weeks have flown by since I last posted. That wasn’t my plan when, week before last, I was getting ready to leave town for a week-long Labor Day holiday (and for those of you in the U.S. that celebrate Labor Day, I hope yours was fun!). I had great visions of preparing a post scheduled to happen while I was gone, so that you’d know I was still out here and thinking of you. I had several subjects in mind, and all I had to do was upload the shots and write a quick and witty note. And while I was away, I thought that surely I’d be able to overcome the lack of consistent internet service that I always experience when we go to visit family in Alabama. I’d be able to reply to comments on this supposed post I was going to make, or at the very least be able to comment on the blogs I follow.

Ha!

Instead, not only did I not find the time to write a post before I left, but once I got out of town, the wireless internet connection on my phone and laptop was so bad that it forced being “unplugged” the entire time I was on vacation (see Barb’s note at Profiteroles and Ponytails about the advantages and necessities of unplugging now and then). Actually, that really wasn’t a bad thing after all, because quality time well-spent with family and friends is pretty hard to do with your nose in a computer! 

So here I am back home again, having had a wonderful time away and also having thrown a rather successful party while I was gone, but as yet I’m still not organized enough to pull together the post for sharing that with you. For now, rather than letting even more time go by where you might then begin to wonder if something truly catastrophic has happened, I’ll ask that you indulge me while I share a little interlude—a retrospective list of summer goodies that we’ve enjoyed, and that can still be enjoyed, given that summer isn’t truly over yet. And for those in the southern hemisphere of this planet, here are some dishes to look forward to, or to start to work on as you come into your spring and summer seasons!

I should be back in true blogging form by this weekend. In the mean time, I hope you’ll take a peek at any of these goodies that you might have missed, and I’ll be catching up on your posts that I have definitely missed, as well as preparing some new material. Have a great rest of your week, and cheers to you all! ~Betsy

Add some roasted new potatoes from the CSA alongside for a complete dinner, and I’m a happy camper!

A Better BLT

Luscious homemade peach ice cream. I mean really, can there be anything better than this? (A daylight picture perhaps?)

Just Peachy Ice Cream

Ready for the picnic, cookout or pot luck, this salad has outdoor fun written all over it!

Couscous Salad
Lentil Salad

Mom’s pretty pie awaited our return from the tour of Pond Spring…yay!

Mom’s Blueberry Pie

This photo almost ended up with the spoon in it…I couldn’t wait to taste!

Strawberry Orange Almond Crisp

Just look at that juicy, flavor-packed burger with oozy blue cheese and balsamic glazed onions. Who wouldn’t love that?

Sun dried Tomato Turkey Burgers

Mediterranean Pasta Salad finished with a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

A little veggie sammy, too.

Pan Bagnat

Summer Tomato Caprese Pie

Summer Tomato Caprese Pie
Diane’s Butterbean Salad and Fresh fruit and herb sorbets

All dressed up for dinner.

Prosciutto, Mozzarella and Tomato Pizza with Arugula

41 thoughts on “Best-Laid Plans…Unplugged”

  1. Aaaaah welcome back my friend you were sorely missed! But I’m glad you had a fantastic time 🙂
    Can’t wait to see a return to blogging and I look forward to eating… I mean checking out these links 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    • Hey Uru, and you are so kind…thanks for your super sweet comment, it’s nice to be missed! Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess…can’t believe it’s September already. 🙂 I’ve got to catch up and see what you’ve been up to.

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  2. Yes, you were missed. I was wondering where you were. I’m glad you had a great time away with family and friends and yes, having your head stuck in a computer is a bit anti-social so probably best you took some time out xx

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    • Thank you Charlie Louie! I missed reading everyone else’s posts, and have a lot of catching up to do. Every time I tried to load one to read while I was gone, it just loaded and loaded, but no go. Hope you’ve been well these last two weeks!

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  5. As much as we missed you, I’m proud of you for taking a break. It’s good to be “unplugged” isn’t it? (Thanks for the shout out!) It’s difficult to let go of the guilt for not keeping up our usual schedule — but in the long run you will be much farther ahead (and more creative) after a break. Enjoy these last glorious days of summer–and the golden days of fall as I like to call them. Don’t you love the yellowy, golden quality of sunlight in the fall? There’s just so much to enjoy about this time of year!

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    • Hi Barb, you’re most welcome for the little shout out. Your post made me feel lots better about unplugging for so long, albeit a bit unintentional! It was a great break and a necessary one. I did all the food for a big party, so my hands were full with that and being in the moment to enjoy it. 🙂 Fall is hands down my favorite time of year. I always feel so refreshed by it, even though the days get shorter. The golden quality, the cool breezes, the leaves turning…fabulous!

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  6. Well, Betsy, it’s always a good thing to check in.. at least that’s what I tell my kids! We were worried sick about you.. we waited up all night!! Just kidding.. but I am glad all is well.. and I’m doubly glad you had a restful interlude! That means you’re revitalized and your new posts will be awesome!! xx smidge

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  8. You were definitely missed! But I’m so glad you unplugged. Good for you! I think that’s something we all need to do once in a while. Welcome home and can’t wait to see what your cooking up next. 🙂

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  9. You were missed, Betsy, and I think I’m speaking for quite a few when I say it is good to have you back. Sometimes the loss of reliable internet service is a blessing, if only we would relax and enjoy it rather than “rail against the wind.” I’m glad you were able to spend some time with your family and to celebrate your Mother’s Birthday. Sounds like a wonderful time, all ’round. Wish your Mom belated birthday greetings from us all. 🙂

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    • Thank you so kindly, John…what a lovely compliment! 🙂 It really was great to spend some down time celebrating my mom’s birthday, and I will send your greetings on to her. She reads this blog, but not the comments! 😉

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  11. Welcome back and what a relief that you were on holidays and nothing bad happened. Barb does have a point; we met her for dinner last week and she’s recommended it to me when we go away next week. Hope you’ll excuse my lack of commenting if I can’t get to it.
    Your round up looks great. I’m going to try to find du Puy lentils when we’re in France. Looking forward to your next recipe.

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    • Hi Eva, and I think Barb is right. It occurred to me when I was doing this party for my mom that even though I didn’t manage to get many pictures of the food and the folks, the most important thing was being present at the moment for her and making sure everyone had a great time. I think that becomes so much harder to do when we focus on digitally sharing at the same time we are supposed to be in that moment. I recommend you take lots of photos, then share your trip with us bit by bit when you get back. That way you can just chill out, relax and have a good time, then tell us your impressions when you revisit your good time. And of course I will excuse any lack of commenting…I’m still catching up! 🙂

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  16. Pingback: Unplugging For a Bit | Serendipity

    • Thanks, Celi! Yes, having the internet down is scary these days…but since I’m on a computer most of the day working, it was actually nice to not be able to use one…except that I miss reading everyone’s posts and staying current on what’s going on. The party was great…my mom was thrilled and that was what mattered! 🙂

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  19. Sounds like you’ve had a lovely break with family and away from technology…something I definitely find hard to do at times! Am looking forward to our upcoming salad weather…that lentil salad looks delish!

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