suzette roberts

// Blueberry Olive Oil Slim Cake

'She' really is the late-summer, fall-is-on-her-way seasonal cake. Indeed. And when Deb Perelman mentioned that slight chill in the air during a day in August, for the first summer ever with living North, I paid more attention to our temps this month and smiled my wild heart out when I needed that light extra layer over my shoulders last weekend. :) The very next afternoon, I made this lovely gluten-free slim cake and evening tea for dessert outdoors with fresh market blueberries I had a really good feeling about. I used Deb's recipe here as a safe guide with just three minor changes-- I added my loved olive oil instead of butter, an extra brown egg, and rice flour, for a moist, flavourful and happy gluten-free ending. More after the jump and happy weekend! ~xx

 

// Back to School: The Tuesday Six, Plus...

The wild water capture I'm framing for my desk... the voluptuous sea with her glorious waves and foam, and ironically, balancing flow. Welcome! and welcome back! Recent reads and finds from around the web... 

 

...  Floating-feels with this botany whimsy; more here....

...  Building Trust with Students in the Classroom.

...  Summer refreshers on rotation: cleansing wipes, toner and this sheet mask.

...  Enjoyed this loved book now on screen this past weekend. "No card." :)

...  Dutch parenting and raising the happiest kids in the world.

...  And when it comes to BLTs, there are no substitutions. I agree!

 

>>> Plus...

...  The dirtiest thing in your purse, and how to clean it.

...  Back to school and keeping things in perspective.

...  Weekend self-care pleasures with proven results from Day 1.

...  Sir Ken Robinson on Creativity in Schools.

...  52 Quick and Easy School Lunch Ideas for Your Kids and yourself.

...  And, finding your personality in a song - very funny; find yours here. :)

 

 

// Have a Soothing Year.~

~ softer shades of summer ~

 

Of course ♫ this addicting track (Volume VIII) makes very good sense...

Kool&Klean - I Breathe You THE SMOOTHJAZZ LOFT

 

We are high sensation seekers(!), each and every one of us, and if you were to tell me otherwise, I'd immediately wonder in my busy mind what on earth happened that made you lose that spark for life, goodness, and bringing joy into the lives of others... This summer, we completed another new additional building, adding extra classrooms and creative spaces to meet and embrace a growing community. :) Hearty Congratulations! It still gives me goosebumps. It's a testament to your diligent work, consistently open and honest communication and respect towards each other, elevating the whole (especially our little ones, our most vulnerable) who rely on our positive support... "Standing room only," my principal often teased back in those serious (I'd say playful too, but my kids won't ever tell), classroom days.

 

One of the many things I've always loved about Education, is the mature leadership it builds from within, creating a wider-spectrum, inclusive network. This is what we strive for on the Compliance platform, because business (any business) is about people, and people from all walks of life. By listening to, understanding, and following through with what matters to those we serve, we motivate and inspire them to quietly harness and step into their very best selves. It continues to be the only way towards long-term achievement and success within any organization. As we embark on our 2019 - 2020 school year, here's wishing us three things for a delightful and bustling year ahead. I'm excited, and so should you... :)

// Cream Cheese & Strawberries Ice Cream

My mom's love affair with The World's Most Fabulous Cheesecake will forever be, and has stood the test of time over the last six decades. Two years ago when I asked Mom what ice cream flavour she wanted for her upcoming birthday get-together, without hesitation, she said, "Strawberry Cheesecake." I knew where she was coming from as it's been a long favourite also in my world. Known for using only the finest ingredients and hand-blending in small batches, indulgents are always in for a refined treat of the royal kind as each bite holds its own full-on burst of fabulous. I wanted to hone in on this rich, smooth and creamy sharp-sweet flavour (and texture) with this month's latest: Cream Cheese & Strawberries. Here's to our last full month of summer as we've experienced it... More beginning behind-the-scenes after the jump... Have a very lovely weekend.  ~xo

 

'For the love of our sweet summer strawberries...

// Buried in It!...

{gift from a friend; relaxing summer nights (indoors) when too warm out; #papaya-mango-canteloupe heaven; amazing throw; thanks Phoebes! xox}

 

... summer, that is-- and all the simple pleasures of it, which ironically, elevates everything about our warmer/ sizzling? days and evenings, with or without a movie or series catch-up. We all seem to be buried in these free-spirited days and months doing all our favourites which is indeed a very good thing. How has summer treated you this year? I hope well, and fine, and glorious, and kind. The days, they go so-so fast, with now just two weeks to go..., but who's counting? :), so it's a must that we make the most of them with at least one refreshing-include each and every week: music, barbequed eats, water playdates, and ice cream cones on our seas/lakes included... 'Love it! Have a lushful longer weekend wherever the days take you... More behind-the-scenes moments we can't get enough of, after the jump... ~xx

// Summer Surfing: The Tuesday Six, Plus...

Tell me about it... Good thing softness and grace lingers. 'Fancy meeting you here too... There are some things we could do permanently, and these are a few of them. All the recent little reads and such we've been into with diving head-on into our sunny summer, north and south of our shores, reclined seats included...

 

...  Absolutely magnificent(!); the complete composition here. :)

...  Serendipity sighting while heading to lunch with my sister, Jan.

...  Currently loving this broad spectrum sunscreen.

...  Wild and crazy!: What Really Happened to Malaysia's Missing Airplane?

...  For the love of all things marble (fuller-bottom coverage). #navy-approved

...  And a light, crunchy n' flavourful summer side dish. 

 

>>> Plus...

...  An at-home summer movie that hits all the right buttons.

...  A Breeding Ground for Rogue Waves or a Pit of Human Mistakes?

...  Perfect evening notes after a full day on and in the water.

... "Build relationships with people who inspire and energize."

...  It took me way too long to get a really good one.

...  And Way to go Delta(!) :)