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I am back in sunny California, which in San Francisco actually means "chilly and rather grim California" in the summertime. And of course chilly weather combined with summer produce (I went a little overboard on my blueberry purchasing) means baking. At least that is what it means to me:

Voila my grandmother's Blueberry Cottage Pudding (a blueberry loaf with a crunch outside and very moist middle). This recipe comes from the only grandmother I actually knew. I loved her for the excellent tea parties she threw, the Canfield's chocolate soda she poured me, and the time she suggested I get a job when I was 9 years old. I think someone else at the senior center had an enterprising grandchild who inspired this. But now that I am older, and she is gone, I've learned so many other wonderful things about her strength of character and loving, generous heart.

She and my grandfather were married for over 50 years, and lived many of them in an absolutely tiny cottage whose walls didn't even reach the ceilings. That is love for you right there (in fact, after they both died we called the house "The Love Shack"). Even so, after my grandfather died she went right out and got her ears pierced (she was in her 80s) and bought a microwave oven, two things which I gather my grandfather frowned upon. I come from lines of very strong and passionate women on both sides, and I am glad that I knew at least one of them personally.

At any rate, every time I make this pudding I think of her and miss her. I wish I had known her longer, and when I was old enough to really talk with her woman to woman. If any of my ancestors are still with me in one way or another, I know she is, and I am grateful.

Whew! Long story. But because of the whole "fitting into the wedding dress" thing in a few weeks, I only ate that one piece you see there, then gave the rest of the loaf to my publisher along with some rewrites. Now the sun appears to be peeking out through the fog and hopefully it will giv me a little bit of solar energy to get going on my multiple-item to-do list!

Also, a big thank you to Laurie who answered my question about what, exactly it was that I had photographed behind my hotel in CT.

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