My Birthday

Don't lie to me and tell me that summer is not coming to an end.  And I don't want to hear any of that summer in Ohio can stretch out until mid-October nonsense.  It's enough disappointment to admit that I've only gotten to a handful of things on my summer list.  But if anyone would know the signals of the end of summer, it's me.

That is because today is my birthday.  And my birthday always marks the end of summer.

School begins at the end of August.  A slight chill returns to the air at night in August.  The trees start to turn their first leaves towards brown of utter exhaustion from trying to hold out for some rain.  It all reminds me of my birthday.

Don't get me wrong--there are good things about having an August birthday.  I get to spend all summer gearing up to celebrate it.  There are no major holiday distractions like Christmas or Halloween.  It's always warm and sunny outside so flip flops and tank tops are my birthday wardrobe. Margaritas and icy beers are weather-appropriate celebratory beverages. 

I've been doing my very best to celebrate in whatever way this end-of-summer birthday takes me, and I hope you will join in.  With some sautéed peaches, perhaps?

Sautéed Peaches
serves 3-4

Ingredients
2-3 medium peaches, ripe
1 tbsp sugar
Juice of half a lemon (about 2 tbsp)
2 tbsp butter

Peel peaches and cut in half.  Discard the pit.  If there are any reddish brown patches from where the pit met the flesh of the peach, scoop that out and discard.  Cut into slices and place in a medium bowl.  Add sugar and lemon juice to peaches and set aside.

Melt butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Add peach mixture and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occassionally to prevent burning and coat peaches in butter.  When the liquid thickens, remove from heat.  Allow peaches to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and a pinch of cinnamon.