Happiness

"So early it's still almost dark out.
I'm near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver the newspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren't saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other's arm.
It's early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn't enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it."

- "Happiness", by Raymond Carver

Seven things that make me happy:

1. Raymond Carver's poem. And any moment of unexpected happiness that takes me by surprise.
2. Having the girls home for a day off from their jobs at camp.
3. Discovering a new book that's so well written, I fall in love with it. This year I've read a number of books that I've adored - If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things, This is How You Lose Her, Dear Life, and Road Ends, to name a few.
4. The scene in Singin' in the Rain, where Gene Kelly sings the intro to the title song.
5. Spending time with the people I love, my family and friends.
6. Spending time by myself.
7. Fresh fruit at the peak of the season, and the desserts I make with it.

This recipe almost merits a separate entry on the list, since it uses two of the freshest fruits available right now, peaches and raspberries. I've cut down the sugar quite a bit because raspberries and peaches are at their peaks, and they're nearly sweet enough on their own. If you're baking out of season or like a very sweet dessert, you could add more. Whatever makes you happy.

"Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me."

- from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock", by T.S. Eliot

Peach Raspberry Cobbler

(adapted from That Skinny Chick Can Bake)

Filling:

6 sliced peaches (peeled)

2 cups raspberries

1 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp flour

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Cobbler Topping:

1 1/2 cups flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp sugar (first amount)

7 Tbsp cold butter

1 Tbsp cold shortening, cut into small cubes (if you have time, put it in the freezer for an hour)

7 Tbsp milk

1/2 – 1 Tbsp sugar (second amount)

Preheat oven to 375, and lightly butter a 2 quart casserole or 8 x 8” baking dish.

For the filling, gently toss peaches with raspberries, sugar, flour and cinnamon. Pour into prepared baking dish.

For the cobbler topping, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and 1 Tbsp sugar. Grate butter into the dry ingredients and add shortening cubes. With hands or a pastry blender, cut the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the milk and toss with a fork until well combined. Remove from bowl and knead a few times until the mixture comes together. Cut into circles with a cookie cutter or overturned glass, and set on the fruit mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 – 1 Tbsp sugar.

Bake 45 minutes until topping is browned and mixture is bubbly. Cool slightly before serving.