Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation?!
I feel like I’ve been on the go this entire 4-day weekend, although I can’t really complain as it’s truly all been fun. Yesterday afternoon Ben and I attended the wedding of a co-worker of his (you know how much I adore weddings!) then this morning we headed over to my parent’s house for one last summer grill out with the fam.
I still can’t even believe today is Labor Day! I swear it was just June! To say so long to the season, we feasted on our all-time summer faves.
My brother manned the grill and cooked us up some lovely new york strip steaks and marinated chicken.
While my Mom prepared Judy’s Famous Baked Beans (still don’t know who Judy is but, but she makes a damn good bean,)
and the only potato salad I’ll eat.
I brought a raw sweet corn, avocado & tomato salad dressed with homemade balsamic vinaigrette (to which I added a clove of crushed garlic and a few basil leaves – YUM!)
For dessert my Mom made a cheesecake-esque Fresh Fruit Galette. Oui oui, fancy!
It was basically a pie crust, spread with a layer of sweetened cream cheese then topped with fresh berries and a sprinkle of sugar before being baked. Rustic yet elegant at the same time. Go Mom! 
Poor Finn couldn’t partake in dessert because of his food allergies. It was so sad and he kept yelling “Birthday!” because I think he thought the cool whip was birthday cake icing!
A few Teddy Grahams swiftly took his mind off it.
After lunch I got started on my own rustic dessert to bring to a dinner Ben and I are attending tonight – Peach & Blackberry Crisp. The first fruit crisp of the season – whee!!!
I started by peeling 5 small-medium sized peaches. The easiest way to do this is score an “x” on the bottom of the peach.
Then place them in boiling water for about 30 seconds.
After I removed the peaches and let them cool for a few minutes, I was able to easily peel the skin off.
Next I chopped the peaches into ~1/2″ chunks, combined them with a small carton of blackberries, tossed the fresh fruit with a bit of flour, sugar and cinnamon, and slid it into a baking dish.
Next I made my favorite part of fruit crisp – THE CRISP! 
Brown sugar, old fashioned oats,
flour and butter (I used Earth Balance.)
I squished and combined the crisp ingredients until the butter was in pea-sized pieces, then topped the fruit with it. 30 minutes at 375 degrees and I got…
This!!!! Ugh, I wish you had smell-net!
Peach Blackberry Crisp
Serves 6
Ingredients:
5 small-medium sized peaches
1 small carton of blackberries
1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup cold butter
Directions:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Wash peaches, then score an “x” into the bottom with a knife. Gently place the peaches into a big pot of boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and let cool before sliding off the peel with your fingers. Cut peaches into 1/2″ pieces then add to a big bowl with the blackberries.
2. Add 2 teaspoons flour, granulated sugar and cinnamon to the fruit and mix well. Pour into a non-stick sprayed 8×8 baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, mix together remaining flour, brown sugar, old fashioned oats and cold butter with your hands until butter is the size of peas. Top fruit with crisp mixture and bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp is golden brown.
Whenever I’m making something to take to a dinner party or event, I like to make myself a mini portion so I can taste and make sure it’s acceptable to serve/I usually don’t want to wait until the party to have some. 
Meeeeelt. If Fall means more fruit crisp, then bring it on!
Alrighty, time to jet. Dinner –> face plant in bed. Droooool, bed. I can’t wait!
Happy Labor Day!
~~~~~
What has been your favorite memory of this summer?
Mine was probably going to San Diego for BlogHer + coast cruisin’!
The peach and blackberry crisp looks so good! Yum! Going floating down the river is definitely my favorite memory of this summer!
Favorite summer memory is my date day with my bf in La Crosse, I will forever miss living in that city… I hope some day it takes both of us for jobs! On another note, I watched Cedar Rapids (the movie) last night and thought of you. It’s a comedy about a man from WI who goes to Iowa for a conference, not too bad, worth the hour and a half it takes to watch it
Oh, that corn salad looks fab! Might have to try that.
That looks delicious. It’s been so long since I had a good steak! I made some corn and black bean salsa to go with tacos tonight. Not very Labor Day-like I know, but so so good.
What a great idea to make a mini-serving to taste test it! I often make new recipes and bring them to potlucks/BBQs/etc. without trying them first–the whole time crossing my fingers and toes that my dish turned out okay.
The desserts look beautiful, as does the corn and avocado salad! I loved traveling this summer. Absolutely fell in love with Greece, Boston, and NYC.. I’ve caught the travel bug!
Oh, and I’m loving the Dashboard reference in the title! Good choice
That crisp & your mom’s galette look so good! My favorite memory this summer is going to NYC for my friends bachelorette party. Even better, I can look forward to going back for the wedding this month! Central park wedding – should be amazing!
Berry crisp >>>>>> berry pie.
Part of cooking is doing a taste test. That fruit crisp sounds great!
Poor little guy – what fruit is he allergic to?! Let’s hope he grows out of it someday…
We are going to the apple orchard this Friday and then I’ll be apple crisping it! YAY fall..sweaters and jackets and boots. I can wear my hair down and wear makeup without feeling like its running down my face.
Such a cool tip to peel the peaches! will that work with most stone fruits?
My favorite memories of the summer took place in Edinburgh, Scotland. Coolest city ever! One minute you’re in modern civilization, the next you stumble into an ancient graveyard with headstones dating back to the 1700′s. Castles, big buildings, meat pies… can’t wait to go back!!
Looks yummy. I made a caramel apple crisp the other day and about died it was so delicious. My favorite summer memory would be going to Chicago to see me sister-in-law, her husband and my nephew!
i looooove crisp! i make an awesome twice baked caramel apple crisp. can’t wait for fall apples!
I know what you mean…although I only get a 3 day weekend I was busy the entire weekend! All fun stuff, but still…I’d love another day to just do nothing.
My fav memories from this summer are probably from The Boy’s and my fifth anniversary weekend in cleveland
. We had a blast!
Love this tip about peeling the peaches! I’ve always done it the ol’ fashioned way!
Spending time at our farm property in southern Iowa. No running water, no electricity, acres for the dog to run off leash and the girls to explore, total peaceful bliss!
With that crisp, you have just declared that it’s fall. AHHHHH!
Lookin’ good! Just started a new diet, I am going to try to avoid your webpage, but it’s not gonna be easy!
Just wanted to send this your way.
http://fitperez.com/2011-09-02-bethenny-frankel-skinnygirl-margaritas-are-carcinogenic/?from=PH
yikes!
Dinner looks delicious! Oh, and that crisp looks amazing! I must try making that!
My favorite memory this summer was getting my wedding dress! It was so exciting!
Love the Dashboard Confessional reference
And, of course, love everything else about this post! I discovered your site recently and have been enjoying your beautiful photography even though I’m in the same boat as @DawnMarie 
Can’t believe summer is over either! So crazy. My favorite summer memories all involve beach weekends in Cape May, NJ. Definitely looking forward to football season though
Love your blog! I just found it and you have so many good recipes! I loooove the idea of making a smaller portion to “test” your recipe before you bring it over. That would help keep me out of my baked goods!
I went this WHOLE summer without a vacation…I am definitely in need:) Love your mom’s dessert!
Any chance of getting the rustic fruit (cheesecake-esque) galette recipe???