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You are here: Home / Lifestyle / The Sound Of Cicadas

July 18, 2011

The Sound Of Cicadas

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I really don’t think there is a more beautiful noise than the sound of cicadas and crickets screaming “ittttttttttttttts summer” on repeat. There comes a time in July when their song is constant and it’s as relaxing to me as the most peaceful Mozart.

Keep it up bugs, keep it up. [Just say outside!]

I cold brewed some coffee last night in my new french press!

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I used the New York Times recipe (although I doubled it to make more). The first time I made it I didn’t note that the recipe says to leave it at room temperature. Last time I refrigerated it. Today’s brew was much more robust – and extremely chocolately thanks to the fact that I used 50% Choffy! Love that stuff to decaf-down my brew.

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Smoothie on the side!

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Made with 1 banana, 1 cup of milk, 2 tbsp raw rolled oats, 1 tbsp chia seeds, a sprinkle of cinnamon and 1/3 cup frozen blackberries. Yum!

Toppings included the last of my Cville Cluster granola (sadness!), Honey Puffs and buckwheat. I went back for a refill of Honey Puffs after I ate the top off!

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Happy Birthday Kate!

Kate’s husband Matt emailed me to see if I could surprise Kate with some birthday wishes on KERF. She’s apparently a big fan! Happy birthday Kate!

Happy Birthday, Kate!

29… the birthday that will be repeated for years to come…

I adore you and appreciate all you bring to our marriage, from your laughter to your recipes.  You spice up my life, figuratively and literally.

Hope you are surprised, and I look forward to celebrating tonight.  How about Mamasita’s and sheet cake??

Love, Matt

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* * *

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. And I’m feelin’ good!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: SIAB

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Comments

  1. Molly @ RDexposed says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:28 am

    And lightning bugs dancing to the beat?!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      July 18, 2011 at 7:31 am

      You got it!

      Reply
  2. Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:29 am

    What a perfect bowl!

    And what a cute birthday present! Happy birthday, Kate!

    Reply
  3. Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:32 am

    I agree with you! the sound is like summer for sure 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sweet and Savvy says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:35 am

    I saw that article and would love to attempt making my coffee like That! Great pictures. 🙂

    Happy Birthday to Kate!!

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:39 am

    That’s adorable! Happy Birthday, Kate!!

    Reply
  6. Kimberly says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:39 am

    so sweet! happy birthday, kate!

    Reply
  7. Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:40 am

    Chocolate coffee sounds so good right now! I don’t know why, but I’m surprised the NYT has a recipe for french press.

    Reply
  8. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Happy birthday Kate! That’s a pretty impressive husband surprise, he’s got mine beat 😉
    Welcome to the 29 club!

    Reply
  9. Krystina (Organically Me) says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:46 am

    That’s so cute that he wanted a bday shout out on KERF. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Cait's Plate says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:47 am

    Aw, Happy Birthday Kate! What a wonderful surprise to get on your birthday – and what a good husband for thinking of it! 🙂

    I couldn’t agree more about the sound of the cicadas – it used to be my favorite summer sound when I was little. We’d go for night swims and just relaxingly paddle around the pool while we listened to them.

    On another note, I really need to check out Choffy…

    Reply
  11. Erika @ The Teenage Taste says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Aw, how sweet of Kate’s husband! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE! 😀

    Reply
  12. Hannah says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:50 am

    French press coffee is my favourite kind. Go Kath!

    Reply
  13. jenna says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:53 am

    what a sweet bday wish! happy bday kate!

    Reply
  14. Holly @ The Runny Egg says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:54 am

    I love the birthday message — Have a great Birthday Kate!

    Reply
  15. Baking N Books says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Happy B-Day Kate! Are they regular readers? Matt is definitely in good books now 🙂

    Do you find the smoothies more “runny” when using a cup of milk versus thick?

    Reply
  16. kaila @ healthy helper! says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Aww that birthday message was so sweet!!!

    Reply
  17. kris (everyday oats) says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Such a sweet birthday shoutout! Happy Birthday Kate 🙂
    French presses are the best!

    Reply
  18. Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Such a sweet and thoughtful birthday present! Happy Birthday Kate!

    Reply
  19. Hillary says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Kind of the cutest thing ever. Happy birthday to Kate!

    Reply
  20. Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:02 am

    Happy Birthday, Kate! How nice and thoughtful to have a birthday shoutout on KERF! What a sweet husband you have!

    Reply
  21. katie @KatieDid says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:04 am

    That constant buzz… it is so peaceful your right. Happy birthday to Kate! That is so thoughtful of her husband 🙂

    Reply
  22. Sandy says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:05 am

    Happy Birthday Kate! Hope you have a wonderful summer birthday (you share a birthday with my son turning 23 today!)

    Love all of the sounds of summer. I’m listening to the cicadas just as I read your post this morning. One of the things I like most about not having the house air conditioned is the summer sounds and smells.

    Reply
  23. Aine @ Something to Chew Over says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Happy birthday Kate! That’s a sweet man you’ve got 🙂

    I love your smoothie bowl Kath!

    Reply
  24. Krissy @ Shiawase Life says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:12 am

    That birthday greeting is TOOOOOO adorable!

    Happy Birthday, Kate!! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:12 am

    That’s so sweet of you to feature his birthday message!!!

    Love the green bowl 🙂

    Reply
  26. Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:16 am

    What a great idea Matt had and so nice of you to help! 🙂

    I love the idea of using 50% Choffi! I finally found a decaf brew I like for iced coffee that doesn’t give me a headache – Dunkin Donuts! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Julie H. says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:16 am

    I agree, OUTSIDE those noisy bugs must say. I don’t appreciate them when I’m trying to sleep in my bedroom.
    ……..Whadda husband!!!!! Happy Birthday Kate! 🙂 Hope it is one fantastic day!

    Reply
  28. Lisa Fine says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Happy birthday to Kate – what a sweet idea.

    I still don’t know what cicadas sound like. I have a lot of friends from the midwest and south who talk about their soothing sound, but I’m just used to the crickets in the northeast. I guess it just means I have to make a visit to Charlottesville one summer! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Hope says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Happy Birthday to Kate!

    I hate the sound of circadas! They are so noisy and creepy! Eek! I love the shape of that bowl! It’s so cute! 🙂

    Reply
  30. Meaghan O'Connor (My Spoonful of Inspiration) says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I always love your purple smoothies!
    🙂

    Reply
  31. Erin says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:32 am

    What a great husband!! So sweet of him and you to surprise her on her birthday. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:35 am

    That is so sweet!! Good points on that one Matt! 😉

    Reply
  33. Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:38 am

    I love that sound too! Definitely reminds me of summer.

    Reply
  34. Angela (Oh She Glows) says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Aww that’s so sweet! Love it 🙂
    Happy birthday Kate!

    Reply
  35. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:40 am

    Aww very cute birthday feature! Happy birthday to Kate! 🙂

    PS love the bright green French press!

    Reply
  36. Estela @ Weekly Bite says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Cute birthday wish 🙂

    I’m totally making one of those smoothies for breakfast 🙂

    Reply
  37. Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:44 am

    Happy Birthday Kate!

    I’m with you on the sounds of summer! I love them. We have a lot of crows around us here and I love to listen to them in the morning. Nature’s sounds are so great in the morning and at night…so relaxing!

    Reply
  38. Mom says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:50 am

    Happy birthcake (as we sometimes say in our family because we adore cake) Kate!

    Barbara

    Reply
    • Sandy says

      July 18, 2011 at 1:39 pm

      I love this profile picture with your comment. You look so much like Larbs and Kath here – you could be a sister.

      Reply
      • Mom says

        July 18, 2011 at 7:08 pm

        Thanks. You’re sweet. Just got home from a long day of travel after a writers’ conference. Fun to come home to nice words!

        Reply
  39. Grace @ Healthy Dreaming says

    July 18, 2011 at 8:51 am

    Beautiful pictures and yummy food as always.

    Cicadas remind me of home in Taipei during the summer months when they chirp nonstop!

    Reply
  40. Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Aw, that’s so cute! Happy birthday fellow Kate 🙂

    Reply
  41. rumfunandsun says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Awww so sweet!

    I love the sound of the cicadas in the summer, it reminds me of being a kids and looking for lightning bugs!

    Reply
  42. Sarah@The Flying ONION says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:08 am

    Your smoothie sounds FABulous. I am recreating it this morning. 😀

    Reply
  43. Margo @ peanut butter trees says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Such a cute idea for a birthday wish! Happy birthday Kate! And love the looks of that purple smoothie, I’m excited to try out my cville cluster granola!

    Reply
  44. Kris says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Hate bug noises. Cicadas remind me of hot August days growing up in MN. I have been known to wield a can of bug spray to quiet the crickets chirping beneath our bedroom window when we lived in Williamsburg, VA — at midnight. They definitely don’t soothe me. Give me rustling leaves/palm fronds or a rainstorm anytime.

    Reply
  45. Courtney says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:10 am

    YAY! Happy Birthday Kate…you made it to KERF! How exciting and Matt is such a wonderful husband!!! I am SO jealous. I can’t wait till you see your surprise!

    Reply
  46. cathy says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:15 am

    what a super birthday surprise for kate – happy birthday!
    i actually do not like the sound of cicadas because to me, it signals that summer is on the downturn – and the days are getting shorter now, too!

    Reply
  47. Ashley says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:16 am

    Aww, that was adorable. Husband points for sure! 😉 I finalllllly got a french press, but still have yet to use it, haha.

    Reply
  48. Karis' Kitchen says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:22 am

    What a thoughtful surprise, happy birthday Kate!!

    Reply
  49. Karen says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

    What a sweet birthday greeting from Matt to Kate! All the best to you on your 29th, Kate!

    Reply
  50. Angel7 says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

    I just printed The New York Times coffee recipe! I am going to try it.

    You have the most unique bowls! I guess you need different bowls and such when you have a food blog. You probably would not want to use the same bowl for every smoothie and such photo shoot 🙂

    http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  51. Kayla says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Aww, sweet Happy Birthday message.

    The cicadas ANNOY me!! They are SOOOO loud!

    annnnd Michael Buble!! *squeee!*

    Reply
  52. Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:28 am

    I cold brew in my french press in the ‘fridge… it is called cold brewing! I might try it at room temp tonight though.

    Reply
  53. ashley says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Haha…I’m pretty sure I KNOW Matt(and he was always so nice)! UNC’s taking over KERF!

    Reply
  54. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Happy Birthday Kate 🙂 Matt is a keeper!!

    Seriously need to try Choffy! Stat! BTW, I tried cottage cheese in my bowl of oats today – it was AMAZING Kath!

    Reply
  55. Robin says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:42 am

    My favorite summer sound too!

    Reply
  56. Kat @ Cupcake Kat says

    July 18, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Matt that is so sweet! Kate is so lucky!
    I love the sound of cicadas, it reminds me of my trip to Spain

    Reply
  57. lynn @ the actor's diet says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:03 am

    awww happy bday kate!

    Reply
  58. Jackie @ That Deep Breath says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:09 am

    so sweet he emailed you! happy birthday kate

    Reply
  59. Kate @ NaturaStride says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:11 am

    So cute! Happy Birthday Kate!! 🙂

    Reply
  60. Emily @ Life on Food says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:22 am

    That has got to be one of the cutest things ever. Happy Birthday Kate!

    Reply
  61. Lennis says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Happy Birthday Kate!! I love birthdays!!

    Reply
  62. Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots says

    July 18, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Such a cute birthday shout-out! Happy birthday Kate!

    Reply
  63. Sarah @ Sarah's Modern Bites says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Super sweet Birthday treat for Kate! happy Birthday Kate!

    The way you feel about crickets in the morning is how I feel about City sounds… ahhhhh so soothing hahaha

    Reply
  64. Jennifer says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:38 am

    Yes, I have been 29 years old for years now. 🙂

    I love the sound of cicadas, too. I was just telling my kids that their sound takes me back to be a little kid. We can hear them at night through their windows and there is no other soothing sound like it. 🙂

    Reply
  65. Shannon says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:42 am

    Kate’s one of my closest friends from high school!!! Happy B-Day, Busy Bee!! Great job, Matt 🙂 Thank you to Kath, too!!

    Reply
  66. Emily @ Comfortable Home Life says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Cicadas sure are nice to listen to, but not so fun to have swarming your living space! They got super bad in Nashville this year — they were everywhere!

    What a sweet birthday note! Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  67. Kate (The Birthday Girl) says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Thank you Kath for helping my sweet husband with such a great birthday message!! As per usual, I sat down at my desk to enjoy my lunch and catch up on blogs. Your blog is always my first stop, so I had a bite of sandwich and as I was reading, I thought “Wow, someone else named Kate has a birthday today.” Then, I kept reading and almost choked on my sandwich especially when I saw the picture of us! This has got to be the most unique birthday surprise ever! Thank you to everyone for their nice comments too 🙂 I will never forget my 29th birthday!

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      July 18, 2011 at 11:48 am

      YAY you’re here!!!! So glad you enjoyed the surprise!!

      [Such a sweet + attentive husband!!]

      Reply
    • E says

      July 19, 2011 at 12:54 am

      Happy Birthday, Kate! What a fun surprise on your 29th (I turned 29 in May 🙂 )

      Reply
  68. Khushboo says

    July 18, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Happy birthday Kate! Kath, have you ever used xantham gum in your smoothies? What’s your take on it?

    Reply
    • KathEats says

      July 18, 2011 at 11:59 am

      I haven’t. It may be natural, but it’s not quite real food enough for me to buy just to put in a smoothie

      Reply
      • Sonnett says

        July 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm

        i use xanthan gum in my mixes alot – great for bulking it up slightly more….. psyllium husk is another i add often – it helps make a more satisfying and filling breakfast and i get my fibre intake boost

        Reply
  69. Ashley @ Thefitacademic says

    July 18, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    awww, that’s adorable! How sweet of her hubby to think of doing something like this!

    Reply
  70. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says

    July 18, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    I love the little Michael Buble reference! 😉 That is such a cute bowl. I love the sound of cicadas at night! It reminds me of my lakehouse. mwahhh I miss it.

    Reply
  71. Kristen, Sweetly says

    July 18, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    🙂 What an adorable hubby. “The birthday that will repeat itself for years to come.” Hahaha. And loved the colors in your breakfast setup. Very nice.

    Reply
  72. kathleen says

    July 18, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    The birthday message is adorable! Happy birthday Kate – you’ve got a keeper. Enjoy your day.

    Reply
  73. Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats says

    July 18, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Happy Birthday to Kate! 🙂 Your hubs is definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  74. Claire says

    July 18, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    Have you ever lived in a place that has periodic cicadas? Ask your mom what 17 year cicadas in Towson are like!
    To me, the annual summer ones are the sound of “summer is passing and soon it will be back to school time.”

    Reply
    • Janet says

      July 18, 2011 at 9:38 pm

      I love listening to the annual summer ones. With the temps a little cooler this past weekend, I opened the window so I could listen at night. The 17 year cicadas are horrendous. I was driving through an area about 2 years ago that had them. I thought the noise was my car breaking down. This was on a busy interstate. They were so loud.

      Reply
  75. olivewineandfood says

    July 18, 2011 at 5:07 pm

    aw such a cute birthday wish!

    Reply
  76. Melissa @ Journey to Marvelous says

    July 18, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    That is so cute. Happy Birthday Kate!

    Reply
  77. anne says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    I’m the birthday girl’s Mom. I sure feel better today than I did 29 years ago at this time! HAHA! But it all was worth it. Happy birthday to my baby girl. Kate got a terrific guy in Matt and he got a terrific gal in her.

    Reply
  78. Olena (The Fit Gourmet) says

    July 18, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    Wow, that’s one attentive husband! Kate’s a lucky lady.

    Reply
  79. Doc (The Healthy Ph.D) says

    July 19, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    Love the bday wish idea! But I HATE crickets and cicadas…I have one that lives outside my window and refuses to join the chorus. While the others are like ‘chirp! chirp! chirp!’, he’s all like ‘drrrrrrpppp! drrp! (pause) drrp!’. Hate him!

    Reply
  80. Michaela says

    July 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    aw, this is so sweet! I hope she was surprised!!

    Reply

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