Remember those old vinyl tablecloths with big prints of flowers or fruit on them? Call me tacky - I love them! They remind me of when I was a little girl visiting my great aunt. She had a small villa in the hills. Behind the heavy metal gates was a humble yard with a cottage in the back.

The busy samovar filled the air with the smell of freshly brewed tea. Pillows and Persian rugs welcomed guests onto the small patio that ran the length of the cottage to a delicious home-cooked meal. A couple of wrought iron beds stood prepared to serve afternoon naps under fruit trees.

Life's so different now. We have all the conveniences: Dishwashers, robotic vacuums, mobile phones with concierge service. But, the days are a blur. If you're not careful, you'll almost miss them.

Maybe that's why a tacky tablecloth can mean so much.

Summer’s coming to a close soon. Thinking about the past, I’m savouring the things I love most, like peaches. There’s a boatload of them in our fridge. This cake highlights their signature flavor beautifully.

That tacky vinyl tablecloth came to life in this Peach Poppyseed Cake.

These flavors celebrate summer and remind me of my great aunt’s villa... Sleeping out in her garden snuggled between Mom & Dad, staring at the stars hanging overhead in the night sky and the comforting sound of crickets.