Since talking about the weather is always a good opener, I'll begin here by saying that late July and August have been two of the hottest months on record - - or at least it's definitely felt that way!! Lots of sweat, lots of showers, lots of good BO despite our efforts...I honestly don't mind working up a good sweat. In fact, I like the feeling a lot; however, a break in the heat would be an OK thing for me at this point.
Joe's spent the week working steadily on his new pottery adventures. The back porch has become his studio, and thank goodness (I'm knocking on wood as I type this), we haven't had any new piece sent flying from cats jumping on the rail yet. I LOVE (!!!!) watching his creative processes in action. His total delight in making pots inspires me to get the paper studio up and running again. It's been almost 4 years since I last worked up some pulp, so I plan on cleaning out the basement this afternoon for that purpose. With two weeks until classes start, I can probably make up a couple of vats. I can't wait to get my hands in the slurry soon....that'll get me going for the fall, when I hope to make up a bunch of things.....
Our garden's flourishing...The " 2010 Prolific Veggie of the Summer Award" goes to our cucumbers vines for their almost zucchini-like yield. Similiarly the basil plants have provided for several rounds of pesto; the tomatos make up into great juice for winter enjoyment; and the tomatillos give us great salsa verde. (Joe has the process and recipe down pat.) I'm also working on some butternut squash recipes to can for cold winter nights.
In recent Farm News:
1. We've had wonderful visits this summer...Lori; Brett & Betsy; Dana & Wendy; Clark, Charlie, Jack and Lucy; Joe's sister, Denah, and her daughters, Maddie and Morgan; Peg and Alexa; and other farm regulars have made our days better than wonderful and filled The Farm with love.
2. Petie and I made a road trip to MD to see my dad's youngest sister, Joyce, and his brother, Rhonda. Along the way, we checked in with Samuel, and Mom got to see his new apartment (actually room with a somewhat kitchen and bath).
3. Eliza's getting ready for college -heading to the University of Cincinnati on September 17th. We still have to go buy some things for her room, so I'm looking forward to that shopping spree with her.
4. Eliza and my sister, Myra, aka: Tita, spent three days in NYCity at the end of July and had a blast.
5. I've spent a good deal of time working on the Evergreen Arts & Humanities Series for next year - my last as chair of the committee. I have a couple of other projects I'd like to work on, and I'm certainly looking forward to having NO strings attached to the office in the summers.
6. We enjoy lots of love and laughter every day with Paco's, Bud's, and the other critters' antics. I'm toying with the idea of getting a dog, but the right one just hasn't come my way yet. I'm thinking about adopting an older corgi so I can avoid puppyhood and all its obligations.
7. Blessings abound.....What more could we ask for??
Sumnmer Farm Buddies - Bud & Paco
Lucy Buelow (2) has her own language and perky way of being.
When Jack Buelow (4) says, "Tanya, I love you," my heart melts.
Night blooming cereus has been the flower of the season. The only catch is that they open at night and are wilted by the morning, so to catch the open bloom, I have to sit outside and wait. I LOVE the way the buds form with the pink-ribboned spikes around them.
Classic Paco after an afternoon of play with Jack and Lucy.
Bud, in sphinx pose.
Peg Martin-McGuire, Tanya, Eliza, and Alexa, Peg's daughter on the morning of their departure to return to Regina, Saskatchewan. Two days of visiting with our girls was a very special time for two life-long friends.
