Shelling Peas

We took a trip to the Farmers' Market this morning. The main aim was to buy a lemon verbena plant since my very old one had finally succumbed to nonexistence. I could not imagine a year without it's intoxicating fragrance in my herb garden. It was worth the visit to my garden just to brush against the lemon verbena. The word heady comes to mind, yes, it made me heady.

But while at the market the variety of the local farmers produce tempted us and gave us an idea for the evening's supper, corn, tomatoes, okra, field peas and cantaloupe. I filled my carry along basket and arms with all I could carry, then I filled my husband and Charlotte's arms. We left "rich" indeed.

We then came home and shelled purple-hulled peas on the back porch.


The tomatoes are roasting slowly in a 200 degree oven, the corn is shucked ready for boiling, the okra is washed and waiting for frying, the peas are stewing, and the focaccia bread is rising

Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue

Every July I reach under the eaves and pull out our 4th of July box.

The pinwheels are still some of our favorite decorations. Little breezes start the dancing and whirling, then every once in a while a big gust gets the party going strong.

Cookout tonight where Witt and Claire will be joining us for beef ribs, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, and green salad.

The finale part one:
freshly churned strawberry ice cream.

finale part two:
Fireworks

finale part three:
after all have departed to their respective places to sleep,
just my husband and I with a quiet fire and bubbly.

After all, it is a holiday.

Happy Independence Day!

dressing in and dressing up

Since my basil plants are thriving and allowing daily clippings, this salad dressing was whizzed up in the food processor this afternoon. An aluminum foil funnel was quickly improvised and proved sufficient in transferring the dressing into a recycled Tazo tea jar.


Cotton fabrics in shades of red, white, and blue set on wooden dowels are dressing up the backyard for approaching celebrations.

Of course we are enjoying blueberry cobbler too!

Cupping a Cup

morning elixir

Blueberry July

Having a little muffin with my blueberries this morning.

The recipe called for 1 1/2 - 2 cups of fresh blueberries. Didn't have to think about that one, then I threw in a few extra for good measure.

Rousing Pickings

Used book store shopping this afternoon , after a morning of blackberry picking.


Upon reading "Romancing Miss Bronte" by Juliet Gael while sitting under an umbrella at the beach, an interest was roused regarding the Bronte sisters and their literature.

I plan to enjoy the awakening along with my bowl of blackberries.

White -Themed Luncheon

It was that time once again...

for the Mother/Daughter Luncheon. A table adorned with white roses and cut daisies, giving one a picture of an urban hothouse colliding with a rural country garden. These lovelies were deftly arranged by Claire, in a white teapot naturally.

A ladylike luncheon food menu of vichyssoise, a salad with fennel and hearts of palm,white creamy chicken pasta and crescent-shaped rolls.
Dessert was served in Depression- glass sherbet dishes, strawberries and whipped cream upon which little bits of crushed meringue cookies and curls of white chocolate were folded providing delectable lumps of heavenly ambrosia.

We filled crystal goblet after crystal goblet with lavender lemonade that fizzled with the addition of sparkling water.

Lavender Syrup
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon dried or 2 Tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
1/2 cup sugar
Boil 3-5 minutes and cool.
Strain through sieve.

We talked. Memories of Witt stopping by last year and regaling us with his plans for a first official date with a certain girl that evening. It couldn't be helped that smugness was worn like a badge by each one of us recalling the tidbits of womanly advice freely administered. Because there Claire sat with us today at our luncheon table.

Who doesn't love a happy ending?

the week at the beach

Miss Austen says it well

"What dreadful, hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."

-Jane Austen

amid the gerber daisies

From my point of view eating outside is what makes summertime purr with deliciousness, the sort that makes things come together like a jigsaw puzzle just fitted with that last piece. So one Sunday after church we gathered together with our friends and dined in the back yard. The gerber daisies popped amid us.

I guess I will be sharing from time to time, yes?

Mark's gift

Exceedingly desiring to post a couple of wedding photos.


Giving thanks for dear friends such as Mark that came and took candid shots on cameras and cell phones. Of course, they then took the time to email pictures while we breathlessly wait on the professional photographer's booty.

I chose these two because I adore the looks on my oldest and youngest faces. They were beholding two entirely different attractions, but their expressions were out of this world fetching. Oh, it does a mother's heart good.

Now, I want to invite you to my summer abode. If you do not know about listography.com then it just might stir a wee bit of piquancy. I am piquantly stirred on these luscious summer days.