make pesto while the sun shines...

Ah, summer. Flourishing herb gardens and basil abundant, the trophies of summer's heat. I whizzed up a batch of pesto this morning in the food processor. But for the very first time ever I did something to the basil that I have never tried before in all my years of making pesto. I blanched the basil for 30 seconds in boiling water. This will make the color of the pesto stay the most lovely shade of green I am told.

Immediately after blanching run cold water over the basil leaves, and with gentle handling press out the excess water before putting the leaves into the processor.

the sound of watermelon

"I hear watermelon".

These were the words out of Rose's mouth as she walked into the kitchen just as I was sliding a knife through the green rind of a watermelon. Funny, when I perceive watermelon it is the sweetness of its taste, the appealing shade of red and the feel of its juice running down my bare arm.  But all senses do escape in that pop!

There is something I need to add here, no two things. Charlotte meticulously checks out every slice of watermelon for seeds before she eats it. Her opinion is that watermelons are not to have seeds, any seeds whatsoever. Sad, I know. She will never know the fun of spitting watermelon seeds from here to yonder.

And as for the blue rubber hair band in her hair....I was straightening the kitchen counters and to get it out of the way, I slipped it onto a bit of her hair. Better hers than mine. But it is perched in a comical way I think as I watch her eat her "seedless" watermelon.

Peach Lemonade

Quenching your thirst basically takes water, of which I drink plenty, but when you want something  delicious and refreshing that will zing your taste buds, peach lemonade does seem to be rather divine.

Peach Lemonade
6 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 cup water
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
 Heat until sugar dissolves, steep for 10 minutes.

Drain.
Add 2 cups of peach nectar or peach juice. I have used both, the nectar has a stronger peach taste, but the juice works just fine.
Stir in1 cup lemon juice. I personally use this brand of 100%  pure bottled lemon.

To this add 2 cups of water. I  enjoy the tartness, but you can add more sugar if preferred. Serve over a glass of ice and add a garnish of fresh rosemary. 

Then sit back and taste summer while it still can be found. Mine is packing and planning to leave very soon.

love stitches

 I stitched by candlelight at the dining room table tonight following a dinner of prime rib and yorkshire pudding. It added a calm to my after dinner mood and reminded me of olden times when stitching by candlelight was an only possible choice. Kiri Te Kanawa was singing in the background adding her own style of harmonious heights, it was beauty moving.

The particular piece I was working on has been taking its time in coming. But I love what it stands for...  heritage, meals shared around a table with family and friends, fine things, some of which can never be purchased. White flouche on white linen, one single initial embroidered in the corner, awaiting its place at a table. Things that possess lasting value that will stretch over years and years.

My stitches are not professional or even that beautiful or clean cut. The true beauty must be seen with the heart, each thread stitched in love.

Kit in the herb garden

Several pairs of flannel pajamas, neatly folded and set aside, were brought to my attention this past weekend. The time had come to get started on something that had nestled back in my brain a couple of months ago awaiting the proper time of delivery. An outfit for Charlotte's American Girl dolls constructed from the plaid flannel of Daddy's pjs was the result. Quilt squares cut from the flannel fabric have also begun with hopes of a completed lap quilt in the future.

The photography shoot took place in the herb garden with Kit standing in my newest woven basket.

The green and blue color scheme was quite successful.

fruity summer sipping

I am one of those types who enjoys reading magazines. I subscribe to several: food, sewing or knitting; and from time to time I will even purchase one from a store that captures my eye and tickles my fancy.

Sangria was boosted to places of prominence in some of the food magazines I have been reading this year, causing me to want to make some for myself. I can not imagine why I had never desired to try this beverage before since it is so easy to mix together and very good and refreshing to sip on during summer evenings.

I had quite a huge amount of fun concocting several recipes this summer. My husband prefers the citrus recipe of  oranges, lemons and limes. For me  though nothing was as delicious and tempting as watermelon, strawberries, lemons and mint. Oh my goodness!  Ambrosia in a glass.

There are many recipes to try and you can even buy the sangria mix if that is your preference. Since I anticipate the fruit's sweetness to do the trick, I add no extra sugar or soda.

CHEERS!

another one to grieve

While we were staying in an out of state hotel vacationing,  my husband received a call on his cell phone. His father had passed away. 

We buried my father-in-law two days later, a day that the thermometer registered at 103 degrees. As we drove up to the cemetery for the graveside service we observed the waiting relatives and friends huddled under the few shade trees in the cemetery. I found an essential tinge of comfort in that scene.

a little summertime sewing

An apron made in a cinch with a packaged deal I picked up one day while roaming the aisles of *Hobby Lobby*. They were selling for 50% off, and I thought I would be silly willy to refuse such a bargain. It is becoming my daily cooking apron on these summer days when the making of pestos, salsas and tarts are the norm.

Charlotte became my photographer upon its completion.

 No heads please.

And where's the iron? Oh, that is right, it is summer.
 I forgot I am allergic to summertime ironing.

random grace moments

"And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."

John 1:16

As I sat outside this morning my journaling began with random thoughts jotted down neat and packaged with little dots resting beside each one, somehow maybe I was grasping for a connection in these thoughts. I remembered that God is never random. Everything HE does is with purpose and for my good.  I scrunched down, satisfied in his grace and sovereignty.

But here are some of the randomness of my morning thoughts:

*smocking guild tonight
     embellishing a journal cover

*leftover lasagna in the fridge to warm up for tonight's dinner, tossed salad on the side with the addition of tomatoes due to their bounty

*A time of swimming this afternoon, perhaps

*laundry, sheets to change

*read to my girls aloud , Charlotte will eat an icy popsicle

continuing the randomness even with  photos

camp and arbors

We left early this morning to fetch Rose home because she had been attending this camp all week. We stopped for a late lunch

and because the weather had taken a pleasantly comfortable turnabout we dined outside under the arbor.

During the springtime blue-violet pendent clusters of wisteria dot the cedar-stumped arbor, but these days the leafy verdancy creates shade and an aura of charm. This is one of my most favorite places to visit.

Then of course we popped into the bakery on our way out of town.

The discussions began on the way home of what she had learned and gleaned from the week at camp and I expect many more will continue in the days to come. But it certainly is good to have her home.

burying myself in words...

...on the written page.Sitting on a vintage glider, 

 propped up against a needlepoint pillow,

   reading a good book.

 Francine Rivers never disappoints, she writes books I find extremely enjoyable.

Even though we have been involved with Classical Conversations for the past two years, it is only this year I began reading this book written by Leigh Bortins, the founder of Classical Conversations. Some books are destined to be picked up for a refresher when you are on a particular course, whatever that course in your life might be, for me this happens to be the classical mode of teaching and learning. It puts the questions of," Exactly why am I teaching this?" to a better understanding and makes the path clearer, and therefore, not as difficult. I will try to remember this when daily Latin lessons overwhelm.

 And because I can not be found just reading one or two books, that is far too simple, these books are on my nightstand with appropriate bookmarkers of sales receipts, coupons or clothes tags. I do believe I need a good week at the beach to enable full days of reading.

I sincerely hope you are burying yourselves in some good reading this summer. I know some of you are.