Yes, friends, I'm still alive and kickin'. I took the month off from the computer, with just occasional peeks at favorite blogs and FB. Sometimes it's good to just disconnect and get on with other things.
We planted a small garden this year and I'm overjoyed to report that our summer squash and zucchini have produced!! It's been years since I've been able to make such a report. Piles of squash have appeared on my counter on almost a daily basis:
I've made numerous pans of my summer squash skillet and so far we still enjoy each mouthful. I've made multiple bakings of zucchini bread and with each batch I can't resist breathing in the wonderful aroma of the cinnamon and nutmeg as I set them on the cooling racks.
I also stumbled on a wonderful recipe for a side dish featuring the yellow squash. I got a catalog last week from a company called Through the Country Door. I ordered a couple of things and got a welcoming email from them. At the bottom was a picture of a casserole with a link. I checked it out and decided to make it Saturday. I can highly recommend Gunter Family Squash Casserole! A little bit of work, but definitely worth it.
I've been stitching in the sewing room making baby blankets for a local ministry. I've stitched satin binding to fleece for cozy blankies and embroidered flannel to make receiving blankets for the tiny ones. I love making baby things!
August has been hot and our area has been thick with smoke from the many forest fires in the west. It rained a little yesterday and today is cool and the air is clear. Hopefully firefighters will be able to use this time to whip all the infernos blazing away. A cousin lost her home and all her possessions in one fire several weeks ago. I can't even imagine. I come from a family of forest-fire fighters, with my dad, my brother and my husband all having spent many days on the fire lines. I am grateful that none of them do it any more.
So, here we are at the end of August. I turned another year older and fall is about to arrive. ♥
