Summer's back

After a really nice break for some rain and temps in the 60's for a week we are back to sunny days and temps in the 70's. very pleasant, and good timing too as I am finally able to get back to digging new flowerbeds! Huzzah! This weekend I'm working on this triangle shaped bed below. Have been trying to get to it since spring, but only now am able. Next I'll expand the bed behind it (to the left in the pic) to put some shrubs up against the house and break up the expanse.


I've really been enjoying this lovely Gaura 'Whirling Butterflies'. It is just a mass of little white flowers touched pale pink. Lives up to its name very well. It seems to like the poor soil and dry conditions so I plan to get plenty more of it. The deer love it, but if there's enough around they can't get it all.


I got some fresh peaches from the Fruit Truck and made a couple of pies for a potluck at work tomorrow. We already ate the peach crisp I made for Daniel and I last night. Dee-lish!


And last is a sunset from the other night. We've had some good ones lately.

Brunch is served

Liz and Ethan joined us for brunch yesterday. On the menu: Golden onion and prosciutto strata, caramelized green beans and mimosas.

Tuck: 2001-2009

In spring of 2001 we were living in the Garrison St. house but looking for a place to buy. I was also looking for a tuxedo kitten, as it had been years since I'd had a cat and I am fond of that color pattern. We had Chewie but wanted another. Around then our friend Wes met a neighbor who was taking a momma cat and her three kittens to the pound - he intercepted. One of those kitten eventually came to us and was named Tuck.

He was barely 7 weeks old when he came to live with us. Such a tiny little ball of fluff. he immediately fixated on Chewie and followed her everywhere - much to her annoyance. Over the years she got over it and they could often be found curling up together napping. Tuck loved to be in the garden following me around, and he loved to find a box to stuff himself into. He eventually grew into a very large tomcat, topping out at 17 pounds, with the most beautiful long coat, golden eyes and he had amazing whiskers. Everyone commented on them.








On Tuesday July 28th we had a major heatwave moving thru and the temps hit 102 degrees that day, and 90 inside the house. The cats were just melted puddles of fur splashed about the floor. Finally the sun started to set and the temp started to drop. We let the cats out to cool off and get some relief. I tried calling them back in before bedtime but only Chewie answered. Not unusual considering how late they had gotten out. One or another had spent the night out before so I didn't think anything of it.

The next morning only Peter was waiting at the door to get on. I called and called for Tuck and Gracie but they did not answer. I was a bit worried as Booboo (Tuck's main nickname) was always ready for his food bowl after a night out. I had to get to work so I couldn't spend much time looking. Gracie showed up around noon that day but still no Boo. The heat was stifling again and it wasn't until late that evening that I could make the rounds to see if he was stuck in a tree somewhere - it had happened before, but no luck.

We did all the usual things in putting up fliers, letting the neighbors know to keep an eye out and checking with all the local rescue societies and vet offices. Thru this we learned several local pets had gone missing, the deer herds were thinned out, and the coyotes had not been seen in the area so we suspect a cougar is around. There's been no sign of Tuck since.

I'm just heartbroken over the loss of my baby. He usually curled up next to me at night and always woke me up in the morning.


Tuck, you were the best kitty I ever had. I'll always miss you.

Barooooo!

My Booboo is missing. :cry:

Last night's sunset...

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And today's peach pie.


So I got some gorgeous peaches from the Fruit Truck that sells at Steamboat Island road, across from the school. They go to the east side of the mountains, load up and come back and sell the produce. Great stuff. Tried the trick of dropping the peaches into boiling water for one minute and then wiping off the peels. A bit messy but very effective. Not sure if it is an improvement on peeling by hand or not. Also used Martha's suggestion of freezing your lattice work crust before setting it in place. Makes it much easier to handle and it thaws quickly for sealing into the edge. I put it together on a piece of waxed paper then slide it onto a cookie sheet to go in the freezer. 20 minutes and it's ready to go on the pie. So much easier than trying to pick it up loose.

Lovin' the summer time

We're expecting a heat wave for the next week. Thankfully we have the pool to stay cool. Fresh fruit is everywhere. I've been picking the little native blackberries lately and grabbed some blueberries from the farmers market to make this Black & Blue pie. Its bubbled over and looks messy but man was it delicious!



I've some peaches waiting to be made into a pie as well. Yum!


Mr. Petey like to pose for the camera.

A low key Fourth

Daniel and I spent a gloomy day at the beach. The sun never did burn thru the marine layer. We finally got a glimpse of it as we left there and headed inland to a friends place for an evening bonfire. A pleasant day all around.


Cats stayed home. Here's a pic of Miss Gracie drowning in her own floof.


On today's agenda we have laundry and digging irises for the HIPS Sale and for my eBay sales.