August :: The New January

Well, then. I said I would be sitting still. But I didn't mean to vanish completely!

Where was I . . .

Ah, yes. Semi-grumbling about the August garden doldrums. Nothing new to report. Things are crunchier and dead-er than ever. The lack of rain always amazes us, each and every summer. The plants are thirsty. The deer are thirsty. We always feel kinda, um, parched and thirsty.

So I have been maintaining the mid-summer mentality and just continuing to let things go in the garden. And it feels better than a struggle. The autumn planting season is almost here. I can bide my time.

We are finishing up our house - which is huge for those who know how long this has been going on. No sooner did we have all of the furniture moved into the last part of the house - and I am telling Corey that I MUST fill the room to the brim with plants. Must!

I have also been lucky to have a steady stream of freelance work - which will fund a family vacation to Cape May and the necessary new bathing suit top (in which subtle, old-fashioned patterns, nips and tucks will hide the Empty Baby House).

Willa is ready to sit up, is rolling over and loves her jumpy-thing to no end. I spend most of my free time giggling with her. But, during nap times, you can find me reading for the challenge (right now, Philip Roth's American Pastoral) and savoring the last season of Deadwood.

Some glimpses of what I have been enjoying lately. In between life's bigger moments.

A Heavenly Blue morning glory unfurls.

Another smock dress for Willa. My sewing machine and I are becoming fast friends.

Blackberry mint iced tea.

Recipe: Make a simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of water and bringing to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and let it cool. Add this to a cup of fresh or frozen blackberries (raspberries work well, too). Blend in a blender. Chill.

Take either fresh mint leaves or mint tea bags and steep in hot water. Chill.

Add the blackberry syrup to iced mint tea - to your taste. This same syrup is terrific over cut peaches. And waffles. And pancakes.