Tag Archives: Summer

An Expanding World

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Gardens, , , , , , , , , , ,
View from my lounge chair.

Summer is the season when my world seems to expand. In so many ways, both good and bad. On the good side, our living area increases. Our patio becomes an extension of our home, and we spend time there, reading, relaxing, drinking a cup of coffee, and occasionally entertaining friends and family. The bad side about my world becoming bigger is the increased work. Weeding, planting, maintaining, and watering. Oh, the watering! It has been exceptionally dry here for so early in the season and I kept putting off watering in the hopes of getting rain. I spent two hours catching up on watering. I’m happy when the growing season starts and I’m also happy when it ends. I guess this is a good balance because it affords me the chance to appreciate each one.

Cassius the greyhound.

This is a place outside where I can take all the dogs with me to relax. (Or while I work in this area too!) All five of our dogs stay confined with the fences. No longer so when I put our dogs in the fenced pasture. Our newest addition and smallest dog, PeeWee can escape the pasture. I’m not sure where he gets out, but he has come running to me a couple times when I am doing yard work and am out of his sight. Apparently, my being out of his range of view is unacceptable. I don’t like to put the dogs in their crates for the amount of time that I spend working outside every day, so I have begun tying PeeWee out on a nylon coated, wire line near wherever I am working. I do have to move him around a little, so he always has shade, but we have a lot of trees, so this is not much of an inconvenience.

PeeWee and Claire enjoying the shade.

Our dogs all love the patio. It gives them a chance to enjoy the outdoors while hanging out with their people. They are trained to stay out of the flowerbeds, even when they see me working in them. They have an opportunity to be in sun or shade and usually move back and forth. They see the fountain as the world’s largest water bowl, even though they have their own in a shady corner. (I don’t leave them unattended in case they fall in although so far this has never happened.) Some of the dogs amuse themselves by watching and chasing chipmunks. Claire will stare at the rock pile for minutes on end. I don’t usually see them, but she knows they’re in there. Even 14 year old Shelby lays on a cool corner of the patio between the raised sandstone beds and lifts her head to give me her beautiful smile from time to time. Being deaf now, she also is keeping tabs on my location to make sure we aren’t going inside. A brief wave of my hand will have her getting up and heading toward the door.

Zinnia

Here is one of the flowers from a recent trip to a greenhouse for annuals. We have many perennials and plants that self-seed. We also plant annuals for variety and to make sure there is always something in bloom. I took my nieces with me the last time I went plant shopping and the zinnia was their pick. I wanted them to be able to participate and have fun too. One of them is attending an afternoon gardening camp soon. How cool is that?!

Variegated begonia

I love all things variegated! If a plant has multi-colored flowers or leaves, it’s likely to go in my basket. Weigelias, roses, petunias, it doesn’t matter. This tendency must be related to my busy mind. It carries over everywhere. I like dogs and cats that are spotted, brindled, and multi-colored. I like food that has many ingredients. My brother is fond of saying I don’t want any food, especially ice cream, unless it has five things in its name. I must admit this is true. I don’t see this variety as a bad thing. It prevents boredom and keeps my mind busy. I like my mind to be stimulated. That’s why my reading is so diverse too. I will read non-fiction, fiction, and memoirs on many subjects although I do admit being partial to mysteries. If you ask me at any point in time, what I am thinking about, the answer will rarely be “nothing”.

Sitting on the futon, staring at the sky.

Sitting on the futon and staring at the sky through the grape arbor always produces dreamy thoughts and inspires new ideas. Alas, this usually results in more work. But we only live this life once so we must make the most of it. May your life be inspired too, my friends!

Books I Read in August & September 2023-Catching Up!

Books & Reading, , , ,
These flowers were in bloom in August when I read these books!

Hello friends! I hope everyone enjoyed time with friends and/or family. I certainly did! Whether you had turkey or something else, the important thing is that it was shared with love. I am way behind in reporting on the books I have been reading, so this post is a twofer. I’m sharing two months of titles. Then I will technically only be one month behind because November isn’t over yet!

Books I Read in August 2023:

  1. Pineapple Street-Jenny Jackson

I picked this book up because it got good reviews. It centers around a very wealthy family from old money in New York City. To my mind, the family is a bunch of whiners who don’t know how good they have it. I guess that could describe many of us. And maybe that is the point. Some of the family members change by the end and some do not. It was an ok book.

2. Almost Everything-Anne LaMott (Non-fiction)

Anne LaMott writes inspirational prose, mostly from personal experience. This book is an inspiration and at the least, makes you think. Always a good thing.

3. The Backup Plan-Jill Shalvis

Alice receives an inheritance of one third of a Wild West B & B. The other shares go to her once, and now estranged, best friend and her high school crush. They have one month to get the inn into shape. Can Alice overcome her past demons before the month is over? Not Shalvis’ best book in my opinion but still fun.

4. All the Days of Summer-Nancy Thayer

Heather’s marriage is dead, and her son is graduating from college and has a serious girlfriend. She decides it is time to discover what makes her happy and rents a cottage on Nantucket for the summer until her divorce is finalized. It turns out that’s where her son and his girlfriend will be living, and working, with her very wealthy parents. It looks like Heather followed them and she has to assure the spoiled Kailee that she did not. Heather manages to build a life for herself but what will happen at summer’s end?

5. Start Painting Now-Emily Powell & Sarah Moore (Non-fiction)

This book is about the creative process rather than about painting techniques. I can apply a large percentage of the content to my writing since it is also an art. And who knows, maybe I’ll give painting a try!

6. The Dinner Party Project-Natasha Feldman (Cookbook)

A fun take on inviting people over for dinner. Has organizational tips and recipes.

7. 100 Days of Adventure-Greta Eskridge (Non-fiction)

This book is from the kids ‘section. I checked it out thinking I might find some fun things to do with my nieces. The lists were pretty basic and mostly things I had already thought of. Still, it’s a cute book and might be especially good for those who are home schooling.

8. The Sweetheart List-Jill Shalvis

Have you figured out yet that I pick up everything this author writes, lol. Harper Shaw moves west to the Sierras to get a fresh start on life. She soon encounters a hunky guy she isn’t interested in and takes in a runaway teen. All while opening her own bakery and acquiring a cranky new friend. Another fun read.

9. Dog Tales: The Book-Luann Stuver Rogers (Non-fiction)

This author wrote a column in our local newspaper for a number of years. The book is a compilation of the weekly articles. I read most of them at the time and am having fun reading them again. The tales feature the author’s numerous dogs consisting of two greyhounds and a bevy of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They feature dog sports as well as everyday life.

Magazines:  Best Friends, Country Living

A September photo for you from the time I was reading books on this list.

Books I Read in September 2023:

  1. Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie-Sarah Graves

I enjoy the books from this series for a multitude of reasons. Maine. Baking. Chocolate. Cozy mystery. Jake’s best friend Ellie is accused of murder when the shop owner across the street is found shot. He had just opened a shop that competed with theirs, selling chocolate baked goods at a lower price. Jake is run ragged trying to find the killer and keep order at her own home when her perfectly healthy father decides to move him and his wife to assisted living. Things go humorously wrong on all fronts.

2. Earth’s the Right Place for Love-Elizabeth Berg

This is the prequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv which was a wonderful book. The story is about Arthur and his family and how Nola comes into his life. Nola is the love of his life and future wife. It is a very real feeling story.

3. The McCullagh Inn in Maine-Jen McLaughlin

This is a quick read at just 137 pages. Chelsea O’Kane is on the run from an abusive husband. She runs to an inn she inherited in Maine where she encounters her first love Jeremy Holland. There is a lot going on that is not revealed to us until the end of the story. This made it a less than satisfying read for me. I was also disappointed that Maine life didn’t play into the story, it really could have been anywhere.

4. Viayia-Anastasia Miari (Cookbook)

The title of the book means grandmother in Greek. These are traditional Greek recipes. There are as many write ups about grandmas as there are recipes. I enjoyed reading about the different Greek islands and the stories of the women even more than the recipes.

5. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley-Courtney Walsh

This book is not for me. I got about 50 pages in and still waiting for something to happen. Back to the library it goes.

6. The Clutter Remedy:  A Guide to Getting Organized for Those Who Love Their Stuff-Marla Stone (Non-fiction)

I hoped this would have lots of organizational tips but it’s the same old stuff. Clean, sort, purge. Does address emotional reasons for holding on to things.

7. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly-Margareta Magnusson (Non-fiction)

The author shares advice about gracefully. This is told mostly through tales of her life with the chapter titles summarizing the point.

8. The Stand-Stephen King (page 747-1153)

I finally finished! I found this last quarter of the book to hold my attention better than the earlier parts. In it, society is starting to rebound from the mass deaths. The Dark One still needs to be dealt with and a few heroic, average people take up the challenge. I found this book to be so distressing because the happenings are a little too real. Especially since Covid.

9. To Catch a Treat-Linda O. Johnston

Carrie Kennersly owns a bakery for dogs as well as a bakery for humans. She is also a part time veterinary technician. In between jobs, she still finds time to look for a killer so she can clear her brother’s girlfriend. The crimes center around dog napping so there are plenty of canine themed plots.

Magazines:  Country Living, Best Friends, Better Homes & Gardens Fall Recipes, Cooking Light Mediterranean Diet, Cottages & Bungalows Christmas Issue

Books I Read in May 2022

Books & Reading, , , , ,
This is where I like to read in the summer.

My list of books read last month covers a gamut of styles. I had a lot of non-fiction books. I like to keep two books going at once when I do that, one fiction and one non-fiction. What I read varies depending on my mood and level of concentration. If I want to escape and relax, I pick up the fiction book and read that. If I am hanging out with someone else or watching television, I have a non-fiction book that I peruse and read sections of between conversations or during commercials. Here are my selections from last month.

  1. Fox Crossing-Melinda Metz

Fox Crossing is the stepping off point before the 100 Mile Wilderness portion of the Appalachian Trail. It leads to Mount Katahdin. Annie runs her family’s outfitting store and gives advice, often unsolicited, to hikers. Many of them, like Nick, don’t take the advice. Annie has performed emergency rescues of 27 hikers. Nick makes it 28. Nick is popular with Annie’s friends and moves to Fox Crossing to start a school to teach other hikers by hiring local experts. Will he get Annie to teach as well, considering the flames between them?

2. Sunrise by the Sea-Jenny Colgan

Marisa was born and raised in England but comes from an Italian family. After her grandfather dies, she develops such anxiety that she can’t leave her apartment or maintain contact with the outside world. Through distressing circumstances, she finds herself living in Cornwall. Her first outreach is to Skype with her crotchety grandmother. This becomes a regular thing. She has unavoidable contact with the man in the flat next door. Between her grandmother, her therapist, and the man next door, she grows strong enough to venture out briefly. She meets Polly and begins working at Polly’s bakery. Disasters strike and Marisa learns that she is strong enough to take life on after all.

3. Funny Farm-Laurie Zaleski (Non-Fiction)

The author tells her story by interspersing a narrative of her life with the animals she has encountered and rescued along the way. We meet all kinds of animals from typical pets to farm animals. I get the feeling that if I met Laurie, we would become fast friends.

4. The Handmade Market Place-Kari Chapin (Non-Fiction)

A book detailing how to sell your crafts. Covers things you need to know, from choosing your brand to becoming part of the craft community to marketing and sales electronically as well as in person.

5. The Sweet Life-Suzanne Woods Fisher

Marnie and Dawn Dixon, mother and daughter, vacation on Cape Cod. It was supposed to be Dawn’s honeymoon, but her fiancé backed out. She and her mother went on the trip anyway to relax. Marnie is recently widowed and looking for a change and new purpose for her life. Always spontaneous, Marnie buys an ice cream shop in need of repairs. Dawn, always cautious agrees to help for the summer, figuring they can sell at the end of the summer. Sometimes the relationships we make as life happens give us new family. Dawn and her deceased father spent many hours making ice cream. It had been his dream to open an ice cream shop after retirement. Now they are doing it without him. Can you live your dream rather than do what is expected?

6. Lavender, 50 Self-Care Recipes and Projects for Natural Wellness-Bonnie Louise Gillis (Non-Fiction)

This book contains everything you need to know about lavender. And things I didn’t even know that I needed to know! Tips on growing, harvesting, and using the different types of lavender and which is best for each purpose. I think I will be growing more lavender.

7. Half Baked Harvest Every Day-Tieghan Gerard (Non-Fiction)

This cookbook has lots of yummy looking recipes. I am unlikely to prepare any of them because most require an ingredient that I don’t have or need more prep work than I am willing to do.

8. Fat Girls Hiking-Summer Michaud-Skog (Non-fiction)

Not what I expected. I read it anyway. Sometimes I like to read books to see how other people think. This is not a weight loss or self improvement book. It is about self acceptance. There is no body shaming. Many members are fat, lesbian people. Those with physical disabilities are also encouraged to hike. One quarter of hikes are to be on ADA (Americans with Disabilities Association) accessible trails.

Magazines-Country Living, Yankee

I don’t really have a strong favorite from this list to recommend to you. If forced to pick, I would probably go with The Sweet Life. Mostly because I really like ice cream and have thought about trying to make it myself with a home ice cream maker. What fun it would be to come up with your own flavor combinations! And I know a few people who are lactose intolerant. I could also make lots of almond milk-based ice creams. The flavor selections on non-dairy ice creams are limited and I could provide endless options.

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A Summer Garden Dinner

Cooking, Gardens, ,

Garden plate
Garden Plate

Late summer suppers are wonderful!

My meal this evening consisted of the following. The main entree was a fried green tomato sandwich with pine nut hummus and Lacey baby Swiss cheese on Asiago peppercorn bread from the bakery. My sides were all fried veggies from our garden. Some okra, a Japanese eggplant, and the obligatory zucchini. I did add a wedge of freshly sliced tomato too.

We go above and beyond on getting our daily allotted servings of vegetables in the summer. I haven’t bought vegetables from the grocery store in weeks. And we’ve been giving friends and family some of the excess which makes us popular.

We haven’t resorted to sneaking vegetables into strangers cars yet, but I can’t say I haven’t considered it!

Remembering Summer, On a Winter’s Day

Country Life, Gardens, , ,

Patio fountain in summer
Our patio in the summer time

It is mid-January now, the heart of winter. Each year around this time I like to write one post that features some pictures from my gardens during the previous summer. Something to bring back memories of flowers, gardens, swimming, and summer warmth. I love winter, but even I am ready for a bit summer by now. The lush green plants and vibrant colors of the flowers bring me flashbacks to fun time spent on the patio last year.

Having the break of winter makes time spent on the patio, and gardening, that much sweeter. I would not enjoy either season as much without the break of the other. By autumn, I am tired from planting, splitting, weeding, fertilizing, deadheading, pruning, watering, and all the other work that accompanies keeping up multiple flowerbeds.

Garden aerial view
An aerial view of the west end of our enclosed garden. Hydrangeas in bloom.

Now that we have had cold and snow for a bit, I am starting to think about planning for this summer’s gardens. What flowers to plant, where to put each and when. This month would be a good time to order any seeds that we need. Last year I made the mistake of ordering seeds when I wanted them. Everyone else decided to order seeds last spring too and garden while they were sheltering at home. I did not get most of my seeds until it was nearly too late to plant them. This year, I will order early. I would advise you to do the same.

It is always a gamble in this climate (northeast Ohio) on when to start seeds indoors. The start of warmer weather is never guaranteed by any certain date. Some years it is safe to plant in April, and other years not until late in May. Sometimes I get away with planting early by covering my seedlings with sheets if frost is forecast. Other years it is too cold even for that.

If I plant seeds in trays early and plan to keep them inside as long as necessary, many of my plants get too tall and leggy, and lack good support. If I start them in trays later, they are small when I put them in the ground or containers and more susceptible to bug and bird damage. I guess if I could plant the same way, at the same time every year, it would not be as much fun.

I do start my seeds on our enclosed porch so the temperature must stay above freezing there for me to get started. We have a vegetable garden as well so our porch can get quite crowded with the various pots, trays, and containers. It is always a mish-mash of saved containers, supplemented with assorted cans and bottles that I have pulled out of the recycling bin to augment my collection.

By the time I slip those little plants into the soil, it is reminiscent of sending a child off to school. I have fed, watered, and sheltered them for so long that I am invested in their well being and survival. When one is attacked by slugs or picked out by birds, I take it personally. Hopefully I will have more sprouts as back up replacements. Those I may cover at night with upturned soda bottle or little screen cages in an attempt to help them reach maturity.

Perennial flowers beside the house
Phlox in full bloom scattered with hostas and bee balm.

We also buy new plants each year. Some are annuals and others are perennials to add to our collection. Even the perennials take work. Most of my perennials, I split or relocate in the spring. They also need pruning and shaping. Any dead sections that didn’t survive the cold must be removed. The roses need fertilizing when the time is right so they will produce blooms. I fertilize my roses monthly with a solution that also contains chemicals for fungus and Japanese beetles.

Trees may need to be trimmed if they have grown over plants that require full sun. Specifically, for the peonies and roses. They will grow but not flower if they do not have enough sun. Growing a garden involves a lot of doing your best to control nature. The growth of other plants and insects. Adding nutrients. Watering. It is an attempt to find a balance that allows your plants to thrive.

You can see why I am relieved when that first frost comes. Gardening is tiring work. But it is also rewarding and life giving. That is why so many people garden, and it is something that has lasted across the landscape of time. And that is why I plant.

The Perfect Evening

Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Gardens, Thoughts On Life, , ,

I’ve never been much of a summer person. What, with all the heat and humidity, it’s too much. But on evenings like this, I will concede that there are some wonderful, beautiful experiences.

This evening is pleasantly cool, after days of unrelenting heat, with temperatures in the 70’s. I hear the splashing sounds of the fountain. I have all my dogs with me in the garden and I am sitting down to finish a good book. There are freshly baked biscuits to put strawberries on for shortcake later. Life doesn’t get much better.

A dear friend recently asked what type of books I like to read since I do so much of it. I enjoy many subjects and genres, mostly it depends on my mood. Here is what I am finishing up tonight.

It’s a murder mystery that takes place in Maine. The main characters run a chocolate themed bakery. Also there is a dog or two in the story. I have enjoyed other books by this author and then you add in so many of my favorite things, how could I go wrong?

I wish you, my friends, an evening that is as enjoyable as mine.