I recently sent an email with a typo. Yep, I tried to schedule something for 8/1 when weāre already more than halfway through August. Whoops. And how did that happen, by the way? I meant 9/1 on my memo but Iām having a hard time wrapping my head around September.
It seems like a good time to reflect on what is so fantastic about this season and some things to celebrate in August before it’s completely gone!
Corn, Tomatoes and Peppers!
Oh, yeah! The bounty of the harvest.Ā I know the rest of the country enjoys this way more that we do in Arizona, but at least the grocery stores are now full of better and cheaper produce.Ā Iām in fresh food heaven (donāt worry, Iām still in potato chip heaven too) right now.
I threw together a pasta salad with lots of things from the fridge with just a splash of avocado oil and fresh lemon juice.Ā This salad actually refrigerated well and I had leftovers on day #2.
I recently shared my love for Hatch chiles and they are restocked in our fridge and will appear again this week.
Sunflowers, Dahlias, Zinnias!
Is there anything more cheerful than a giant yellow sunflower?Ā Fresh flowers are so affordable right now, even from the grocery store, and they add so much cheer and warmth to my white kitchen, my office and my bathroom vanity.
Kitten Adoptions!
Kitten season starts in the spring and those adorable babies born a couple of months ago are now ready for their new homes.Ā We recently attended an adoption event by Anthem Pets.Ā Weāre not in the market for another fur child, but we were happy to drop off a donation and get a whole lot of cuteness in return.
Anyone interested in adopting or fostering might find a rewarding experience awaiting them.
Noticeably Shorter Days!
For most parts of the country the shorter days equal cooler nights and not so here, but Iām not complaining.Ā Well, sure Iād go for a few degrees cooler right now (maybe 20?).
What I appreciate about the earlier nightfall is that I can stay up late enough to go outside and look at the stars and chance to see one shooting across the sky. The height of the Perseid Meteor Showers has passed, but there is still plenty of activity up there right now.
Dresses!
Putting on a dress and a necklace is such an easy way to get foxed up. No need for layers and seeing how big my butt looks in a pair of jeans.
Summertime lends itself to pretty, feminine outfits. I really like that I donāt have to think about coordination, dry cleaning or ironing. Keeping it nice and simple.
Pool Time!
We have a small posse of lockdown friends that we have spent the summer with and they have kept me somewhat sane and entirely enjoying my weekends. We meet at the pool Saturday mornings and get some hardcore exercise in.
Sunday mornings we meet for pickleball which is hotter than hades lately. Then we reward ourselves with pool time. Oh, and a cocktail when the Oasis opens.
What Iām Reading
I finished another book in the Ian Rutledge series, A Matter of Justice, written by the mother-son writing team known as Charles Todd. I donāt really know why I keep with the series. The books are technically well written, but itās increasingly hard to find anyone I like or care about much in the books.
Characters are so important to me and I never feel sure where Iām going with the people in Ianās life. Additionally, there are so many townspeople and unlikely suspects, that my interest really wanes in the past couple of books.
Iām not sure if this counts as finishing or not, but on audio I listened to A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick. I sort of liked the premise, but it was so SLOW, I skipped several chapters and listened to the end. Iām not sorry I listened to it but I wouldnāt put it on a recommendation list.
Work Song by Ivan Doig is the second Iāve listened to by this author and it was so good. Even though there were contentious themes in this book, the characters were well developed, warm and likable. They were smart and sassy. Doig is going on to be on my regular audio rotation.
Saturday afternoon my sisters and I spent two hours at virtual happy hour and updated each other on home projects, garden bounty, books and movies, and mental health strategies. I miss them like crazy but so happy to see their faces and hear their voices.
In the midst of everything I can appreciate how blessed I am in live in this beautiful place and have wonderful friends and family.
If you think about it, drop me a line and let me know what you love about summer before it’s all gone.
Your look adorable in that picture, Corine. What I love about summer, is the warm/hot days and cool nights here, anyway! I love sleeping with the windows open at night. I love all the fresh fruit and veggies from friends gardens. I love hiking At Lake Tahoe. Going Thursday to Monkey Rock at Incline. Love all the greenery and flowers in our yard. I just love eating outside, especially dinner! I guess I love everything about summer. But then I love our falls here too! The fall colors are outstanding.
Chris, thanks for the compliment. I love your comments about summer in Reno. I love that Reno is hot, but you can get in the shade and there is always a breeze to cool you off. Of course, that breeze is sometimes a little much.
Report back about Monkey Rock, please. I don’t think I’ve been there.
I love thinking that you and Connie have met. I am so blessed by the friends in my life.
XO
Chris….you are making me crazy with the sleeping with the windows open. IT is still over 100 at night here these days. Corine, you look great all gussied up in a dress. Now where did you go or was that just for John’s viewing? I’ve got cabin fever and I can’t remember the last time I put on a dress! I’ve got a book suggestion FOR YOU. “Blind your Ponies” by Stanley Gordon West. Fabulous characters brilliantly developed.
Looks like a very yummy salad on your very pretty plates.
Thanks, Connie. No, I didn’t dress up for John. He barely knows I’m in the same house. Ha. We went to friend’s for happy hour. We’ve been pretty limited on where we are going, but it’s been great to see some friends.
I was able to get Blind your Ponies so I’ll report back. Thanks for the recommendation!
XO