Nature's Gifts

One of the perks of my daughter's little farm, are the daily fresh eggs.

She shares them with family and friends alike.

If you've never tasted a farm fresh egg, you are missing out, those store bought eggs are just not all they are cracked-up to be.

*giggle*

 

 

 

 

 

Farm-fresh eggs have one-third less cholesterol, a quarter less saturated fats and twice as many omega three fatty acids, than store-bought eggs.

They also have more vitamin A and E and seven times more beta carotene.

And more important, the chickens are raised humanely.

Egg-gathering always seems to draw a crowd .

The Dog Days Of Summer

Dog Days defines a time period or event that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by dull lack of progress.
The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, was somehow responsible for the hot weather.
These early days of September, we seem to have hit that mark.

Hot summer days, no rainfall in sight.
Even the birds have taken to their nests...

Autumn Is Calling

Despite sultry August days, subtle signs of changing seasons are all around.

Summer days are noticeably shorter. There is a cooler rush to the evening air.
Down on  main street the shopkeepers are displaying their Autumn wares, and the feel of changing seasons is afoot.
The Summer's Gold Lantana blooms heartily,  as if it knows Summer's loveliest smile, is fleeting.

September

" September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours,
But in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.                            

The cricket chirps in the noontide, making the most of what remains of his brief life.
The bumblebee is busy among the clover blossoms of the aftermath,
And their shrill and dreamy hum hold the outdoor world above the voices of the song birds,
Now silent or departed."-

~ September Days : Rowland E. Robinson, Vermont

'Til They're Clean And Sparkling

Starting off the day with incredible blue skies and  low humidity, as rare as hen's teeth in these Southern parts of the United States.

The  Mr. takes on the task of washing the house today, no small feat I can tell you.

Norseman's blood runs through my veins, after the temperature rises above 80 degrees I'm wilted like a head of week-old lettuce.

The best I can do is be the cold-water runner, when I spot the worker flailing.
*Sigh*

Summer's Waning

Blue skies and sunshine today. Lots of the stuff,  we are slap in the midst of summer with this 95 degree heat.

The flowers are fading fast, we have enjoyed their beauty these past few months, but continued heat and watering tends to take its toll.

School childern have returned to their scholastic lessons, our days now eerily quiet.

The twin fawns are flourishing , sprightly little things, all bouncy and curious. They enjoy a burst of zoomies daily.

Pop-up storms make their way through most evenings, a welcomed gesture to cool the night air.

We'll take whatever help we can get.

The Dog Days Of Summer

Dog Days defines a time period or event that is very hot or stagnant, or marked by dull lack of progress. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, was somehow responsible for the hot weather.

Either way, we seem to have hit that mark.

As with most of the country we are under a heat advisory for the next week, 95 degrees and 100 degrees plus with the humidity factor figured in.
If you can avoid staying outside especially for long periods of time, then it is best to do so.

Even the birds have taken to their nests...……

By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

The full Sturgeon Moon will be visible between August 8th and 9th , 2025

 It reaches its peak illumination on Saturday, August 9th, at 3:55 a.m. EDT.

 This full moon is named for the sturgeon fish, which are abundant in the waters of the northeastern United States during this time of year. 

 

Slowly, silently, now the moon

Walks the night in her silver shoon;

This way, and that, she peers, and sees

Silver fruit upon silver trees;

One by one the casements catch

Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;

Couched in his kennel, like a log,

With paws of silver sleeps the dog;

From their shadowy coat the white breasts peep

Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;

A harvest mouse goes scampering by,

With silver claws, and silver eye;

And moveless fish in the water gleam,

By silver reeds in a silver stream.

Silver : Walter de la Mare

August Days

 " The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often at night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone. "

~Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting

The Sounds Of Summer

 

It serves one simple purpose.

Keeps bugs out, and allows breezes in.

The unmistakable "thwack" of the screen door in summer.

Bee-ing Busy

The garden is all abuzz, with bees, and butterflies, lightning bugs and ladybugs.

All so very busy dutifully distributing the pollen amongst the flowers.
I thank them more than words can say.

 

 

 

 

 Like trains of cars on tracks of plush
I hear the level bee:
A jar across the flowers goes,
Their velvet masonry
Withstands until the sweet assault
Their chivalry consumes,
While he, victorious, tilts away
To vanquish other blooms.
His feet are shod with gauze,
His helmet is of gold;
His breast, a single onyx
With chrysoprase, inlaid.
His labor is a chant,
His idleness a tune;
Oh, for a bee's experience
Of clovers and of noon!

~ Emily Dickinson : The Bee (1830)

 

 

 

 

A Slice Of Sunshine

If you're looking for a quick, unassuming dessert one of my favorites is Frozen Lemonade Pie...

Refreshingly cool, and what could be more simple to make !

The perfect treat on unforgiving HOT days.

Ingredients:

1 deep graham cracker pie crust or two regular sized ones
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 6-ounce can of frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 12 ounce container of Cool Whip, thawed
candied lemon peel for garnish (optional)

Preparation:

Beat together condensed milk and lemonade; fold in Cool Whip.
Pour into pie crust. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours until firm.
Enjoy !

Heat Lover

The Crepe Myrtle bush is in full bloom, it's flowers will put on this show for the better part of a month,
the bees and Hummingbirds are drawn to it's huge Watermelon Red blooms.
It loves the summer heat, I have offered it my portion.