I don't know about you, but I am ready to send Summer packing! Yesterday's "real feel" : 103 degrees!
Much of yesterday was spent dealing with a plentiful harvest of tomatoes, peppers, and lima beans. I have found, over the years, that the easiest way for me to preserve tomatoes for later use is to roast them and freeze them. It's so much less work than canning.
Later, during the winter months, I can grab a silicone bag of roasted tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, soups, and stews. Roasting enhances the flavor of the tomato in my opinion.
As for peppers, I chop or slice in strips and freeze them in silicone bags as well.
I cooked some of the lima beans (such a treat, and one that we rarely eat)
and am drying the rest for winter use.
I headed out to the barn when I finished with the vegetables to drop off some treats for the chickens. They were quite happy to see me!
At the barn, I noticed that Daphne no longer had her fly mask on.
(I found it in the corner of her yard... in a wrinkled heap... removed without unfastening it.)
When I asked about it, she started making up a story...
but, it was obvious she was fibbing!
It was the perfect day to tend to these indoor tasks, as the weather remains uncomfortably hot and humid. Gardening is saved for early morning hours.
I awoke last night at 2 AM and went out to the barn to let the horses back in. That way, their grazing is finished by the time we do morning chores. Everyone is so much happier with this arrangement. Although I will admit, it' s a bit hard to get back to sleep after being outside in the middle of the night. Hopefully these days are short-lived and we can get back to our old schedule.
I've been gathering seeds from flowers and vegetables to save for next year. So, while I was involved with inside tasks, I downloaded a seed packet template and made some seed packets to store my seeds for next year.
Hubbs noticed a huge praying mantis on the banister beneath the hummingbird feeders. I shared the info that I had previously learned from a reader - that praying mantis was there to eat one of the hummingbirds! (it's true... I double checked!)
Hubbs quickly performed a re-location of said mantis.
Whew! That was close!
Oh, and thanks for sending a little rain our way.
We had a brief spritz that lasted about a minute. It was just enough to moisten the deck... not enough to help out the plants, though.
Comments
short one hour plus power outage which I slept through. The microwave and stove clocks told the story.
Love Daphne's story telling!
Mary
Hard not to believe Daphne's story, she is so cute telling it!
BTW, I was just reading the article in this issue of Country Woman about Maven Haven. Wonderfully done and I love the pictures!
Love the Daphne vignette..very clever..
Your veggies are keeping you busy..
Glad the Praying Mantis was relocated...
We didn't get the second round of rain but we head and saw it pass us by...very close...Glad you got some..Hugs
Refreshing to open some windows for FRESH air!
First wrinkly egg I have seen!