August Break 13-17

August 13: last year

Not last year, technically, but in March of 2018, I gave Tim a gift card for Wild Birds Unlimited because we'd been talking about getting a feeder for our garden. Finally, this past Saturday, we went out and chose one. That's almost last year, isn't it? We've been watching House Finches and Sparrows flitting about the feeder and emptying it at a tremendous rate. There's plenty of other food around at this time of year, so we'll be cutting back on how often we fill it. They still come around on their foraging route and we'll give them more food come winter.

August 14: I love...

where we live, so close to the ocean. While walking with a friend this morning, we both commented on how lovely the sea smells, invigorating and fresh. 

August 15: cat

I don't have a cat, but there's a black one in the neighbourhood that sneaks through the hedge whenever I'm working in the garden. She has a bell to let birds know she's coming. So many birds are killed by outdoor cats. I'm on the birds' side. 

If I had a cat, I'm sure she would enjoy the deck as much as I do - it's a lovely place for afternoon or morning tea. 

August 16: longing

I'm longing for hopes to be fulfilled. 

With much less intensity, I'm longing for my dahlias to begin blooming. I planted them late and they are just forming buds now. I watch them every day to see how they are coming along. In the meantime, the hydrangeas and sunflowers are providing material to fill the vases. 

August 17: #real life

Real life is sweet summer peaches, juicy warm freshly picked tomatoes, cool mornings that transform into hot afternoons, weeds that grow faster than anything else, and roses that keep on blooming.

Are you looking forward to the end of summer, or hanging onto it as long as possible? 

August Break 7-9

August 7: Five Facts About Me

Oh dear. Do I go deep or shallow? Perhaps a mixture, I think, for this is supposed to be a "break." Here goes:

1. I am learning to be content. I'm more contented now than I was even 5 years ago. 

2. Blue and white will always be my favourite colour combination. 

3. I often push through fear to do the things I do. I've discovered that the worry often precedes the event/activity/project, and once I attend/set off/begin, the fears evaporate.

4. Being bored never happens. 

5. Curiosity often motivates me.

August 8: sky

Endlessly changeable and fascinating. 

August 9: happiness is...

Another tough one to nail down. Different things make me happy at different times. I think this is true for all people. It can be elusive, and like the sky, highly changeable. 

My family brings me great happiness. When they are doing well, I am happy. The converse is also true. 

I'm happy in my garden, even while pulling weeds. 

Teaching makes me happy. Interacting with teenagers can be challenging, but I find them fascinating and funny. Their lives are ahead of them and I'm happy to have a minuscule part in preparing them for adulthood. 

Reading. Hearing my grandchildren calling out "Nana." Cooking and eating. Laughing uproariously. Hugs. Playing jokes. Hiking. Holding hands. Sewing. Pink roses. Writing. Drawing. Being with friends. Sleeping. Swimming. A cold glass of water. Hydrangeas. The list could go on and on. 

The light is harsh in this photo - it's blazing hot outside today, but this "Secret" rosebush is outdoing itself in blossoms. I've clipped a few for the house and there are plenty left. It's one of the things making me happy today.

August Break 2-6

August 2: ground

I don't drink coffee, but my husband does occasionally, mostly when there's company. Our children all drink it, so there's always some Fair Trade coffee here. Ground, not beans. 

August 3: skin

This took some thought until I realized that almost everything has skin, from people and animals to vegetables and fruit. I've been admiring the butternut squash in my garden, pale green with white stripes. They are growing larger almost visibly in the heat we're experiencing. 

Apple skin can be red, green, yellow and many shades between. One of our apple trees is loaded this year and the apples have begun falling. So...

I made the first batch of applesauce. Our grandchildren love it with oatmeal for their breakfast, and our son and his wife make batches of it to last the winter. They ran out this year and bought some from the store. The children hated it, saying it didn't taste like "real" applesauce. Nana came to the rescue and handed over some from her pantry shelf. You'll notice there's no skin in the applesauce - that went into the compost. 

August 4: bookshelf

There's a bookshelf in every room in our home, except for the bathrooms and laundry room. I try to keep the books weeded out, but it's hard. There are a number of books I've not yet read and sometimes feel guilty about that. Recently I read this article that speaks about the value of unread books in reminding us how we always have more to learn.

I've recently read two books I've enjoyed very much. One is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See, a wonderful tale spanning the years of change and development in China, told through the story of a young girl growing up in a remote village. It's a multi-layered story of grit and resilience, and of openness to change, as well as valuing tradition. And, it's about tea! 

The other book is Missing, Presumed, by Susie Steiner, a mystery featuring Manon, a lonely and desperate police detective. It's grittier (but not gruesome) than the book above, and if you enjoy mysteries, this might be one for your list.  

August 5: crush

I took the easy way out for this one - crushed garlic, a vital ingredient in so many dishes. I read recently that the Queen hates garlic and has banished it from the royal kitchens. 

August 6: spacious

Looking at the sky gives me a feeling of spaciousness. That infinite blue of summer. Here the pole beans are climbing upwards and have completely covered the 6 foot trellis. 

I picked the first handful of green beans yesterday, simmered them in salted water until barely tender, drained them and dumped them over a selection of grape and cherry tomatoes, halved, from the garden. Then, a scatter of sliced basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a grating of Parmesan cheese. The perfect lunch.

What's happening in your world? Read any good books lately? What are you eating on these hot summer days? 

Morning Light

For the month of August, I'm joining in A Month of Mindfulness, hosted by Susannah Conway. She provides a list of photo prompts and encourages participants to share, or not share the results on social media. I'll be sharing. Perhaps not every day, and perhaps I'll combine photos. Why don't you consider joining in, as well?

Our home is set on a west-facing hillside in the city and we're surrounded by large trees on the east, so sunlight comes a bit later to our garden. I took these photos just after my husband left for work, around 7:45. The white geranium caught some of the first rays peeking through the forsythia bush. 

Our "Secret" rose still in shade, but the unclouded light of morning shows her petals to perfection. 

Am I cheating by including other photos? I don't think so. This is what I picked from my garden yesterday. It feels so luxurious to go out and see what's available for dinner. Did you notice the top tomato? One of my tomato plants is producing tomatoes that have grown together. They look odd, but still taste delicious. 

Last night's dinner - flatbreads (caramelized onions, figs, goat cheese, basil) and salad. I find choosing what to make for dinner on hot days challenging, do you? I planned to grill the pizza outdoors, but our temperatures have moderated and I used the oven instead. 

One last morning light photo - the sunlight visible on hydrangea stems.