Happy Summer Solstice!
It's the longest day of the year
with the shortest night.
But,
it's the beginning of summer.
It's not so big of a thing as an adult,
but to kids, it's magical!
Bear with me as I wax nostalgic for a moment.
Summer in the early 1960's was the best time
to be alive!
We spent our days listening to the music
of the Beatles, Beach Boys and Leslie Gore
on my sisters' battery powered record player,
or tuning in to WTIX on our transistor radios
while singing to the music.
Eating watermelon slices and spitting
the seeds as far as we could.
Going "swimming" in the 1 foot high
splash pool under the carport.
Yes. we had to wait to go back
in the pool after eating lunch.
We rode our bikes for hours
around and around the neighborhood.
We Hula-Hooped till our
stomachs hurt!
We drank water from the hose and
waited patiently for the sno-ball
man in his truck to come
on our block.
We played Canasta, jumped rope, skated
in the street, sidewalk or at the rink
a few blocks from our house.
We'd go to the Kenner Theater
on Saturday's with $1.00.
That was .25 cents admission for
my sister and I and we could
splurge on goodies with the change!
And when the street lights came on,
after being eaten alive by mosquitos
we'd reluctantly go inside
while listening to the buzz of
the mosquito fogger truck and smell
that distinctive chemical smell
that wafted into the house
through the window unit A/C.
Ah, summer!
But..
most of all,
I remember laughter,
silliness and play!
🌞
********************************
A few days of harvest.
The cherry tomatoes, bell peppers
eggplants were dehydrated.
Purple Bell Pepper
Japanese Eggplant
(The hens are sampling the produce!)
White Eggplant.
Poblano Pepper.
Cherry tomatoes.
Purple Cherry Tomatoes
These tomatoes, the cherry ones
and the Romas were put into the crock pot
for my tomato sauce.
I season it, cook for 4 hours, then
use an immersion blender
and strain.
The liquid is put into
freezer containers and the pulp
is baked with parmesan cheese.
I spread it thinly onto a silicon
mat, sprinkle breadcrumbs and
parmesan cheese and bake in a 400 degree
oven for about 10 minutes.
It's like a tomato flavored cracker!
The yellow ball is actually a
cucumber, just milder tasting.
Gardenia
Mandevilla
Marigolds
Scarlet Zinnias
White Zinnia
Herb Garden.
Thai Basil and Oregano.
Basil and Mint
Cilantro seeds,
otherwise known as
Coriander.
In his element on Father's Day!
**************************************
Some backyard critters...
Lucy
Ethel
Minew
Bad weather brewing.
We could always use the rain.
And this...
No clue.
I saw it on a pop up ad
and was intrigued.
Seems it is good for the skin
as a moisturizer.
Who knew??
This is actually from my
last trip to San Diego.
It is just an amazing sunset
on the Pacific Ocean.
Plus, it screams SUMMER!!!
And remember..
💙💚💗
