June 21st

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..

💙💚💗