late august (what?)

With August almost over, I’m feeling that familiar urgency to squeeze in all the things that haven’t yet been done by summer’s end. There is still so much! But mostly, painting the fascia on our house and camping are 2 things I thought I’d have done by now. Painting is not my favorite thing… It will be a miracle if I get it done. Camping IS my favorite thing, but the last month or 2 has been pretty rockin in the shop. After a slow spring and early summer, I’ve appreciated the business immensely, but it’s also made it hard to get out of here for more than a day at a time. Over the years we tend to do most of our summer travel in September, after the crowds have gone home. It’s quieter, the air is gentler and it stretches summer out a little bit longer. I’m hoping the weather holds for us.

These days we are focused on processing the abundance of fresh fruit and veg. Steven got out of bed this morning, passed through the kitchen into the living room and joked to me, “Where’s the kitchen? I can’t find it?” There is hardly a space on the counter right now, and it’s lucky we dine outside all the time, because our dining table is pretty full as well. I kind of love it, even if it feels a little claustrophobic sometimes.

This week I’m roasting plums and tomatoes, making blueberry jam, reading about cheese making (a favorite treat right now is toasted sourdough with ricotta and peach butter. Oh!), drying calendula flowers and herbs, and beginning to save seeds.

Summer here has been pretty sweet, and we’ve had ample opportunity to swim and have campfires in the yard. And when I am feeling bummed we can’t take off on a road trip just yet, we camp out in the backyard. Falling asleep to the sound of crickets and the feel of the night air around us is pretty nice, where ever you are. We woke up one morning to a little fawn galloping around the yard, and came so close to our tent it was jumping over the stakes. Can’t say I’ve ever had that happen, even in the middle of the wilderness!

I hope you all are feeling content with where you’re at, where ever it might be. xo