Tag: summer

Beating the Summertime Blues

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It’s been a good summer and hot!  Cat and I spotted a couple of barred owls outside our home one morning on Mother’s Day.  We’ve enjoyed hearing them call to each other the early morning hours.

The 12 tomato plants have provided plenty of great fruit this year even though it has been quite dry.  All I’ve had to do is pick them and water occasionally.  Lycopene heaven. They taste very good this year and will surely miss them this coming winter.

We spent the July the 4th weekend in the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway camping in the mountains.  The temperature was in the  mid to late 70s with lows in the early 60s at night. Perfect.  It was in the 90s down below.  I believe we were camping just above 5,000 feet.  It is gorgeous up there.

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Later this month we travel to Vancouver Island along the Johnstone Straits outfitted by Grey Wolf Expeditions.  We’ll be camping for 4 days whale watching, salmon fishing, kayaking,  and simply relaxing.

 

Sangria for All Ages

INGREDIENTS:     (For 20 Servings)

  • 2 limes
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 bottles white grape juice
  • 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice
  • 2 cups sparkling water, chilled

DIRECTIONS:

  • Cut ends off fruit. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and water; add ends of fruit.
  • Heat to boiling; boil 3 minutes.
  • Cool; discard ends.
  • Cut remaining limes, oranges and lemon into thin slices.
  • In 3-quart non-metal container, mix sugar-water mixture, grape juice and liqueur.
  • Add fruit slices; refrigerate. Just before serving, add sparkling water; stir gently.

Use wine instead of grape juice for an alcoholic drink.