Happy Tears, Longsuffering, I Win!

1. She is nine hundred and eighty-five miles away, but very near in my thoughts. Tomorrow she is finished. My emotions run high and I can't think about what she's done or I cry. It's all good.
1a. Parents living vicariously through their children is often spoken of in a negative connotation. But I would argue that it is a gift. If we allow our children to make their own path and then we converse with them about their experiences, rejoice with them in their accomplishments and grieve with them in their failures, then they have included us on their journey. One definition of vicariously is: felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others. So, there it is; we have hiked the AT vicariously through our daughter (sister, friend) and it has been amazing. Thank you for letting us come along Chelsea. : )
2. Our thirty-third wedding anniversary is tomorrow. I asked him how he would like to celebrate. He said, "Let's just be happy together." I don't know why, but that totally cracked me up.
3. We played Scrabble. It was quite exciting and dramatic. We had accusations of cheating, demands to Google the rules, one attempt to quit (I had three E's, one I, one A, and a Q with no U), and finger tapping tension. (That was all me. He was perfectly calm) He was in the lead the whole game until I drew the 'U', spelled L-I-Q-U-O-R on a double word score and won. Who-wee, we are just crazy fun here.

Save the Tomatoes!, Ripening, Is It Me?

1. Aha! I seized upon the idea and ran out to the garden with a handful of wet paper napkins. I wrapped every tomato that was just beginning to blush with a wet napkin. I read this internet suggestion to prevent the scourge of Mockingbirds that are pecking away at our ripening tomatoes.
2. The dill plants are shoulder high and the flower heads are heavy with seeds. When I walk through them they rattle and brush my arms like heavy beads. I return to the house covered in dill perfume.
3. I thought I was the only one who didn't "get" the movie. Was it over my head? Am I not intellectual enough? I left the room for something better to do. Tess had already made her exit and in a little while Steve quits it as well. I'm glad I wasn't the only one.

Hello?, And the Police Thought You Had What?, I Need a Sweater?

1. Mari told her mommy that she wanted to call Nonni (that's me!). She was very talkative for a couple of minutes and told me everything she and Mommy were doing.
2. Two weary but happy campers have had a good night's rest and now they sit at the table while I cook a French Toast breakfast for them. In turn, they tell me their Floyd Fest stories.
3. A stiff breeze blows through the open windows carrying the fresh scent of washed floors all through the house.
3a. I can't believe I'm looking for a sweater to wear on a July afternoon. I want it to be blankety; to cocoon me while I read.

Crazy Happy, Final 100, That Looks Nice

1. A young deer darts back and forth in front of the the horse. It's obviously teasing the horse to come and play. 'C'mon! I dare ya! I dare ya to chase me!" The horse ignores him and just keeps munching grass.
2. She calls one last time before heading into the wilderness. She has made her final resupply. It's almost time to come home...
3. I'm feeling creative on Shutterfly. Now there's a good way to lose four hours of my life. But, oh the possibilities!

Produce & Baked Goods, Putting Up, Daughter #4 and the Dog, Adam Ezra Group

1. The Roanoke Farmer's Market is abundant with summer produce. (Someone is selling Dilly Bean's- $7/pint, $11/quart. Wow, I didn't know they could cost that much!) We walked around the market and then we stopped at the bakery. We each chose a croissant to take home for tomorrow's breakfast and then we bought a brick of  shortbread slices that were tidily wrapped in waxy, white paper. We were looking forward to these with a second cup when we get home.
2. Steve and I did the canning together. The dill is at its peak, so we first made more dilly beans. Then Steve harvested the prolific banana peppers and we canned five more quarts. Finally, I turned to the ripening tomatoes and got those preserved.
2a. We had a full day in the kitchen, so for dinner we simply made loaded roast beef sandwiches. They included pickled banana peppers from an earlier batch and pretty yellow tomatoes, freshly sliced from the garden.
3. Just as I climbed into bed, Daughter #4 texted from Floyd Fest: "I just got called up on stage at one of the biggest concerts tonight!!!...the lead singer (Adam Ezra Group) leaned over the edge of the stage and asked me to come up and hand CDs out with him!"Yup, all is well. I am at peace and I drift off to sleep.
4. Thunderstorms rolled in around three a.m. Poor, frightened Henri jumped onto the bed and curled  up to the back of my neck. Now I know how a litter of puppies must feel, all tucked into each others nooks and crannies with tickly fur and puppy breath on the back of my neck.

A Hammer for Jack, Pacing Like a Caged Lion, For the Gaps

1. I take out Jack's incomplete Christmas stocking and study how I might rework it. When I started it last year he was a baby and his personality was still a mystery. Now that he is a boy and we see what he is all about, I know what to applique on the stocking.
1a. Hand sewing on the porch, under the lamplight. Dusk turns to dark and the birds quiet down for a summer's night. I am fully aware that I am thinking about Christmas on a July night.
2. Daughter #3 met us for dinner. I was glad because the girls are scattered all over the place lately and it leaves me unsettled. This empty nest thing does not fare well with me.
2a. Daughter #1 called and we talked make-up. I asked her advice and she had so much to tell that it started me laughing. My nest may be empty, but my heart is full.
3. Books wait for me at the library. I think of reading as the chinks between the rocks in a rock wall. Time-wise, my days consist of a couple of larger obligations chinked with reading. Those empty spaces need to be filled with something strong yet restful.

Tomato Recipes Times Three!

The garden is a tomato bonanza and this week's menu will feature tomatoes galore. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy tomatoes. Thick slices of beefsteak tomatoes and lettuce on white bread, heavy on the mayo, salt, and pepper, are only the beginning.

1. Using the freshest ingredients makes all the difference in these recipes. I only make these in the summer when the tomatoes are garden fresh. It's what makes these dishes all the more special.

Savoring Italy by Michele Scicolone

Pomodori Ripieni di Riso Verde

Tomatoes Stuffed with Green Rice

1/2 c. medium-grain white rice such as Arborio

salt to taste

4 large tomatoes

2 Tbl. olive oil

1/4 c. finely chopped fresh basil, plus whole leaves for garnish

2 Tbl. chopped, fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 Tbl. grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese

1 small clove, finely chopped

fresh ground pepper to taste

Bring a saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add the rice and salt and simmer until the rice is about half cooked, 9-10 minutes. Drain, place in a large bowl and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°. Oil a baking dish just large enough to fit the tomatoes snugly.

Cut off a slice 1/2 inch thick from the top of each tomato and reserve. Using a small spoon, scoop out the tomato seeds and juice and place in a sieve set over a bowl. Arrange the tomatoes in the prepared baking dish.

Add to the rice the strained tomato juice, olive oil, chopped basil, parsley, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well. Spoon the rice mixture into the tomatoes, dividing evenly. Cover each tomato with its top.

Bake until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot or at room temperature. Garnish with the whole basil leaves.

2. The rustic bread gets good and soggy with oil and vinegar- it's the best part of Panzanella.

Panzanella

Bread and Summer Vegetable Salad

2 tomatoes cut into bite-sized pieces

1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 c. fresh basil leaves, torninto small pieces, plus whole leaves for garnish

1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil, or to taste

3 Tbl. red wine vinegar, or to taste

salt and freshly ground pepper

6-8 slices coarse country bread

In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and torn basil. Drizzle with 1/2 cup olive oil and 3 tablespoons vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Cut or tear the bread into bite-sized pieces. Place half the bread in a wide, shallow bowl. Spoon on half the vegetables. Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Toss the salad, then taste to adjust the seasonings. If the bread is dry, add a little more oil and vinegar. Garnish with basil leaves and serve immediately.

3. My absolute favorite tomato recipe is this tomato pie. I could eat the entire pie in one sitting, but I restrain myself to half. The melted cheesy part on top is-to-die-for. I've shared it before and I'll share it forever...It's what I'm most excited about this week!  CLICK HERE for recipe.

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