This and That

 

Two weeks ago we had another heat wave, bringing temperatures up to 104 degrees.  It was very, very humid too.  Following that, we got 5 days of rain.  Good for the garden.  Bad for the weed problems.  We just go with "the flow" of things and do the best we can.

Humidity has been about 100% lately.  The thickness in the air almost takes your breath away.  Too hot and humid for anything outdoors.

Harvested our very first zucchini July 23rd, and our very first yellow squash July 24th (a late harvest year).  They both went into breakfast, and my husband was delighted with his go-to breakfast - Eggs from the ladies, roasted squash with onion and herbs from the herb garden, and smoked bacon from an area butcher store (a breakfast win from the freezer).  So good!

I am making a meat re-stock list of course, but the meals created by randomly picking freezer items has been fun and successful.  I did, however (gulp), find a few bags of frozen green beans from 2023 stuffed into the back of one shelf.  We had a bumper crop that year.

Harvested our first handful of cherry tomatoes July 25th.  I think we may have a chipmunk eating the very low tomatoes.  It could easily get into the fence, so we (gulp) purchased some rodent netting and wrapped the lower fencing for now.  Protecting the garden is becoming expensive.

First basketful harvest of the season and we are almost at the very end of July.  What a strange garden year.  It's almost August.

New to the garden this year - Cocozelle Zucchini.  

No new book blanket granny squares, and no books finished for that matter.  I, however, started another baby blanket.  The last if this particular yarn.  I am behind on the book blanket, and have not started any lap afghans to donate just yet.  The goal is to just get this baby blanket done first.

Everything seems to be running out at the same time as the end of July approaches.  I'll be making several re-stock items that I have found to be my/our favorites.  I am out of witch hazel, and now I am on the hunt to find some sold in stores. 

In the meantime, I have a growing list of to-do's pertaining to the garden, re-stocking freezer foods (thankfully blueberries are done for this season), and the like.  Dehydrating herbs continues as well. 

Have you ever heard of boiling corn on the cob with milk and butter in a large pot?  I'm just learning this, but with just us two, I have not tried it.  Apparently, it creates a very sweet corn, and as you lift the cob from the pot, it butters itself with the butter added to the pot.  

This and That   ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart