I've Been MIA and Heat Wave

First day of July.  It's hot.  

I'm definitely not entering a stage of boredom any day soon.  Although I've been doing a lot, it's been productive.  We are in the middle of the worst heat wave I can ever remember.  So humid, there is very little to no work being done in the gardens for the last few days.  Heat index has been up to 106 degrees, and nights did not get any cooler than about  77 degrees.  The heat wave will continue for the rest of the week.  No rain yet.

I froze water in small bottles to keep the chickens water cold, and froze treats for them.

I canned a small batch of reduced sugar peach jam (before the heat  wave).  I have to admit, it's been very nice to can for two people now.  

Enjoyed the last of our asparagus harvest.  The last two stalks were harvested June 29th.  The longest asparagus season we've ever had.  They look light colored, but taking them out of the fridge, they quickly had condensation on them before washing and roasting with home grown rosemary.

                        (red wine chive infused vinegar)

                      (white wine chive infused vinegar)

Both organic white wine, and red wine vinegar's were strained of the whole chives I had them infusing with.  They will both be used for salad dressings, marinades and other recipes.  I took pictures outside so you could see their infused colors.

(homemade face toner before being infused with flowers)

(toner after being infused with only 3 butterfly pea flowers)

Rosemary infused oil was strained and bottled.  Homemade Butterfly Pea Flower face toner was made (easiest thing you'll ever make).    A new "first time" for us this year:  Dandelion infused oil started.  Yarrow picked and dried.  A new "first time" for us this year:  Fleabane cut and dried.  We are very much enjoying the cold infused spearmint for iced tea making.

A new "first" for us this year:  My first comfrey "tea" fertilizer is being brewed up by Mother Nature, and we will be using on my garden.  I'm told it needs to sit about 20-30 days before applying it to the garden.  We purchased 6 new hot pepper plants to replace the ones chewed off.  Still looking for jalapeno plants.  We probably won't find any this late in the season.  Insert very sad face.

The flower beds are springing forth more new colors.  Weeding will resume after the heat wave drops digits.

We've taken a few camping trips, and boy the last one was absolutely "off grid" (not even cell service).  We have been hiking, bicycling, and simply enjoying the campfire, and relaxation of disconnecting and adventuring.  We have decided that I need a new bicycle.  I could not change gears this last camping trip, and cycling was a big rough. We will try to fix it first of course.

Handiwork?  No much this week.  I am looking forward to porch time for that, as soon as the heat wave moves on out of here.

I've Been MIA and Heat Wave  ©  July 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart