Monday, July 20, 2009

Mr. Rogers Is Right!



Yes, it IS a beautiful day in the neighborhood. At least here at my house, as evidenced by the scene from my front porch this morning (photo below). 54 this morning, as I went out to get the newspapers. Or I should say, as I ran out there- it was so chilly, and I was so underdressed. We've had the AC off and all the windows open since Saturday, and I can't believe how gorgeous this weather is. I am going to enjoy it, because I know it won't last. It is, after all, still July here in the Deep South. We are setting record lows at night, and our high during the day is just barely 80. Isn't that incredible?? James played golf yesterday and said it was simply spectacular- the weather and his golf, as he and his teammate shot well below 90 on a very challenging course.

The cats are enjoying the open windows (Maarten above last evening), like most cats they are avid bird watchers and now they can hear the songs again, hear the buzz of the hummingbirds at the feeders, hear the purple martins as they whiz by chasing each other. It feels like early spring, and it lifts my mood! Right now there is a rabbit hopping along down the curb of our street, and the cats are mesmerized.

Last night we enjoyed the spoils of our farmers market trip. We decided the steaks were just too enormous, so we cut them in half and tossed them on the grill, along with a big pan of marinated veggies- sweet potatoes, beets, mushrooms, eggplant, squash, onion- all sorts of yummy stuff. We served the steak with soft, perfectly tangy blue cheese from the farmers market and a reduction of my "good" balsamic vinegar (i.e. my hidden away expensive bottle- it was worth the splurge). It was a wonderful meal. Best of all, we now have another steak waiting for us in the freezer. We love grilling out, and our small eat-in kitchen is right off our deck, with one wall of all windows, so we could sit there in the evening with the breeze blowing in, watching the birds stop at the feeders for their dinner while we ate ours. A perfect night. And can't wait to get back to that farmers market!



The garden is starting to fade a little now, but by the looks of it, I should have a new bonanza of lilies soon. I only have two gladiolas blooming right now, the others are awaiting the clippers. The few perennials I planted this year are still blooming, so I have lots of purples and yellows and reds out there. And the veggies continue on their journey towards our dinner plates. The deer are also continuing to be pesky, every night they are decimating the tops of my shrubbery out front. But my parents will be visiting later next month, and my dad is going to build us the ultimate deer feeder out in the backyard, at the edge of our woods, so hopefully they will fill up on cheap corn and leave my garden alone!

Hope everyone else is having this amazing cool front. I am headed to my rocking chair on the front porch, with my coffee and a wonderful paperback. Oh yes, but first I will have to put on long pants and get a jacket! Have a fantastic Monday!


1 comment:

  1. Glad the cold front went as far south as you all, Sandy. We are still enjoying the weather (3rd straight day). BUT--I'm sure the summer heat WILL return. Yuk!!!

    I'll bet your steaks and veggies were delicious.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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