dog days

Okay, we need to talk, this heat is getting stupid! And I do mean stupid.  I feel like I have morphed into an actual hermit.  Lights off, shades drawn, the soft hum of fans on every floor circulating the soft cooled air.  Waking up in the middle of the night feeling suffocated by the humidity.  Oh please!  I really need the softness of autumn to arrive.  I love my gardens in the summer, but honestly, I'm over it!

The non-stop alerts on my phone tell me it should break for the most part today, with milder temps starting to sneak in tomorrow and onward.  I am praying hard!  This girl really does despise hot weather, pretty sure I state that fact very strongly every year. 

On the plus side, I am learning that getting up stupid early to beat the heat and taking a nap in the middle of the day, is a fabulous way to live.  I finally understand our time in Crete, when the world would shut down for a few hours midday.  

I've been being creative with cooking, the air fryer, crock-pot and instapot have been getting a serious workout.  Anything to avoid heating up the house.  And more that a few dinners that resembled a charcuterie board than a meal. 

I am ready for stews, soups and chili's.  I am ready for the leaves to start changing colors and the sweatshirts and sweaters to come out of hiding.  I am 100% ready. The pups are too.  I know they are ready for long walks and romps in the park without needing a full day to rest after all is said and done. 

This morning the girls were on the back deck basking in the early morning rays, I'm sure they know that I will be shutting them in shortly.  The mournful looks each time I peeked out the door at them let me know in no uncertain terms that they were aware of what was coming.  I feel terrible doing it, I know they love the sunshine and fresh air, but they simply will not come in when it's so hot that they are all panting and glassy eyed.  Nope, can't trust them to know what is best for them.  Beau is far more clever and he stayed inside.  Mostly because he was curious what treasures mom might be pulling out of the dehydrator, he was deeply saddened to realize it was simply more dried plantain leaves.  

I've been crazy busy up in my sewing studio.  So far I have 2 of the quilt tops ready that are on my list.  I only have 9 more to go.  That isn't counting the mystery quilt that I am participating in, thankfully that one only has 1 clue a month.  I have time to breathe. None of them are as intricate as the ones that I made over winter and earlier this year.  Thank goodness. But all of them will be made with love, isn't that what counts?  I won't be posting pictures, on the off chance that they will be seen before they are received, but I will definitely be taking them!

Well, the day is wasting away, and my goal is to complete at least one every couple of days. Time to get busy!

much love, stay cool, b

ordinary days...

As the sun broke the horizon this morning Hubs thought we should take our babies to their favorite spot to run and play. My half awake self, took a final sip of my still pipping hot coffee and got in the car.  I can't say I was excited, I wasn't really awake.  But off we went.  Two tails wagging, two smiling puppy faces peaking out the windows, wind blowing their ears.  How could I possibly say no?

Besides, we needed to run over to Tilted Heads to pick up their new collars, I never did get by there yesterday.  As we pulled into the park they were losing their little minds, it's been too hot, we haven't taken them to run and play. It was mild this morning, cool enough, the sun was still tucked a bit below the trees so it was comfortable. 

As they ran like crazy, Belle chasing her flying disk to the point of exhaustion.  Beau his usual happy go lucky self, trotting around smelling the smells and chasing flying bugs. Me... well, I happened upon a huge patch of beautiful plantain.  My dehydrator had just stopped before we left, I knew I had room for another batch.  I love having a husband that walks back to the car to find a bag, never blinking an eye as I gather handfuls of beautiful, strong, fresh plantain.  Knowing that it will make the incredible salve that keeps his skin healthy and healed. He didn't roll his eyes, he didn't blink.  He understood.  

The pups played until they had no energy left and we headed out, the sun still not breaking the treetops, the softness of the morning, still enjoyable.  After stopping for their beautiful new collars and a fresh loaf of sourdough focaccia to add to dinner, we popped over to our favorite coffee shop for a hot cup of heaven.  I completely love the mom and pop's.  The families that are working hard to create a life they can be proud of at the end of each day.  I will always try to support them. 

Looking Sassy!

Mr. Debonair 

thank you Tilted Heads!

While at Rosemary Coffee Co. they had a huge wall hanging, unfortunately not for sale (although both shops have a plethora of items by local artisans for sale in the shops), that I desperately want.  It was a huge botanical ink drawing that said "weeds are simply flowers you haven't met yet".  I want that!  Well realistically, yes I want it, but I live in a home with limited full walls.  There is no place to hang it, so I will just enjoy the thought.  I was going to take a picture of it, just to cherish it, but I'd left my phone in the car with Hubs. 

plantain

dried plantain, not quite enough 

It's only the start of the day, but the plantain is dehydrating, the yard and garden are watered, the beef hearts are cut up and freezing, and the day is so incredibly hot the remainder of it will be spent inside. In the coolness, lights dimmed, fans circulating the cooled air.  

Hubs is engrossed in his movie, the intensity of it is too much for me today.  I can hear it, it sounds like it is one I would love, but not today.  Today, I feel a bit emotionally weary, no idea why.  And I can't watch a movie that will pull more of my emotions into play. 

I am heading up to sew, to work on that to do list.  To lose myself in creating.  I want to do a bit of wood working, but it is simply too hot to be in the garage, so fabric will do.  Next weekend will be much cooler, wood working can happen then. 

I am also deep in studying the healing properties of DMSO and the incredible powers of many of the items in my garden and yard. I have several tinctures that I am learning about now and will probably get started on very soon.  I have a deep distrust of so much in the world these days. Profound even.  For me the answers lie in the past, in knowledge that has been memory holed and forgotten.  So I will probably carve out more time to read my current book and learn more. 

The deer didn't eat it!
The smell is heavenly!

How are you spending your Saturday?  Lounging inside, outside in the heat, working, living, doing?  I can't just linger, I get stressed just sitting.  I feel a deep sense of unease when I do.  I need to be doing, even when in nature, I don't pause well.  Today is no exception. The knowing that I just committed to craft show next month is also driving me.  

much love, b