Lemonade Stand

She sets up every year after school is out in front of her house in San Luis Obispo and all her profits go to the local animal shelter.... what a great kid !!!!!

She reminded me of the words out of "SIMPLE ABUNDANCE" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Perhaps, if one is lucky, the days ahead will unfold as a "never-to-be-forgotten summer - one of those summers which comes seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going- one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doings, come as near to perfection as anything can come in the world."

May this potent Midsummer spell never be broken for you and those you love.

Happy Summer, my friends

Blueberry Upsidedown Cake Served At 3 This Afternoon

I made a blueberry upsidedown cake and am serving it in my garden this afternoon... would you like to come for tea and cake ? we would love to have you my friend...

yesterday i went to The Avila Barn Farmstand and got blueberries....

raspberries....

and some nectarines called SNOW WHITE....

last evening we took a stroll through our garden...the delphiniums are almost gone....

but my INDIAN SUMMER sunflowers are just starting to open...

some of my elderberries have blossomed...

and some have already turned to berries....

my berries and cream rose is slowing down.....

the other day i was at the Farm Supply and an elderly lady had a flat of these...i asked what they were and she said, "oh, honey...these are my peach spice snapdragons that i plant every year "....well, back into the nursery i went...how could i pass up peach spice snapdragons????

my beautiful sweet peas...they are almost gone now...they have been blooming on my fence all Spring greeting me with a SMILE everytime i walked in the gate...

they will soon be gone...and missed... like a long lost friend. Good Bye, my sweet peas...you've made me HAPPY.

and so it goes......

Butter Bean Soup

i am a little under the weather today... how i got a cold in June i will never know....

so i decided to make some BUTTER BEAN SOUP... i wanted dried beans but i couldn't find any...

diced some leeks...

diced celery... and just sauteed it all together with a little olive oil and a knob of butter... then added the stock.... and let it simmer on the stove slowly for about an hour...

i am going to add some spinach at the very end right before serving so it just slightly melts...

i have anadama bread rising on the counter out of my Bread Baker's Apprentice cookbook...and don't know if it's going to be baked or not...moving pretty slow...



Butter Bean Soup

2 ribs of celery

2 leeks

one can of butter beans, rinsed and drained

a couple of handfuls of spinach

about 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 cup pastina

chopped italian parsley to garnish

saute the celery and leek together in a little olive oil and butter till soft

add the chicken or vegetable stock

let simmer slowly about an hour

just before serving add a couple handfuls of spinach

add the drained butter beans

about 1/2 cup of pastina and cook till the pasta is cooked, about 5 minutes

add some chopped fresh italian parsley

sprinkle with parmesan if desired

i did a little taste test ...and it's good. o,k, here i go...i am going to go and bake the bread.

Does Anyone Know ?

does anyone know what these are ? it is RAINING out here in California...in JUNE and my lawn is covered in these... they must really love the rain...

wet brick...wet lawn...soggy...soggy....

teddy is not one bit HAPPY about this rain...

he REALLY wants to go out and play with mr. firepop...that's him there...amoung the mushrooms...

mommy is wearing long underwear and wool socks...with a cherry apron. where's Summer?

Oh Happy Day

Home Is Best. if that isn't the truth. and being home with your computer is even better !!! i sure missed everybody. being cut off from the internet is no fun. it sure was a long 10 days. the Home is Best sign was done by my dear friend, julie of http://juliewhitmoreetsy

i kept myself busy by baking some dilly casserole bread...

i went through some of my cookbooks...

put some of my favorite old cookbooks out on my farm table to look through...

and cleaned my stovetop... sure am HAPPY to be back. we missed you, my friends.

sending love,

kary and teddy