Squirrel Love

I don't know what it is but I have a thing for squirrels. I always have. When we lived in Cambria my house was named "Squirrel Cottage". You have to be careful with a love like that. It invites trouble. Have you seen those squirrel salt and pepper shakers of the vintage variety? There must be a thousand different versions of those things. And I think I have all of 'em. Birthdays and holidays are potential land mines when it comes to squirrel love. There is squirrel everything. And I have seen it all ! Squirrel tee shirts, aprons, tea towels, pot holders, tablecloths, candles, pajamas, slippers, socks, garden art of all kinds, books with squirrels, pictures of squirrels and even..hey..squirrel cookies. Yep, and I am to blame for that. I was asked to bake some one year for a wildlife Christmas tree and now I knew I had to pay.
The recipe below is from a book called " The Blessing Of Toads " by Sharon Lovejoy.

These cookies are for squirrels and birds..but I like 'em too.
We don't live in Cambria anymore...but I still have secret squirrel love.

Kary's Squirrel Cottage Cookies

Hang these treats from tree boughs for squirrels to nibble on.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

1 cup butter,softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (toasted almonds,peanuts,walnuts or pecans)
1/2 cup cornmeal

Heat oven to 350 degrees F
Cream butter, sugar and egg together
Stir in flour and nuts and mix well
Shape into balls the size of walnuts
Place on ungreased cookie sheet
Place cornmeal in a small bowl
Dip the bottom of a drinking glass into the cornmeal, then flatten the dough balls with bottom of glass
With a straw, make a hole near the center of each cookie
Bake for 14 to 16 minutes
Place cookies on a rack to cool
String twine through holes and hang cookies from branches

Heat Warning

Here on the Central Coast of California we have just been issued a heat warning. Temperatures are to exceed 100 degrees in the next few days. Lucky for me, I don't live in Paso Robles where it can reach as high as 112 degrees or more. Here in San Luis Obispo we will reach 90..maybe 100. But on the bright side, my tomatoes love it, and they are coming on now. More everyday. And I don't know what it is, but these tomatoes are even better than the ones in the farmers market. They are the kind that you picked as a kid and popped in your mouth while they were still warm. That "Hot Pop" of tomato in your mouth..juice running down your chin kinda tomato.
Walking past the plants late in the afternoon you get that "tomato smell".

The other day while when I was in Barnes and Noble I picked up the summer issue of "Culture" the word on cheese. What a great magazine. Now I want to try making homemade cheese. I think I'll start with mozzarella...and work my way up from there.

Tonight I am making eggplant parmesan..using my tomatoes from the garden. And if I had it together..the mozzarella would be made by me.

Quiet

My farm table with a few good reads, and the door that leads right out to my garden.

Best Friends

Well, here they are, some of my best friends. These books have seen me through good times and bad, valleys and peaks and move after move.

Farmgirl Fare

Farmgirl Fare

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A Friend.