Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Au Revoir Hottest Summer Ever

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I hate to say it but I am not sad to see the month of August go. We are still baking down here in sunny N.C. but having the calendar turn over to September is doing wonders for my mental health because I know the cooler temperatures are on their way.

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There are lots of things that I will miss about the summer months. Like shopping at the Farmer’s Market for fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches.

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I have had better luck at the Farmer’s Market than I have had with the garden in my backyard. The local deer population feasted on my tomato plants early in the season but luckily did not come back for round two. My tomato plants have sprung back and are just now loading themselves up with lots of green tomatoes. So, I should have a very late season crop this year. And I am not complaining. I LOVE TOMATOES! We have been enjoying lots of them this summer. Our favorites have been Caprese Salads and tonight I made Panzanella with some leftover Ciabatta bread from dinner on Sunday. Delicious!

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And nothing beats a BLT with summer tomato slices. And the Farmer’s Market was also the source of the cucumbers I need to make my pickles.

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I made my last batch of pickles for the summer the other day.

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On Friday, I am headed over to Chapel Hill to visit my daughter who just started her second year at the University of North Carolina. She said the last batch of pickles I sent to school with her were scarfed down the same day she brought them back. I’ll have to double or triple the number of jars I take with me when I go later this week.

I am hoping that Hurricane Earl doesn’t come ashore on the Outer Banks of NC like they are predicting today. And I hope those who have vacations booked there have Hurricane Insurance. There was talk of evacuations earlier today. First the tourists will be evacuated and then the locals. Major traffic jam waiting to happen. Did you know that “Lisa” is one of the Hurricane names slated for this year??? That is if we get that far down on the name list. Might be fun to have a Hurricane named after me….just hope it’s one that doesn’t bring misery and destruction. I will be staying tuned to the Weather Channel and keeping my fingers crossed that Earl decides to stay out at sea.

Tomorrow I am having a Professional Decorator/Home Stager come and consult with me on some updates for our house. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes. I am so excited to get a “professional” opinion!!

10 comments:

Jane said...

Your photos are stunning!
I've been keeping up on the news about Hurricane Earl. We have vacationed several times on the Outer Banks at Nags Head. Hopefully Earl will take a pass on hitting the coast.
Happy September!
Jane

Erin said...

Girlfriend, I couldn't agree more about the heat. I love me some summer, but COME ON.

Also, I feel like some delicious homemade pickles would help me feel better.

Denise said...

It's still hotter than anything here too, I can't wait for cooler temps but none are in the forecast yet. Those strawberries do look delish though!
Exciting having a designer/stager come in, I hope you can share before and after pics.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You have fun with your decorating consultation, Lisa! I always tell my clients, I want it to be fun for them. I've heard if we {Long Island} get any of Earl it will be just in time for the holiday weekend. I'm hoping it will be out to sea and miss the whole east coast. It's too early in the season yet and I'm sure we will have others that will actually come on land this time around. We have definitely been lucky in past years.

As I read your post, I flipped the page up on my calendar. I am eager for some cooler weather myself, although we are to have 90's and humidity through to Thursday at least.

Allyson said...

It's funny how I spend my whole winter and spring, anxiously awaiting summer and then it comes and I think about how great it would be for fall to be here. But yes, it has been so miserable in Georgia since we moved here. I just don't like it when it's THAT hot. It literally makes my blood boil. It looks like your Farmer's Market and your garden were very good to you, this year though! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed about Earl, too. Stay east, Earl!! I think the name "Katrina" pretty much fell off the baby names list about 5 years ago...

Melanie said...

I love tomatoes too. My favorite thing is a tomato sandwich with mayo and lots of salt and pepper! Nothing like pickles either. Hope you get some cooler weather. I will take the hot weather any day:)

Princess Freckles said...

Those pickles look delicious! I'm thinking about canning some tomatoes this year. I'm a little nervous as I've never done that before.

I'm praying Earl stays at sea too. Hurricanes are so terrifying.

Sue said...

Your strawberries look amazing...so fresh, and your lucky to have tomato plants that survived...I have to buy all my tomatoes at the market and we go through tons of them a week as the Boss has to have them with every meal including breakfast!
And those pickles....well, you'll have to tell me if they are hard or easy to make....I would love to try to make them....Will you be going to Pennys house in October for her blog get together?....Sue

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

It's so hot here in New England right now..., have to check on Earl today!!!

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