day before

I'm taking off tomorrow. Just a quick getaway, though I wont really be getting away from my world of beloveds, since Snowdrop will be traveling with me.

This means that today I should focus on getting myself ready, but that's hard to do because the weather is once again stunning. Glorious sunshine, gentle breezes -- that perfect combination that hit us so often this summer. With the exception of this past weekend. Ah well...

I do minimum work in the flower fields.

So small is my lily load that I don't even carry a bucket for the spent flowers. I snip and I toss them somewhere into the bushes. And I admire the last grand ladies that are still popping colors into our gardens.

Ed is blasting out stumps, but I'm in my late August bubble of yard work laziness. It's been a hell of a growing season. I was on top of it through most of the moths, but now it's time to sit back a little. Watch the bees work the lavender, walk through the meadows, enjoy the deliciousness of what's out there. 

(Including the peaches. Ed picks a bowlful for every breakfast. Some are great, some are just okay, all are eaten.)

In the afternoon I hop over to my daughter's house to help Snowdrop pack for her little trip. We're flying and I absolutely insist on nothing beyond what we can carry with us. I've read enough about lost luggage this summer. I want none of that hassle. And here's the beauty of summer travel: after we're done packing her wee carryon is only half full! 

That's cause for celebration! A trip to the farmhouse for some playtime and treats.

And eventually I'm back with Ed and I make a supper, call it a last supper -- a Bittman special of grilled shrimp sprinkled with feta, lemon juice, olive oil and oregano and importantly, because we have so so many of them -- with baby tomatoes. Corn on the side. of course.

Summer foods. Typical farmette foods. Oh, how I love this time of the year!

with love...