Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Where has July gone?

Wow, I can't believe that July is almost over! School is fast approaching. Here in South Texas we are in the midst of Hurricane Dolly. My area is only getting the outer northern bands. We really need the rain. Nothing big has been happening, yet I've been busy. This is the time of summer that I go into panic mode because school will be starting soon, and I haven't even begun to accomplish my "summer to do" list. I have managed to do some cleaning out and boxing items for charity. A highlight for me was spotting two Swallowtail Kites flying overhead when I was taking laundry off the clothesline! That is one reason I like using clotheslines. It gives me an excuse to be outside listening and looking for birds and to enjoy the hard work I put into the garden. Back to the story. I heard an unfamiliar bird sound and looked up to see two large white birds gliding in a circular pattern. They were white with black along the rear side of the wings all the way to the tips of the wings. They also had long dark forked or "swallow" tails. I rushed for my binoculars and bird reference guide. According to my guide, Swallowtail Kites are not common in South Texas during this time of year, but with such distinctive markings there was nothing else they could be. This morning, I telephoned a local naturist. He told me that he has also seen a Swallowtail Kite from his yard this summer. He said that they are usually only seen during the fall and spring raptor migrations. I feel to honored to have seen them.
I have also become addicted to iced coffee in the afternoons. After some online research and watching one being made at my local Starbucks, I have been making my own at home. I brew a large espresso and pour it over a container of ice (with a lid). I then shake and swirl it to cool it down quickly and pour it into a glass that has sweetener to my taste. I add a dash of milk and YUM!
Now to put my sauerkraut that has been "ripening" for about 3 weeks in a crock into jars. I'll give them a good hot water bath and they'll be "good to go"! Several weeks ago, my sister-in-law came over, and we started our sauerkraut. She had helped her grandfather make it when she was a youngster. He job was slicing it with the mandoline. I had done some research on the good old internet to guide us. I had also bought a small mandoline of my own. My sister-in-law brought 2 crocks that her grandparents had used. It is great to finally have a "sister" to share the fun with. (I have 2 brothers).

9 comments:

  1. Hi Lorilee. Thanks so much for your encouraging commment on my book! I really appreciate it.

    I'm so glad you are enjoying some well deserved sister-time! I only ever had sisters, so I'm looking forward to brother-in-laws. :)

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  2. Lorilee,

    Thanks for stopping by my website. I guess those door handles aren't just for folks over 60.

    Your cakes are sooo pretty and I'm sure they taste good too. I love the ladybug cake.

    One of my daughters-in-law teaches 1st grade and she goes back to school in two weeks. I don't think most people realize how much planning goes into a teacher starting a new school year.

    I hope you at least get a little rain.

    Thanks again,
    Gretchen

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  3. Liz,
    Thanks for coming by! Not only did I have brothers, but on my mom's side of the famiy, I had 6 male cousins and not female cousins!

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  4. Hi Gretchen,
    We are getting some good rain showers. I haven't checked my gauge yet. I am currently "canning" the sauerkraut that has been fermenting in my laundry room.

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  5. What a cheerful and pleasant visit I've enjoyed here today!

    I've never seen a Swallowtail Kite before. I shall have to look it up and learn more about it. We have had a couple of new birds in our garden this year as well. I've been wondering if it means anything particular regarding our change in weather patterns.

    I live in "Latteland" and iced coffee is as popular here, as iced tea is, in the southern states. I was raised in a family from Alabama, so I tend to prefer the iced "sweet tea" with lemon, but I drink my French Roast every morning.

    Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind comment in Merryville. I appreciate it!

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  6. Hi Lorilee, I love to see the picture with your stove and all those canning jars. We just have a small garden and not enough to can but you've brought memories of summers past to me. Rheumatoid arthrisis and canning just don't mix. When my kids were little and I struggled to find tim to can, it was always fun to open those jars on Thanksgiving and Chritmas.

    Gretchen
    birdnestcottage.typepad.com

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  7. Hello Lorilee!

    I am sooooooo impressed with your canning and your banner of the stove is so sweet! LOve your apron and your cute liitle bat that you saved! How wonderful that you have a bathouse! I am very impressed with ya!

    Hugs,
    Maryjane

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  8. Lorilee, thanks for stopping by and I really did enjoy reading your blog.
    May I put you on my list?
    I love the photo of the apron.
    My husband would love all that Kraut. I am not a big fan however.
    My folks did make us eat it when we were kids, but I had a lot of trouble with it. My hubby's mom use to can it and I would help her prepare it in the crocks but never offered to eat it when she would serve it later in the winter.
    Have a nice day.

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  9. Sharon,
    I would be honored to be on your list! I have seen so many beautiful sites. I am still new at this whole thing and trying to learn it all!

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