A few of my favorite summer things

Being at the beach with our grandchildren is at the top of the list of my favorite summer things.  It was a special time. This is Shell Island, adjacent to Panama City Beach, Florida.  It was very beautiful and we were so thankful the oil spill had not reached this area.

The Morgan family loves peaches.  

 Summer means the hummingbirds will arrive and fascinate us. They are amazing tiny creatures and so much fun to watch. I have so much to  learn about photographing them. 

I like reflecting on special times and memories of summer.

Laura is having a fabulous giveaway of a beautiful turquoise necklace. Visit her wonderful blog for details.

I am joining the fun at  Outdoor Wednesday @asoutherndaydreamer .Visit and enjoy all the wonderful outdoor posts.

Tis the season for spiders!

All things bright and beautiful,

 All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful: 

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil F. Alexander

Hymns for Little Children, 1848

 

Aunt Pauline and Aunt Margaret

These are my mother's two sisters. Aren't they beautiful?

Mama Dot's Brown Sugar Cookies

Most of these ingredients you probably have on hand. 

These cookies are simple to make and delicious.  This is a friend's family recipe.

                                                      Brown Sugar Cookies

1 cup softened butter                                

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

3 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups chopped pecans

Cream softened butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour to which cream of tartar and baking soda has been added. Add chopped pecans and mix. Make into a ball and divide into four parts. Roll into four logs and chill throughly. After dough is very cold cut cookies 1/4 inch and place on baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes at 325 degrees. For crunchy cookies bake a few minutes longer.

Mixes so easily in no time.

Divide this into four equal parts and roll into logs.

I placed each portion on a piece of wax paper and rolled it into a log. Chill until very cold.

Use a cerrated knife to cut the cold dough. Easy!

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 12 minutes or several minutes longer for a crunchy cookie. 
This recipe makes around 120 half dollar size cookies. More if you can resist not eating some of the dough.  Cool  and twist slightly to remove from pan. Freezes well. Enjoy!

I am joining Susan for Foodie Friday @designsbygollum.blogspot.com

Cloche Party Outside

I bought this beautiful cloche from, A Gardener's Grate, at Scott's Antique Show in Atlanta. She had a lovely booth.

This is the parsley the monarch butterfly caterpillars have been working on. One year, I picked all the caterpillars off not knowing what they were. So this year, I decided to let them eat my plants. Would you believe I witnessed from the window a beautiful pair of cardinals feasting on the monarch caterpillars? Of course, my camera was not ready with a zoom lens and  I missed a good picture. Maybe they will come back.

While I was playing in the garden with the cloches I remembered a book I have, "Antiques from the Garden". It was interesting to read about cloches. The book just makes you drool over the beautiful antique urns, plant stands and garden benches.

I learned that cloches or bell-glasses, originated in France.

Playing in the cloches was fun. It did make me want at least one more large cloche to group together inside. I do have two baby ones that are so cute! Marty, I am getting crazy about cloches!

I am so excited to participate in Marty's Cloche Party@astrollthrulife. I am a little late but I have been having so much fun viewing all the entries.

Dinner in the Garden

May I invite you to my Garden Party? Please sit down and I will tell you about my dishes.

 My transferware plates are labeled on the back, Olde Alton Ware, England. I'm not sure how old they are. I  bought each plate separately at antique stores. The sugar and creamer are labeled Japan, maybe 40's or 50's. 

Sterling is Buttercup by Gorham.

In July, the hydrangeas change from blue to a beautiful green. I hope this arrangement will dry well. The stems are in an oasis and I will let it dry out naturally and use it on my dining room table.

I love my Mama's crystal which is Meadow Rose by Fostoria. 

My centerpiece bowl is new and came from East Enterprises. I found the napkins a few years ago from our local AAFES store.

It's almost dusk now and the crickets are beginning to sing. I love this time of the evening. Thanks for listening to my story.

I  am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday. I enjoy viewing everyone's tablescapes so much.

Summer Garden

Summer phlox attract butterflies.
I am allowing the caterpillars to eat my fennel and parsley because they will be swallowtail butterflies soon.

                                           A Gardener's Prayer by Edith Craddock

Father of all Gardeners, we thank Thee that in the long ago Thou didst begin the world in a garden.

We thank Thee for the morning and the singing of the birds.

We thank Thee for the quiet and peace of eventide and the blessings of sleep which comes with the night.

As we rise in the morning to work in our gardens, grant that the toil of our bodies may bring tranquillity to our minds; That the growth of our plantings be exemplified in the growth of our souls.

That the fruit of our lives, as the fruit of our trees, be the perfect attainment, the crowning glory of a life dedicated to Thee.

Encourage us to lend  helping  hand to the needy, to speak words of sympathy to hearts that mourn, to bear the burdens of the weak, to make the waste places of human need to blossom as the rose.

Exterminate the weeds of doubt, sensitize the roots which nourish our inner being that these roots may drink from the still waters by which Thou dost lead us.

For the gift of Thy Son who suffered in a garden, we thank Thee, and in His name we make this prayer. Amen

                                Joining Susan for  Outdoor Wednesday.