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July 17
Boy, it is hot out there! It's the week between Second July Birthday Weekend and County FairorWe Week at our house, so of course the temperatures are pushing the upper 90s every day. It is definitely the time of year to go hang out at the city pool, or at least play under the sprinklers. Our daughter's favorite summer activity is putting the sprinkler on the trampoline and bouncing while cooling off. Sounds fun to me!
As I write this, it is still early morning, and there is a good breeze. Sitting outside on the deck is still enjoyable. We are one of the few families I know who don't use a/c in our house, but this is the one week of the year that I seriously debate that choice. However. our ancestors survived without air conditioning, and learned to live with the weather, adapting their lifestyle throughout the year to be comfortable. We have our house on a hill where there are always good breezes. We use an attic fan at night to cool the house. We also spend a lot of time outside during the day, working in the shady yard and the natural breeze. It's more economical, uses less of the Earth's limited resources, and keeps us physically in tune with the seasons.
Our daughter asked me recently what my favorite season is. I said, "The next one!" and that is the truth. Humans never live in the moment. We are always thinking about, "Next season it will be cooler," if it is summer, or, "Next season it will be warmer," if it is winter or spring. I want to strive to live in the moment and enjoy what is here, now.
About me:
My name is Theresa, aka "Tree" to some longtime friends and a few relatives.
I'm a (mostly) stay-at-home-mom of two. My passions include my family, my faith, and living in a simple manner that respects the blessings we have been given.
Go to the ant, O sluggard,
study her ways and learn wisdom;
For though she has no chief,
no commander or ruler,
She procures her food in the summer,
stores up her provisions in the harvest.
How long, O sluggard, will you lie there?
when will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest—
Then poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like a brigand.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Recipes for county fair 2019:
Blueberry Lemon Muffins
- 3/4 c milk
- 1/2 c vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1/2 c sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp lemon flavoring or extract
- 3/4 c frozen blueberries, thawed, rinsed, drained
Preheat oven to 400 deg F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
Beat milk, oil, lemon extract and egg. Stir in flour, sugar, baking powder and salt all at once, just until flour is moistened. (The batter will be lumpy.) Fold in blueberries. Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Immediately remove from pan. Makes 1 doz muffins.
2-crust, 8 or 9 inch pie pastry
- 2/3 c + 2 T shortening
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 4-5 T cold water
Cut shortening into flour and salt until particles size of small peas. Sprinkle in water, 1 T at a time, tossing with a fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost cleans side of bowl. May need 1-2 additional teaspoons of water.
Gather pastry into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
Divide pastry into two parts, rolling pastry 2 inches larger than inverted pie plate with rolling pin.
Put in pie filling (see below). Roll out second pastry to 1/2 inch larger than pie plate with filling. Place over filling. Trim, seal, and flute edges. Bake according to filling directions.
Apple Pie
- 3/4 c sugar
- 1/4 c all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- dash of salt
- 6 c thinly-sliced pare tart apples
- 2 T butter
- Pastry for 2-crust pie
Mix all ingredients. Toss well to cover apples. Turn out into pastry-filled pie tim. Top with crust. Bake 40-50 minutes.
Lemon Cupcakes
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 c sugar
- 1/2 c shortening
- 1 c milk
- 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp slat
- 1 tsp lemon extract
- 3 eggs
- zest of 1 lemon
Put paper liners in cupcake tins. Beat all ingredients at low speed for 30 seconds, then at high speed for 3 minutes. Divide into 12 cupcake papers, which should be about 1/2 full. Bake until a wooden toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
Frost with Lemon Frosting
Lemon Frosting
- 3 c powdered sugar
- 1/3 c butter, softened
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon extract
- About 2 T milk
Mix powdered sugar and butter. Stir in lemon extract and milk. Beat until smooth and spreadable.