Mornings with fog and a whiff of delightful coolness in the air. Doesn't last long
though as the humidity seeps through with the harsh rays of the August sun.
Early, whilst the neighborhood is 'sleeping in', I cross the damp grass
in my Nike 'pool shoes'. I don't have the pool but love those slip on sandals
in the garden as I can hose them off, even run them under the faucet,
to easily keep them clean!
Ms. Nala, in my care for a few weeks, waits patiently for breakfast and
now and again, plops on my lap and permits a cuddle for a few minutes,
purring loudly. It always takes about a week for her to do this when
I'm cat sitting, cats are like that.
Bees, bunnies and noisy cicadas are busy.
Our baby bunny is growing fast and is now almost as big
as his mama. He's not shy and will allow me to walk close by
for a "hi little one, how are you today" chat.
Who knew cicadas had such lovely colors close up - they are dull and grey
from a distance.
Robust looking American robins are everywhere now the figs are
ripening. . . . . . in the tree nibbling and on the ground nibbling again
when fruit fall to earth. They really love figs, and they love water breaks
on hot days.
and shared with neighbors, friends, the mail carrier, and the gardener we've
employed to help with some backyard work this week.
I'm eating some fresh from the tree, and this week will most likely bake
these really yummy fig frangipane pastries. Click HERE for the easy recipe
shared back in 2015!
My neighbor's large tomatoes are wonderful now and I'm harvesting
several daily. Whilst he's away I get to pick and eat as he insists
they're 'our' tomatoes! Today I plan to make panzanella, that great
Italian salad I first enjoyed in Cortona, Tuscany so many years
ago. It will use up some of the last basil from the garden and the
few days old bread - Italian style with rosemary and olive oil - we try
not to waste good food around here.
Hope your week is going well.
Mine will continue to be busy by the looks of it. . . . .something penciled
in on the calendar for each day.
Dearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteGlad that Ms Nala is treating you as family after being for a while in your care. They are clever and know what is going on in their lives.
Your fig pastry I've saved on my Pinterest. Don't know if I find the time for baking it for my Pieter since I'm not allowed sweets. Looks so yummy!
Don't you feel that the American Robins are about trice the size of the cute little Robins from the Old World? Certain things are hard to adjust to, mentally that is.
Oh, I miss our bunnies that always came close to us and loved being talked to. Sure, having outdoor kitties has kept them a bit away!
As for Cicada colors, on September 5, I'll do a post about them.
Had so much material still that I worked into scheduled posts finally.
How come time is going THAT fast for all of us?!
We did manage to bike yesterday for some 25 km (yes our Strava setting is in Metric) and it felt balmy in the wind that you create when moving.
Hugs,
Mariette
Mornings and nights here are chilly enough to remind one of the approaching end of summer. Also, the light is very different already to what it was like only a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteYour garden visitors are all beautiful! Hopefully, the young bunny will decide to stick around and not try and visit other gardens where people (and pets) might not be so friendly.
The figs and tomsies look mouthwatering!
Like you, I hate wasting food and usually find a use for any scraps in my kitchen.
Mary the food in your photographs looks absolutely scrumptious - and so does that lovely cat!
ReplyDeleteLove Nala...she is one beautiful kitty. Enjoy the harvest! It's a great time of year.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish that rabbit was in my garden. It is so cute. We have lots of heat here too. It's been one heatwave after another since mid- June and I really hope it rains soon.
ReplyDeleteAnything with tomatoes is so Summery. Your Panzanella looks delicious, and as for the figs....I feel my husband's sigh of envy!
ReplyDeleteA fig and tomato bounty! You are so lucky, dear Mary, and your panzanella looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThose tomatoes and that salad look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary...oh, I love your posts. That wee bunny, my gosh I'd be naming it and worrying myself sick over it 'til it grew big. It is so adorable. And Nala...lovely girl. She just takes her time with things; a cat's privilege. I love the look of your tomato salad. I may have to try that as our tomatoes are finally ripening up. I'm usually looking for new ways to use them up.It is so sultry here today it is rather sickening. The a/c is on for man and beast. :-) Take care Mary, hugs, Deb
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful are the glimpses of your garden and its inhabitants. And your food - the panzanella salad looks so delicious, as do those Fig tarts. Yum!
Nala is such a pretty kitty!
ReplyDeleteI keep similar "slides" right on my front porch by my door. Those are what I put on to walk around in my yard, too.
How I wish I were your neighbor to enjoy those fresh figs!
Your summer salad looks delicious and refreshing for a hot summer day or night.
xoxo
Sweet Nala!
ReplyDeleteYummmm salad!
Love seeing robins in the garden.
Fig baking looks delicious.
Ahhhh! Nike slides! I have been wearing mine a bit lately as they are the coolest to wear in our hot weather.