Wednesday 28 July 2010

Late summer...........


Late summer is one of my favourite times of year; main thing for me is the perceptible change in the light - it has its own unique quality which I find impossible to describe. It's still hot here, but an unpleasant heat, tiring, languid, stultifying, resulting in a lack of much done during the days. I'm busier in the mornings and evenings at the moment, when it's cooler, especially in the kitchen with the stove on 24 hours. I do the basics during the day, and cooking, ironing etc in the evenings.
Much to be done with produce - I'm just about to start on a mountain of courgettes donated by a friend - I think chutney for Christmas presents will be A Good Thing To Do With It :) There is a lot of fruit ripening too, which will be lovely - raspeberries, apples, the last of the blackcurrants and gooseberries, then the crab and cider apples come in ready for the autumn cider fest :)
The garden is very dry and looking a bit sorry for itself; the threatened rain hasn't materialised, and much as I hate thunderstorms, we could do with a good big one to get rid of the sultriness and heavy air.
Thoughts are turning to autumn now, and gearing up for getting ready for winter. I never wish my days away, but living like we do, there's alwasy looking ahead and preparations to be done, all part of the circle.
It's a good life :)

5 comments:

Carolemc said...

I love anticipating the seasons too Sarah.....and I've also got a courgette glut. I've given some to friends, and made courgette fritters....but this weekend I think I'll try a Jamie Oliver recipe for Courgette Pickles. At least it will give the kilner jars I bought last year an airing!

karenjane said...

Noooo, not late summer, it can only be the early/middle surely!
We got a hosepipe ban here 3 weeks ago and it has rained every singe day since, everything is green and growing like MAD, so it still seems like spring.
But noooo it cannot be late summer, we haven't had early summer yet.
( Have got to reluctantly confess that the horse chestnut trees have got that, 'green edging into yellow thing,' that happens to their leaves when they start to contemplate the Autume.}
Love reading what you post. Thankyou. K

Jacqui said...

August is definitely an Autumn month in Scotland, as I'm sure you will recall. My husband always says summer is over when the rowan berries turn red - as they are now... It is good to appreciate the cycle of the year. xx

Anonymous said...

Courgette and blue cheese soup


olive oil for cooking
1 medium onion roughly chopped
2 lbs courgettes, trimmed and sliced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 pint vegetable stock
2 oz blue cheese
salt and pepper to taste


Cook onion in olive oil until soft
Add courgettes, oregano, salt and pepper.
Cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently
Pour in stock and bring to the boil.
Lower the heat, partially cover and simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
Add blue cheese and stir until melted
Blend until smooth
This freezes well too and you could use other cheeses, Carole.

How's my gooseberry pie coming, Mrs L?

xx
coffeee/Sue

karenjane said...

I love the circleing seasons but I think we've had a time warp that skipped summer.
Am loving the long lasting green overwashed with the colours of early Autume
Karen jane