summer is almost here

Well summer is about to arrive. Here on the west coast it has been seasonally cool, and I for one have been having mixed feelings about this. Yes I want summer and the sun, especially for the farmers, of which I am happily surrounded by. But on a personal, physical level...I have to admit that summer is not my favorite time of the year. I do not do well in the heat, I get crabby and snarky. I just cannot get cool or comfortable. Really there are only so many pieces of clothing that I can take off before others begin to complain and long ago I decided that I would not buy or use an airconditioner at my place. Additionally, I am naturally pale, actually I like a ghost I am so white. I do not tan, I burn. I am either ghosty white or bright read. There is no happy medium. While people nowadays are careful to slather on the sunscreen, it has always been a part of my life, with the exception of a couple of summers during my teenage years when I attempted to tan.

I have been trying to spend more time outdoors; not only do I want to spend more time with nature, but I also want to ensure that I spend less time in front of the computer. So far it has been pretty good. Again with the cooler weather, I feel much more comfortable and more inclined to be outside, even to do something as inactive as reading a book. As it gets warmer I am going to have to suck it up and go outside, and hopefully I will be able to find a shady spot.

I wonder what your favorite or least favorite season is?

Rhubarb...part two

Rhubarb is still in season where I am and I have found out that all one needs to do to freeze the stuff is to put it in the freezer. No prepping required; if I want I can chop it up into pieces. This is wonderful, and I have even found a number of rhubarb recipes. In addition to finding a few recipes for pies and cobblers, I have found rhubarb sauce, rhubarb jam, and even a chutney. Whoo hoo.

Soon even more fruits and veggies will be sprouting. I froze a number of things last year and have almost finished everything. I just enough blackberries for a crisp this weekend. mmmmmmm. Once again it is my intention to freeze a number of items, but I also want to learn how to can, not just tomatoes or jams, but carrots, corn, peas, and a host of other garden items. I want to make ketchup, salsa, soups, chili, and the rest of it.

Here's hoping that this season will be busy and bountiful.