SOS

Temps are soaring and it looks like we got the drip system in for the herb garden just in time.  I made some salted caramel sauce for my buddies at work as we head into a strenuous week of usual. Sugar heals all wounds, and this stuff is delish. Thanks again for the recipe, Nell.

Salted Caramel Sauce

1 cup sugar, med heat, stirring constantly until it clumps and then melts smooth and darkens into a medium golden color, add 6 tablespoons cubed butter until melted (which is immediately), and then drizzle in 1/2 heavy cream (stirring still, right, so it doesn't burn). Cook 1 minute with it creeping up the sides of the pot, remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Cool a bit, pour into jars, cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks. Warm slightly and serve over ice cream.

I've been a Dessert First kind of gal for most of my adult life. My dad had a jelly jar on the table and after dinner would take a big spoonful before leaving the table. It just seemed pretty obvious to me that when you hold off on the good stuff you sometimes miss out.  

The fruit flies got to some of our figs. A lot of them, actually. They were ready to pick early in the week and the time just got away from us, and figs don't wait very well. Add to that some pretty high temps on Fri*Sat*Sun and we missed the window. We picked some tonight but we'll be back watering and fertilizing her for the next yield in August. Live and learn.

Lots of green beans are on the vine even after having them Saturday night. Our first crop. The tomatoes are growing, and we are waiting for things to blush and redden. Two bushes on the end are stunted and turning brown (??) - no real reason for it, same soil, same nutrients, sun ... so I'll pull out some soil and freshen it when we replant more heirlooms. There's plenty of time for a late harvest. The corn didn't make it (my fault, we were gone) but the boysenberries have new growth and I'm glad about that.  Nectarine and apricot trees are doing okay. Little baby fruit is a cheerful sign.

I've been experimenting with a friend's breakfast bake (strata) recipe that uses leftover bread. I always like having something for the Hubs to take to work and warm up for breakfast.

Glass lasagna pan
Sourdough or other hearty bread sliced in 1/2 thick pieces and buttered on one side, lining the pan, butter side down
1 7oz can green chiles diced sprinkled over the bread
1 lb favorite breakfast meat - cooked - sausage, ham, bacon - evenly distributed
4 cups of cheese of your choice - I use Mexican white and yellow cheese -
Some finely chopped onion if you have it and want to add it (I omit) - sprinkle that on next

8 eggs whipped with 2 cups milk, 1/4 t. each of onion powder/dry mustard/oregano, pepper to taste.
I topped it with fresh oregano that was handy. Pour the egg mixture on top, cover with foil, and cook 45 minutes on 325 degrees. Remove foil, cook 10-15 minutes longer until set, and serve.

Thinking these days about some way to shield the artichokes from the hot sun because they aren't producing tender veggies ... and that got us to thinking about a garden cover that would essentially convert the raised beds into a greenhouse for the winter. That solves a ton of problems, will likely be a lot cheaper and it fits into the got it use it attitude we are learning about. The garden is perfectly capable of being utilized more of the year and shielding it from a freak winter freeze is a very good plan.

SOS:  Sunscreen or Suffer

Speaking of hot sun, just a reminder to be kind to your skin. I just had another skin cancer removed and so did the Hubs ... so when you are vigilant about spraying on that mosquito repellent be sure first you've slothered on the 50 spf sunscreen.  Skin cancer strikes every type of skin - those who tan easily like the Hubs are just as vulnerable as those with fair and pale skin like me.

We all know to cover up and layer on the sunscreen when going to water parks, the river, 4th of July picnics and all that. But did you know that skin damage happens through an accumulation of exposure also doing the kinds of things we do everyday?

Things like ~ walks in the morning * a quick trip to the garden for just 15-20 minutes * driving to and from work for years with the left side of your body in sun - face, shoulders and arm *  tossing the ball with the dogs 15 minutes in the morning and night. I don't remember to put sunscreen on for those types of activities or even before I dash over to the farmer's market on a trip home from the store.

Skin cancer is serious business, especially Melanoma. If you want to learn more about ways to be healthy and active outside, check out www.cancer.org.