Hello from the foothills!
Well, we survived the total solar eclipse and lived to tell the story. I don't have any eclipse day pics to share (so I inserted this tasty Cherry Galette instead ;), but we did see (or rather not see) the sun disappear for a bit yesterday. I didn't bother about getting the approved eclipse glasses so on eclipse day Goodman rounded up a couple of welding helmets and some of those old folks glasses they send you home wearing from cataract surgery, and we were set. Sure, we probably looked like a couple of bobble-head corn nuts standing on the back deck gazing afar in those clunky helmets, but we witnessed the extraordinary event in our own style. ;)
I've been busy making a few herbal preparations for our home apothecary and to give as gifts.
The recipe for this Polysporin-like ointment is over at Joybilee Farm.
It's a wonderful anti-microbial salve to have on hand for cuts, bites and scrapes.
Last week we took the grands to Tic-Toc Ice Cream Parlor in Loudon, Tenn. for a mini birthday celebration for the eldest. The old-fashioned parlor was featured in Southern Living Magazine several years ago.
They serve wonderful homemade ice creams. Their famous Cardiac Arrest has 5 scoops of ice cream and as many toppings plus whipped cream, cherries and nuts. We all considered the Cardiac Arrest but opted for hot fudge sundaes instead. After ice cream we browsed a couple of antique thrift stores. These girls know where to find the good stuff.
A peek at one of the butternut squashes growing on the Hugelkultur mound I made. (Click if you're really sure you want to know, lol.)
The soil is really rich on that mound and should be productive for several years.
We love Chicken Parmesan but had never made it from scratch until I tried this recipe, and I have to say it was DELICIOUS.
I'll leave you with a pic of this Imperial Moth hanging upside-down on the dog lot fence. Yeah, it's a mecca of excitement around here...
Hope your summer is the best. :)
