It was hot---and a chilly movie theater sounded appealing so last nite we went and saw Julie and Julia and it was wonderful. Meryl Streep IS Julia Child and she really made the movie. Hope it is cool and sunny wherever you are!

I would like to take a moment to give a plug your local produce growers. A lot of time and effort goes into those beautiful peppers, corn, tomatoes and everything else at your Farmer's Market. Not only that, but it is a constant struggle for them to compete with the big conglomerate farms. And it really is a no-brainer. Luscious, juicy, tasty tomato OR pulpy, cardboard tasting red round thing that transports well. Our strategy this summer is to preserve as much local produce as time allows and enjoy in the winter. Dan and I have a small chest freezer in our basement that, in spite of it's small size, holds an amazing amount of casseroles and produce---enough for 2 people and company! I am the first to admit that preserving is tiring and can burn you out really fast------so I just do a small batch every weekend. This weekend it is another peck of green beans-----if Dan and I snip together and then blanch and freeze, it takes about 1.5 hours--max. And that includes time that I am doing other things too. Like----if I sneak away and leave Dan snipping or time spent waiting for the water to boil. But the end result is very satisfying!

As promised, no more food pictures. But then, what to post, since I spent the afternoon making zucchini lasagne for the freezer. Here is a picture and a funny story from Charleston. We were walking around the beautiful neighborhoods and I spied this very old rocking chair, set out with the garbage. I stopped and thought(to myself), Wow-if I was home I would rescue this old chair and restore it---and at that same moment, my wonderful husband said "forget it, they will never let you on the plane with it" And I swear------the very next day we saw a chair exactly like this in a historic home!!

Food again. I can't help it. It's what I do---cook and eat, and read cookbooks. But it is blueberry season after all and these Lemon Blueberry Muffns are headed into the freezer and will be shared with some family members who may or may not be reading this post!! And strictly off topic here, but WOW this mosquitos are big, bad and ugly this year!!

At last----it is at it's finest-----Ohio Corn. And no, these aren't from our garden. We don't even have a tomato yet. But oh, do we have zuchinni. And why do I post so much about food---hmmmm.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of my Weekend:

The Good!

-I feel pretty good about preserving a peck of green beans from the Farmer's Market in my freezer. I am not sure about the cost savings but I feel pretty dang good about using LOCAL as much as possible. Next year I may have to grow my own. Dan wants me to post the picture where he is trying to look like he cut off his finger while snipping beans. Next weekend--corn!

-Got some bicycle riding time in and that is always a plusl

-Gave Magglio a bath and he always smells so good and feels so soft afterward.

The Bad.

-I ate way too much. Homemade Raspberry pie, chicken barbeque, ice cream,blueberry pancakes, beer---you name it. But that is coming to a screeching halt come Monday morning.

The Ugly.

-Did anyone see the Tiger-Indian game today. Not just a Tiger loss but a killing.. 11-1 and ugly every step of the way.

Simple Summer Pleasure

I am giving you a "secret" summer recipe that is a favorite of ours. We love it so much because it is so delicious and easy---perfect for lazy, hazy, summer afternoons. You know the kind----too hot to cook and almost too hot to eat. So here goes-----

Tomato Basil Sandwich

-sliced garden tomato(NOT those cardboard tasting kind the grocery store sells)

-FRESH basil leaves

-Mayo. We prefer Hellmeans REAL mayo

-freshly ground pepper and salt

-bread

Spread both sides of bread with a light coating of mayo. Stack the tomatoes and basil on and sprinkle with salt and pepper

Place sandwich on paper plate(no clean up) and sit outside with a glass of iced tea.

Disclaimer: These tomatoes are NOT from our garden. Here we are into August and all we have are green ones growing slowly. Also, Dan wants you to know the Light Mayo isn't as good on these sandwiches. ENJOY!