Heat is hanging on

Back in the upper 90s and I am squeezing one more afternoon of summer leisure in before Earl arrives tomorrow and Labor Day ends the fun. Local forecast predicts some wind and possible drizzle - not much compared to the rain coming down over the mushroom in the kiddie pool.

SeeSaw Week

I consider this week - the last days of August and the first days of September - to be a seesaw week. It's a moment that waits on the threshold marking time like no other week of the year. The week before Labor Day is the time of anticipating the school year ahead but still wanting to hold onto more summer vacation. I know several friends in other states have been back to school for a few weeks now, but New Jersey schools traditionally start just after Labor Day and since every college and seminary I've attended does as well, the last waning days of August have always had a bittersweet quality in my eyes. I look forward to cooler days and nights ahead (we are back in the 90s here in Jersey - ugh) but still want just a little more of the summer leisure. There is a genuine excitement about seeing friends, colleagues, and students again, but a desire to delay the inevitable schedule and rigor that comes with the school year.
And even though I've been teaching, tutoring, and reading on my research for my dissertation proposal all summer long, I still feel the same angst that I've always associated with August. I am not entering the traditional classroom in the next few days, but I am looking forward to the opportunities to delve back into my studies with renewed vigor, and yet I remain a little wistful that I didn't eek out more of summer's sweetness. I hang in the liminal or 'in-between-place' of wanting to get out of the rut I've made for myself during the hot humid days and finding a groove of motivation and productivity. I anticipate good things for September 2010 with some travel for both school and church. Frustratingly, August 2010 has not been the most stellar month insome respects (namely training to run the 5K) so I am looking for the upswing that comes with the seesaw moment, hoping to push past where I've been to see higher and farther than I have recently.

Empty rain guage

We can water the thirsty impatients in the flower bucket and even put a sprinkler on the lawn in the background - but it doesn't change the fact that we haven't had much in the way of rain all summer long. Here's hoping that will change a little bit in the next 24 hours.

Semaphore Sammi in the semi-darkness!

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the latest blog star here on my 5:00 blog. She blinks, she sparkles, she glows steady and she can even toot her own little horn on any of the three glow sticks she holds. She's Sammi, the amazing flashing technicolor kid!

Obviously, the photo shot of my latest star took place in the later hours of the evening. And even though the Tudor's completed their production several months ago, I've been blessed to be a regular fixture at the Miller house most Sunday evenings this summer. You know you've reached a level of familiarity with friends when you are still welcome for supper even though the family is in charge of their own home renovations: new paint, new carpet, and what will be am almost like new bedroom suite for older sister Paige. It'll be well worth the wait, Tracey - but in the meantime, the moments like these and rides in Jeff's Bronco for ice cream treats will help you all keep your sanity!

Sweet Valley - sub station

Dad's garden does pretty well, but fresh corn on the cob, peaches, melons and a few other things need to be purchased elsewhere. As trendy as it is right now to buy local, my mother has always been committed to helping out the local farmer. In Hunterdon County, that is pretty easy and does not always involve going to a storefront marquee. Sweet Valley Orchards main location is a grand building in Flemington, but their station 3 miles up the road from the Homestead has everything we usually want - 7 days a week.


It's not fancy, but a real farm truck parked on the backside of some of their fields under a couple of trees. The truck is staffed by a local high school kid who knows how to count change without a calculator. Kids hand down the job to younger brothers, cousins, and friends. Some days can be down right hot and boring sitting there on the side of the road with just a truck load of produce and a walkie talkie to get to the main store when there is a run peaches or tomatoes. It is not surprising to see a grandparent or other family member come down with a snack or cold beverage to help their teenager kill time. A couple of years ago, there was a card table set up with a checker game that was always there to be played between customers who drive up, get out of their car for a quick stop before driving away with a backseat filled with produce.

Beachin' it

I returned to the Jersey shore today to see my friends Becky and Dan. When I met Becky in Kentucky more than ten years ago, she was wearing an LBI t-shirt and said it was her family's annual vacation spot - and it remains the same to this day. Their daughter, though raised in the midwest, is right at home in the sand and the surf. She, her dad, and her granddad had a blast building a sandcastle and making sure the moat was in proper working order.

Hauling up the water defenses

Making sure it goes right where it belongs

Queen of all she surveys!

Totally Terrific Tomato Pie

This is one of my all-time favorite dinners. I got the recipe when I used to frequent the Lexington Farmer's Market back in seminary. The market had vendors with an incredible array of tomatoes ranging in color from red to orange, yellow, purple, and black. While I pretty much stick with the garden variety red tomatoes these days, I would jump at the chance to make it with the exotic varieties again.

Recipe:

Bake a pre-made pie crust according to directions. If you are using your own homemade crust you'll know how long it needs to bake. (A major reason I don't make mine is b/c I don't trust the weather to cooperate with my pie crust plans)

Chunk tomatoes and place in strainer for a few hours
to drain if they are a juicy variety -
you can seed them as well at your discretion.

Place chunked tomatoes in pie shell and cover
with a handful of diced onion (maybe a 1/2 cup)

Cover pie with a layer or two of fresh basil leaves.

Mix together 1/2 - 3/4C of mayonnaise with
1 C of shredded cheddar cheese.
Spread over pie to edges.

Bake in hot oven at 375 degrees for

30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Let set before serving.

There are several varieties to the recipe out there - use mozzarella, feta or whatever cheese your little heart desires or you have on hand. Mix up the fresh herbs if you want as well. I am partial to the sharp cheddar and the basil leaves left whole. The pie is also good served the next day for breakfast or lunch - take your pick!

Was there really any ever question?

The dog days of summer have arrived. Even Jake knows the best way to beat the heat is to laze on the couch in the air conditioning.

Dinner Delimma

I could get all intricate with recipes and whatnot to make a delicious dinner - or I could just cook the ear of corn, slice the tomatoes and cucumbers, have a few green beans on the side with a hunk of cheese. Maybe I'll venture out when the sun goes below the tree line and see if how the last of the blueberries are to have with the peaches and fresh yogurt for desert - yeah, that's the plan. I LOVE summer dinners!

Cruise Night in Somerville

For 20 years, every Friday night between Memorial Day and Labor Day, downtown Somerville is host to Cruise Night for classic cars. I haven't been there in years, but Jeff and Tracey took the Bronco down and I was able to join them.

Ladies, don't ask this guy for a ride, he's likely to kick you to the curb!

Unless of course, you are his sister or another woman in his family!

To take pictures of all the different cars there would have kept me from visiting and chatting with friends and passers by. Unfortunately, several of the ones I did take, didn't come out as well as I hoped. But this old time farm truck was classy looking and came out rather well.

"Hey, look is that a Jaguar?"

Even bicycles with twisted frames were there

Happy tattoo-faced dancing man just couldn't stop having fun with and for the crowd.

You know it is hot and dry when....

Dad turns on the sprinkler for the grass.
At least the farmers are having a good hay making season.