august

August is one of my favorite months of the year.  Just the mention of it drums up an image in my mind of completely dry lawn the color of straw, ripened wild blackberries, salmon filets, salmon running in local rivers, fresh corn from local farms, sun-ripened tomatoes, and ripe, juicy peaches.  All of which, except the peaches, come from a less than 50-mile radius around our home.  The peaches coming from the other side of the cascades, but still in Washington.  Summer provides a bounty.  Everything is growing and harvest is beginning.  Summer vacations hit the calendar, trips to the lake, swimming, tank tops, sun dresses, grilling outside, fans on all night with doors and windows cracked open, early morning and late night garden watering sessions.  Summer is such a gift.

My list this month includes putting up some produce while it’s at its peak.  Why not?  Why buy things later that are of lesser quality when I can get the best now and freeze, dehydrate, preserve, and put away things we’ll enjoy all throughout the year.  So be on the lookout for upcoming posts seizing the bounty of August.