AUGUST 2022

I stood at my back door yesterday and took this picture of my garden gate. The rain was falling and everything green seemed to glow.  We have had such dry weather in the past month, a day of slow, steady rain was a blessing. The trees, shrubs, grass, and flowers loved to get a drink of nature's water from above.  

Some people don't like rainy days, but I love them. They seem peaceful to me and relaxing. I took this time to sit and read a book, with some of my favorite quotes, and thought I would share some of them with you. Quotes lift my spirit and encourage me. I hope these will lift you as well.

"Kind hearts are the gardens; kind thoughts the roots; kind words are the flowers; kind deeds are the fruits."

-English Proverb

"Let it be our happiness this day to add to the happiness of those around us."

-William Ellery Channing

"Appreciate the joy of an ordinary day."

-Sandra Mansfield Wright

"When we focus on abundance, our life feels abundant; when we focus on lack, our life feels lacking. It is purely a matter of focus."

-Susan Jeffers

"When we sow love - joy grows."

-German Proverb

"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm."

-Frank Lane

"She who laughs - lasts!"

- Mary Pettibone

I love to hear from you. You may e-mail me at 

sandykwright@yahoo.com 

Fresh garden vegetables are a treat in August.  Corn bread completes the meal for me. The above picture shows fresh tomatoes (given to me by my friend, Nancy, from her garden), new potatoes, purple hull peas, corn on the cob, and corn bread sticks. It was a yummy supper.  The recipe I am sharing below is one I enjoy in the hot month of August.

Corn Bacon Salad

2 cups whole kernel corn (fresh cooked corn cut off the cob or drained canned corn)

2 cups little tomatoes

 (sliced in half)

1 cup cooked bacon crumbles

2/3 cup mayonnaise

2 whole green onions chopped

Mix together and put in refrigerator to chill

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"When eating a homegrown tomato, it's hard to think about anything but good feelings."

-Unknown

"When the world is tired, and society is not happy, the garden is still there."

-Unknown

"The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, one is closer to God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth."

-Dorothy Frances Gurney

"Plant smiles, grow laughter, harvest love."

-Unknown

Many flowers are still blooming pretty in August. We consider this to be the last month of summer. Kids are going back to school and summer vacation is officially over. Some are ready for autumn to arrive and some hate summer ending. Let us try to relish the last days of summer as best we can. What can we do to relish the last days of summer? To relish something, first we have to notice and appreciate. Take every day of this month and pay attention to it. Plan something fun into each day - just a small thing or possibly a big thing.  It is completely up to us as to how we celebrate the days of August. 

One of the things I love to do is dry my hydrangea blossoms. The time to do this is usually in August or September, when we see the colors changing to a sepia color (a vintage look). They will have a papery feel to the flower and be a little stiff to the touch.  Cut the stems when the plant is dry - do not cut early morning when the dew is still on them or after a rain. Strip away all the leaves. Bring the blossom inside and place the stem in a vase filled with about two inches of water. You can dry them without using the water method; however, the water drying method usually makes their color last longer.  The water will naturally evaporate and the flowers will be beautiful and the color will last for months. 

August is my sister's birthday month, so I send her wishes for a Happy Happy Birthday Month!  Hopefully we can get together this month.  My oldest daughter and I also celebrate this month as our birthday month.  So celebrations are in order in our family.

Make it a season of celebration, even if you don't have a birthday this month. Make a big, happy deal out of your child or someone you love going back to school.  Buy balloons or cupcakes and laugh. Be happy for other people in their successes, achievements, and endeavors. Look for the good and you will see it.