Manic Monday III

Happy Belated 4^th of July everybody! Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. What better holiday than one that celebrates freedom AND gives you an excuse to blow stuff up?

America: As badly as our country has failed at so many things, and even as things appear to go downhill even farther, I am still thankful for this land. I was born here, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Our forefathers gave us an amazing gift in this nation, and the price was their blood. Too often I take it for granted.

Homegrown Produce: Over the weekend, a large bowl of tomatoes from my garden, and a couple of cucumbers turned into my favorite fresh summer treat – Marinated Greek Salad. I’m sure there’s another name for it. Chopped tomato and cucumber in oil and vinegar with a generous amount of feta cheese and a bit of seasoning…best summer food ever.

Family Time: Nephews #2 and #3, and I have started a tradition. Each Sunday afternoon after lunch, we each take turns picking a game to play, one game each week… Well… Sometimes two. Our family have always been game-players – card games, board games, dice games…just about everything. The new generation is no different. They are excellent game-players, good sports, and are always willing to learn something new.

 Fall Produce Starts:  I thought I had gone too long to think about doing pumpkins this year. When I had charted it out on my calendar, I had it in my mind that I needed to plant my pumpkins in early June. Maybe that’s true, but our local garden center has beautiful pumpkin starts, at about the stage of growth mine would be, had I planted in June. Granted, I still need to get my patch of ground ready, but it’s nice to know I still have a chance at homegrown pumpkins.

How about you all? What did you do for the holiday weekend?