Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

This has been a true "lazy hazy days of summer" around Cook'n by the Creek this year.  No matter the season we are in it is a guessing game on what the next season will bring.  Already I am skipping fall and thinking of winter.  It hopefully will have lots of snow to fill the swamps, springs, wells, cricks and creeks along with moisture deep into the ground.  We have been digging between 2' to 5' around the cabin site.  Even at 5' deep the dirt is like dry powder.  No wonder the leaves are falling from trees,  the tree is trying to save itself by not sharing water with leaves.  It sure doesn't feel like fall with temps in the high 80s and low 90s but setting on the back deck watching yellow leaves flutter to the ground looks like a fall happening.  So, what will winter bring...........snow would be great since last winter we saw little to none.  The rain did come today for about an hour which is better than nothing but probably did not do anything for vegetation.  The hot bright sun has been out for about an hour which dried up everything and it now looks as dry as it did before the rain.  Funny, no matter the weather it seems we are always wishing for different.  Which convinces me, we are not happy no matter what the weather is. 

A perfect day for me is warm sun, cool temperatures, slight breeze and wearing a sweatshirt.  If the temps get above 75 that is too warm for this ol'gal.  The first 30 years of my life I was a "sun lover", the hotter the better.  Give me a beach, Salem Light 100s (yes I smoked until I was 29) and a diet Dr. Pepper.  There I would be from 10-2 the hottest part of the day that they warn you to stay out of the sun.  Now I stay inside those 4 hours unless the sun is not shining.  Times change the older I get.  Heck I use to be very picky eater that didn't eat much at all.  Times have changed...........not a picky eater and eat often!  Onions are still on my "yuck list". 

The garden is dead or should be.  This weekend we are headed to the Finger Lakes Region and the famous Wind Mill to see what I can buy by the bushel.  Our garden beans were doing great and this would have been the week to start picking and canning.  Somehow they didn't mind the dry hot days.  Unfortunately this is the first year we had deer come in one night and ate the tops off 2 full rows.  Gone!  In a blink!  Life can be harsh in the Wilds of Pennsylvania but wouldn't trade it for any other place.  If a bad garden year is my only complaint, I'll take it.

If you live around the area and have never been to the Wind Mill it is well worth a 2 hour ride from our house.  Google that and get the directions if interested.  They have just about anything you would want or need.  Indoor buildings and open area markets from fresh garden foods, specialty meats, cheeses,wines, baked goods, clothing, furniture, knick knack patty whacks....you name it they got it.  Vendors offer great foods to snack on such as the huge plate of curly, crisp potato chips covered in your choice of many toppings, fresh roasted peanuts, ice cream, pretzels, Finger Lakes Coffee (yes, Jamaican Me Crazy),  the choices of food are endless.  Not to mention the beautiful ride along Keuka Lake. 

No matter how hot the day when the air conditioner is cranking it can be a hot roast beef sandwich supper.  That is my husbands.  I don't like how the bread gets soggy.  Just beef and gravy for me with a slice of buttered bread on the side.  Our favorite bread to use is Salt Rising, more texture, taste and a little firmer with no preservatives.  When I do a roast for sandwiches I use the pressure cooker.  First I rub the roast with salt, pepper, flour and brown it on all sides until golden brown.  Next I put about 4 cups of water, bay leaf, carrot, onion and garlic in the cooker.  Put the lid on and cook it for 30 minutes.  Perfectly tender and wonderful rich gravy/sauce every time.  The veggies are so soft and tender I put them in the blender with the sauce to make the gravy even tastier!  Take the bay leaf out though.  It looks like a lot of fuss but absolutely is not.  I can not tell you enough about the convenience of a pressure cooker.  Every once in a while I blog about it just hopping more will try the easy way to prepare a meal no matter what kind of a day it is.  Try it, you'll love it!

With the hens laying good I am privileged to have eggs a plenty.  For dessert I used 14 egg whites to make a homemade Angel Food Cake.  Nothing like the taste of homemade with vanilla and almond flavoring in it.  Sliced and layered with strawberries, blueberries and whip cream......what a way to beat the heat! 

I have no idea how old the baking pan is, it belonged to my mom.  One thing for sure
it is well seasoned and has been used for more that 67 years.  Maybe that is why
the Angel Food Cake tastes so good.