We’re beginning to harvest the first fruits of our labor in the garden!
The Historian, my oldest little fella at 12 years, has a fondness for a particular group of red-heads. And I just gotta tell ya, these red-heads have a fondness for him in return… seriously, they flock around him!
We have a bunch of red heads that live down the hill from us, and the other day the Historian decides he’s gonna prepare some lunch for them. First he asks if he can take some lettuce from the garden to make a salad from. On his way out of the garden he grabs a few radishes. Then he gets this notion to get all epicures and pick some fresh dandelion greens to add to the mix. I would have served the dandelion in a tea myself, but he didn’t have time to mess with brewing tea. Did you know that dandelions are quite nutritious? Honestly, dandelion greens have more nutrition than broccoli, and more vitamin A than carrots. They also have laxative and diuretic properties. A weed, go figure!
Anyway, by the time he arrived at the red-heads’ gate, he found them gathered and waiting. He presented them with the salad he’d made; most of the girls dug right in, and to the ones who were a little more reserved, he hand fed them himself. 
Such a gent he is, he makes his mama proud.
I just had to grab a shot of this pretty little red-head, aren’t her highlights dreamy? 
If I could get color like that, I’d definitely go red!
Just look at this little guy… he’s as adorable as can be. Strong too! I kept expecting him to get up on all fours and start crawling away! With a mom who’s 5’8, and a dad who is over six and a half feet tall, this little guy is gonna grow up to become a strong, strapping fellow… maybe he’ll even enjoy playing baseball like his dad. Then, one day when he goes pro, I’ll be there, cheering in the stands and holding up a banner of his naked, baby self sitting in his dad’s baseball glove. Everyone will want an autographed copy of his picture… then they’ll ask who took it and then I’ll become famous… oh yah.
These yummy little cookies are golden and crispy on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside. Yum!
Coconut Macaroons
7 extra large egg whites, room temp.
1 cup sugar
1/8 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
3 cups unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp. flour
Preheat oven to 325º. Line baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
In a double boiler combine eggwhites, sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt.
Whisk over medium heat til frothy and warm (120-130ºF)
Using a spatula, fold in coconut and flour until just incorporated. Careful not to overmix.
Place rounded tablespoons onto prepared pans.
Bake on middle shelf until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Here are some more shots of a recent wedding of which I was second shooter.
I was out the other evening, walking the back forty (more realisticaly – back four, I’ve just always wanted to say that) when I came across these two marked graves.
I’d never noticed them here before, but I was pretty sure that I knew the occupants of these two resting places.
Do you remember back in May when I posted pictures of our adorable baby chicks? Well, you can’t tell it from the pictures, but two of our baby chicks came to us deformed. And if being crippled wasn’t bad enough, they had the rest of the brood attacking them… just because they were a little different and weak… ruthless, I tell ya! I guess it dosen’t matter what walk of life you’re from, there’s always gonna be a bully… just waiting to come out of the woodwork (or wood chips in this case.)
Anyway, my kiddos had great compassion on these two little gals. They made them their very own living quarters, seperate from the others. They named them (one they called Love , and the other was Club for her club feet), nursed them, held them, and loved them. Unfortunate for the little gals, this was not enough to keep them in the land of the living… they both passed away leaving my children feeling down troden. My two eldest set off to bury the little chicks and that was the last I’d heard of it. Until I happened upon this…
and this…
I just love my little boys, and their great big, tender, compassionate hearts!
I payed my own respects, then walked away with a smile in my heart.
I did a photo session with the lovely Melina a couple of days ago. We had a fun time at the park!
Melina is in a jazz quartet called Zona Calda (Italian for Hot Spot) and let me tell you, her singing will knock your socks off!
How would you like a picture of a lighthouse
or an old barn to set on your shelf?
If lighthouses or barns are your thing, then check back here tomorrow morning, bright and early, for your chance to participate in a simple contest and win a 5×7, 8×10, or 11×14 print of your choice. Until then, take a peek at my barns and lighthouses pages to see if there isn’t one that screams out, “You want me, you need me!”
See you tomorrow!
P.S. If you’re not into barns or lighthouses, then just come for the fun (I love visitors!)… and be sure to have your creative juices flowing!
Candid Reflections 
