Friday, June 22, 2012

What I'm Digging

Happy Friday, friends! And happy summer, too. The season of sun, and sandals, and sweat, and soil is officially upon us. Oh. Yes.

I just got off the phone with my younger sister, Theo. She, along with my other sister, Devan, will be coming to visit usfor a week in early July. I shared with her my intentions for engaging in three definitively "summer" activities during their visit: a trip to the beach (and kiddie waterpark!!!) at Lake Lure, a berry-picking expedition somewhere in the area, and a hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Black Balsam is a perennial favorite). Summertime, and the living is easy, indeed!

Here's a smattering of this's and that's that caught my attention this week:
*Truly appreciate Tamar's approach to the topic of life and death and livestock
*Popsicle round-up, woo hoo!!!
*Show pollinators some love. Here, too.
*I scream, you scream, we all scream for an ice cream & a waffle maker!
*30 ways to get the littles outside this season.
*Bush girls never give up.
*Cardamom Berry Smash? Yes please!
*Rose petal granola.
*Loving Kate's "Summer On the Road" mix.
*50 ways to keep your change.
*Homemade maraschino cherries, oh my!

I'll be catching up on some writing this weekend. I hope to head to a farmer's market tomorrow, too. I've had a hankering for Dave's flaky, buttery pastries for awhile and it's high time that aching was satisfied.

Wherever you go this weekend, whatever you do, and whomever you do it with, may it be grand.

5 comments:

SouthernGirl said...

I love your Friday posts and always find something new and interesting!

Your July plans sound awesome. I've got a lotta love for Lake Lure and adore the Blue Ridge Parkway. I've even got a map from one of the Visitor Centers I'm getting ready to hang up in our home. It is always a treat to head up to the NC mountains from upstate SC.

Anonymous said...

I've got a tiny tiny cherry tree in my front yard, maybe in a few years I'll be making my own maraschino cherries too!!

oklyous said...

Have you watched, a bbc-documentary(I think) called: Bees, butterflies and blooms.
Its about pollination(don't know if it is spelled correctly).
I found it really interesting.

spike said...

You can find some good berry pickin' near us at the Zimmerman's Berry Farm. It is located off the beaten path between Marshall and Hot Springs, NC. There is also a great swimming hole on the Big Laurel River (parking lot is right by the turn off 25/70 going to Hot Springs) you could enjoy. Might be a fun day trip to consider. I take my son Jasper to that swimming hole all of the time and he is just a shade younger than Huxley.
Enjoy your visit. I love spending time with my sister.

Tamar@StarvingofftheLand said...

Ashley, I didn't know you until you linked to my post about life and death and livestock. But now I know you, and am the better for it.

I'm doing so many of the things you're doing, only not nearly so well. Your garden, your books, and your family are lovely, and you give good advice to boot.

Nice to meet you.