Summer 2020: a storm, a skunk and new tech

By Liz on June 21, 2020

Today is the first full day of Summer 2020. I am guessing this Summer will be one that we will all remember for some time. The good, the bad and the ugly ….

But, I always (mostly) choose to focus on the good and the beautiful :)

And the peace and love that I have sharing my life with Auggie and Emmett

Part of the reason for a delay in posting here is that I needed to update to use SSL and thus https:// which does all to give browsers the lock icon indicating a safe site. As I don’t do eCommerce or collect user data, this is not a big deal except that without all of that in place, most browsers give a warning about the site being insecure.

As of this afternoon, after a bit of fiddling, I have my SSL certs in place and all pages compliant. HOO … I say HOO RAH!!!

So, a bit of catch up.

Late May, we had a horrific, but short (10 minute) wind storm. It took down a LOT of trees and most of the power (not mine) in the valley. I had 1 tree come partway down, leaning on another tree. Never-wracking as we walked under it. Thankfully, I was able to call a tree service and despite how busy they were, when the owner stopped by to take a look and give me an estimate, he said: “I can bring that down in 5 minutes, right now.” It was nearly 9:00 p.m., but I said “go” and he did, plus cut the downed tree in lengths so I could clear our walk way. I felt an expert was needed because of the weight of 2 trees and also a hope to spare 2 gorgeous Ponderosa Pines that were potentially in the drop zone. He had a very large saw … looked at all, picked his cut and both trees dropped to the east of the Ponderosa’s. I was so very grateful.

I still need to get someone(s) to help with some additional cleanup, but our walking paths (game trails) are now safe for us.

Shortly, at the end of a walk on the state land, just ready to return to my property …

That is a newly born fawn. The doe will “stash” the fawn in a place that seems safe while she goes to get food. The fawns have no scent. I was walking on a game trail and Emmett was snuffling a bit off the trail. Suddenly he stopped and then looked at me like “What’s this?”. I think he almost stepped on it and then was baffled as it had no scent and didn’t move. He came to me when I called and we went on. It was gone by our next walk.

About the skunk. Emmett had a close, but NOT a stinky encounter with a skunk. Luckily, skunks do not run so there was no enticement to chase and Emmett tends to be cautious. AND, I saw the skunk as Emmett approached so called and Emmett responded. I do think we will have a stinky experience at some point and that one experience will be all Emmett needs to understand, but I was thrilled that I was able to call him off this time.

I cannot believe that it is June 21! We are making our stuttering way into Summer … as typical, June has been rainy and cool with a few hot days in between showery days.

Morning baking continues … many of the usual bread favorites, but on the new and learning front:

These are Fat Rascals! I think … I read a lot of books set in U.K. villages and one had a baker making Fat Rascals. I LOVED the name so made a recipe. They are kind of scone like with a lot of dried fruit, citrus zest, spice and not too sweet. I LOVE them.

Then…

That is puff pastry. Or rather a quick version called “rough puff”.

VERY flaky and delicious! I used the first batch I made for a turkey pot pie. I made a second batch for ham and cheese puff things. YUM and so much fun!

It is later than usual, but due to COVID and work schedule … it was just this past week that I got the front porch looking colorful: flower wise. No fuschia this year, but the nursery had begonia shade baskets so I went that way and I love them.

I added impatiens and lobelia to my walk way bits, and coleus plus mint to some corner pots. So, the front porch is full of green and color and just feels beautiful.

Speaking of color … a red sunrise in the woods …

And some lupins!

The last bit of tech: I upgraded my iPad to a 12.9 inch with an Apple Magic keyboard and am very happy with the outcome.

And yes, pastry cream is in the refrigerator, with cream puffs on deck.

Meanwhile …

We work, we play, we bake, we cook, we live happily.

There is always “stuff”. Admittedly, at the current time there is a LOT of stuff. I continue to read and educate myself on all of it and hope to always be the best I can be as a person in society. Fortunately, I have great examples in love and kindness: Emmett and Auggie.

Cheers!! I hope and plan to post here, often.