August 17 - it's getting chilly at night already

Well I did go back to the Highland Festival and went to Art Museum, rode through the Sinking Springs Cemetery (though missed the lecture/walk- which would have been interesting, I'm sure), and bought a few presents. But as I tried to take pictures, I realized the disk for the camera was not in my camera but still in my PC. Whoops.


beetles - yuk!

we have a few grapes

Not as many flowers as earlier this year, but there are still some things blooming!  The Japanese beetles are trying to eat as many leaves as possible, so a lot of things don't look very pretty.  The grape leaves are easy to see through because of all the nibbles; yet to be determined if the grapes will ripen in time for me to use them. Only two vines have any grapes this year.

Hostas

Touch-me-not

The Hostas are blooming and look very beautiful. The touch-me-nots, goldenrod, phlox, bittersweet nightshade, and the Hydrangeas all have blooms still. And then several of the common roadside weeds - Queen Anne's Lace, Chicory, Pokeweed, Sweet Pea, and others of which I don't know the names. 



Pokeweed



Sweetpea

Queen Anne's Lace

Peaches

Went to Charlotte with my sister-in-law and we had a fun time. Before I left, I started a new batch of sauerkraut. Had second thoughts about the piece of cabbage on the top, but it was cute so had to take a picture..  This still has some time to "mature", so will see how this comes out.  Also made a bunch of Zucchini Bread - some for UMW since I was hostess the night before we left (along with zucchini quiche)- and some as gifts for Nicole and Zoe.   Also canned some peaches.



Sauerkraut- version 2
 

 When we got back from Charlotte, I canned more green beans, made yellow squash relish, salsa (partly with my tomatoes of which we don't have many, and partly canned from last year), canned more peaches, and made green dill relish too. I've picked all the peaches, but a few aren't totally ripe so are sitting in a bag.. Hopefully will be ripe in next day or so and I can make a dessert with them.

One would never know it is August. We have very cool nights - mostly in the 60's but one night think it was in low 50's and the days are only 70ish. Pleasant to be outside for sure, though lots of little bugs everywhere from all the rain.

We got a new VOIP phone system; having some problems with it versus my cell phone, but hope to figure that out soon.

That's all for now.