The last of the vinegar...

Every summer I harvest herbs, carefully sanitize bottles, and create herbed vinegars. After a "resting period" in a cool, dark cupboard they are ready for our use or as gifts to family and friends.

While I have used both red and white wine vinegars with a variety of herbal combinations, my favorite base remains apple cider vinegar which offers a distinct, sharp taste. I just emptied the last bottle of apple cider vinegar with thyme and black peppercorns from 2005 making dressing and will need to replenish my larder. With the hot weather, more hours sun since we took down the apple tree, and plenty of water, I have lush green crops of thyme, tarragon, oregano, and three varieties of basil.

Our vegetable garden is one of the best in memory --- we have a bumper crop of peppers coming on four plants, a steady supply of lettuce which is still producing since Richard put in multiple plantings, and a small but delicious crop of green (bush) beans.

Before the end of today, we plan to harvest the rest of the beans, try for a fall crop, as well as dig up the garlic for drying. While it takes time and work, the rewards of a garden (even one as small as ours) are delicious.

Fused Glass from Montana

On each and every vacation we always find a piece of art that becomes our trip "treasure" --- the large fused glass plate that sits on the dining room table purchased in Cripple Creek, CO, the raku pottery vase while in St. Petersburg, FL, or the blown glass plate from Murano, Italy.

On our recent trip to Montana, the artistic spirit only rang once while in Lewistown at the Art Center. A local glass blower/worker had created some lovely pendants on black satin ribbons. One of the blue pieces held a design that reminded me of the thunderbird sculptures we had seen the evening before in Bismarck along the banks of the Missouri. Plus, it was a lovely blue, my favorite color, and would complement my denim outfit for Wendy and Ryan's wedding.

The black satin ribbon serves the purpose but I feel the need to embellish by creating my own necklace with the pendant as the focal piece. This may take some ruminating, especially since my bead selection is stashed away in the back hall closet.

Another "find" while on our stop in Lewistown was the Community Labyrinth Garden. It is described as a "seven circuit path lined with flowers as a symbol of unity." It was created and is maintained by volunteers and, as is intended, walking the quiet path did lift our spirits after a long day's drive.