At 4 am there was such a loud clap of thunder that it shook the house and woke everyone. At first I didn't know what was happening. My heart pounded so hard I couldn't breathe. I briefly wondered if there had been an explosion (this is not such an odd thing to think; every year at least one or two houses explode for no known reason in Massachusetts. Strange, huh?) A few minutes later there was a bright flash and another loud, house-shaking bang. Then it was as if someone opened a valve and rain poured from the sky for an hour. It was still raining when I got up this morning. I went out to my tiny garden and was amazed by how it had grown overnight.
It has been a cool, wet spring; good weather for knitting, for walking in the woods, and for growing radishes, lettuces, broccoli, spinach and peas.
Tomorrow they are saying it will reach 90°. It is hard to believe, since the high today is 63°. I am not looking forward to such a dramatic change in temperature. I've had enough drama in the past two years to last me a life time. I want only soft, gentle days; the kind in which the mail jeep and yellow birds in the garden are the most exciting events.
See this little red-squirrel? She is a mama fat with babies. I love her.
And, I love my domestic, feminine place on the Earth, hidden beneath the arms of Christ. I don't want anything else.
Oven 375°
Grease a cookie sheet. Stir together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves. In a mixer bowl beat 1/2 cup butter for 30 seconds. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and beat till fluffy. Add 2 eggs and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients and 1 cup of very ripe mashed banana alternately to the beaten mixture, beating after each addition. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Drop from a teaspoon 2 inches apart on a well-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from cookies sheet immediately, cool on a wire rack. Frost cooled cookies with Banana Butter Frosting. Makes 60
Banana Butter Frosting: Stir together 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup mashed banana, 2 tablespoons softened butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix well. If necessary, add additional powdered sugar to make of spreading consistency.
As always you have provided us with awesome pictures as well as wonderful dialogue. Let God direct our thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lew. And, also for sending me that beautiful photo of your new granddaughter ("fresh from God"!).
DeleteHow perfectly you illustrate your point with the two dogs looking after the mail truck. :D I also heard thunder, but not so violently as you describe! I wish you peace and quiet for a while. :)
ReplyDeleteI just realized today that I'm at best a summer gardener. I don't like going out there until the days feel summery, like yesterday did. As a result, I do not have any radishes, lettuces, broccoli, spinach or peas. :(
I try to get in a crop of spring veggies and then a crop of summer veggies, but the summer veggies need to be planted NOW in order to yield a good harvest before autumn, however, my spring crop is still going strong. I won't be ready to put in tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers, zucchini, etc. for at least another three weeks--hopefully there will still be some plants left at the nursery then!
DeleteI love a good rain that I can hear on the skylight, but I don't like lightening, tornadoes, and high winds. It's been raining here and there's more to come. I like those quiet, peaceful days too, which are good for reading and knitting. I'm wondering what that green and white yarn will be? Cute little squirrel.:-) Frosted Banana Cookies ~ now that is healthy ~ banana. I'll give them a try! Thanks and hope you have a peaceful evening. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. ♥ The green and cream yarn will be a nap blanket. : ) I like to listen to the sound of rain falling, especially at night, but this storm scared me!
DeleteHow peaceful your post makes me feel. Your garden looks green and healthy, and Oh! My Goodness! You have a goldfinch. My neighbor says they are here, but I have yet to see one between our two houses. We're not quite through with storms yet, but it won't be long. Temps are moving up little by little. I wish for you the gentle days you long for. Nice to see you back.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz! Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we have lots of goldfinches here. Yellow is my favorite card, and goldfinches are my favorite bird.♥
Deleteah, the rain! we had rain non stop over the weekend but that made me slow down and take it easy since I've been having issues with my RA. I love these spring days and the sunshine and yes the rain that frizzes my hair.
ReplyDeleteOh, Karen, I'm so sorry to hear that you've been suffering with your RA. I hope that it will soon stabilize and you will be feeling well again so you can enjoy the summer. You are in my prayers--always.♥
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