Dry it Outside

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/line-dry-laundry.html

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Orton-POV/Right-To-Dry/D/80000/P/1:300:3040:300230

There is a movement afoot, though quiet in it's stance.
More people are beginning to hang their laundry out to dry.
I am trying, though not always successful at getting it done.
It reminds me of times long ago when I use to
help my mother hang the laundry out to dry.
The sheets smelled oh so fresh and some of
my clothes were stiff like boards.
Planet Green gives tips for softening the stiff laundry from the line.
I have found, as they mention, putting it in the dryer just for a minute or two at the end of the drying time helps.
The Vermont Country Store was featured on Sunday Morning television show recently.
You can watch the segment on Right to Dry, which I have bookmarked above.
There is also a fun poem on this link, called The Clothesline.
It is a good clean movement.
One we should all consider, even if it is only occasionally done.
Your sheets will thank you for that fresh, clean smell and less wear and tear.
I can almost hear that snap as we shake the laundry out to dry.
Plus we save the cost of running the dryer and help the environment too.
OK, you are saying, but I don't have time or I don't have a line.
Check out the sights above for suggestions and enjoy line dried laundry.

Lemons

The picture is from Lemons, A Country Garden Cookbook
by Christopher Idone
****

I love lemons.
Lemons are always a part of each tea party I prepare.
Lemons are also a part of my everyday cooking.
Recently I bought a large bag of lemons and
then didn't use them as I normally would do.
Now I am thinking about lemon recipes to
use the lemons.
Friends have told me you can freeze lemon curd;
so there are two batches now in my freezer.
I wonder how long they will be there, yummm!
Then there were Lemon Verbena Cookies and
Lemon Chicken.
By now I decided I better refer to my favorite lemon cookbook
mentioned above. There are beautiful lemon pictures in the cookbook too. The best lemon recipes from Limoncello to Lemon Pizza are in the book.
Today I will make the Lemon Bars and share the recipe with you.
***
Lemon Bars
Crust:
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
38 tablespoons (3-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter,
cut into bits
Filling:
6 large eggs
3 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Confectioners' sugar for dusting
**
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, and salt. With a pastry blender cut the butter into the mixture until it is the consistency of cornmeal. Press dough into a baking sheet 17-inches by 12-inches by 1-inch. Bake for 15 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs until blended and beat in the sugar. Add the zest and gradually fold in the lemon juice. Sift the flour and baking powder into the egg mixture and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture over the crust and bake for 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut into squares and dust with confectioners' sugar. Makes 4 dozen squares.
Enjoy!

Monday Linen Days

Aprons are part of my linen collection.
Love the hand painted cluster of grapes
and delicate crocheted edge.

This apron looks comfy and would do the job
of protecting the clothes. Now isn't that
what aprons were designed to do.

Marmalady's apron and pattern were taken
from this apron. It is very comfortable, no ties to bind.
****
from The Apron Book by EllynAnne Geisel
A Lovely Apron
by Phyllis Reedy Young
Once upon a time
An apron or two
Hung out on the line
Twirling in the breeze
Under a sunny sky,
Flapping dry.
(Can't you just picture that)
***
Aprons have a feeling of nostalgia, but are making a come back.
They just make sense when working in the kitchen. They protect from unwanted splatters on clothes. Aprons have been used for many things including wiping away a tear, carrying produce collected from the garden, or dusting off the furniture as you go to answer the door.

Tea at a Castle

Picture taken at the Hearst Castle in California.
Tea is waiting to be served at the castle, won't you join me.
****
In Tea the host is simplicity and the guest elegance.
If all is done in sincerity it is better
than a thousand graces.
~Matsudaria Naritada

Simple Things

Christina at Soul Aperature is celebrating with Simple Things this week. Simple things mean alot. I am reading Gifts from the Sea once more today and reminded of our desire to live simply.
Here are a few of the Simple Things that bring me Delight ~
Singing Happy Birthday
Butterflies flitting on the flowers
A red tomato on the vine
Warm water running over my head in the shower
A warm cup of my favorite tea
Passion fruit macaron
One piece of my favorite chocolate
Someone calling to say they were thinking of me
A warm fire on a cold night
A bird's song
Giving of a gift for no reason at all
The first daffodil of the spring
Twinkling lights
Fireworks
Touching soft, silkened fabrics, wood, or ceramics
A pretty cup
You

Stop and smell the Roses

The scent of roses is amazing as you walk through this pergola at Heirloom Rose Gardens in St. Paul, Oregon. Take a walk through this tunnel with me and imagine the scent and beauty of the day. There is a bench at the other end waiting to sit and chat. Take time today to smell the roses, sip a cup of tea, and chat with a friend.

The Livin' is Easy

Canoes and water bring to mind summertime.

The song that runs through my mind is Summertime

and the Livin' is Easy.

But canoes and water also bring to mind a time

in my youth.

I loved going to summer camp, loved all the

water sports, including canoeing.

One summer long ago my mom decided to go

to camp with me as a counselor.

We arrived early and a group of us decided to go canoeing.

Now you must know my mom didn't swim.

Everyone wore life jackets.

It was a beautiful summer day on the Russian River.

Canoeing along we got caught in the currant

and surprise we were all in the water.

For most of us that was no problem, we could swim; but for my mom it was very scary.

Fortunately she was close to the canoe and held on until we could pull the canoe to shore.

So each time I see a canoe I think of my mom and that day on the river.

I guess the moral of the story is to know how to swim and always wear a life jacket on the river.

Be safe, soak up the sun, and enjoy the water this summertime.

***

The canoes in the picture were found at Trillium Lake in Oregon.