Thursday, August 19, 2010

An ode to summer



Summer is beginning its graceful exit.
How do I know that fall is slowly returning?

The acorns have been falling for a week. Leaves are beginning to slowly turn a color other than green and a few have even dropped. The figs are ready and the tomatoes are filling up my neighborhood's kitchens. The spiders are out in full force in my garden, the critters are going after the grubs under my "grass" and many of the hydrangeas are leathery.

Here's what I'll miss about summer. The taste and color of figs.


  New French Country by Linda Dannenberg


 All that potential with the luscious, ripe grapes.


New French Country by Linda Dannenberg


A late afternoon snack on a lazy day. The screened porch is a god-send during mosquito season~ now.
 

Cultivated Pleasures by Elizabeth Saft


On a vacation with a view, fresh fruit, comfy chairs and guests due any moment. 



Italian Style by Jane Gordon-Clark


A spur of the moment dinner outside.



Set With Style by Caroline Clifton-Mogg


Parking in the loggia with friends and family for the entire evening.


Set With Style by Caroline Clifton-Mogg


Picking the ripe peaches, then biting into your peach with the juice dribbling down your chin...and everyone else's also! No shame here. (Anyone have a napkin?)
 

New French Country by Linda Dannenberg


Strolling through the garden and eating tomatoes just like a peach!


Essentially French by Josephine Ryan


I found this wonderful recipe and plan on making a few tomato pies this weekend to share. Would you like to join me? Here is the recipe.
 

French Chic by Florence de Dampierre


I have plenty of basil to spare. We experimented and planted the "regular" basil and Italian basil seeds from Franchi Sementi. The leaves are large and puckered and very sweet. Right now, we have fresh pesto several times a week. Soon, we'll freeze ice cube-size batches for the winter.


French Chic by Florence de Dampierre


This is my 100th post and I am celebrating by offering a wreath giveaway.

Be sure to check HERE to learn how to win a hydrangea wreath for your fall decor! The deadline to enter is this Sunday, August 22nd.  

Comment often!

Thank you, Cindy, at My Romantic Home, for Show & Tell Friday.

 

10 comments:

  1. Love your blog. I just started one that I think you'll love too. Please stop by. Ms. CotedeVelvetGreige! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ann, Fabulous post. All those romantic images. They make me swoon. I am a romantic at heart and adore wonderful atmosphere. The tomato tart looks really yummy. I grew an abundance of basil this year too. I think I will make one to take to my parents for dinner tomorrow night. Won't they be surprised?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I forgot to tell you that I posted about your giveaway today. I hope my readers come over to see you. Have a great weekend. Mona

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just about gasped at the sight of those peaches! Aren't they THE BEST summer treat?! Lovely ode to the outdoors and what can be :) P.S. I REALLY want you wreath!

    ReplyDelete
  5. All of those fruits and the tomatoes are yummy looking. You reminded me that I want to have a fig tree next year...do you have one? And, that recipe looks amazing...I will be making this weekend with fresh Hamptons tomatoes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Lisa,

    Yes, we have 3 fig trees. We used to literally dig them under the ground in the winter, but that got to be quite a hassle. Now we overwinter them in our unheated warehouse space which does not go below the mid 40's. They do great. It is high season for them right now. Have to beat the wasps and birds to the spoils!

    -Ann

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mmmmm, it looks so abundant and delicious! My grapes are ripe, but my figs nowhere near - I live in the Bay Area and we have had a very temperate summer...

    ReplyDelete
  8. HI Ann
    What a gorgeous post! and after my own heart.. I love Italy and all it's many wonderful facets!!... Well your summer is finishing and mine will be starting soon... come on spring!!

    Have a lovely weekend and thank you so much for your kind comments my way.... and happy 100 posts!! xxx Julie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful photos! Congratulations on 100 posts! I actually have everything on hand so I think I'll try to make a tomato tart tomorrow! Sounds yummy! Thanks for the recipe! Patti in TX

    ReplyDelete