JULY’ 20

18

July has been HOT, HOT, HOT. This morning is no exception. If I don't get out into the garden in the early morning, it ain't happening. So, I try to weed, harvest, and water in the garden before 9 am. We are on the verge of a squash surge. I'm sneaking it into everything: smoothies, chili, miso soup etc. Eventually, I will break down and make zucchini bread and fritters. I've also been craving okonomiyaki. We're planning a big push in the garden this weekend. Davis is scrambling to gather enough manure and compost so that we can sheet mulch the south lawn this weekend. And, I have it in my head that I will plant our fall crop this weekend as well.

I am wrapping up the 7th week of my ongoing bake sale. This week, I made a quartet of ice creams for auction: a roasted black sesame ice cream with chocolate cookie gravel, a matcha ice cream with white chocolate-covered caramelized toasted rice crispies, a sweet cream ice cream swirled with azuki bean confit and syrup, and a brown rice miso ice cream with miso-caramel swirl and toasted pecans.

Still trying to find the right balance between self care and engagement with the Black Lives Matter movement. I am committed to doing the work but I need to find some balance so that my engagement is sustainable in the long run. I've been producing the bake sale but trying to carve out time again to really be present with Willa, to read for pleasure and not just self-education on racism, and refrain from reading too much news but still bear witness to the atrocities committed throughout the country. I hear the concern that the energy behind BLM is flagging and I worry about that too. I firmly believe that we have a singular opportunity here to enact lasting progressive change. I am trying to find other ways to make an impact.

Doing my best to enjoy summer even though it isn't my favorite season. I am really only in it for the food.  It's easy to forget how amazing vegetables and fruits can be when you've been eating stuff trucked in from all over the world before sitting for ages in the store. And, I have the fall to look forward to which is my absolute favorite time of year. The fresh produce is still abundant and amazing. The days are still sunny but the temps are cooler. The world dies down in a glorious riot. It feels reasonably sane to turn on the oven again.