Merry Meet my friends! I hope that this post finds you all well. It’s been a HOT Summer here in Ohio…many days over 90*. We had a good amount of rain for a while, but now we’ve been much more dry. However, the forecast shows both some cooler temps and rain in the next week which is most welcome. As much as I love gardening, the garden beds are looking poor from the heat and lack of rain and watering from a hose just doesn’t do the trick as much as natural water. But tomatoes are ripened and sooo good, my herbs will give me a huge harvest and the bees, birds, and butterflies are happy.
I know I’ve been absent again…..losing my daughter has just taken the wind out of my sails. But the writing bug has bitten me a bit so here I am. I’ve focused a lot on my home..doing necessary cleaning as we all do, but also purging every drawer, closet and cupboard, nook and cranny of unwanted, unneeded and unused items. From books, to clothes, to even knick knacks etc. It’s very freeing and I’m feeling my life falling into better organization and less stuff…which is a good thing. I’m also finding comfort in my family and spending time with them as much as possible. We all miss Sara so it helps us. My grandkids are so busy and so fun and they bring me great joy as well. My daughter Kate and her husband include my husband and I on so many events in their life and we’re grateful for our time with them. As they live so close, we see them often and it’s fabulous.
I dream of Autumn…as you all know, my favorite season. But I will have to admit, losing Sara in October..my most favorite time of year…may temper my feelings on the month this year…..but not on the season. I will always love Fall. I’m not a fan of hot weather, and we’ve had a very hot season so far, so of course I’m perusing my Fall recipes, gathering fresh supplies for my pantry like flours and yeast for breads, fresh spices and seasonings, I’m freezing things like tomatoes and peaches, and chopped veggies like peppers. Casseroles will be made as well. I often send food to my elder in-laws and my own parents and of course try to help any friends out from time to time. I have a lovely neighbor who I often talk to over the fence, and we pass yummy things back and forth to each other as well. So having things in the pantry and readily available really makes that easier. And of course, I’ve now discovered ordering groceries for delivery! Or to pick up which makes me very happy! And the farmer’s markets are in full swing which is wonderful.
Last week, my daughter and I were gifted with a big bushel of fresh Georgia peaches right off the truck. We decided to make peach pie filling to freeze so we can make pie or cobbler or ice cream topping to enjoy in the Fall/Winter. We came across a delicious recipe and got busy. I decided to share it here as my most commented on posts are often the ones that contain recipes. I hope you can get your hands on some peaches and give this a try. You don’t have to “can” these….they can be frozen in freezer containers or even freezer bags.
Quick and Yummy Peach Pie Filling
*recipe is enough for one pie.
1 cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
4-5 large fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced thin
In a large deep skillet over medium heat, stir together the water, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch. Cook until thickened and bubbly about 5 minutes. The Cook another 3 minutes as it simmers, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and almond extracts and cinnamon.
Add the peaches and mix until peaches are well coated and combined.
Cool filling to room temperature then use right away, store in refrigerator a few days or freeze in containers or bags.
This recipe is seriously yummy. You’ll love it! So much better than the canned stuff!
I love having prepared foods in the freezer to make my life a little easier, and cooking these foods with someone you love, sharing them, sharing recipes to try etc makes it even more great!
Lughnasadh comes very soon…August 1. I love this Sabbat because it’s heralding the coming of Autumn, the harvest season and cooler weather…eventually. It’s also all about good food, the harvest, grains and breads, herbs and oils…..it’s a fun time when it’s too hot to be outside, you can be cooking yummy things in the kitchen to share or to save for yourself later. In my past blogs I’ve posted many recipes for herbed oils, breads, fresh veggie dishes and fruit desserts. Be sure to check them out.
How has your summer been? I’d love to hear. How do you celebrate Lughnasadh? My coven will be gathering just a couple days ahead. I always look forward to that. We’ve had some amazing Moons this Summer huh? Part of what I DO love about Summer, is basking under the Moon without being cold, or needing shoes and coats etc. lol. Barefoot in the grass in my jammies works great this time of year. New protections and witch jars are always put into place this time of year..between Solstice and Lughnasadh for me and my coven. Again..it’s so easy and nice to do it in the warmth. Often I’m accompanied by the sounds of the crickets, lightning bugs, bees buzzing, and soft winds rustling through the trees. Those are the great things about Summer.
I’ll be back soon, I’ve been giving thought to recipes I can share here along with other ideas of things to talk about. I want to thank so many of you for your kind words about the loss of my daughter. It’s appreciated more than you know and touched my heart. I do know she’s with me, always in my heart, and she’d be proud of how I’m doing my best to take care of me and my loved ones, remembering her in great love and being comforted by our memories of her. I know I’m not alone in loss and life must move on. Thank you again for the love and support.
Make your remaining Summer days fantastic! And for those like me who love Autumn, it won’t be long!! The old Wheel turns very fast!
“When summer opens, I see how fast it matures,
and fear it will be short; but after the heats of July and August,
I am reconciled, like one who has had his swing, to the cool of autumn.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Love and Blessings,
Autumn
My Moonlit Path..... 