Summer's End

Well, two more days of summer and I say make the most of it! It was in the 40's here in the valley this morning. Crisp. Bracing. Makes me think of bread fresh from the oven (ok, bread machine), steaming stew and hot chocolate.

Grilling time may be short for some of you (we grill all winter long, yes even in Missouri) so here's a delicious herbal marinade that's delicious on meat or vegetables.

THYME TO GRILL: 1/2 cup red wine vinegar or red wine, 1 small onion, 1 clove garlic, sea salt & fresh ground black pepper and 8 to 10 sprigs of thyme. (Throw caution to the wind and substitute different herbs). Place all ingredients in flat dish, add meat (ribeye's are great), cover and chill about 3 hours. Remove meat from marinade (discard marinade), salt & pepper and pop on hot grill (400-450 degrees). Be sure grill is on HIGH HEAT and close the grill lid when cooking. For ribeye about 4 minutes each side. Or, you can broil them about 5 inches from heat. Ummmm, I can smell it now.

Jumpin' Jack Flash put up a valiant fight living several weeks after his dog and coyote attacks but he finally gave it up. I buried him with his Mables.

I LOVE IT when Rocky Creek classes start in the Fall. We've already had such a good turn out. This year we have added KIDS classes for homeschoolers and CRAFT classes for, well anyone to our regular line up of HERB classes. Next up is Herbal Antibiotics October 18. And, as soon as it frosts FIRST FROST herb class will be scheduled so be on the look out! The next KIDS class is October 11: Life Science-Pumpkin carving and painting--WHAT FUN. CRAFT class is bead weaving October 4. You will be making a beautiful bracelet in what I call 3-D! Check our website or facebook page for a full schedule. Don't be disappointed: register today. I encourage participants to bring a sack lunch and eat at the farm after class.

I will be putting the garden to bed very soon. It has been QUITE an experience in the garden this summer...good and bad. I will share all of it with you on a future blog.