Sunday, August 31, 2008

Fields of Gold

I returned from our annual summer trip to South Carolina to spend a week on the beach with John's family (hot, humid, no hot tea).  We got home at 2:00 a.m. thanks to another flying adventure and the next morning, I was greeted by...yellow!  The blooming goldenrod turned fields to the golden late-summer hue.  Enjoy these perfect days and cool nights!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

A summer treat!


It's the height of blueberry season! All the rain means the picking is very good if you can get out there between the showers. We went to the Charlotte Berry Farm this morning and will be visiting Pelke's in a couple of days for more. After coming home, I called my Aunt Donna in Buffalo and whipped up this pie for dessert -- so easy!

Try it yourself:

Aunt Donna's pie crust recipe

(Makes enough for three double-crust pies.)

In a large bowl, measure out:
5 cups white flour
2 1/4 cups shortening
1 1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine with a pastry cutter or fork until pea-sized lumps.

Take a 1 cup measure and add 1 egg and 2 tsp. cider vinegar; mix and then add water to the one cup line. Make a well in the flour/shortening mix and pour in the egg mixture all at once. Mix with a fork, cover with plastic and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes.
Then dump it out onto a floured board, cut into 6 portions. Freeze 4 for later.
Flatten and roll out the last two for your pie.

I brushed the top crust with an egg white wash and sprinkled it with sugar. We're trying to hold out until after dinner but might have to start with dessert first!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

New toys at work


Here's Charlotte News Ad Sales Manager Pati Naritomi pulling in ads on one of our two new iMacs, thanks to a wonderfully generous News supporter. They're beautiful and awesome, although we have a lot to learn. The upcoming issue is nearly ready -- look for it in your box on Thursday!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Bettter late than never


It got a slow start but in between the rain drops, this summer has given us some perfect days, like yesterday. Here's Charlotte News' Art Director Linda Williamson at the helm of a friend's boat being grateful for the light wind and perfect temps. Great ride, great day!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Summer = Wildflowers


Walk through any unmown field this time of year and you'll see drifts of Vermont's finest summer wildflowers. Black-eyed Susans, astors, bluebells, Queen Anne's lace...they're enjoying a banner year after all the recent rain. Bring along your clippers and bring home a vibrant bouquet!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Happy Birthday, Cowboy!


Shirley Bean reacts to a comment by Cowboy Lewis at his 80th birthday party yesterday. Nearly 100 well wishers dropped by the Senior Center to share stories and have some cake. It was a lively afternoon with a lot of fond reminiscences, and we were all happy to see Cowboy looking so good.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Drying out? Don't bother

Drying clothes and towels outside is proving to be very difficult this week! Here are a few towels hanging on the clothesline of a Thompson's Point camp, hung during the short time between showers yesterday afternoon. If they're not in already this morning, they're likely to be out there for the rest of the week.
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