At the End of the Day

What is there about this time of the year? My favorite hours are in the early evening as the heat of the day is cooling down. I go barefoot out in the yard and water all the flowers. The fragrance of the clematis, jasmine and roses combined with the aromas of the herbs – basil, thyme, lavender, and oregano – float in the humid air. I inhale their lovely perfume as I watch out for the fat bumblebees that are at work. A hummingbird flutters near my head, then another. They are magical. I pause and stand, oh, so still, hoping to keep them longer. But they sip their nectar and whisk away.

I pick away the dead blooms on the petunias and marigolds. I risk the stinging thorns from the Joseph’s Coat rose as I deadhead roses. The warbling call of a mockingbird trills out. A light breeze whispers through the branches of the dogwood. All is peaceful.

My energy renewed, I go in to prepare supper. On nights like this, I keep the meal simple: meat, veggies and salad. First, I sauté organic red potatoes that I have scrubbed and sliced thin (keeping the skins on). After they have cooked to almost done, I add sliced green zucchini to the skillet.  I season with sea salt and fresh crumbled thyme from the garden. Then I put the lid on and cook just until the zucchini and potatoes are fork tender.

For the meat, I make up patties (beef, turkey, whatever you like) seasoned with Bragg’s Amino Acid, garlic and salt. I prefer to grill these outside.

I toss together a salad or slice tomatoes and marinate in Italian dressing.

It’s not a fancy meal, but it is filling and light at the end of a busy and warm day. Even better, all the ingredients can be found at Cardinal Rose. (Have you tried the buffalo burgers?)

P.S. If you’re one who has to have a dessert, pick up a pint of ice cream from the freezer and a bag of your favorite cookies!