"But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness.  The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on."-  Robert Finch 

It was such an unusual summer for these parts of Michigan.  The never ending days of 100 plus temps took a toll on much of hubby's garden.  The cucumbers didn't seem to last long after they were picked and not as plentiful.  Last year, I asked Farmer McGregor to plant some gourds as I do love dried gourds.  I usually had to go and buy them, but found an article on-line about growing them & remarkably it is not that difficult.  We started out last year with just a few seeds & ended up with 8 medium sized gourds.  The trick in growing is having enough space, which fortunately we do.  The next question was how to harvest the plump green gourds?  Again, leave it to the Amish to figure out how to do it in the most simple matter.  Just leave them hanging on the vine until the spring.  And that is what we did and the results were just what I wanted.  I like easy & simple.  This year we added a different variety & I did make a comment somewhere that I was disappointed at the few number & the farmer read it, but like magic, several appeared over night.  The only problem is will there be enough time for them to grow.  We will just have to wait and see what happens. 

I should share that the ReShore House is located next door to my late in-law's house, Mike & Jeri Bobik.  Two of the sweetest people to grace the face of the earth.  My mother-in-law was born in the house that is situated on the property.  When Mike returned home from the war, they began a long married life in the house with Jeri's mother, Grandma Swartz and it is there that they raised a daughter, Penny & son Bill.  I am married to Bill.  Grandpa Swartz always had a big garden out back & am sure helped feed a growing family.  The blackberry bushes he planted are tucked into a corner & though neglected by time were resurrected by the farmer, Bill a couple of years ago.  Last year we had a good crop, but this year they couldn't survive the heat.  Now, when Bill is out in the garden, it is as if he is fulfilling a legacy left many years before by grandpa Fred.  The garden is slowing down.  We still have tomatoes and more tomatoes, a few green peppers & a slew of Jalapeno peppers.  Freshly dug potatoes were on the menu a couple of nights ago.  Rosemary potatoes to be exact.  Scrub the potatoes, slice them or thin quarters, place on baking sheet, add olive oil generously tossing the potatoes so they are all covered, Kosher salt sprinkled along with cracked pepper & rosemary.  I used some dried that I had harvested.  Bake for about 25 minutes or until the potatoes are done.  Listen to me.  I sound like some gourmet cook and that is the farthest thing from the truth.  I really don't enjoy cooking that much.  I love looking and reading cookbooks, but would rather be doing something else besides cooking.  My sister-in-law, Penny Bobik Klett is the gourmet cook and my daughter Morgan thankfully loves to cook.  Penny I believe came by her love of cooking by watching her mother and grandmother.  Morgan also grew up watching Grandma Bo cook fabulous meals every Sunday.  We were so very blessed to have that luxury for so many years.  My very sweet & beautiful sister-in-law also has a blog entitled "Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen".  Stop by and check it out as you won't be disappointed.  Today is Labor Day and I definitely will be laboring.  I'm off to Elkhart to try and fluff the booth at Hart City.  Crossing fingers the Emerald Gem will make it now that is has been repaired.  Enjoy the day as in a way it marks the end of summer.