Wednesday, July 31

Last day of July already. It hasn't been a bad month...the weather has been great compared to last year, when temps stayed in the 100's for a few weeks, and there was a terrible drought. By this time in 2012, the trees were stressed and covered in dust. This year, they are as green and bright as they were in the spring.

I guess we had a trace of rain last night, since the ground was slightly wet. I did hear thunder in the distance when I got up around 2 a.m.

Fortunately, when I returned to bed, I fell right back to sleep, unlike some nights when sleep eludes me after I've gotten up.

Monday night, we were awakened twice with fierce thunder that accompanied storm producing about three inches of rain. Our rain-starved veggie gardens loved it.

Got up at 6 a.m. to get ready for water aerobics. Fifteen of us showed up. Our leader had to leave early for an appointment, and  so I decided to leave early too. Learned today that Friday is the last day of aerobics for two weeks, since the lifeguard/coach has other business to attend to.

Back home, after a couple of cups of coffee, I headed upstairs to get ready for the day. In the meantime, Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house, and she went to work on her jigsaw puzzle.

Later, after lunch, I gathered supplies and ingredients for making apple jelly. I wanted to try the automatic jelly maker (the replacement for the one that didn't work). Mother helped and we made four half pints. This time, the jelly maker came to a rolling boil, so I think it worked as it is supposed to. I'll know for sure when I check the jelly tomorrow.

After that, we all relaxed...Mother went back to her puzzle, Hubbie watched TV, and I read a novel on my e-tablet.

Later,  Mother and I made supper preparations...she peeled the new potatoes I steamed yesterday, and diced an onion, so I could saute' them. While she did that, I peeled and cubed the steamed squash to make a casserole. I mixed the squash with egg substitute, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese, along with spices...salt free seasoning, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Topped the dish with  bread crumbs, and baked it for an hour. Heated the rest of the leftovers...steak strips with peppers and onions, green beans, and baked beans.

As the meal was cooking, we got a surprise visit from Grandson. He is working nearby, and decided to chance dropping by for a visit. We were so happy when he agreed to stay for supper.  I sliced a plate of tomatoes from the garden, and popped a pan of canned biscuits into the oven.

It was an unusual meal of various foods, but Grandson seemed to enjoy it. I insisted that he finish the remainder of it, since I didn't want to put it back in the refrigerator. Grandson works hard, so he has a good appetite. Served ice cream topped with fresh peaches for dessert.

He'll still be on the same job tomorrow, so he said he would come by for supper tomorrow night, too. I made sure he like spaghetti, since that's what I have planned for tomorrow's meal. He said he loves spaghetti.

Grandson visited for a little while after supper and then headed home. We spent the rest of the evening watching episodes of "Wind at My Back." Mother was ready to go home around 9 p.m., and Hubbie accompanied her.