It's Heating up NOW!

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED!!

I know my sister will be glad to see I have gotten a different indoor thermometer. .one in which the woman doesn't undress to her bikini!! Saturday was our first really hot day of the season! (And contrary to the little raindrop display. .it did NOT rain. .or drizzle. .or even drip. .at ALL!)

We worked on a little project Saturday. .

A little back door makeover!!

GonSS. .can you see my walmart sacks full of garlic on the right?? They are drying in the hot, hot wind. .as you recommended!

And had the door done before the worst of the heat arrived! It took me over an hour to tape and shield all those tiny little windows so Jeremy could spray the paint on. He sanded the metal door, and put body putty in the dents. .there were lots and LOTS of dents!! Then he used automotive paint to spray the door. .the inside is a creamy white. Sealing it with a matte spray when he was finished. We opted to change the handle to one that we can open with our elbows to get in. .since we are ALWAYS carrying armloads of whatever into the house!! Jeremy also wanted to add a deadbolt. .since he could pick the last lock that was on there. We opted for a Schlage keypad like one that was on the house we stayed at last summer. We can lock the door from the outside. .and open it easily since each person has their own code to get back in! For some reason the paint had a cracking problem. .and Jeremy used the rest of his red supply to finish this door. .I was a little disappointed. .because I was hoping that we could get the west deck door painted as well. .another project for another day. .and my back will thank me. . because there are three times the tiny windows in that door and side light panel that will need taped and shielded!

Since the mercury on Sunday looked like this. .I didn't even travel outside. .other than an excursion to church. .until the evening. I have been dragging hoses to all of our trees. .and fine tuning the drip irrigation systems set up in the flower beds. .The hot, dry wind really zaps everything. .including the humans. .

I had signed up to make some cookies to send with Devin to church camp this week. .to feed the hungry campers. .and we just decided to make an event out of it!!

Everyone in a family this big has their own favorites. .and I try to accomodate!! I also enjoyed trying a couple of new recipes. .like an oatmeal cookie using old fashioned oats instead of quick oats. .subbing in dark chocolate instead of raisins. .and a mocha crackle cookies. .which ultimately got rave reviews! I thought I would share the recipe for those that might like to snack in the comfort of their AC than be hanging out in the heat wave. .though they would be great to pack for the lake. .And, in case you think the M & M cookies are looking yummy. .here is the recipe for those. .they are delish. .and not your ordinary cookie!!

Speaking of the lake. .since the wind finally quit blowing yesterday. .and the mercury read a balmy 107 by 3:00. .we spent the afternoon at the lake after Cami and I got back from dropping D at church camp. .shh. .don't tell him!! The water was 82 degrees. .and it felt G-R-E-A-T!!

Yesterday the thermometer in my Yukon said 112 when I left work at 4. You can see it was still plenty warm when I got home around 6!! No relief in sight either. .108 today. .106; 104; 104; 102. .and windy. .bad combo!! We were hopeful to be able to shoot off LAST year's fireworks next week. .but there is a good chance a burn ban will go into effect. .and we will be out of luck again!! Blah!!

In the meantime. .I'll be having some more gardening pics to share. .if everything survives the next few days. .Things are lookin' crispy, even with the extra water!!

Don't know about you all. .but I think I'll just go have another cookie!! And drown my heat-induced sorrows in a big 'ole glass of milk!! Enjoy the rest of your week!

Mocha Crackle Cookies

1/2 cup butter

5 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate

1 tbsp instant coffee granules

4 eggs

1/8 tsp salt 

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 cups plus 3 tbsp flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup confectioners sugar

Microwave butter chocolate and coffee until chocolate is melted. cool slightly. In a large bowl, combine eggs and salt. Add sugars; stir in chocolate mixture; mix well. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to egg mixture to form a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.  Roll dough into 3/4 inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar; place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until set. Cool. .Consume several with large glass of cold milk!

And for those of you that know our family well. .and realize that mostly I cook and make messes. .and Jeremy does the clean up. .KNOW that I. .by myself. .cleaned up this cooking disaster. .until the place sparkled :-) So there!