Veronica Boulden

"The world was meant for our eyes And our eye's were meant for Wonder" -Arcadian Wild  A photo of the tiny bird's nest fungus growing in our herb garden   

This summer, I've read: Four detective novels by Dorothy Sayer's (and I've named my new black Suburban " Bunter") The Lyme Solution by Darin Ingles ADHD for Dummies by Jeff Strong The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay  Dear Mr. Knightly also by Katherine Reay  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Watership Down by Richard Adams I've listened to: Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier The Medieval Mind of CS Lewis I've re-listened to: The Abolition of Man Till We Have Faces I've started, but haven't finished: Sex and Virtue by John S. Grabowski Emily Post's Etiquette Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset

Avril and I picked raspberries, blueberries, and peaches.  We've been making jams and jellies almost everyday since.  It's very hot and humid in our kitchen, so the jam is consistently taking three times as long as it is supposed to in order to gel.  So far, this week, we've made and canned a batch of:  raspberry jam peach jam peach melba jam (peach jam and raspberry jam layered in the same jar) berry jam (a jam made with a mixture of blueberries and raspberries) peach jam and blueberry citrus conserve (blueberry jam with orange and lemon slices and raisins).  And we've made two batches of peach jelly from the juice collected as we peeled the peaches over a sieve placed in a large bowl. Note: The second batch, Avril made and canned entirely on her own start to finish.  There's always a little extra jam or jelly or conserve in the bottom of the big pot that won't fill an entire jar, so we put that jar in the fridge and enjoy it right away.  The sun shining throu

We had chicken croquettes when we were at Shadymaple Smorgasboard in PA.  I had never tasted anything so good. Dwayne grew up eating chicken croquettes, apparently, but somehow, failed to ever mention them to me...  Note: Even the most outstanding Christian spouse can let you down.  I resolved to learn to make them.  First, I researched recipes online.  Next, I realized I'd probably have to fry them to get them right.  I don't fry as a rule.  I always thought, "I'm fat enough even without frying... Can you imagine what frying will do to me?"  Nevertheless, I decided to fry these.  And I served them with mashed potatoes and chicken gravy just as they are traditionally served.  I also served some vegetable I can't remember to give a passing nod to healthy; I think it was steamed green beans. My family hasn't responded that well to a meal in years.  Sounds of delight as they chewed  Two thumbs up all around the table My children rose up and blessed me My husb

 We spent the late morning/ early afternoon at Topstone, one of our favorite places in summer.  Then we traveled to Wilton for their fireworks shows.  As always, Dwayne read the Declaration of Independence aloud as we sat waiting for the fireworks display to start. We all have a good deal of it memorized by now.  God bless America! Land that I love. 

A needle-sharp pain in the bottom of my foot kept me awake for an unknown period of time last night. And it was bothering me periodically throughout the morning hours, too, so much so that I actually cried out once while sipping my coffee and saying my prayers. My daughter, moving around the same rooms on that floor of the house, even asked, "Mom, Are you alright?"  Apparently, the inflammation due to Lyme has migrated to the bottom of my right foot. But I put on my sneakers a few hours later and went for my planned walk anyway, determined to follow my very gentle exercise plan, since I find that I am finally strong enough to exercise again. But I also have asthma now, which is also likely due to the inflammation due to Lyme, so walking outside is more like swimming now. The humidity is high and with asthma, I feel the moisture keenly. We are all moving and breathing underwater every moment of the day.  But I pushed myself forward and pushed play on my current audio book: The