This morning, because the air was mercifully cool and not too humid, I decided to sip my daily allowance of cafe au creme (cold-brewed and heated) in the tiny Herb Garden. I’ll show you the residents of this productive plot in just a moment. For now, I have a question for you! Here goes:
Did you get away this summer?
I’d love to hear about your vacation adventures, so please post them in the comments field below. Tell me about your trip to the lake, ocean, or river. Or the kiss you received in front of the Eiffel Tower. Or, talk about your stay-cation at home, and what you did to relax.
As for me, I’ve not been away at all. I’ve been right here, cooking, staging, and photographing the recipes that will appear in my cookbook. Yesterday, for instance, I whipped up three of the 20 desserts that are destined for the book’s final, and definitely decadent, chapter. I’ll write more about the book (including the arduous job of staging food-photos) in a future post.
Now back to the herb garden and its 4 raised beds. As you might recall, I papered the tops of these before planting. As a happy result, the beds have remained free of weeds. They’ve stayed miraculously moist, too. I watered them in early June, but not at all during the long, horrid drought of July. Obviously a papered bed is a happy, care-free bed.
Here’s what’s growing:
Bed #1: Chives and alyssum. Alyssum provides terrific daytime perfume.
Bed #2: I originally planted this bed with red ‘Oak Leaf’ and ‘Boston’ lettuces, as well as Swiss chard. The lettuces bolted during the July heat, but the chard is growing with the exuberance of a teenager. What a gorgeous — and useful — plant! I recently turned some of its leaves into a delicious make-ahead strata. Here’s the recipe.
Bed #3: ‘Savoy’ and red cabbage. The outer leaves have been chewed by insects, but the tight “heads” within are in fine, insect-free condition. My favorite way to eat cabbage? Roasted, with fennel seeds.
Bed #4: Flat-leaved parsley. Parsley is my go-to herb for lots of things.
Growing along the fence are tall, purple zinnias…
And some white Nicotiana.
Remember when I said that sweet alyssum provides fragrance during the daytime? Well, nicotiana perfumes the evening air. It’s a happy re-seeder. Plant it once, and you will have it forever.
Not fragrant but pretty to look at are the two baskets of pale purple Calibrachoa. I suspended these from brackets attached to the clapboard wall at the south end of the herb garden.
Also in the herb garden are myriad houseplants on summer holiday. We’ll look at these some other time. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll tell me what — if anything — you did (or are planning to do) — for your summer vacation! Talk to me in the comments field below.
xKevin
Donna says
Thank you sharing your lovely herb gardens, so beautiful! My vacation will begin in September when I travel from Rhode Island to Kailua Kona Hawaii to visit a dear friend. Having only been to the island of Maui, I am very excited to experience the Island of Hawaii and of course spend time with my friend. Have a wonderful remainder of the summer!
Sheila Sayles says
your gardens are fabulous….I love your posts. crazy year for me….too much of everything and everybody. I have kept the gardens going…….not looking so good and late…..when I retire in 2-3 years, I want the gardens still there. I do 4 nights in a time share spring and fall….OMG really? yes. not had a vaca in a couple of years. my daughter lives upnorth in Wisconsin …. it only takes me 3 hours to get there…….it is a good jumping off point for the UP or going west to the Bayfield area. I do love Wisconsin……….since my husband died 9 years ago, I have not flown anywhere. gone to Canada……love it. I am 67 years old….gotta get busy and keep going til I run out of places!
Peter and Shelagh says
Beautiful garden!
We holiday in Septemner after Labour day. July and August are for people with children and we prefer to stay out of the way. We will begin our holiday in Victoria, BC and work our way up to Campbell River over a two week period. Hopefully the weather will be our friend because even though we are in our sixties, we still prefer to camp in a tent!
I love your blog! Cheers, Peter.
ingmarie peck says
Beautiful plants in your garden.Love your photos.
My “vacation” this year was 2 weeks in Spain ,a friend andI walked ‘El Camino de Santiago” from Lyon to Compostella de Santiago. 311 kilometers, feet are still in good shape.It was awesome. Beautiful views and beautiful people.
Susan Kennedy says
Kevin,
Going to try zucchini fritters tonight and got seed starting mix to try to winter over some of my blue petunias!
Thanks!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Donna – Hawaii. Yes!
Hi Sheila – Do keep traveling. It will keep you young.
Hi Peter – Victoria, BC. One of my favorite places, too!
Hi Ingmarie – Spain on foot. Good for you!
Hi Susan Kennedy – Enjoy the fritters. They’re scrumptious!
Christine F says
No vacation yet but I’d rather stay home anyway. Tried a couple new things in the garden this year, White Eggplant and Ghost Pepper. They are both doing great! The pepper plants especially are huge!!
Katie D. says
Hi Kevin! Your garden is looking beautiful as always. And I cannot wait for your cook book! We did a sort of “stay-cation” this year as we have a ten month old daughter so the idea of a real vacation actually just sounds exhausting at this point. We have a little cabin in the woods about an hour from where we live (in Buffalo) so we spent a full week up there just relaxing and cooking and paddling around the lake. It wasn’t much but it was perfect 🙂
Momo says
I went to my late husband’s family place on the southern coast of Maine. The house is big and old and beat up in places, just how I like a beach house. No worries about sand or salt water ruining anything. I ate lobster and clams fresh from the pound and drank wine at sunset every night.
Helga G says
Love the picture of your ruby red chard, I also love to eat it. Summertime makes me mostly vegetarian, especially after I joined a organic CSA. Looking forward to spend a week in the Berkshires early October with my friend.
Durf says
We went to the Camden, Maine area. We stayed at a place I found on Pinterest of all places – Cedarknoll. It was a gardener’s paradise and looked just like the beautiful pictures on their website.
I like the boxwood around the veggies – nice touch!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Christine F – I’ll bet your garden is happy you stayed home.
Hi Katie D – A cabin in the woods sounds oh, so peaceful. Glad you managed to get away.
Hi Momo – Lobsters, clams, and wine? And a beautiful Maine sunset? Divine.
Hi Helga G – Berkshires is my neck o’ the woods. Enjoy your October va-cay.
Hi Durf – Camden is probably my favorite place in Maine. Thanks for heads-up re: Cedarknoll.
Judy says
Love the pics you take the time to share with us! Vacation is just not happening this year but my little garden helps keep me happy 🙂
Gay , Dutchess County ,NY says
We spent 3 glorious weeks at the Jersey shore in July…..no rainy days!!
Because we are away in the middle of the summer my garden leans toward flowers that bloom early or late. We get our veggies from local farmers markets.
Carolyn in Carmel says
We had our family visit us in early July and then travelled to Seattle to visit a friend of over 50 years. Love your garden and your posts!
Maureen D. says
I stayed home and got to spend time teaching my 6 year old grandson some gardening as well as building stone “piles” in nearby Wappingers Creek. I’ll take a solo trip around New England around the end of October when the leaves are at their best. I love your blog and cannot wait till your cookbook is ready!
Julie says
While I didn’t get a vacation this year, your blog has served as my mini vacations from the stress of the day. The leisurely strolls through the beauty of your gardens, your unbelievably yummy creations in the kitchen and your poetic writing take me on a mini vacation that I can’t get enough of.
Lee says
I m home from Oxford. The gardens at Worster college were magical, right down to the swan swimming under ancient trees hanging over the lake. One enters the garden through C. S. Lewis’ rabbit hole.
Chris Mergener says
I love the pictures of your home and gardens. I am envious. 🙂 I am going to Durango, Colorado this September.
Kate R. says
Thanks for sharing your herb garden, it looks like a wonderful place to have a peaceful cup of coffee. This summer I realized a long-held dream, I visited some of the great Gardens of England. Great Comp, Great Dixter, Wisley, Sissinghurst and finished with the Chelsea flower show.It was a once in a lifetime trip and very inspiring!
Linda says
I live in Maine, so vacations for us is motorcycling around this beautiful state. Plus, I work in my vegetable garden every night.
Sheena says
For me it was the ocean in Maine, Blue Hill area, with two daughters, their husbands and 6 rambunctious grandchildren ranging from 15 years old down to 7 weeks. Cooking for 10, washing dishes for 10, and plenty of games and beach time. Just a wonderful time for this grandmother.
Candy says
We are traveling to New Mexico and Arizona Sept. 17th-26th. Our main objective is to meet our new grandson Caleb and to, also, visit with his sister, Tinley. Our second objective is to knock one off of our bucket list. We are going to spend 3 days, 2 nights at the Grand Canyon. Our daughter and her family live in Albuquerque and we have never been there. We are going to have a wonderful time exploring it with her and her kiddos. Safe travels, everyone!
Sandra Allen says
I look forward to your news letter and blog. I love gardening, however I don’t have time to do it justice. I enjoy the time I have. Started some herbs this spring and am enjoying an abundance of sweet basil. Will dry and store the bounty.
Went to OR with my sister last month for a family gathering. I loved spending time with my son and my sister the most.
Enjoy your summer Kevin whatever you do.
Dave says
My wife and I made a trip to Norway in June. First of all it was beautiful visited family. A warning to everyone flying to Europe. If your passport will expire less then three or six months before the date you return you will not be allowed to fly to some countries. This happened to us when we were at the Boston airport ready to board and were told that we cannot fly because our passport was not going to be valid because it was not more than three months from the time we were returning. We had never heard of this law and our trip was just about ruined I mention this so that no one Else would go through what we went through in order to leave. We lost three days of our vacation because of getting a new passport
Pam says
Hi Kevin, love this site. You are the best when it comes to a tasty recipe! As for what I did this summer? I went back to work and abandoned my garden and kitchen (need to pay those pesky property taxes somehow!). Love the new job and the garden will wait for me. Yesterday I found a volunteer zucchini plant in the hillside garden complete with 2 nice big yellow zucchinis for me. A gift from Mother Nature and a blessing letting me know things are going to grow wether I tend to them or not!
Leia says
My vacation was surgery, 2 days in hospital, and so far 10 weeks of not doing anything. My garden is overgrown with weeds, it’s toast. But the one area that I did get newspaper and straw on is looking alright. Some weeds but that’s because the 2 hens that escape from the pen every day have been searching for bugs under the paper. I will definitely do the newspaper mulch again. This year was doomed right from the word surgery. And last year wasn’t much better. Next year.
Marjie T. says
Kudos on your amazing garden. Living on a little farm, it is really hard for me to get away for more than a few hours. It works really well though as I am truly blessed for location. I have everything I could wish for and more right here…two horses and trails, Lake Michigan right across the street, bike trails, 42 major parks and preserves within a 30 minute drive and a zillion cultural options from festivals to the theatre within a 30 minute drive. Ozaukee County, like most of Wisconsin, is fabulous. Come visit: http://treasuresofoz.org
John says
We spent two weeks in Venice and Lake Como in May. The perfect time to go –no crowds. We got to tour ancient villas and their gardens. The rhododendrons were in full bloom. Of course the food and wine was incredible, too!
Sharon says
I dithered with my nervousness about flying for weeks but had a serious, very serious, envie (cajun french word for desire, urge) to see my daughter. She lives in the forest near Mount Baker, right near the Nooksack River, in Washington state. I live in South Louisiana.
Out of blue one night, as I drifted off to sleep, I made the decision that when I woke I would quickly throw my stuff into bags and the car and leave. Just leave and drive, even though Google maps kept telling me it was a hard 4 day drive (or a leisurely 6 day drive).
Well I, myself, and me, all by my lonesome, spent some of the best days of my life traveling, thinking, listening to music, and just marveling at the summer sights of this beautiful country.
I gps’d myself right to her little rustic cabin (in 4 days!) and arrived just as she and her husband arrived home from work …….surprise!!
The stream in her backyard is magical and with the temps in the upper 40’s at night (in June!) we slept under soft quilts with the windows open.
It was the trip of a lifetime for me, away from the cacophony of the internet and the electronic world in which we live, alone with my thoughts and solitude for the drive there and back, with two weeks of bliss in the great outdoors cocooned in the love and home of my sweet daughter.
Thank you for asking. 🙂
Your gardens are blissful.
Cindy L says
I take several “mini vaca’s” in my home state of MI, so far I’ve been to Mackinac Island, Traverse City/ Leelanau Peninsula area , Frankenmuth, and will finish up in September for a 3 day trip to Petoskey.
Pat L-G says
I made a grand trip from Michigan to Seattle, where my cousin from Ohio met me at airport – rented a car and traveled the Olympic Peninsula for a week. Grand adventures….from Seattle to Whidbey Island (to visit an old high school friend that I hadn’t seen in 40 years), to Pt Townsend to Sequim (lavender heaven) Victoria BC and down the west coast to see fishing villages, beaches, the Hoh Rain Forest and eventually over to Mt Rainier before heading back to Seattle and red-eye flights home. 1,143 miles in 8 days……and over 900 pictures taken, best seafood (ever) eaten and probably not enough sleep. 😉
Noelle says
We will be headed to Amish country, PA soon – for a quick getaway and a half marathon/hot air balloon launch in Bird in Hand! Unfortunately, we weren’t able to take a long vacation this year, as we are first time parents & getting used to working around the schedule of our little one! However, reading your blog is always relaxes me & gives me opportunity to daydream…a welcome “vacation” of the mind 🙂 Thank you! (and PS – I have a cabbage from my CSA just waiting to be roasted, thanks for the suggestion!)
Marcia says
I would have liked to get away as all of my high school classmates and I turn 70 this year. But I don’t travel well anymore. I’ll stay home and quilt and garden and wait for the linoleum people to show up.
linda says
I didn’t go away this summer per se, but in April I went to Normandy, France. Embarked in Paris, after 2 days and went down the Seine, stopping at Rouen, and others. But the highlight for me was the village where my father landed on D-Day, at Omaha beach, and LIVED!!! 130,000 landed, 10,000 were killed. Very sobering. The French people, in that area, 70 years later! are still grateful for the liberation!
Theresa says
It always feels tranquil and fun to visit the gardens with you. Thank you for making us all welcome. My garden is not looking nearly so orderly, with bee balm out of control and going to seed. And a couple of volunteer squash (Tromboncina) over-growing everything in its path.
In late June the area of West Virginia where I live experienced horrific floods, with much loss of life and homes, businesses and schools destroyed. The summer has been filled with cleanup, demolition, and lots of sweat and tears.
I have plans to join my sister on a trip to Iceland soon. It will be a good for body and soul.
SueSchneid22 says
Hi Kevin, Love your site! I also love how your gardens are not only functional, but look like a flower garden. Beauty meets utility there and the result is gorgeous. And productive!
We just got back from a week in Wolfeboro, NH at Lake Winnepesaukee where my daughter, her wife and their toddler live. My son and his family came, too, and we had a wonderful time on the lake’s beaches, fishing, boating, and even visiting Mt. Washington. Being all together was the best part, though. Hope you and the Silver Fox have a vaca planned in the near future!
Karen says
For me to leave my garden in August it must be for a big adventure and so it shall be! Traveling to London this month! Planning to see Kew Gardens and Hampton Court and hope to find locals that give private garden tours.
Karen says
Went to Vermont several times and took care of our 3 acre orchard.
Lisa Williams says
I am enjoying the company of two wonderful friends from Kinderhook, NY! We went to Jekyll Island in July with grandkids. Getting ready to start school next week!
Lynda Kowalski says
Spent the cool mornings on my new covered deck. Overlooked the straw colored lawn and the raised vegetable beds that this year I planted about 1/4 with zinnias and snap dragons. Also grew garlic between the mums. Peaceful. Deer come right up the fence. I’ll wait for the fall to wander away from home but did manage a family cruise to the Western Caribbean in April to keep the wanderlust quiet with in me.
Susanne G says
I went to the first Sitka (Alaska) Arts and Science Festival for adults as a student for a week! I’m living in upstate NY. The most fun and camaraderie I’ve had in a long time. Spare accommodations, but beautiful, generous people, classes, activities and surroundings.
Elizabeth says
No vacation this year because we remodeled our bathroom. By that I mean my spouse and I did most of the work ourselves. We gutted it, moved walls and painted them a soft, powdery yellow, installed basketweave marble flooring, marble countertop, cultured marble shower, and then the plumber came and installed a cast-iron clawfoot tub. I call it the princess room 🙂
Sheri says
My husband & I are always in awe of where we live. We purchased a Gut-to-the-studs remodel and we also had to gut the entire horrible yard. At the surface we found garbage buried under decorative mulch and discovered garbage buried down to 6 feet in the backyard, some folks didn’t like paying the price of going to the dump. There were 2 layers of heavy black plastic going down 2 feet on the whole lot and the soil smelled like a sewer, there were no worms. While we were clearing the moles and voles moved in and gave assistance in the plastic removal. In the morning at their holes were piles of black plastic they brought to the surface, apparently the wild life can’t stand the stuff either. The projects inside & out have kept us very busy for the last 9 years and in 2010 my husband suffered a very serious stroke, then 2 more. We discovered just how difficult it was for him to navigate and all ideas & builds are geared to accommodate people with disability. Our home, yard & garden is turning into our private Eden and there is no place that my husband can not reach. We are located in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Marsha Smith says
Summer at this house has been-new driveway, new gravel paths in gardens and new chimney etc. One day we had 10 workmen-what I like to see work being done and I am not the worker.We live in Camden,ME so we have taken mini breaks on our porch watching the sail boats on the bay. We are having a very dry Summer so the ferns and other flowers are starting to fade. Our over 100 year old hydrangea tree is in full bloom-the blooms aren’t as big as in some years. Enjoying our little vegetable garden-have already harvested garlic. Busy making our grandson’s favorite pickles, stocking the freezer with blueberries, strawberries, pesto etc. Enjoy your blog! Must try your blueberry bars as we are in the midst of blueberry season here and everything is blueberries.
Patti Teeters says
Hi, Kevin. No vacation for us. But we keep busy in our gardens of flowers and veggies.
I wish you good luck with your cookbook. You cook so wonderfully and the photos are fab! I can see your cookbook just flying off the shelves. I have used a lot of your recipes you share with us and I have loved them all. Your gardens are all beautiful as usual. I enjoy your pictures. To stroll through your gardens would be a vacation in itself. A great remaining summer to you and yours, Kevin.
Judy Hines says
Because of our gardens, we prefer not to travel in the summer! How heavenly to sip morning coffee by the patio garden and watch the hummers and monarchs. Kevin, the Theuret’s are not doing so well but the other matoes are fine. To celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, we take our Seattle and Gravpevine, TX families to Glacier National Park, a place we adore, and then a return trip to Waterton, Canada. I so enjoy your website and look forward to the cookbook!
Bethe says
Went from home in Sacramento, CA, to Show Low, Arizona for a sibling get-together. Drove the main drag named Deuce-of-Clubs and found numerous wonderful little places to eat. Enjoyed the pine trees and cedar breaks and afternoon monsoons on the deck. Delicious weather, but I missed my fresh fresh veggies in my garden and the Farmer’s Markets of my town. Now, back to heat and work.
Jerie Green says
Staying at home this summer in beautiful Ashtabula County, Ohio – still enjoying our move six years ago to an 1828 house (always working on it) on 3 acres with a barn, a pond at the bottom of the hill and garden spaces I am gradually expanding. We honestly don’t want to go anywhere; it’s all here. I retired in December, so now I have all the time I need (right . . .). Also painting a long white picket fence this summer – I’m now 23 percent done, just 403 pickets to go. Love your blog.
Nancy W says
Kevin,
I just love your blog and can’t wait for your cookbook to come out! Our vacation this year is two weeks in Seattle. Arrived yesterday and waiting for our newest granddaughter to arrive. She is already a week late. Do love this area and hope to move here as soon as our house sells in Vermont!
Nancy
Judy Pennington says
I would have sworn that the Ruby chard was Rhubarb!! lol your gardens are always so beautiful. Wish I could have one.
Jill Moore says
Hi Kevin,
We had a short vacation to ‘The Lake’. When you say that in Kansas City, it most often means Lake of the Ozarks. That will be it until March when we have our 4th trip to Napa planned.
Your herb garden looks wonderful-thanks for sharing the pictures.
Sharon says
No summer vacation except a trip to Chicago to see our grandsons play little league baseball. I don’t enjoy the high heat and humidity so we travel over my birthday in October. This year St. Augustine FL. Loved your picture of Savoy cabbage. I make a ham and cabbage pasta with it from a recipe in the Columbus Dispatch several years ago. My basil is enjoying our hot summer more than me this year 🙂
Mary in Iowa says
Kevin, thank you for all the beautiful, inspiring photos and your ever present humor and infectious love of nature. Sometimes the possibilities you present keep me going when things seem overwhelmiong.
With next week’s 55th class reunion and consequent hosting of requested garden tours, I’ve been knocking myself out this year trying to tidy up the overgrown areas, spread fresh mulch, attack the exuberant weeds, lay brick paths and small patios, and finally, Sunday, in a mad 12 hour marathon, I finished ripping out the last segment of the 700 sq. ft. parking strip and dividing and transplanting flowers and herbs along with scads of winter-sown perennials. The next week will be spent spreading mulches of screened compost and wood chips, and what seems like a zillion other little chores. The raised beds installed in the spring are burgeoning with flowers and veggies, and the 10 cattle panel fences and arches a friend helped me erect are covered with cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, clematis and morning glories. My vacations are daily early morning “trips” to enjoy a mug of tea in my favorite spot, the “Enchanted Garden of Magical, Mythical Creatures” established in the shade garden. I love the peaceful unicorn resting in a bed of ferns and hostas, the “British Reading Fairy” by the “Little Free Library”, dragon stepping stones, “Vici With His Bow”, and, perhaps my favorite, a fierce black griffin glaring out of the golden globe arborvitae shrubs. Here I can totally relax and breathe before I hit the taxing days. Life is good.
Rhonda Donaldson says
Hi Kevin, plans fell through so I had a staycation this year. Would love to get away for about a month to try and revive a bit. Love the blog, it always brings a good bit of cheer into my days. Thanks for that. 🙂
Chuck says
Our first ever cruise, my wife and I were in Venice, Montenegro, Croatia, Rome, Florence, Athens, and finally Istanbul – just before the trouble there. But it was in Greece, at a little cafe in the country on a river during mid-day, that we ate stuffed tomatos. Yum. We were told:”There are potato people vs tomato people. The first take life for granted, potatos can be cellar kept, there’s always more than enough, but tomato people bask in the short tomato season, use tomatos a lot when they are fresh, and know all good things come to an end. They do NOT take life for granted. My tomatos are just now coming on in Colorado high elevation land. It won’t last. So like my Greek friends, we will bask in this short lived season, knowing winter frosts begin in only 7 or 8 more weeks here.
Brinda says
Your weed free beds are a very timely topic this morning, as I contemplate whether to weed eat paths to my tomatoes, beans and whatever else is growing in my jungle. My garden was beautiful when we left June 1st for a 15 day driving trip from TN to CA with our 8 and 10 year old grand daughters. Well, my tomatoes were sprawled all over the ground, pumpkins, cantelopes and watermelons looked as though they were competing in a100 meter vine race, but everyone was running in a different direction, and grass was providing shade for my bush beans when we got home. Well, I sort of got this unruly crowd under control and then we took the other grands to DC. Well, I asked my sweetie to bring in some tomatoes from the garden last night and he said I’m not going in there!! So now to weed or not to weed, that is the question. We’re headed to South Africa in a few weeks so maybe I’ll just keep looking at your weed free beds and dream about next year! Looking forward to your book, Brinda
Susan Owens says
Hi Kevin, Every year my family rents a house on Chincoteague Island, a barrier island off the coast of Virginia. Chincoteague is connected by a short causeway to Assateague Island National Seashore. Wonderful place! No boardwalk or pizza joints, just dunes, beach and ocean. A true family beach. The men can fish, the rest of us walk the beach, play in the water, ride boogie boards, and just have the best.time.ever. If you are lucky, you will even see the famous wild ponies grazing in the distance. Just lovely!
cg davis says
Magical family reunion in Maine – returning after 20 years to a wonderful excentric house on the water set in an acre of glorious wild flowers, over a hundred bird houses filled with nesting birds and its own seagull to hand feed every morning.
Terese says
Three years ago we downsized from a big house in the burbs and moved to a condo in Boston. We wake up everyday stIll feeling like we are on an extended vacation. No need to go anywhere. We have it all. Looking forward to your new cookbook!
William says
Hi, Kevin,
I started the summer with a glorious week in New York City. The community gardens there are very interesting. I also visited the New York Botanical Garden and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden. I’m going to go to Maine when the leaves are changing in October . Gardening in my own garden during the rest of the year. Aren’t we lucky to have such great gardens in the U.S.?
Kim says
Hi Kevin,
I’m new to your blog, but enjoying it very much! Thank you for sharing your beautiful gardens and recipes! I’ve only had one stay-cation in my garden this summer so far. Looking forward to another one at the end of this month. I live in southeastern PA and our weather has not produced good conditions for my vegetable garden this year. Still, I’m plowing forward. My tomatoes are finally coming in (I planted late, due to a cold May). I made your old-fashioned tomato pie over last weekend. It was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for sharing that recipe. We all know how we wait and wait for fresh tomatoes and then they all come in at once! I couldn’t wait to make that pie. Figured it would be a good way to use up tomatoes. My family loved it! I will be making it many times in the coming weeks. Thanks again!
Michaela says
Kevin–As always, your gardens and recipes are an inspiration! I was also inspired in spring by visiting New Orleans, staying in a lovely home in the Irish Channel with dixie jasmine cascading over the wrought iron front fence. This summer I visited friends in Diamond Beach, New Jersey, next to Cape May. The four block walk to the beach was lined with front gardens, one especially impressive. One day I met the owner who said she and her husband bought the property in winter and were going to pave over the yard! The realtor told them to wait until spring. Their mature cottage garden, planted by the previous owner, is the envy of the neighborhood. Last Friday I joined some friends for a picnic at one of the most beautiful gardens right outside Philadelphia, Chanticleer, another inspiration. My own garden, a third of an acre across the street from a nature center, needs lots of work, so I’ll spend rest of the summer here. Thank you for asking!
Laura says
Having a great summer. To start the summer off, we drove through Canada spending time in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec before heading to Bar Harbor then across to Ithaca, NY (what a great city with all the gorges and waterfalls) and then heading home through Niagara Falls. We were able to go camping with one son’s family out on Lake Michigan, have had the other son’s family with us twice to enjoy our lake, and will do one more camping week on Lake Huron with just my hubby and me. At the end of the summer we are going on a river cruise on the Danube. God is good.
Just tried your Rhubarb Streusel Puff recipe and it was absolutely wonderful. As my pastry sheets are nearing the end of their freezer time, they seemed dry and were breaking apart, I doubled them and that worked fine. Thank you for another great recipe and love your herb garden.
Patricia Panuccio says
It is always a joy to receive your newsletters and get the chance to view your lovely home and gardens. We recently took a 4,300 mile (round trip) from Texas to Long Island to see our kids and grandkids. We stayed off the Interstates as much as we could and enjoyed wonderful scenery. If you ever have the chance to do the Natchez Trace Parkway, do it, 400 miles at 50mph on a well-maintained highway. It was the best.
Laura says
This Summer – just tended the garden and froze, canned and dried stuff. Ran out in the morning, picked the garden and dashed back inside to the air conditioner. So HOT so HUMID.
We will plan something for October. Cooler, shoulder season, less people traveling. I really want to go to Barcelona. The long flight is a determent.. May do New England, but , will probably go see children in the MidWest.
Carol Samsel says
We had a stay-cation in the Spring when we worked on getting the garden beds ready and clearing out more of the wooded areas from the invasive honeysuckle bushes and Autumn Olive bushes that have taken over what was once a beautiful woodland. We are slowly restoring it. Planing another vacation soon and just may actually go somewhere.
Nancy Jalaty says
We just moved to a new house to be closer to our family. We did not go anywhere but since we now have a pool our home has been one nonstop party as old and new friends visit. Plus our teenaged granddaughters can’t stay away! Best summer of my life!
Jess says
I traveled to Denver CO to visit with my best friend. I love the area and it was a respite from the very hot humid weather of South FL. I love the mountains more so than the ocean of which I have grown up around. As a child making sandcastles, beating the waves of the ocean, skiing and taking in the sun, wonderful childhood memories, however I prefer the coolness of the mountain air, hiking and all the wonders of nature.
Joannne says
I did get to go to Oceanside, Ca the end of June and it was fabulous. Love all your garden pics, wish I could grow more vegetables but alas I am lacking the needed sunshine.
Maraya says
No trips because I’m saving for some remodeling, but I’m on vacation all the time now that I’m retired! I loved reading about what others did, though, and they led me to two recipes I’d love to try – roasted cabbage and soup au pistou. They were posted before I found this site.
Kris Fox says
No vacation because my work is busier in the summer. I did make peach jam, and I have been making my favorite “Kevin” dishes, Tomato Pie and Lemon Tarte.
Karen Mc says
Love that you are sharing the paper idea. I have used papers, broken down cardboard boxes and even magazines. I also use paper shreds from work and friends as a weed block and as winter mulch. Not the prettiest thing on earth but sure works. sadly nothing totally prevents weeds from returning.
After 7 years of using paper in various beds, I finally decided to use thick plastic under my new cinder block raised beds. The reason for this was my level of frustration after spending many hours building a tri-level triangular bed frame for strawberries. Not a season passed before the Bermuda grass had invaded. I had used a thick layer of cardboard under this bed and thought that would be fine. It wasn’t and I decided to give up. I no longer have a strawberry bed or a tri-level triangular raised bed frame.
When I build a few cinder block raised beds I went with thick plastic under the whole thing and left an edge of plastic out around the cinder blocks too. It is the only thing that can keep the Bermuda grass out and keep water in. Not sure that I recommend this as a plan for most folks but is seems to be working so far for me.
Now all I need to do is figure out why I am not able to grow tomatoes anymore. I used a nice mix of organic fertilizers and composted manure this year and got three tomatoes off of 5 plants. This has been the way of things here for the past 4 years. I think it might be time for me to stop throwing away my money and spend more time at the Farmer’s Market.
Addie B in Fl says
Kevin, you gardens are so beautiful, I don’t know how you find time to stop for a cup of train you luscious herb garden.
Kevin, your gardens are so luscious, I don’t know how you find time for a cup of tea anywhere!
Richard and I are in southwestern France for three weeks, partly to escape the hot and steamy Florida weather, and partly so we can recharge our sadly depleted batteries. Richard bought a half interest in a local bar a few months ago, and our lives haven’t been the same since. He thought he was retired, but he isn’t any more.
It’s beautiful and sunny and in the 70’s here, and need I tell you about the French food and wine? No, I thought not :-))
Addie B in Fl says
The first sentence of my message got messed up by spellcheck – sorry!
Addie
Terry says
We celebrated my 70th with a trip down the Oregon coast with our kids and grandkids. Seaside to Newport to Gold Beach to the Redwoods then Crater Lake. Then back home through Bend to our home in Central Washington. Saw so many natural wonders and made memories with our family. Now my husband and I are off on an Alaskan cruise with long time friends. Turning 70 is GREAT! 🙂
Becky Marx says
My husband and I take mini-vacations, usually tacked onto the end of business trips. We just returned from upstate New York where we spent a lovely day at Alexandria Bay and revisiting Boldt Castle. Last year, we went to see the castle for the first time and, since we were in the area last week, decided to go see how the castle’ s restoration is coming along.
What a beautiful day! Breezes to cool us in the hot summer sun. Puffy white clouds in a blue, blue sky. A short ferry ride to the island and back. And a wedding taking place on the castle grounds.
We found nooks and crannies that we didn’t see last year, including a small room in the basement filled with wooden barrels of unused tiles from the original construction. I imagine the workers will use them for the restoration – maybe for an upstairs bathroom.
I hope the castle is completely restored while I’m still living. I’d love to see it as George Boldt envisioned it as it was being built.
Nancy Bagshaw-Reasoner says
Hi Kevin,
My sweet husband Fred and I spent a week in Paris and a week in Provence to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Okay, it was the 39th anniversary, but we just couldn’t wait. Paris is indeed the most romantic city in the world. We had a lovely time just “being” there and are already planning our return next year to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary a year early!
Nancy P. Adams says
My husband of 59 years and I still enjoy gardening and hanging around the house in the summer. We’ve a lovely spot overlooking a beaver pond and see lots of wildlife on the property. Life is too hectic on the open road during July and August. We prefer to take mini-vacations, a few days or even a week, in June and September for fishing, exploring back roads and small villages in the north country, and enjoying a lunch out or a picnic on occasion. Very relaxing and enough excitement for us, without the traffic and crowds of people. Hope you are having a good summer. Love your herb garden – it’s the best!
Tina Doddridge says
We took a wonderful Europe trip in May!! 2 day in Iceland, 4 Days in London, and a week in Ireland! We loved the raw and unique beauty of Iceland, the hustle and bustle of London. We visited many historical sights, Stonehenge was one of them. Our favorite was Ireland though.The beauty, the ruins and castles, the Guinness, and the people were all amazing!
I love your garden and your recipes. My garden is doing great this year except for the heat stress!
Sophia says
My daughter dragged me kicking and screaming (with joy) to her conference in Berlin via London and Paris. Absolutely loved it!! Walked miles and miles each day (am 72) lost my cane at Platform 9-3/4, the food and drink were fabulous everywhere. So much history (made me realize how young my country really is). My garden is awful – severe drought here in San Diego and gophers are everywhere causing mayhem and destruction. My stuff in pots is doing well. Really enjoy your blog and the recipes and am looking forward to your cookbook.
Joanne says
I spent a fascinating week in Spain with one of my sons, his wife and 15 year old twin grandsons. First Madrid with side trips to Toledo and Segovia in incredible heat, then a train to Barcelona where we stayed a few days. They went on to a bicycle tour of northern Spain while I took the high speed train to Paris (been there many times before due to my late husband’s career) so took the train to Vernon and an incredibly blissfull day in Giverny in Monet’s garden. Another check mark on my bucket list! Back to Paris and then took the Chunnel train to London, spent a rainy day in the British Museum, another day at Windsor, an finally a lot of walking in Hyde Park and surrounding area. After 2 weeks away flew back to Calgary. At the age of 78 it was a bit tiring but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I’m not a heavy person but lost a good 7 pounds in 2 weeks in spite of all the fabulous food we had, especially in Spain.
Janet says
In July, we drove from our home in California to visit my nephew and his family at their home in Minnesota. Driving days, many driving days, were clear and sunny. We stayed 8 days in Minnesota with the family and experienced “heavy rain, large hail, tornadic wind, thunderstorms”, and 2 tornadoes! It was really quite lovely to spend inside time with the kids, ages 7 and 4 1/2, playing games and reading stories, plus watching the newest child, a 5 week old baby grow to be 6 weeks old.
We returned home to many tomatoes, my husband planted them directly in the bags of potting soil, and they are thriving. And 3 varieties of paprika, mmmmm.
Can’t wait for your cookbook! Thanks so much for all you share with us.
Gail says
I went with my bestfriend to Chincoteaque Island, Virginia. We had the best seafood ever! Enjoyed relaxation on the beach on Assategue Island
just a short bike ride over the bridge and thru the nature preserve.
The little town is quaint and has just the right amount of little shops to browse in. Overall, just a nice place to get away and putter around and enjoy good food and a very, very, relaxed atmosphere! We are hoping to get away again in October, possibly to the Outer Banks, North Carolina.
We have horrible soil here and have worked to remedy the situation with the red clay. We have raised beds and planted veggies in containers, but this year the hubster overdid it with his famous compost and we ended
Up with huge plants and few vegetables. The flowers grew well but are winding down early this summer due to the extreme heat and humidity.
Seems they are over stressed, as I am with the weather!
Waiting for your cook book with freat anticipation!
Jeanne says
I had the pleasure of checking an item off my bucket list thanks to my friend Kathy. She took me to the MLB All Star Game and activities in San Diego, California! We went to Fan Fest and saw lots of stars from yesteryears, we attended the Stars of Tomorrow game featuring up and coming players in A, AA, and AAA baseball, we attended the Old-timer’s and celebrities softball game featuring some interesting players (Jamie Fox, Landon Donovan the soccer player pitched a few innings), we attended the Home Run Derby, and of course the All Star Game, complete with red carpet parade before the game featuring this year’s players as well as some players from the past. It was fun to see former Padre Ryan Klesko! As a former Kansas City Royals season ticket holder and a former San Diego Padres season ticket holder it was definitely a week to remember! My favorite KC Royal, Eric Hosmer, was MVP and the MLB announced they are naming the annual batting award for the National League after my favorite San Diego Padre, Tony Gwynn. Best part of all, they had former Padre Trevor Hoffman bring in the game ball with a complete recreation of “Trevor Time”, how he would enter the game in the 9th inning accompanied by “Hell’s Bell’s” by ACDC (SD Padres people will understand why this was fun). It couldn’t have been a better experience for me had I planned it. When I check things off my bucket list, I have to say I do them in grand style!
Gloria says
Our jobs, big house, taxes, lack of vacationes etc were kind of getting to us so we thought we would put our house on the market this spring and maybe retire by fall. But our house sold IMMEDIATELY and…hello two week notice. We had to get out and bought a smaller stone cottage near a lake we like. So we are happily working on our house and since we no longer have jobs we can go anywhere, anytime we want! Hello new life, it’s an open book with blank pages.
Sandy A says
Staycation for me – I am taking the time to learn new things. It’s been fantastic. I am taking online classes to improve my web design skills and I am using your website to improve my cooking and gardening. Thanks for all your hard work!
Mary says
Our summers are busy with grandchildren and greats! We did lots of feezer corn last week.
October is our month to get away! This year we are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary!
Time flies!
Helen H. says
Love your gardens and am awaiting your cookbook! We will be going to the Outer Banks in North Carolina in late September. Fall is wonderful there! My gardens have been a struggle this year – the heat and humidity and my arthritic back have limited my time working in them. Next year I plan to start in the spring with newspapers and mulch and get a head start on the weeds. Gardeners never stop planning for next year, do they?
Denise LeBrun says
Hi. I am really enjoying reading everyone’s adventures. And when I miss my flower garden I enjoy taking a walk through your garden Kevin. Won’t be going anywhere this summer because I had a knee replacement on April 25th which is doing very well but because I relied on my other knee for support I now need a replacement on that side! Bone on bone!
But I’ve been knitting and crocheting which I find very relaxing.
My sweet teenage granddaughter comes over and we bake and have a lot of fun decorating cupcakes for the Sarah’s Hope homeless shelter for women and children.
Lynn Paterson says
I have a Q for U Kevin…..
what do you do with all the fresh produce you grow each season when your own food storage is full, you have way more than you and ‘The Silver Fox’ can use don`t you ? Or do you use it all up for parties and give away dishes ?
cheers doll …. Lynn 😉
Darla M. says
Hi Kevin,
We just got back from a week in Cazenovia, NY where we stayed, on the college campus with a lot of other people who own vintage Franklin cars (made in Syracuse until 1934, ours is a 1923). We spend the whole week going all over the beautiful farm country in our cars and going to different interesting sites and places to eat. The club members come from all over the country and Canada and we have a great time.
Maureen P. says
Love what Julie had to say, I feel the same. This has to be one of my favorite websites to visit. We did actually go on a vacation, but driving 2 days with 7 month twin grandbabies wasn’t exactly my idea of a vacation. Visiting our son and family in CA made it all worthwhile though. Lots of help with the girls there. I too can’t wait for your cookbook.
Beth says
Thanks for posting your pictures—so lovely and beautiful. You really have a green thumb!!
No vacation this summer—hubby had a knee replacement. Maybe in the fall we can go to Colorado to visit family.
Sarah says
We generally take a large vacation to Dauphin Island in February and additionally sorta planned a trip to the Carolinas during the peak of peach season but our garden was far too demanding and we stay-cationed at home with it. I am really enjoying your blog 🙂
Kathy E says
Kevin,
We are doing a couple of things, although it has been too hot to do much yet. Next week we are headed to Cherry Springs State Park in northwestern PA. This park is known as an outstanding stargazing spot due to the absence of light pollution in the area and that is what we are going to do. In October, we are headed to Northern CA…Yosemite, Tahoe, Wine Country and San Francisco. It will be a three week whirlwind!
Linda Conti says
My husband and I live on Cape Cod and we have an oversand permit for Race Point Beach, at the very tip of the Cape where the ocean water meets the bay. We don’t go away in the summer because we live in vacation land! However, every weekend we drive to Provincetown and then 2 1/2 miles over the sand to a lighthouse where we used to be lighthouse keepers. There we park right at the edge of the sea, and spend the day sunning, swimming, watching for whales and seals, and hopefully no sharks! It is arguably one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Sue Smith says
Like you, we stayed close to home this summer. We live on the naturally air conditioned Oregon coast on a small farm a few miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. We can sit on our porch above the pastures and watch our beautiful Black Angus cows grazing or sleeping, the new babies playing, the young bulls head butting. We can see how our apples trees are coming along from our chairs. Often our hens that have been let out to roam, come up and socialize with us on the porch. They are quite talkative, you know. I can see my deer fenced garden and flower beds from the porch, too. So much beauty. So little hassle. I don’t miss fancy trips at all. What’s the old saying??……East, West, Home Is Best.
Ellen says
Off to Europe in September/October visiting friends/relatives in Ireland (week 1) then friends/relatives and a niece’s wedding in England (week 2). Week 3&4 will be spent traveling the continent in a camper with a life-long Dutch friend, revisiting old haunts (work and pleasure) and experiencing lots of new: Holland, Germany, Switzerland or Austria, Italy, France, Belgium then home! Can’t wait!!
Happy camping everyone!
Jan McManus says
Just back yesterday from a week in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Absolutely the most beautiful province in Canada. Gently rolling hills, dotted with multi coloured fields, pristine, tidy farms, small villages, and, of course ocean vistas around every corner. Dined on fresh bread and strawberry rhubarb pie still hot from the oven at a tiny bakery, picked up mussels fresh from the ocean at the wharf and tried out a new recipe that included white wine, bacon, onions, garlic and the new ingredient, tomato paste! Wonderful broth which we scooped up with crusty buns from the bakery! Finished off our week with lobster, corn and tiny new potatoes, locally grown, of course. With the rest of continent seemingly sizzling under heat advisories, it was glorious to have a week of cool ocean breezes, good food and no traffic jams. (Also VERY spotty wifi, which is why I’m catching up on your posts, Kevin, after 3 weeks away! Love your column. Always makes me feel happy)
Kat says
Love your herb/veggie garden! We only got away for a short week this summer to the top section of the Pocono Mountains in Penn. Hubby teaches woodcarving there every July for the last 14 years straight. I spent the week visiting with good friends who I only get to see once a year.
Since hubby started to grow and sell CSA Vegetable shares and at the local farmer’s market every weekend we haven’t had a chance to get away at all otherwise than time in Pocono’s.
I really need a good vacation…maybe next year?
Christine B. says
Hi Kevin! I went to Colorado with my brother and sister to help celebrate my Dad’s 92nd birthday. He has Alzheimer’s, but called me by name, which thrilled my heart. 🙂 My husband and I will be going somewhere (as yet undetermined) for my 60th birthday in a couple of weeks. I’m sure it will be relaxing and fun, no matter where we end up. In my opinion, it’s all about who you’re with! And finally, we’re going to India in Feb.2017 to see friends. I suspect I’ll come home with a broken heart and a better understanding of my world. Blessings to you, Kevin, and thanks for all the beautiful & delicious things you share!
Susy says
Summer is to busy of a time for vacation, ours will be in October with a cruise on the St. Lawrence. I just made your zucchini fritters and they are Angelic, thanks for the recipe!
Sandi B. says
Hi Kevin! Fun to read the blog and see what others are doing for summer fun. We spend a lot of our time helping care for our granddaughters 6 year old (boy) and 8 month old (girl) who is a heart baby. She is doing well thank goodness. We have a break in the babysitting schedule, so we are going to our little place in Southwest Utah to spend our time & will take a day trip from there to Kanab to see the sights and visit the museums and shops. And while doing that we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary! My hubby is the Gardner & our tomatoes, squash, peppers & egg plant are doing great! Looking forward to your cook book & really enjoy all the photos and tours of your home and gardens. Best to you and the Silver Fox!! Have a great rest of the summer!
Vickie Cook says
Hi Kevin. My vacation was going back to Oklahoma for my nephew’s wedding, which was just beautiful. The Oklahoma weather in June… not so much. All in all it was a great trip, and it was really nice to be able to eat my sister’s home cooking.
Sandi Leonard says
My vacation this summer was not one I planned on. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. So I spent 4 days and nights in a hospital having a double mastectomy. Fortunately I have a wonderful sun room that looks out at courtyard like garden with a pond that has goldfish and a koi. My recovery has been a fairly easy one. So now that the cancer is gone, I can enjoy a vacation a little later, in 2017.
I so enjoy your garden and especially your recipes. I’ve tried a few with great results.
Thanks for doing your blog.
Julia Ruscansky says
I live in a beach town south of Boston, so I watch my 2 grandkids during the week, spending time at the beach. On the weekends, after some house work, my husband and I enjoy the beach. It’s a win- win situation for me really. Summer on the beach. (Gearing up for some great cooking once the air cools down and your book hits the shelves!
Gretchen in Wyoming says
Hi Kevin! Your garden beds are lush and beautiful…a visual delight! I just returned from 10 days in the NW corner of Montana. We camped, stayed in old fire lookout towers, bicycled on a fabulous Rails to Trails bike route (think trestles, tunnels, mountain scenery, and no cars!), and picked wild huckleberries. Lots of great country and very few humans…perfect! 🙂
Jeanne says
Took a short away trip, three days, to see a friend in Grand Junction, Colorado and visit Palisade to sip my way through the tasting rooms and pick up peaches. The ones that came home were Red Havens. Delicious.
Sue says
Summer is for harvesting & preserving the gardens bounty. We’ve had a terrific growing season in WI. This fall will find us on our 2nd European river cruise.
Anita says
What a lovely herb garden. My youngest sister recently bought a lake house on Kentucky Lake. This past weekend was Cash(my maiden name) girls weekend. There were 14 girls from my family!! What a grand time. I am blessed to have 5 sisters and one brother, but he was not invited. Lol
Patti Damon says
Your gardens are inspiring. I love to garden, but on a smaller scale!
We divide our spring, summer and fall between our home in the burbs and a camp on Lake Ontario. It’s a great getaway for us, and I do have barrel-type containers of herbs and tomatoes in both locations. We are very lucky to have neighbors in both areas to help out with watering during this especially dry summer. Fresh herbs are a game-changer when prepping our meals. They can turn ho-hum into yum.
The big getaway was a week in Maine … specifically on the beaches between Kennebunkport and Ogunquit. It doesn’t get any better for this beach walker! We hoping to go back next month!
Your column is one of my faves. Thanks for sharing your world (and recipes) with us.
Ed Morrow says
The cookbook is going to get published? That’s what it sounds like.
The Heck with the weed free garden, tell us about the cookbook!
Kay says
First, I took a mental vacation while enjoying your herb garden. So peaceful!
We will take a short weekend away in 2 weeks to Kansas City to take in a ball game and visit friends. But starting this Friday our eldest son and his family will be here from Ohio. 9 people in this house! A week of chaos and fun. And then we’ll enjoy that weekend away to recharge.
Looking forward to the cookbook as well.
Lisa C says
My husband and I spent time in Ocean City Marland with my two sisters and their kids and their kids in July !!! Three generations – it was wonderful. Since they live all over the US now, it was a special reunion. They wanted to relive all their favorite childhood memories of summering at the beach – scopes pictures , Thrashers French fries , Grotto pizza, Dumser’s ice cream , Smitty McGees crabby cheese fries, crabs, old time photos, corn hole competition, Boardwalk games and rides. The real little ones loved the beach !!! And as you can see a lot of their favorites revolve around food !!! It was a yummy vacation.
Sarahbeth says
Greeting from Northern Michigan Kevin! I’m crossing my fingers that the heatwave will break soon so we can gorge on fresh Red Havin pie. What is your favorite peach variety? Being in the heart of the fruit belt means scrumptious berries, stone fruits and glorious apples from June through October. I was ‘host’ a lot this summer, enjoying family and friends that travelled to our home to visit. Was hoping to meet you next week at your garden tour but must cancel plans due to my parents health. You’ll enjoy meeting Elizabeth though. Can’t wait for that cookbook!
Jan says
I envy your beautiful weed-free garden. Due to an early spring tussle with a crepe myrtle, I wrenched my back and still cannot pull weeds as well as I would like. I didn’t get my raised beds planted either so no tomatoes, boo-hoo. We did have a really nice strawberry crop though.
We’re stay-cationing here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with access to wonderful road side
stands and farmer’s markets so I can’t complain too much. Btw, the crepe myrtle won, three straight falls.
Irene says
A couple of days on the beach at Cherry Grove on Fire Island, a couple of days cruising the St. Lawrence River around the Thousand Island Area.
Carole says
I only get 1 week of vacation with my current job, and we used that to visit my husband’s family & friends in France in April. Went all over the country, including the Grottes de Lascaux to see the (replicas) of the oldest known cave paintings on earth. To get away for the rest of the year, we bought a 20′ travel trailer to spend as many weekends as we can camping. So far we’ve gone to Cowan’s Gap (PA), Jane’s Island State Park (MD) with their spawn-of-Satan deer flies, and Pinchot State Park (PA). Next weekend it’s a private RV park near Egg Harbor (NJ). We like to walk and kayak and attend any talks about wildlife that are available as well as sit and relax. Having fun! My brother has a place in NY a couple of hours from you. Maybe sometime when you’re having an open house we’ll camp at his place and come visit your gardens 🙂
Lgb says
Having moved a year ago now from my home of 57 years I am for the first time in my adult life not working so I feel as though I am living on vacation. We now reside on the Alabama river outside Montgomery AL. In my new life I’ve taken up gardening, get master gardener certification next week. I’ve loved your blog and esp recipes. Favs are zucchini fritters (since they are coming out my ears) and blueberry crunch ( I have access to 3 established bushes a neighbor hardly harvests) have enjoyed many others as well
We took a week to go to Casheirs NC and will take a week to Apsen in Sept. My question to you- how does a gardener leave town??? I cried when I returned from NC and actually had a house sitter who was to at least water garden. Had several 24″ zucchini and 12″ Ochra. Yum-NOT!!!! Thanks for all your inspiration.
Connie says
I’ve taken a few mini vacations to visit family and/or friends in Las Vegas, Dallas, Hot Springs & Tulsa. I got to enjoy a desert, mountains, snow and botanical gardens. I joined my fellow Queen fans in Atlanta for a weekend of music and fun. However, the big one is coming up in a few weeks when my husband and I go on a long awaited cruise to Bermuda. I can’t wait to hear, see and smell the ocean again.
Thank you for sharing your photos and garden ideas. You inspire me.
Judy says
Hi Kevin,
This May I drove to Illinois for my grandson’s high school graduation party. Then it was off to Cody, Wyoming for the closing on our vacation condo. We lived there for 18 years, but moved away to be closer to our ageing mothers and my family, one being in Florida and the others in Illinois. I spent July getting the condo ready for our move in by replacing flooring, new appliances, cleaning cabinets/windows and etc. and finally spending the first night there. My husband arrived by the 1st of July in time for the wonderful Fourth of July celebrations held there every year. On my way back to Tennessee I stopped off for a couple of day’s visit with my brother in Denver and then drove home arriving just in time to see just how fast the weeds can grow here. Some were up to five feet tall! With help things are back to normal. The humming birds are fighting over the four feeders. The cardinals and a variety of other birds are back at their feeders with the squirrels stealing a snack on occasion . The crape myrtles and roses are blooming. The cats are napping on the patio. So life is good! I look forward to your many ideas and the inspiration I get from your recipes, stories and pictures. Thank you!
PKK says
This summer was spent working extra days so others could take vacations! Will take a few days in September and drive to Canada to explore a park and sit in some hot springs!
Gardening this year was a bust – cold Spring, a few hot days, and now nights are in the low 40’s — not good for my tomatoes! The deer have been voracious the last two weeks, eating and pulling all my potted plants on the patio! Tonight, two fawns were kicking up their heels just 30′ away, on the other side of the pond where we were having a glass of wine enjoying the cool evening. It sort of makes up for loss of plants, or as my spouse says, “Don’t you just love it?” I guess we live a vacation every day!!!
SBW says
Spent the summer at home, as usual. Live in Annapolis, MD area so feel I am in a beautiful vacation spot all the time with no need to travel in the summer. Since we had such a terrific spring, my garden is beautiful this time of year – although this heat is taking its toll recently. A few weeks ago, hosted a charity event that also showed cased my neighbor’s recycled art – huge caterpillar, centipede, lady bug, grasshopper and turtle. Actually, used some of your ideas. A very successful fundraiser so thank you. Keep ideas and recipes coming.
Shirley B. says
I am so jealous of your zinnia’s and Calibrachoa!! I can’t get those to grow in my HOT HUMID Southeast Texas garden, which looks like utter hell right now but if I’m lucky, soon fall will be here and things will look better. 3 weeks until my summer vacation, the week of Labor Day! We wait until the crowds are gone and spend a few days in Concan, TX at the Frio river. I’ll sit in the river and relax, watch my son play (he’s 21 so, yea) and watch the river go by. Most gorgeous place, ever!
elaine says
Beautiful! And growing so nicely ~ I am just so jealous that you have dirt 🙂
Christine Pop says
Love your lush herb garden! And as much as I enjoy reading your blog, its been as enjoyable reading everyones response to your great question. Hubby’s busy work schedule has kept us from traveling too far from home this summer. Which made it even more fun to vicariously ‘armchair travel’. We do however spend our weekends driving to Connecticut shoreline in our 1978 VW convertible, where we hop on our modest boat and spend the weekend floating in the Long Island Sound while sipping Hendrix Gin and Tonics… with a sprig of lemon thyme from MY herb garden! Cheers!
Patty Wall says
Kevin, these are such beautiful pictures. We live in central California and this summer we took a road trip up north to Portland, Oregon, and up to southeast Washington, then over to Long Beach Washington, and came down highway 101 along the Washington coast and south along the Oregon coast before cutting over thru central California and home again. The Washington and Oregon coastline is absolutely beautiful, breathtaking really. We did some antique shopping and had a very relaxing time. Almost hated to go home because it’s been so hot here (100 degrees) except we missed our pooches Bella (a Rottie) and Sophie (a Cavalier King Charles) too much. Hope you are enjoying your summer.
Mary says
Love your beautiful photo’s, recipes and website! As we have grown older, staying is so nice. We traveled a lot with kids and grandkids! This year we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary!
Deborah Goodman says
We started a new adventure. We have decided to raise a few chickens so we know where our eggs are coming from. I’ve stayed busy with the garden. I’ve come to the conclusion I went way overboard when I planted the pumpkins. I’ve started my canning for the year. So far peaches, cherries and dill pickles. Apples and tomatoes to come soon. It might seem like I have been more busy than taking a break but I enjoy these activities and they bring me much happiness so in a way it is a break. I’ve been doing a lot of reading too. Now if a certain some one can get his cookbook published soon I’ll have wonderful reading material for when it is snowy and cold out. I can just imagine after doing chicken chores in the morning coming inside and curling up with a cup of real hot chocolate, a blanket and the most awesome cookbook ever. Please it’ll be out soon!!
Cheri says
Kevin, love your new site and excited that soon you will have a cookbook available. Summer get-away was a “sister reunion” with all five sisters. I live in CO and sisters came from TX, OK, CA and another from western CO. We headed to Breckenridge an absolutely beautiful location that is perfect for mid July. We shopped, played cards, laughed, saw the sights, some went horseback riding, rode the lift to the top of the world and experienced a true CO mountain sudden storm with hail that piled up like snow with lightening … Amazing. It was wonderful (and of course I made your crusty bread to share).
francesca monro says
Hi Kevin –
We just returned from Martha’s Vineyard -they have to drag me off the island every year! But I was happy to return to my garden to see what’s growing and to see if any of my tomato’s have turned red yet (nope – whats wrong with them?).
Interested to hear what you do in the spring to prepare for weed free beds – weeds grew very well in the week we wee away.
Fredi Bertoli says
Beautiful garden! No vacation, would love to get my feet in the sand with some cold brew in my hand! My garden is all jersey tomato and a bit o basil! Yours is a Beauty to behold!
Selma says
Beautiful garden! I have a question for you before I answer yours! How do you keep the goldfinches away from your swiss chard? I plant every year but those little yellow devils pick it clean!
We have a home on Saba, an island about 15 miles from St Barths in the Caribbean. We are there from November -May so summer here in Northwest Connecticut is indeed a vacation in itself. The gardens and our huge deck on the edge of the Housatonic State Forest is our vacation! Love your blog and recipes. Thank you you are an inspiration!