Meditations on Homemaking | The End of the Summer

Welcome to another homemaking week in the life. We are meditating on the end of summer in today's video, which brings seasonal recipes, and freshly washed laundry.



The end of the summer is an unusual time of year. Most people are ready for fall at this point... I know I am. Yet, we are still in 100 degree + heat. That could be one of the reasons why we are dreaming of colder days ahead.

The worldwide lockdowns have also made this a strange summer... We were supposed to visit England again this August, but had to cancel due to Covid restrictions... I know everyone has some version of cancelled plans. At this point, it's really about focusing on the present and appreciating what is right in front of us.

The End of Summer
The end of summer quietly arrives,
It holds a certain peace.
My heartstrings are ready for what comes next,
Their curiosity will not cease.

But though I look forward to autumn,
Its final moments I embrace.
The solstice of our reckoning,
What challenges the world did face.

These meditations on homemaking:
Blithe thoughts to awaken the numb.
I’ll fold and think of summer’s end,
And the autumn that is to come.

- Jennifer L. Scott

Here are the recipes in today's video:

Butterscotch Cookies (from an old Amish cookbook I have)

6 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 Tbs. baking soda
2 Tbs. baking powder
4 eggs, beaten
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar with a mixer. Add the vanilla and eggs. Sift in the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix until combined. Roll into a log and chill. Once chilled, slice into small disks (space them out a lot... I didn't and mine stuck together). Bake at 350 degrees for 15- 20 minutes. These cookies are chewy and delightful! Even though I messed them up in the video, they still tasted so good. Freeze half of this recipe... it freezes well. We have enjoyed these cookies so much this summer.



Zucchini and Tomato Gratin
I made this recipe up so I could use up some garden produce. Slice a zucchini and two large tomatoes. I used the beefsteak tomatoes we have been enjoying this summer. Also thinly slice one medium onion. Drizzle olive oil in a gratin dish and arrange the vegetables beautifully with the onion. Top with more olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever seasonings you enjoy. Finally, top a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted button on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.


Featured in the video:

⚜️ Kitchen
Sifter
Kitchen-Aid
Copper gratin pan Mine is over a decade old, but I'm linking a similar one here.
French apron
Striped half-apron

⚜️ Cleaning & Home
Pink floral gloves
e-cloth microfiber cloths
Cellar Door Candles
Riverbend Home Turkish towels
Checked tablecloth

⚜️Style
Londontown nail polish (Cheerio) JenniferS for 25% off
Londontown nail polish (Changing of the Guards) JenniferS for 25% off
Mott & Bow white jeans https://bit.ly/2JCP5cT JLS10 for 10% off

I hope you enjoyed today's video.

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