Here's What We've Been Up to This Summer

It's hard to believe July is already coming to an end. We've packed a lot into the first part of the summer, from a quick trip to Boothbay, Maine, to the boat show, baking, garden tours, and a few long-overdue projects here at home. Along the way we've been enjoying some of the simple pleasures of the season too, including the first fresh corn from Moulton Farm.

A couple of days in Boothbay gave us the chance to visit our niece, Sadie, and spend an afternoon exploring Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It was a relaxing getaway before returning home to a busy July.

I've also been spending a lot of time working on The Nosey Gardener. This summer has taken me to some remarkable private gardens and introduced me to gardeners who are generous enough to invite viewers into their landscapes. Every garden has been different, and I'm continually reminded that there isn't one right way to garden. Sharing those stories has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my summer.

One of the highlights so far was finally getting Last Chance back out on Lake Winnipesaukee. Because of the unusually high lake level this spring, we couldn't get under the Main Street bridge and were stuck in Back Bay for weeks. Once the water dropped enough, we made it through just in time for another successful New England Chapter Antique & Classic Boat Society boat show. It's always enjoyable catching up with friends, talking boats, and watching visitors discover the craftsmanship of these beautiful wooden boats.

Back in the kitchen, I've been experimenting with King Arthur Sir Lancelot flour (a high-gluten flour). After a little trial and error, both the focaccia and pizza dough have become recipes worth keeping. It's always satisfying when a few tweaks finally produce the results you've been hoping for. I'll be sharing both recipes soon.

The herb garden has been productive this year. Oregano, lavender, and tarragon have all had their first harvests and are now hanging to dry in the barn. The garlic wasn't nearly as successful, but that's gardening. Some years are simply better than others.

One project that's been on the list for a long time finally got underway. Tom removed the floor from one of the old barn stalls that was collapsing. Like most old-house projects, removing the floor revealed a few surprises along the way. He's rebuilding the structure with pressure-treated lumber while reusing the original barn boards wherever possible. It's a lot of work, but it will turn an underused corner of the barn into much more usable space.

We were happy to make the Barn Lounge available for friends gathering with their family from out of state following a private celebration of life. It was meaningful to know the space could provide a comfortable place for everyone to spend time together. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the barn wasn’t too hot.

We also enjoyed a visit from longtime Wolfeboro friends who now call Virginia home. They stayed at the cottage while reconnecting with local friends, and it was wonderful to catch up before they headed back south.

One summer tradition we always look forward to is our dog play dates with Bell's buddy and neighbor Moses. While the dogs run and wrestle, the humans settle into the Barn Lounge for a happy hour and plenty of conversation. Moses heads back to Florida in early August, so we'll miss our regular get-togethers until next year.

In the meantime, there's still a little summer left to enjoy—and a Barn Lounge Blush, our official summer cocktail.

That's a little of what we've been up to lately. Thanks for following along, and I hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are.

Official Summer Cocktail

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