I’m not sure what the downtown farmers’ market is doing but the small stands I have check out haven’t been doing much – farmers are saying that the alternating weeks of really hot temps with really cool weather along with too much rain early and then not enough, has messed with the growing season.

Our daughter, Sharon, is visiting this week and brought boxes of jars and lids with the hopes of doing some canning. Mostly she wanted to make sweet pickle relish and we found some cukes at a small market. That canning was completed early this week and is already packed in the back of her car.

My rhubarb has done well this year and she was eager to can some rhubarb sauce and jam. From the sounds coming from the kitchen, I believe the second batch is about to come out of the canner.

She pickled some cabbage that is so good on sandwiches or as a small side and I kept a jar for us. Isn’t the rhubarb jam a beautiful color. I like it with hummus and crackers, although she brought up a couple of dozen jelly jars of canned figs that is also really good with hummus. Figs don’t grow in Michigan.

I saved the best summer vibe for last. The Blueberry Hill couple have returned to their sales spot outside the meat market up the road. This week they had blueberries, sweet Michigan cherries, and peaches. The blueberries were gone by the time I reached the counter (7:15 am) but we are enjoying the cherries and the peaches are about ripe. We were able to get blueberries at the market yesterday morning so I think I will cut up some peaches, add some blueberries, and have a bowl with our lunch.

Ahh, the tastes of summer. Did you notice my reader and cup of coffee – they also bring joy to my summer days in my three-season room. And by spending some joyful time canning in the kitchen, we will experience the vibes of summer throughout the coming colder months.

If you are interested in exploring how others in the Northern Hemisphere perceive summertime joy you can follow this link: https://solaner.wordpress.com/2022/07/16/lens-artists-photo-challenge-208-summer-vibes/