As we’re nearing the end of August and heading soon into September and approaching Labor Day, I’ve been reflecting on the summer and enjoying what there is left of this beautiful season.

I will miss the heat, beautiful flowers and butterflies. I do love summer and I’m trying to soak in as much of it as I can. I’ve not been able to enjoy this season as I usually would, but I’m soaking in as much as I can.

I’ve been very lucky to have had my husband home for a lot of the summer and we’ve been enjoying relaxing on the front patio, hanging by our pond on the swing, working on our videos for our YouTube channel and catching up on time together. It’s been such a blessing.

Paul, my husband, has been cooking a lot and even dabbling in baking on occasion. It’s been such a treat. It’s also been nice to start cooking a little more lately too. We’ve been cooking some old favorites that we hadn’t had in a long while and they’ve been nice treats.

The windows of our home have been closed up with air conditioning for the summer, with an occasional morning or evening of airing out the house with open windows. When the house is closed up with air conditioning, I like to heat up a scented potpourri of sorts on the stove. Here’s one of my favorites.

Ingredients:

a medium saucepan

Fresh Rosemary sprigs (2-3)

a Fresh lemon cut in half or in slices

Natural vanilla extract (any amount you want)

Water (to cover ingredients plus some more)

peppercorns (optional)

Directions:

*Add all ingredients to saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes, then simmer. Your home will smell lovely!

Have a Beautiful week! Hope you’re all enjoying this lovely summer! If you’re looking for something to watch for gardening and interior decorating projects ideas, check our Brambleberry Cottage channel on YouTube! We’d love to see you there!