A Summer for the Memory Books

I don't know about you, but we have had a very nice summer here overall. The weather has been cooperative for gardening, boating and walking the many trails around here. The garden is changing everyday and right now the phlox, cleome, oriental lilies and pee gee hydrangeas are wonderful! For some reason none of my Endless Summer Hydrangeas are blossoming. Anyone else with that problem?

The veggie garden is profuse with grape (more the size of roma) tomatoes, zucchini and of course mint. The dill is ready and the garlic will be shortly behind. Because I left the zucchini checking for a few days I have some whoppers so decided to include a recipe for you, a guest favorite and I served it this morning. 

Butterscotch Zucchini Cake

3/4c vegetable oil                               

2 eggs

1c sugar

1c brown sugar

2 1/2c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp each salt, cinnamon and vanilla

1/4tsp each nutmeg, ginger and cloves

2c grated zucchini- no need to peel

Mix all together. Grease a 9 x 13 pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Pour in cake batter and sprinkle top with more cinnamon and sugar. (Sometimes I skip the bottom layering). Sprinkle a small package of butterscotch chips - or about 1 c.

Bake at 300 degrees for 45- 60 minutes. No need to frost as it is delish without - and I don't often give up the chance for frosting!

Don't forget about the MesabiBike Trail that starts here in Grand Rapids. It is a gorgeous paved trail and was recently repaved in our area!  The bugs are less, the temps are coming down and pretty soon the leaves will start changing. Birders - the birds are starting to come back from up north and the hummers are crazy around the flowers!

On a final note for now, some of you may already know the b&b is for sale. We are no longer with a Realtor and look forward to being able to really sell the physical property and the general business of b&b hospitality. We have so enjoyed these past 12 years and, if we were younger, would relish a few more years. But alas, it is time to pass the torch to others. If you or someone you know would like to be a part of a wonderful way of life in a beautiful home and setting, please contact us - we'd love to hear from you! If you have a reservation with us in the future DO NOT worry, we will give you plenty of notice and since this process takes time, most likely we will still get to enjoy your visit!

Karen