More August 2014 posts: It's harvest time again--with friends and food!

August 15th: Mike and three full-time missionaries helped our neighbors (Jack Ferguson and the Nun's) dig out a stubborn Olive tree trunk that's been lifting up our driveway over the years. They worked all day and into the evening and got the difficult job done! Mike was very sore for days, as I'm sure the rest of the guys were.

Here, neighbor Jay Nun uses the slam bar to jab at the stump's roots

Get 'em cowboy!

August 16th: Mike and I were invited to Jack Ferguson's surprise 75th birthday celebration at O'Niell's Irish Pub! This is the luscious triple chocolate torte that I made for the occasion.

It's not too pretty on the outside, but this cake is chocolate heaven!

Jack thought that his girl friend was taking him out to dinner that evening, but he was greeted by a long table full of party guests who hollered "Surprise!" when he walked into the patio where we were all waiting 

Cute table decorations that Jack's daughter, Katy Nun, provided. She also ordered tasty appetizers for the group

Green chili cheese fries

Jack opens his birthday present from Katy and husband Jay Nun

Isn't this picture a hoot?

Jack blows out his "75" candle on his birthday cake 

Going, going, gone!

Another Cranbrook neighbor, Ken Holley (far right), and other guests at the party 

August 17th: Mike picked every last peach off of our new peach tree (2 years old), and they were so delicious!! We also enjoyed grapes, tomatoes, and squash this summer and fall. I like to chop up the tomatoes and freeze them for later use.

Large, sweet peaches!

Tiny tart-sweet grapes, most of which we ended up juicing

These babies come in handy for sauces, soups, and stews 

The fine art of juicing!

Start with cleansed fruit 

This machine is the bomb! We used green grapes and fresh apples with this batch

Washing and sorting the grapes

Pure, organic deliciousness! 

Baby Concord grapes and apples from our neighbor's tree