Weather: Scorching! Highs in the 100°F+ zone, lows in the high 60°Fs. No rain in sight. Normal for this time of year, but erk. Fire season. Hoping things stay calm.

Cooked: Healthy apple crumble with apples from Volcan Valley Farm — twice!, Nectarine and Beet Salad with Pistachio Dressing (adapted from Eating Well), tomato and eggplant quiche, yogurt, acquacotta (tomato and mushroom soup), sourdough fig and tangelo bread (Sift), avocado toast with eggs, bacon, and shredded cabbage (yum), sourdough sandwich bread, caprese salad, and the husband made smoked shrimp. Mmmmmm.

Planted last week and sprouting now: Royal Burgundy beans, Tavera beans

Harvested: Tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, Italian roasting peppers, zucchini, basil, lemon cucumbers, Japanese eggplant, hot peppers

Traded: Basil for artisan bread

Reading for food inspiration: King Arthur Flour’s fall magazine, Sift.