Late Summer Diversions

Summer isn’t over yet!

We still have a few weeks to relish before schedules tighten up as our students and teachers return to school. Meanwhile, berries are in the height of the season; squash remains prolific; night skies are bright and clear; and Sunday afternoons come sweet and warm.

While I've been spending most evenings collapsed at the kitchen table while the pressure canner boils away, I realize that food preservation is not necessarily a universal obsession. For those of you who do love to cook, eat, preserve, and otherwise revel in the bounty of the season, you should definitely visit our current front desk display (oh yes, canning books, berry books, and food books galore).

For those of you seeking diversion beyond your stovetop, what last summer activities will you partake in before fall rolls in with cloudy skies? We’ve set up several little tables around the store displaying our favorite ideas… Here's a sneak peek:

1. Take a local wine and cheese tour (on your bike, perhaps?): Tami Parr’s book of Artisan Cheese has a whole section devoted to the Willamette Valley, as does Steve Roberts’ Wine Trails of Oregon.

2. Get out for some stargazing. Whether you want a hard core planet ID guide; a detailed manual for Oregon stargazing; a quick pocket reference to the constellations; a natural history of the study of falling stars; a constellation guide for your kids; or a rotary-style sky chart, we’ve got it waiting for you.

3. Tune yourself up for the change in seasons: we have great options for any activity level, including gorgeous photograph guides to yoga poses, books on tai chi, chi running, practicing mind/body awareness, karate, and more.

4. Gather the family, neighbors, or strangers for a BBQ in the backyard, front yard, or park. Break out some new and shockingly good recipes (reviewed and endorsed by our very own Oregonian and local grillers). Try out some wood fired cooking while you're at it...

Summer might be winding down, but we’re just winding up, right?

Have a great week (and have some fun).

~April