Dog Days of Summer from Almanac.com

On a glorious July day,
The meadows were ripe and sweet with hay,
And the purple mountains, erect and bold,
Propped pyramid clouds of ruffled gold.
–Augusta Cooper Bristol (1835–1910)

Dog Days

July is the month when summer has a firm hold on all of us. The average temperature just about everywhere is above 70 degrees F, with 80s and 90s even more common in the South and Southwest.

Thunderstorms are nearly as abundant as ants at a picnic, and the hot, sultry time known as the Dog Days has begun—and lasts 40 days, from July 3 through August 11.

Named for the Dog Star, Sirius, which rises and sets with the Sun during this time, the Dog Days are associated with uncomfortable levels of heat and humidity.

Dog Days bright and clear
Indicate a happy year;
But when accompanied by rain,
For better times our hopes are vain.

Here’s a recipe for “Dog Days Iced Tea,” which we hope will keep you cool!

Sincerely, The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Dog-Days Iced Tea Recipe

Yield: 6–8 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Start to Finish Time: 20 minutes, plus cooling
6 bags black tea (English, Earl Grey, etc.)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup mint leaves and sprigs, divided
1-1/2 cups chilled orange juice
1 orange, sliced crosswise
1 lemon, sliced crosswise
ice cubes

Brew a strong tea in about 6 cups water. While still hot, add sugar and about a dozen mint leaves. Let cool.

Remove teabags and mint; then add orange juice, fruit slices, and ice.

Serve over more ice, garnish with fresh mint sprigs, and add a fruit slice or two to each glass.

Expert Advice

Herb Power

By now, herbs should be abundant in the summer garden or at Farmers’ Markets. Read about rosemary, which is becoming very popular in low-fat recipes. It adds a lot of flavor, making up for the loss of taste that can occur when you reduce the fat.

Herbs can also be used for pest control. Wormwood, yarrow, santolina, tansy, mint, and lavender are traditional moth repellents. Oil of rosemary also can be effective. If it’s your pet that’s bothered, try putting a drop of lemon oil on its collar for flea control. We also carry natural, flower-based insect sprays in the Almanac.com General Store.
http://www.almanac.com/store/garden-outdoor/insect-repellent?brcid=0bbc03e800000000000000000000072cbb0c&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=natural%2C+flower-based+insect+sprays&utm_content=Dog+Days%2C+keep+cool%2C+herb+power&utm_campaign=07-09-13+Companion+Newsletter&_bta_tid=3.cIA.Byy7DA.Fm6-.bOBA..tlrI.b..l.BT7x.b.UdwlcA.UdwlcA.mC16JA&_bta_c=bakw3pakl14vxy2nka87qq3owzaog

Our article on Coping with Bugs includes a few more tips for dealing with some pests in the house and garden.
http://www.almanac.com/content/coping-bugs-home-and-garden?brcid=0bbc03e800000000000000000000072cbb0c&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Coping+with+Bugs&utm_content=Dog+Days%2C+keep+cool%2C+herb+power&utm_campaign=07-09-13+Companion+Newsletter&_bta_tid=3.cIA.Byy7DA.Fm6-.bOBA..tlrI.b..l.BT7x.b.UdwlcA.UdwlcA.mC16JA&_bta_c=eyr4m47ukkk8a0abi7nnqnqhjl485

Dry some herbs, then use them to fill Handkerchief Sachets, which can be tucked in a pocket or among your clothes.

Making an Herbal Tincture
Read more at: http://www.almanac.com/blog/natural-health-home-tips/making-herbal-tincture?brcid=0bbc03e800000000000000000000072cbb0c&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Click+to+find+out+how+to+get+started.&utm_content=Dog+Days%2C+keep+cool%2C+herb+power&utm_campaign=07-09-13+Companion+Newsletter&_bta_tid=3.cIA.Byy7DA.Fm6-.bOBA..tlrI.b..l.BT7x.b.UdwlcA.UdwlcA.mC16JA&_bta_c=83svuwkb6pqno8rr5bntt9obhmft8