Written by Katharine Trauger

“Hot. Hot. Hot.”

Breathe earth’s breath.
And know.
It’s fever.

Her creek beds dehydrate;
Mouths of her caves parch.

She burns.

Her dying trees cry out;
Lighting caresses them.

Walk the once-cool carpets;
Crunch dead grass.

The cat pants.
Turtles disappear; fish hide deep.

Waiting.

Katharine Trauger is a retired educator and a women’s counselor. She and her husband spent 25 years managing a home and school for children who would otherwise have been homeless. She has worked 15 years as contributor and/or columnist for several small professional magazines, with over 60 published articles. She blogs about the rising popularity of being at home, from a sun room on a wooded hilltop in the Deep South, at: Home’s Cool! and The Conquering Mom and tweets at @KathaTrau. She is currently working on a self-help book entitled: Yes, It Hurts, But . .

Bella Vista’s Best Cocktail Sauce
by Sarah Coller of Hope in Every Season

As brand new Arkansan this summer, our family was expecting some super hot weather. However, while we have had some warmer days, we’re still waiting for those sweltering temps that were supposed to make us wish we were back in Eastern Oregon where it’s only 106º today in our old hometown. In fact, those of us in Northwest Arkansas are on Facebook this morning bragging about the fact that we got through the night without turning on the air conditioning.

Although we might be going through an uncharacteristic wave of cooler weather here in mid-July, I’m pretty sure things are going to heat up again soon. In the meantime, enjoy this sweet and spicy cocktail sauce straight from beautiful Bella Vista. Served either warm or cold, it’s an excellent dipping sauce for your favorite appetizers and summertime snacks!

Bella Vista’s Best Cocktail Sauce
15 oz. tomato sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
3 TB horseradish
2 TB lemon juice
2 TB vinegar
2 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp. allspice (or pinch each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix all ingredients together and cook on medium-low heat until brown sugar dissolves. Cool in refrigerator, if desired, until ready to serve. Refrigerate leftovers.

Sarah Coller is a married mother of nine who stays busy homemaking and homeschooling. Her passion is creating a comfortable and peaceful home for her husband and children and she loves to encourage other women as a food and homemaking blogger.  Thankful for God’s saving grace, Sarah hopes to leave a legacy that reflects His faithfulness.  She blogs at Hope In Every Season.