Brown Grasshoppers

The temps have dropped (almost 30 degrees) in the last few days.  I do love the feel of fall but already miss the warm new life feel of spring and summer.  Time for warmer comfort foods and a little re-decorating. 

Everything on this wreath came from my stash (I really need to clean the attic..........and we've only lived here 6 years----another day!)  The twig wreath was on clearance at Michael's after Christmas, covered with silvery glitzy Christmas "stuff".  I removed all the glitz from this one.  Now for a can of spray paint (kind of like a facelift only less expensive and less painful).  Then just add your "treasurers".....old flowers from past projects, acorns, leaves, strings, dried okra pods......whatever you have, even broken pieces of flower pots. 

More summer fun

 These are Anne Arundell Musk melons.  A cross between a canteloupe and a honey dew.  They produce more than we can eat or give away.  They were grown from seed we purchased from Thomas Jefferson's homeplace--Monticello. 

Musk melon

Pickled Jalapenos.............crunchy and oh so good!



Fig Preserves

  The fig preserves were so easy and only make a small amount.  Perfect since I don't harvest many figs at a time.  Reminds me of my Aunt Lillian's house.  She had a wonderful fig bush.  I miss her so much!  Here's my recipe for the preserves:

Fig Preserves
1 pound figs (stemmed)
1 cup sugar
1 Tb lemon juice
lemon zest (optional)
Bring to a boil slowly.  Cook uncovered for 30 minutes on low, stirring often.  Makes 3 - 4 jelly jars (1/4 pint).  Pour hot mixture into clean hot jars, wipe rim and seal with lid and ring.  Process for 5 minutes in a water bath.  Remove from water and let cool.  Just the right size for us as we rarely eat jellies.  Enjoy

Summer Affair.............gone but not forgotten

 Each year from Labor Day to New Year's Day my son confesses to an affair with someone named Summit.  He obviously is infatuated with Summit as he returns to this "mistress" year after year.  As for me, my summer affair is with "Mason".............in the South, we call 'em mason jars.  And my goal each summer is to fill all that I can.  No vegetable left behind.  So here's how I spent my summer vacation.  (Oh and by the way, Summit--don't you love that name for a girl--is the maker of deer stands.)



tomatoes, .......and more tomatoes, ............and you get the picture



pickles, 2 types to tomato sauce








Some Like It Hot!!

Time to get some more salsa going. 

Summer's Bounty

Hot and humid makes my garden grow.............and grow.........and grow.  Strawberries have long been gone.  Now replaced by larger red beauties, I'm spending my summer vacation (after work and on weekends) canning tomatoes, tomato sauce, and salsa.  A large basket of cucumbers is calling my name so I'll have to run.  Don't want to be accused of "veggie abuse".  "Vacation photos to follow."  Anyone else canning or freezing?

Time to Create

Finally a little time to be creative.  With Mother's Day fast approaching, it was time to get cracking.  Wish I could tell you more about the creation of this card but most of it was from my stash.  The old lace across the bottom (and I do mean OLD) was a treasure from my mother's house.  Her house is a treasure trove of wonders just waiting to be discovered.  Thanks Mom!

Wish I didn't have to make sympathy cards but hope my dear friend who lost her sister last week will know now much I care about her.

 And one more tonight.  For a sweet girl who's graduating from high school.  

Happy Easter

Hoping everyone has a blessed day. These came from my yard........isn't God good?  Such beauty on our Holiest of days.

EveryDay Cricut E2

Everyday Cricut will be giving away a new Cricut Anniversary Expression 2 on Monday night, during our live Ustream event, starting at 8:05 pm (central time)!  
Join them for a great time and prizes.  See you then!

The Devil

A day in the garden and yard without being harassed  by the devil.  "Loui" as in short for Lucifer, is not my friend.  Today he was occupied with other things.  I was able to weed the garden in peace.  A job made easier by God's intervention--the temps were cool and the ground moist from last night's rain.  And His protection from Lucifer--seen and unseen.

As Promised.........

Finally a pic of one of my crafts.
I made it just after Christmas when it was cold ........and I was oh so tired of cold.
The white woven back was a "treasure" from a second-hand store for 99 cents (actually it's an old plate charger).  I painted it white with some of the brown showing through for a vintage look.  The flowers were purchased at Michaels with my Christmas gift cert (thanks Jen) and the bird nest was a salvage from my rose bush--just sprayed it with a little adhesive to hold it together. 

Hope you enjoy!

Saturday on the Farm

Daylight is slipping away as the clouds roll in......it's good to be tired and safe.  Today was outside creativity.  By 8:30 AM I was at Lowe's buying seed and fertilizer........spring is here, I just feel it (won't be surprised though is ol' man winter has another trick up his sleeve).  My spring kitchen garden is in the ground:  radishes,  lettuce, spinach, sugar snap peas, and Swiss chard. Oh yeh, and a new yellow rose bush--even if you can't eat it sometimes you just gotta have something that makes you feels good (minus the thorns that is).  The sun warmed their little "seed souls" all day and tomorrow God will tilt his watering can in our direction.  Life is good!

Thank You

Thanks to Shabby Blogs for finally helping me understand how all this works and for their beautiful designs and generosity.

Glimpses

Let's try this again. Lost all of my previous post tonight. I barely have enough time to get through my daily routine much less give birth to a blog. I work a full-time job as a benefits manager so that I can feed the "Head Farmer in Charge" (good thing I like to cook.........anyone want to do the dishes?). He also works a full-time job so we can feed all the other hungry mouths. We lost a week old baby goat today. Sad but a fact of farming. Still you grieve the loss of life and the mother's loss (yes they know). We raise Kiko goat breeding stock--a meat goat which originated in New Zealand (where our prays are with those living through the devastation of today's earthquake).

Tomorrow night I will spend the night with 2 of my grandsons. Wonder where they'll want to go for dinner? Wonder if I'll have any influence in the decision--NOT! Looking forward to our night together.

Maybe I can post some pics of projects that I've completed since Christmas before the end of the week............NEVER ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY.

Off to finish the kitchen, wash today's eggs and then off to peaceful slumber.