Happy Sunday everyone. My goodness, here we are over half way through this month! Time is just flying by.
It has been quite warm again this week. We finally got some soft gentle rain on Friday!!!! It was so lovely. Yes, this girl went outside once and like a silly child, I just stood there - arms out and face upwards. It felt so stinking good!
We had a storm come through in the wee hours this morning. I got woken up about 2:30 to the thunder. Rain on and off today! Today should only get to a high in the 70's (but it is muggy). Then the heat is back on this coming week.
We still are so low on rain - but tickled to get what we get. It all helps.
My week:
- I picked my first 'real' tomato this week. It will be a while before others get ripe - but I sure did enjoy my first, not so huge regular tomato
I think it is called Black Krim - it sure was tasty!
- Cut basil and thyme to dry this week. Basil got cut twice
- Using water from rain barrels as much as possible
- Got to air out the house on several cool mornings
- Harvest - okra, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and a couple peppers
- Made more marinated cucumbers and onions - so refreshing
- Working outside in mornings - so many little things. I trimmed and cut out a lot of wild stuff growing. Cut out a gazillion daylily stems!
- Cut up an old t-shirt into strips for garden
- Tied up and staked tomato plants
- Used dehumidifier water in washer
- NO grocery shopping
- Made oatmeal/raisin cookies - had stuff that needed to be used (Mmmmm)
- DID rake again!
- Made up a quart of nectar for hummingbird feeders. (I always keep extra in frig). As I was refilling the one from outside the kitchen window - the hummingbird hovered outside the window, looking in! It was amazing. I hung it and within a few seconds it was drinking!
- Just doing all the normal stuff
Meals this week:
Pizza type zucchini boats
Leftover day - rice, hotdogs and corn
Burgers with tomato, cukes/onions, and fried okra
Chicken tenders and mac n cheese with chunks of a small zucchini in it
Grilled ham and cheese sandwich and chips
Chopped steak, cukes/onions and cherry tomatoes
Sauteed veggies over seasoned rice
SNACKS: fruit, cookies, cinnamon/sugar toast, cheese
How was your week? Any exciting news to share? Gardens? Deals? Give us a shout out and let us know what is going on in your area of the world.
Blessings from my humble little home to you and yours!
*************
And he said to them "Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Luke 12:15
Lord, as we are tempted to accumulate more possessions, help us to be aware and to be content with less. Help us each to live more simply and to share generously with others. Thank you for blessing us, each and every one. Amen
I just enjoyed 3 amazing delicious apricots from our CSA. 🙃 I am so grateful we can afford our annual 24 week share. The food tastes of their love and caring.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. Love and caring - that is so neat that you feel that about those that labor to get those shares out. Again, over and over, we keep showing how wonderful the simple and smaller things in life are!!!!!
DeleteHave a great week.
Happy Sunday, Cheryl. This week brought a number of struggles, most that I'll skip as they're of a personal/family nature. Life in 2022 seems to be a very mixed bag. Every week.
ReplyDeleteOur rain gutters were installed. GOOD. The downspouts created more erosion issues. Hubby worked at that problem during hot spells between the rains. He used $15 accordion type attachments that have tiny pinholes and dug trenches to redirect rainwater flow. In one sloped area, he dug a trench, laid down landscape fabric, piled on large rocks, and then a catch hole (filled with rock) at the end. One more downspout to go: a tricky one that sends water (and mud flow) towards the shed. Bigger issue is the drive at the street. We're getting estimates to fix that and haul away the downed cedar and juniper trees from construction (contractor was supposed to remove them). Monsoon here means lightning strike fires.
In the house, I worked more at unpacking, and started hanging paintings and art that had been packed away for 5 years. It's GOOD to see them back up on walls. GOOD also, to see this house looking a little less like a moving-in project. And (for me), more GOOD news... one gal from Quality Home Center called to tell me she wants to start up a ladies crafting group. I'm in!
The highlight of my week was watching the sunrise every morning from the front steps. I've been waking up at about 4 a.m. every day. While I need more sleep than that, a side benefit, since our house faces east, is marveling at spectacular sunrises. Listening to nearby roosters crow. The chatter of songbirds. It's a peaceful time.
--Elise
Sorry there are so family and personal troubles. I think that is just life today with many of us.
DeleteYAY on the gutters and the downspouts - hubs will get it all figured out and functioning properly before you know it. I love that you are now decorating and enjoying it so much. HOME - you are HOME!
What a way to start the day. It sounds glorious.
Prayers you continue to make progress this week. and yay on the craft club invite.
Have a good one.
So love your story. Have a hummingbird that comes to czech out my toenail polish!
ReplyDeleteUsed the last drop of rain water in my catchment yesterday. Trying to be intentional with gray water that we collect, a/c water, and left over cooking water.
Bought 4 ready to lay hens to go with my 2 lady ducks.
Not growing anything but a few peppers at the moment. Prayerfully considering fall garden.
Roasting in Texas. God bless week.
I bet you are roasting in TX. From what I hear it is awful.
DeleteHow cute that the hummy comes to your toes. They are just the sweetest little things!!!!
Wise to use your gray water - it all helps. No sense letting it go down the drain when it can be used.
Hope you soon start getting eggs!
Even peppers -is something. You are growing your own and saving a few dollars.
Stay cool and have a good week.
Hello, I have not been able to post for ages Sylvia
ReplyDeleteWell it seems I’m allowed to post again. I don’t know what was wrong. I’ve not been having a good time. I started with Vertigo when on a break to my sister in laws, then the next thing Covid. Covid was not bad. No symptoms really. And now I have sciatica, that means no gardening. Going to see an Osteopath on Wednesday.
DeleteI’m lucky I’ve a ride on mower so can get the grass cut.
We have had very little summer weather. Lots and lots of rain.
We have a little sunshine today.
Sylvia
I am sorry - I don't know why that happens with posting. Glad to see you.
DeleteWow, a lot of problems. Vertigo is awful. I am so happy you didn't have bad symptoms with C. Some do and some don't.
DeleteOh my, you must be in pain. I hope you get some relief from that. Glad of the mower - much to be said for riding mowers!
We have had your share of summer weather!!! I'd be glad to ship it to you, as I am sure other would as well!!!!
Enjoy the sunshine and good luck this week. Have a good one.
We have lots of green tomatoes and no sign of ripening. Yours looks so good!
ReplyDeleteWe did a good bit of stockpile managing and know much better what we have and where. Hubby went to the discount grocery and came home with a case of Grands cinnamon rolls for 8.99. That is 75 cents a can. These will be great for our weekly small group here. We also stocked up on shredded cheese for $1 a bag.
Have good week!
I have tons of green tomatoes too - this was the only one for a long while. It sure tasted yummy!
DeleteGood for you. It is so smart to get things together and just take stock of supplies. What great deals your hubby got. He knows a bargain too!!! What a price on cheese.
Have a great one.
Good Sunday morning, Cheryl! It was quite a week here. Temps were NICE, mostly in the upper 70s with low humidity. A dear friend in my bible study, book club, and widows group was slated to move from the southeast Chicago suburbs to the northwest 'burbs this Tuesday and a group of us took her out to dinner last Monday night. We wanted to say our good-byes and celebrate her new journey. We even planned to get together for lunch or dinner, as she was going to be about 15 minutes from my daughter. The moving trucks were coming this week and would be followed by her cleaning lady and then the realtor, listing her home for sale. Unfortunately, she passed away Weds. morning, sitting peacefully on her back porch. She was found there on Thurs. morning, following a well-being check when she didn't respond to calls or texts. Our groups are hosting a fundraiser for the place where we hold our bible study group, and we held a planning meeting on Friday morning, and she was supposed to join us. Afterward, I had a dental appointment and received this news while in the dentist's parking lot. Another reminder to cherish those in your inner circle and let them know how important they are to you.
ReplyDeleteMy deck garden is doing so-so. I have one cherry tomato ready to be picked, and another 3 that are turning red and will likely be ready late week. And that's it for tomatoes, I think -- there are one or two green dime-sized ones on there, that have not grown any in the last two weeks. I have one green pepper that will likely be ready later this week, and that's it. One pepper on the green plant and zero, yes 0, on my red pepper plant. There are plenty of pickle cucumber blossoms, but no fruit set. My swiss chard and buttercrunch bibb lettuce are going well and have provided me with all the salad I can eat. The buttercrunch is flowering and going to seed, so I think this week may be IT for home-grown lettuce. I did another harvest of oregano, basil, parsley, and dill (not much), and a very small cutting of chives, all dehydrated and jarred for winter use. I think the pot of chives is probably root-bound and needs to be separated (or dumped, entirely, and restarted next spring). I've got some tart cherries to either use or preserve, and some blueberries, too. Zucchini were 3/$1 at the farmstand and needs to be shredded and baked up. I want to get some additional produce today or tomorrow (mainly fruit), and get some preserving done. Canning tomatoes should start coming to market next week, along with pickles, so I need to double-check my supply of jars and lids, to make sure we're ready to go. Canning and preserving brings peace to my mind. And, I need to do a lot of it for our fundraiser.
I am soooo sorry for the loss of your friend. Oh my goodness, what a sad story. You are so right - you just never know. Things happen in an instant, when it is not expected, and then you can't tell them any more. I am just so sorry. Huge hugs.
DeleteI have finally got 2 cucumbers on my plants, just this week! Hundreds of blooms, so don't give up.
The heat seems to have had an effect on the blooms and pollination this year. In time, I bet you get something.
It sounds like you will be keeping busy with canning. SO many goodies to be had at the markets. It will be good therapy for you.
Have a nice week.
Lori, so very sorry for your loss! Praying comfort and consolation is yours in the coming days. Dear friends are such beautiful blessings in our lives!
DeleteWe're finally getting some real rain and we sure could use it. My rain barrels are empty, and the yard is turning brown..
ReplyDeleteMy gardens are growing by leaps and bounds. I have lots of green cherry tomatoes on four of the plants, three small zukes, and a couple of tiny cukes. Been eating beet greens every day, and the peas are still producing a little.
The front flower bed is finally starting to look like something. The butterfly bush is starting to bloom, butterfly weed and tiger and stella d'oro lilies are blooming. Echinacea plants are 4 ft tall and blooming like crazy, much to the delight of the hummingbirds. The zinnias have buds. Deer have been eating my cosmos, unfortunately, but they can't get to the ones in the back yard. We still have 3 orioles coming to the jelly feeder. The fledgling is like a gangly teenager, and eats like one, too!
Last weekend, the neighborhood had it's annual yard sales. I spent $1 and got a vintage bed sheet and 3 nice pieces of flannel which have already been cut up for a couple of baby blankets for Project Linus. While I was walking around, I found a $5 bill! I don't usually go to yard sales and come out ahead on money!
DeleteWent nowhere outside the TP this week. Will go to Aldi on Wed. I noticed that inflation has hit even yard sales. Lots of items were overpriced, and people weren't selling much. Paid bills on the 15th. The nat gas was only $14, but the electricity was $54. We've been running the A/C only in the evening. My bedroom ceiling fan (only 9 yrs old) is falling apart. The blades are coming off because Hunter used cheap rubber grommets to hold them on, and they can't be screwed on. So right now the offending blade is held on with wire. I have a supposedly quiet fan on order from Amazon.
We are getting rain again today as well. It is just wonderful! I am glad your garden and flowers are doing so well. Sounds like your flowers are a few weeks behind mine. My lilies are pretty spent now. The Echinacea has been wonderful this year - I have it front and back.
DeleteThe grass here, has greened over night! t is pretty amazing, because it was crunchy!
Yay on the yard sale finds, especially the $5!!!!! What a win. My electric budget is going up a little per month for the next year. That is OK - as I want to stay cool in summer and warm in winter (furn. is gas - but need elec.)
They just don't make things to last like they used to. I hope the new fan works wonders!
Have a good week.
Full week here. Helped serve at a funeral dinner at church. Always so glad to be able to do this for the family! Dental appointment and another day book club. Those ladies have became like family...we discuss the book but talk about many other things also. Put shredded zucchini in the freezer and made zucchini bread to freeze also. Picked raspberries, blueberries, and blueberries. Getting cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, sugar snap peas, peppers, potatoes and corn from the garden. Plans are to make pepper jelly this week. Started kraut working. Picked our first peach today. Kinda hard to figure out which to eat first. Whatcha wonderful dilemma to have! Of course, we have been sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy sweet sister and husband treated us to supper Friday night and came to our house for board games afterwards. We never run out of things to chat about and laughter abounds. What a fun evening.
Had a wedding to attend last night. So no cooking then. Such a beautiful bride!
On the menu besides our yummy veggies...let me see what I can remember. We had sloppy joes, coney dogs,homemade pizza topped with lots of veggies, stir fry over rice. Probably others but that is all I recall. Everyone have a blessed week!
All those wonderful fresh goodies!!!!! I would be at whit's end to figure which to eat first as well! What a blessing.
DeleteDinner with family and board games sounds so fun - as does the laughter and chatter. I bet the wedding was nice. 2 nights of not cooking! Again - it is the small things in life that bring joy! You all just keep pointing things out. I love it.
Have a great week.
Loved the hummingbird at your window. What simple joy (for you and him!). How do you dry your herbs you picked? Do you just lay on counter or do anything special? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteYes mam - another example of the little things that make us smile!
DeleteMy herbs - I just air dry. I either hang them or lay them on a solid surface in the other room and in a couple days they are pretty dry. I have used the dehydrator too - but air drying is easy and no electricity used. After crispy dry - I sit down and crush them by hand, pulling out stems. You can also use a coffee grinder or an old type flour sifter - I have done that many times.
Have a good week!
I suppose the best thing at the grocery store was strawberries. A quart of Driscoll's was $10/3qts and the Driscoll's Organic Strawberries were $4.99/ 2 qts. So, I got the organic and had the ripest, sweetest, reddest strawberries ever. We ate them in the car and then had them with a meal twice. I will get more.
ReplyDeleteCooked, pork chops, chicken, potatoes and zucchini, and a pot of hamburger meat with onions, salt, and pepper. So, with other leftover vegetables, plus salads with tomatoes, we can eat without cooking every night.
Sweet juicy strawberries are the best. Sounds like your dinners are planned and prepared.
DeleteHave a good week
Some people would say look, she has a picture of a tomato. I look and say, Wow, she grows jewels in her own backyard, Look at that color, the shine it gives off. I wonder if you feel a little electric zing, followed by a warm wave of happiness, when you pick it from the vine. That is what I would feel when I have had success in the garden. It not only feeds the body but the soul as well. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt sure does feed the soul too. There is nothing like that first homegrown tomato each year. It was fantastic and I squealed when I saw it!
DeleteHave a great week
Ole Luke knew his business! Excellent Scripture!
ReplyDeleteYour mater looks good! The squirrel has been eating ours. The Urban Farmer got another live animal trap so we'll see how that goes. He was able to find one tomato that the dastardly squirrel didn't dine on. We had a turkey BLT for supper last night.
My oldest daughter and my granddaughter were here last weekend for my 75th birthday. I am worn out! We went to Conner Prairie one day and did some shopping and also went to Titus Bakery and Donaldson Candy in Lebanon. Alana sent me a text showing the temperature in Dallas...108. Yikes!
Happy, happy birthday! Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. The heat there is so outrageous!
DeleteDarned old squirrel. At least you got to enjoy one so far. I noticed this morning I have a 2nd ripening!! One of the first to come on the plant. Slowly but surely!
Have a continued great week.