Happy August to everyone. It sure doesn't seem possible that we are already to the eighth month. Time is just flying by.
I think about certain things in August. Sunflowers. Peaches, watermelon, pears, apples, corn, grapes. Heat! Canning.
Our fairs are happening. Kids have gone back to school in our area. Daylight getting less.
The promise of fall is just around the corner.
I will have ripened grapes by the end of the month. I may plant a fall garden - lettuce and onions. Have to start thinking about what I want to give this holiday season.
There are some outdoor things that need to be done before cold weather gets here.
What are your plans?
Maybe you have a trip planned. Gardening/preserving. Saving money. Farm stands and farm markets. Yard work. Household projects.
Let us know what all you have planned. Maybe we can share ideas and get some new ones!
HAPPY AUGUST!!
Lettuce would be a good addition to the fall garden. Also green onions...have to have onions. The others are about ready to be pulled. We plan to add garlic this year. Potatoes will be harvested, along with the sweet potatoes. Lima beans are growing like crazy and we have another round of beets.
ReplyDeleteI think green onions and lettuce will be good. I still have onion sets tucked away in the frig.
DeleteSounds like your garden is giving a great harvest.
This month is focused on my youngest son's wedding. Lots of stress and things to do. September will be quieter, I hope.
ReplyDeleteOh how nice - you get a bonus child!! I hope you don't stress too much and things go smoothly. September will be comforting to you!
DeleteHappy August! Another spectacular sunrise started my day; how I love sitting outside to watch the sun come up. Plans for this month?
ReplyDeleteInside:
-Finish unpacking (if possible), sorting, organizing, and donating what we decide we don't need to hang onto.
-Work to stock the new freezer with sale meats, etc. I've ordered (1/2 off) a vacuum sealer to extend the freshness of everything.
-Continue filling the pantry with sale items of staples.
-Decorating here and there as things get unpacked.
Yardwork (Hubs):
A list too long for here. He's been working on a concrete block paver patio in between rains and drainage projects. He'll order more rock to be delivered to add to our drive for a turnaround area and to level things better.
Activities:
-Primary voting today.
-Gun show over the weekend: we've never owned guns, but living with wildlife in the area (some of it dangerous), we figure we'd better look into buying one.
-Farmer's Market browsing: we haven't been to one here yet.
-Checking out several local churches, one at a time. There are quite a few!
I love reading about everyone's garden "news", projects, activities and bright spots... family get togethers, weddings, new babies, travels... thanks for sharing! --Elise
Elise, if you've never lived in the desert before...rattlers love basking in the morning sun...on a front porch! My friend once found FIVE of them on hers! :::shudders:::. She had a big beautiful porch that faced east. They also had to take their dogs for extra training so they'd avoid the snakes. Trainer had a neutered snake. No fangs, no venom, but rattle intact. Dog wore a shock collar activated by rattle sound. Dog gets close enough to threaten snake, snake rattles, dog gets shocked. 2-3 times of that and the dog learned to run from the rattle. I normally despise shock collars, but for this lesson, okay. We had an occasional rattler, an occasional mountain lion, and frequent coyotes. Coyotes were harmless (we had one for a pet that was a shelter pup). I was just careful to avoid the other 2. My biggest fear in Cali was fires.
DeleteHi, Debby! We're actually at 6000+ ft. elevation in the White Mountains (about a 2 hr drive from Flagstaff) in eastern AZ. No dog, but that's useful information if we get one.
DeleteAlong with the deer and elk, we have bear, bobcat, mountain lions, coyote, fox and javalina (wild boars, for those who don't know). Haven't heard about rattlesnakes here, but could be? --Elise
Elise it sounds like you have a busy month in store for yourself. Lots of finish work - understandable. That will take time, as will FINAL purging!! With some of the animals you mentioned - I think it might be wise to have a firearm and knowledge of how to use it. Bear, wild boars - scary!!!
DeleteI like reading what everyone is up to as well - I always get some motivation and ideas!
Debby that is pretty good info. Never would have thought of training a dog like that - but it sure would be handy where there are rattlers.
I'm looking forward to a visit from my daughter and grandson later this month. They'll only be here a couple of days, and have several medical appointments booked, but I'm sure I'll have time to play, read to, and snuggle with my favorite little guy.
ReplyDeleteMy veg containers are starting to get to the point where harvesting will start. The tomatoes are starting to ripen on the vine! Peppers and potatoes are nearly ready to pick too.
Then there are the unfinished projects, the fence still needs to be sealed and I still need to do some caulking and painting of baseboards in the basement. Will I finish these before the end of the month? I guess time will tell!
We can make our lists and just hope!!!!! I understand.
DeleteVisits with your little guy have got to be the best. I am sure there will be much snuggle and play time!!!
Glad your garden is getting ready to harvest. It is just so neat to go out and get some groceries in the yard!
We have had a busy couple of months with a son's wedding, new grandbaby, family visits, etc. I am looking forward to a month at home tending my nest.
ReplyDeleteI am very busy with garden produce daily. I thought of you this week. I am raking my biggest magnolia"s spring leaf shed this week. Seven loads and only 1/2 done! In my home I hope to do a bit of painting in addition to the general things.
We do have plans at the end of the month for a trip to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary!
Oh what wonderful things to have been busy with! Congrats on all fronts!!
DeleteThat raking is a royal pain in the rear! I sure feel for you. I would like to do some painting as well.
Glad the garden is doing well. That is a great busy,
Nice on the anniversary trip - happy 40th coming up!!
just little trips here or there Cheryl. Like the fairs you mentioned, Mackinac Island, etc. It's been a lovely summer.
ReplyDeleteYou have had great fun with the grands - that is so nice. Memories.
DeleteHave a splendid time and enjoy every moment!!!
For me, August is my big pantry month, as I can to prepare for the coming winter and next spring. This week will begin tomato season -- plain canned tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, salsa, etc., and pickles -- polish, kosher, and hamburger dills, and whatever other kinds my daughter and a friend want to do. Free-stone peaches should be ready next week or the following week, and I'm hoping for apricots, as well. I missed the first picking of raspberries and blueberries, and the next crops should be late August (I think). I'll also want to add diced peppers of a variety of colors to my freezer, and if I get ambitious, I may give cowboy candy a go. I'm trying to eat down my freezer meats, as some of it has been there long enough. I also need to start looking at carpet for the guest bedroom and stairs and will want to get something that I can do the same (or close enough) for the master bedroom and my office area soon after. Guest bed and stairs need to be done before the holidays, though, so I need to get a move on.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what an ambitious list!!!!! Yes, thinking about additions to the pantry for winter are in store. I well imagine come fall we will see a reduction in beef prices, as many are selling out. That will be the time to restock beef - because it may get very expensive in the future if that happens.
DeleteI love bags of pretty colorful peppers in the freezer - just cheery on a crumby day!
You have a lot of indoor projects as well. Sounds like you will be a busy gal!
I always joked with my mom that she should've held me in until August!! I was a July baby, but I always loved sunflowers and peridot. July's stuff doesn't appeal at all!
ReplyDeleteAugust is my last real month to make a plan before the seasonal Matterhorn bobsled takes over and delivers me to January and throws me out like the Weasley's magic car in Harry Potter!! I really need to get back to my plan of finishing 90% of holiday stuff by the end of August so I can enjoy autumn! When I was single, I did it out of necessity because I had a week of vacation before Labor Day. I pushed hard in between jumps into the pool to get everything done. It was all wrapped by Halloween. Cards were written and addressed on an annual Thanksgiving Day flight and all mailed at my destination airport. And I was done. I've never been a fan of Christmas because of how horrible it was with my family. But I do love autumn and I like everything done so I can thoroughly enjoy that!
So, we'll say that my plan is to accomplish that. Christmas over in August!! Or, most of it anyway!
You go girl!!!!! That would be something. I always have the best laid plans to be done by Halloween - yeah, doesn't usually work. But I plan it!
DeleteIt sounds like you were quite the organized lady at that point in time. Good luck with that - hope you succeed!!!!
August...how did that happen so fast??? Garden is producing a bunch. So husband and I will be freezing and canning. I want to put peach cobbler/pie filling in the freezer. Also diced peppers and sliced peppers. Probably more grated zucchini.Make grape jelly. Husband will be canning more tomato juice, sauce and stewed tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to get the thinking ahead to Christmas ideas. I will be drying more herbs and maybe making flavored vinegars for that. We also give jams and jellies...strawberry, raspberry and pepper are already made.
I really need to get busy weeding more in the flowers and landscaping. This IN hit summer and I have not embraced each other...too hot for me!
We have several day commitments to visit, etc. The month is going to fly by.
I also need to really be using up things from the freezers to make room for the things I want to add.
I know- it just seems like it was January! So happy your garden is producing. All those homemade items are great for holiday gifts. I get requests every year - especially jelly and salsa!
DeleteIt has been hot for IN this year - much longer than normal.
It is about time to think of the stock-up items. There will be many sales with fall/winter coming up.
August usually means harvesting and processing the garden. Things are a bit slow this year so I am keeping my fingers crossed that this happens.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Me too!!!!!! I am getting some, just not a ton. I hope you get bunches!
DeleteTwo weeks at the lake with our oldest don's family coming for part of it. So excited!
ReplyDeleteOH how fun!!! That sounds like a wonderful way to spend time. Love that you get time with your eldest! FUN
DeleteMy youngest son is getting married in August- so this makes wedding #4 and for some odd reason I am stressed out most about this last one. Maybe because I will have a house full of out of state sons/grandchildren coming for the celebration. I find that my energy level is not what it used to be!
ReplyDeleteI should have said 4th wedding for 4 sons- my youngest hasn’t been married 4 times! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteI have been on your site for several years and now all of a sudden you don't come on to my email anymore. I have no idea what has happened but I miss you and want you back. How can I get signed up again?? I use foxfire but they say I need Google. I will keep trying but maybe you could help me on this. Please. I am 91 and lost my husband nearly 3 years ago on Thanksgiving night. Always love your posts.
ReplyDeletedruandtom@charter.net