graceful designs

Finally!

We have tomatoes.

The garden didn't feel like a garden until these started ripening. Basil just isn't basil without a tomato nearby. Ya know what I mean?

I've been  dreaming about tomatoes since spring, when I started my seedlings. Those unfortunately didn't make it, inadequate lighting was to blame. So we purchased lots and lots from the nursery, trying to get as many varieties in as possible. I think we have 50-60 plants growing. I'm hoping it will be enough to get us through the summer, and much of the fall and winter as well. We'll see...

Cucumbers have been plentiful as well. I tried my hand at refrigerator pickles, and they turned out pretty well. They are tasty enough, but not so good that they disappeared instantly. They were too sweet, next time I'll go for something a little spicier.

I made zucchini crab cakes the other day, and they went over pretty well. They were quick and easy to make, extremely inexpensive, and pretty healthy if you bake instead of fry them. Everyone liked them but Laura, but she doesn't count in the food judging arena.

For example: I served fresh from the garden, steamed and seasoned  green beans at lunch today, and gave her one (only one) to eat. The fit she threw! She was on the floor kicking and screaming, just refusing to even try. I didn't back down though, and sat there until she was ready to eat it. When she finally broke down and took a bite, she said  "Mmmm, this is good!" and finished off the bowl of them. Ugh.

So I've been pretty quiet lately. In real life as well as this blog. In actions as well as words. I haven't made anything in a few months, haven't had the desire to shop, or thrift, or do most things that I usually occupy myself with that I think others might find even remotely interesting. Besides the obvious time I spend with family I've been pretty content just being.

Like the other day when I sat watching this butterfly.

I stood there for as long as the butterfly fluttered, which was quite a while.

And today my great excitement occurred in the chicken coop. I spent a while in there this morning, because one of my chicks escaped her enclosure and was assaulted by a hen. I administered first aid,  separated her from the others, and just hung out observing her, making sure she was okay. While I was in there, another hen was laying an egg. Since I was just sitting there, I thought "why not?" and caught the egg as it came out. That was my thrill for the day, holding such freshness, listening to Pepper give her victory cry when she was done. I found it exciting, I think Daryl found me a little odd...

Tonight we might be heading out to the county fair. We are waiting to see how happy children are afternoon rests. I'm hoping we go, it's time we mixed things up a little around here.

Take Care!

Productive

If you would look up productivity in the dictionary, you wouldn't see my picture there. No sirree, I have been quite laid back. Fortunately some things flourish without too much tender loving care. And there are clear benefits to gardening jointly with others. Like when I am stuck home with the mother of all sinus infections and three sick kids, someone else is still tending to the garden. Thank goodness for that. We are all feeling well now, and I am trying to put in my fair share of time in the garden. Last night I weeded until  the weeds and carrots all looked the same, and it was just too dark to continue. And I could not have been happier. I do enjoy weeding.

These pictures look a little funky, because it was getting dark and I had to use the flash on my camera, but here are some garden pics~

There is a sea of squash just taking over the garden

A giant pumpkin with my dirty foot in there for size comparison (I sure hope it keeps growing!)

Tomatoes are almost ready to turn red... I can't wait!

Pretty eggs from my hens

And proof that I have actually done something this summer...

Lots of zucchini ready to freeze. I have summer squash to freeze as well, but I'm not really in the mood to blanch today. Hopefully I will be soon, because I want to fill my freezer with produce, and truly eat local throughout the year.

On the chicken front, the hens are doing well. We have had two tragedies since the rooster incident, and now my dog and the chickens have their freedom limited. I am working on fencing in a large area for the girls to forage in, and recently bought 4 chicks to replace the ones Buffy got. I think I have things under control now, and hope that we don't lose anymore. We have been getting about 6 eggs a day, and are still really enjoying the flock.

We did have a foster child for the weekend. We provided respite care for a boy who lives with his grandparents, and I can see why they needed a break. He was on his best behavior, but boy did he wear us out. I have never met a child with so much energy.I am glad to help with respite foster care, but still am hoping to have a child on a more permanent basis. The upheaval that results having a stranger come and stay for a few days can be stressful...

I am getting ready to head to the store to pick up some vinegar (to try making pickles), and Old Bay Seasoning. I am going to give these Zucchini Crab Cakes for dinner. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Take Care!

    

Summer Days

We have settled into a very very lazy summer schedule. Daryl is off, and for many good reasons we have stayed close to home. I've been babysitting, too many people have been sick (4/5 of us with fifth disease, and now Laura with Lyme disease, and a couple of other nasties thrown in), gas prices encourage local activities, and we just want to be home.

Our days are filled with children, chickens, and now lots and lots of veggies.

~Laura in the family garden~

~Fresh from the garden~

~Berries foraged from our woods~

~Finally a blue egg!

~Hanging in the pool~ We were lucky enough to have it all to ourselves last night.

Not much else has been going on. Part of me is just loving it, the unstructured time. I am more relaxed than I have been in quite a while, and my children sense the change. I spent yesterday afternoon swinging with Laura, then going for a long berry picking walk. Gavin and I have developed a better friendship, and things aren't as tense as they can be between us. Our chickens are a shared love that is really strengthening our relationship. Who would have thought? 

And then there is Braeden. He is driving me batty. He is like a little tornado, racing around naked, yelling "butt crack."  All. day. long. He never stops. It is near impossible to get him to keep his clothes on, and when I do crack down on the butt crack comments, he looks at me and smiles and says "buck". He is clever enough to know that that isn't a naughty word, but we all know what he is really saying. And he has learned how to lie. "Daddy said I can" is second only to butt crack in our conversations. Sigh...

We really haven't been doing much else, but I need to get a little busier. I need some mental stimulation, and a new project to work on. I have a meeting this afternoon about the school garden, and there will be a lot of work to do after that.

I also need to do something crafty. I haven't done a thing lately, but am starting to get an itch to do something, I'm not sure what yet.

And we might have a foster child or two coming in for an undetermined amount of time. We got a call this morning about three children who are going to become homeless today, and they need emergency placement. We agreed to be available, but aren't sure how things are going to work out. It makes me sad knowing that as I am sitting here typing, the lives of three very young are being turned upside down.

I'll be back soon!