Honor & Old Glory

Thank You Veterans

Harvest Table

I don't usually bother with "table scapes". With four young kids running around, anything on the table (besides food!) needs to be bump-proof, un-breakable, washable, or just plain unappealing to little ones. The one "rule" in my house when it comes to decor is "kids LIVE here". But when I saw these beautiful squash, I was inspired.

Feeling hopeful, I filled a box and hurried home from the farm.

Hmm...I like it. I wonder if we can make it last until Thanksgiving?

Lucky 13

Thirteen years ago today I sat alone in the quiet morning on these steps tying a bundle of lavender from my garden with gold ribbon.

Then, wearing my mother's wedding gown, surrounded by family and friends, a few potted roses, and sweet music drifting down from the string quartet in the balcony, he and I became "we".



...Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. --WB Yeats

The Magic Words

I was hit hard by a cold over the weekend. Hard. I'm just today getting back on my feet a bit. Probably just in time for the kids to come down with it! (We are a family that shares!) Anyway, I had hoped to be talking about other things by now, but I just could not miss the chance to tell a little story.

Friday was one of those "crazy busy" days. It was my day to be Library Mom for one child's class, I had volunteered to bring a snack for the in-school walk-a-thon for another child's class, there was a Girl Scout meeting scheduled for after school -- you know, THAT kind of day. Then the rain came. Pouring. Hailing. Cats-n-dogs kind of rain. And there in the closet were the raincoats.

So, back and forth to the school we went. Me and my littlest helper. Checking out books to kid's in the school library, delivering coats, stopping at the grocery store, home for a little food prep, back to the school with snacks. Somewhere around our third trip to the school I said to my patient little one, "Sweetie-pete, this is what is good about living close to the school. We can dash over whenever we are needed. We are very fortunate."

There was a time when we lived half an hour from school - I could not have managed a day like this then. I said a little prayer of thanks, and then it dawned on me to call my husband. To thank him. For the house close to the school, for the vehicle that gets me there every time, for the chance to send our children to the school of our choice, for my opportunity to stay home to raise our children and be available for them when they need me. It's a big deal. Sometimes in a family we forget to thank each other for doing their part. But Friday I stopped to say "thank you", and it really Made. His. Day. (The added bonus is that it made my day too!)

Ketchup

Well, catching-up really. But with all of the tomato photos I had to choose from, "ketchup" seemed a fitting title! Here is a little more beauty from the garden:

Things are starting to wind down in the garden, but there are a few more goodies waiting for me there. Squash and corn and, yes, more tomatoes. I have planted some brussels sprouts and broccoli that can take the cooler weather too, so it's not over yet. I also have met a sweet little someone who has been sharing the garden with us -- a little bunny! (I'll try to get a photo soon!)

So, here comes autumn, my favorite time of the year. When things cool off, settle to a steady pace, and ripen. I always think of my favorite poem, "To Autumn" by John Keats (I even had it printed in my wedding program). Ahh..., pure beauty. Now it's time for sweaters and coffee (well, there is always time for good coffee!) and books, lots of books. I have some "tried and true" that I will take down from the shelf and some new books I picked up here and there over the summer. If I can put the IKEA catalog down. I've been pouring over that all summer. Oh, I know the sidebar says I'm reading The Poisonwood Bible, and I am. Just, well, not all at once!

I have been using my Print Gocco a bit lately, too -- I'm crazy about this thing! I'll post pictures later, after the mail goes out -- don't want to spoil the surprise!

Bean There, Done That

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have had great veggie garden weather this summer! The flip side of that?

What do you do when this happens?









I found some great information about preserving green beans here.

But I started with this:











(yes, pickled with dill and lots of garlic!)

Then, some (blanched) for the freezer:









What's next? Blackberries!









I need to get some of these beauties onto a cookie sheet (one layer) and into the freezer! (just pop them into a plastic storage container after they have frozen and enjoy them all winter -- or autumn, anyway!)

Life is What Happens...

Well, life has certainly been happening around here. The days have been filled to the brim .








And yes, I'm still making plans. But nothing I could create compares to these gems:

Summer is just too short -- get out and enjoy it!