Monday, July 21, 2008

Another trip to the farmers market.


Our first picking from our own garden. So far we have gathered 6 cucumbers and 2 green peppers.


My sweet friend brought me 3 bags of summer apples and I think close to 30 cups of blackberries. (Thank you Megan!)
So far I have made 9 pints of apple sauce and 6 pints plus 5 half pints of sugared blackberries, a huge blackberry cobbler. I will be making blackberry jam and apple pie filling today...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Some eggs...

from our backyard... not all in one day, but still I find it pretty amazing to be able to fill my own egg cartons.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

An apron and herbs.


Sorry for all the sun in the photo. I'll try again, after I finish the next two on my list. (I hope that fits in sooner then later.)


Here is a bit of the goods I picked Sunday. The basil and cilantro are perfect right now. The carrot, well, I am hoping they just need a bit more time.

Yesterday my friend Megan brought me 3 bags of summer apples. I did not know there were summer apples until I saw them. Hopefully I will make a pie or tart today with some. :)

Monday, July 14, 2008

Farmers Market.

Since we are driving everyday to get the children to swim lessons, I was also able to hit the farmers market last week. That just makes for a good day. :)



Yesterday I was able to cut enough cilantro to take to the Farmers Market! And then there is still more. Thankfully I have some friends who also enjoy cooking with it. Today I am planning to make some pesto with all my basil.

I was talking to a friend on Saturday and she has made some Queen Annes lace jam. I can't wait to try making some myself, our land is brimming over with it right now.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

A bit of a update (at least some photos.)

This is the right time of year to be walking through the garden. The flowers are beginning to bloom, the squash and watermelon is spreading to cover weeds and fill up all the empty space and there are tomatoes and peppers on the plants. And then the smells are amazing, right now as I type, the aroma of cilantro is in the air.

The roses are still producing blooms, not as many as a month ago, but still lovely.


And my newly added yarrow is growing out by the lilies, cosmos and potatoes. Not much to look at right now, but I am hoping by next summer that the brilliant yellow is easy to spot from the house.


And my hollyhocks continue to grow. I am guessing that one of the plants is at least six feet tall right now.


Our original hens are finally catching up in size to Compassion and Padmae, in September they will be close to 20 weeks old and should begin to lay eggs. Compassion and Padmae having have each been laying on most days. It is so cool to actually fill up egg cartons with your own eggs. While trying to get a photo of how the girls size are about the same, out of the corner of my eye I spotted Mac noticing also. I wonder what he was hoping to accomplish? :)



On to other topics-one of my favorites-knitting. This is my knitting bag, it has two projects inside, along with more granny squares to be weaved together. All good projects, one is a cowel and one is a baby hat for a friends niece. However, I begin Elizabeth Zimmerman's February baby sweater in February, and this is as far as I got. I think I became a bit intimidated while working with the pattern... any way, I have picked it back up again...



However, today, I need to get an apron made. I have the fabric and have finally decided on the pattern I amy going to use. Hopefully it will be a quick and fun project to complete this weekend. I emphasize quick, I am a rather slow sewer and cutter, so seldom do my "quick" projects end up being quick.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Blueberry picking.

We visited The Berry Patch yesterday. So far I have 12 cups frozen in the freezer and about 12 more cups to make blueberry waffles, a blueberry cobbler and a blueberry cake...maybe not all today, but it is tempting.



If you enjoy reading about our hens and backyard gardening adventures, you can read more about ours at Backyard Adventures.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

A peek of some of my flea market finds...



A recent crochet project. Anne, pattern by MK Carroll. The yarn is from Suzanne, who found it at The Plucky Knitter.