Bidding 2013 Farewell

Happy New Year

Family and Friends!  

I'd Love to Have a Secret Garden

Favorite Song

Yesterday I had the honor of hearing this song performed by a local talent at our performing arts theatre.  She did a great job on it but I hadn’t recorded it.  But here’s a wonderful version with the lyrics.

This song is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.  Enjoy! 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I597YUXw1E

Doves

Hunkering down at the “Love Dove Bed & Breakfast.” 

Pie Time

Real Pumpkin Pie in Pictures 

click on pictures to enlarge

Sunset

Although our sunset was very much like this one, it was just too cold out to grab the camera for a shot of it ~ but thanks to the wonderful world of the internet you can still enjoy the beauty I appreciated tonight.

And the writing is so appropriate for an evening blog posting. 

Although Christmas will soon be here and the baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating etc. is on the horizon; right now I am so ready for a little break. 

I’ve been pushing myself for the past couple of weeks prepping for a craft show. The show was held on Saturday. The sewing machine was humming along as I was stitching up little aprons and pot holders. Then the kitchen counter was taken over with cupcakes and cookies.  Thankfully the canning was done and the relishes and the jyrup (that’s my original word for a cross between a jelly and a syrup) only needed to be loaded and unloaded.

My sister Melody from UpNorthWithMel came to join me for the sale with some of her beautiful birdhouses and jams .  It was so much fun and the fact that we both made a bit of money was the bonus.

The evenings were spent playing board games and laughing to the point of tears.  Our oldest sister Linda rode along with Mel and it was a blast just catching up and going back to the old days of game playing.

I hope you smiled as much as I did this past weekend.  But I already miss them.

Welcome November

Is it just me or are you having a hard time believing that it’s November already?  I’m finding that the old saying is true - The older you get the faster time flies by. 

Although I’m still in denial about turning 60, time sure seems to be flying by at rocket speed. 

Wasn’t it just yesterday that I planted the garden?  And now as the calendar page is flipped I’m already thinking of Thanksgiving ~ Turkey and all the goodies that goes with it.

I found this picture of a pumpkin pie on the net and I immediately went into drool mode. 

Give Thanks and enjoy each and every day that God blesses you with. 

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA

Happy Halloween 

Our Grand-loves 2013 

It's Been a While

Hey there, it's me ~

I know I’ve been gone for a while

But I’ve been a busy bee! 

After completing the canning

it was time to clean up the

yard, mulch the garden and

flower beds, catch up on a much

neglected house and then start

some projects for an upcoming

craft show.  Whew … 

Now toss in a few routine

medical appointments, a haircut

and perm, etc. etc.

Yup ~ it’s been one busy month! 

Back At It

As thankful as I am for a great harvest 

I must admit I’m getting tired of canning! 

but when you can turn these

 into canned tomatoes 

 or turn green tomatoes 

to raspberry green tomato jam 

 and green tomato relish 

it's best to be happy and to stay thankful. 

And just when I thought I was done my dear

husband requested some canned antipasto 

and then reminded me that we have turnips to do! 

Catch up with you all later ... 

Harvest Time 2013

Canning Season 

 Yummy - home grown carrots! 

 Pickled Beets 

 Canned Tomatoes

 End of Season Mix

 and Stewed Tomatoes 

Green Tomatoes and Dilly Tomatoes 

 and dehydrated Herbs 

 Another batch of parsley

 and garden onions - mmm 

and fresh potatoes 

and will I find time to dry the thyme?

 and more 

 and more tomatoes? 

Spaghetti Feed

As a group, we decided that last night was what we would consider the “first” of our annual spaghetti feeds under the arbor.

It was so much fun sharing laughs, wonderful food, wine and music with good friends. Even the weather cooperated. 

 The ambiance was perfect.

Complete with grapes hanging overhead.

Thom and Cheryl – that’s me! 

Dave and Rhonda 

Shauna and Paco 

And Ken; our gracious host! 

I cherish moments like this 

and the memories they build.