Preserving the Harvest

The garden is about finished. There are a few remaining tomatoes and then another season will be over. The last couple of days I have been working on the last of the canning.

Grapes were worked down and jelly was made. There was an abundant harvest and I was able to share half of it. 

One gadget that is extremely useful is the scale. I didn't realize how much I would use. 

I pickled some green tomatoes as a gift for my father-in-law. Mike is always disappointed if he doesn't have few jars under the Christmas tree. :)

This is my work area as I working this week. Notice the open window? The weather has been wonderful! It made working such a pleasure.

Here are the goodies from this week. Ready to washed and put away. 

My mom and I combine many of the items in our garden. This is what we were able to put up this year between the two gardens.

8 1/2 pints Grape Jelly

3 quarts Grape Juice

5 pints Pickled Green Tomatoes

96 quarts Green Beans

120 pints Green Beans

108 pints Tomatoes

I am thankful for a successful season and the blessed by the addition to the pantry!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!  

Joy in the Ordinary

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the everyday... joy in the ordinary things.

 Baking blueberry muffins for Megans' class.

 Harvesting grapes.

 Megan is braver then I am and holds the football while the boys kick it. Not me as you are one slip away from a kick in the face. ;)

 Wearing my "armor of God" during Sunday School.

 A new fascination is paper airplanes.

 A project that, oh my goodness, has been a pain! More on that once it is complete.

 Lunch company meant a rare treat for us. BLT... yum!

 Moved this wreath for the above mentioned project. It made me smile every time I saw it hanging from the closet door.

I have time to read every afternoon while waiting in car line. Which results is more trips to the library. :)

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!  

A Small Transformation

While weeding and trimming bushes I noticed how faded our address sign looked. I knew that something needed to be done about it.

The sign was taken down and off to the hardware store we went. I picked the closest green spray paint I could find. 

I gave the gave the sign a good clean and then painted it. Don't forget to paint the screw heads that will show!

Once done I decided that it needed a little dimension. The previous sign had light green highlights. Since I didn't want to spent addition funds I pulled out the paint I used on our window boxes and wiped it over the raised areas. 

The numbers were also painted this color. Once dry and put back together it was placed back on our home. You'll have to use a little imagination to see the finished product as I don't feel comfortable putting our complete house numbers on here. I am sure you understand.

Notice the screws? Imagine how this would look with brass or stainless steel screw heads showing. The attention is in the details, my friend. ;)

By using Chucks' military discount we were able to complete this project for $3.41! Plus we have plenty of green spray paint left. I consider the cost and elbow grease well worth it for a sign that looks new again.

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!  

A Little "Sun"

Clearance sunflowers + a canning jar that belonged to Chuck's great-grandmother = simple beauty

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!  

It's Fair Time!

One of our favorite times of the year has arrived. We love going to the fair!

One of the fun things to do is a scavenger hunt. You are given a card and as you walk around a building you read different signs that have the answers. Megan loves this and earned a hat and a flashlight by completing her cards.

The is the first year we have seen this booth. Megan loved shooting! She did really well and the officer even asked if she had shot a gun before. I love that my girl wasn't afraid to do this. 

The 4-H buildings are probably my favorite area. I am always amazed by how creative everyone is.

Scattered throughout the exhibits is hands on activities. Here Megan was stamping leather to make a necklace.

Finally we made it to the animals. This made one little girl very happy!

You have to eat at least one bad for you thing while at the fair.

My second favorite area is where the old time things are displayed. 

This is an example of a 1940's electric kitchen. 

Oh, how far we have come!

Chuck could have spent hours here watching the old machinery work. If money was no object his dream would be to run an old time sawmill. 

This is the last year that Megan will be able to go through the farm to market display. :(

There is always so much to see and do. Thanks to another year of fun and great memories!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!