I have been trying to get caught up since I got home from Montana. Right when I can see the light at the end of tunnel, something else happens and I’m back feeling frazzled, behind and unorganized.

I have a hard time functioning when any part of my life is not in check. I can’t start cooking or canning projects if my kitchen is not clean and organized. I now find myself not photographing any new images when I still have a bunch that need to be put up here… and when I don’t photograph for awhile, it affects me and causes problems all on its own…  Sigh.

I have decided to go back to work three days a week; I am working at a perfectly quaint little spa in New Hampshire. It’s nice to have an excuse to wear something other than gardening clothes and pajamas… Plus, I have down time there that will allow me to keep my little journal updated more often. I don’t want to be on my computer at home, it’s too easy to get sidetracked.

The Mr. and I have  started to plan out our meals two weeks in advance. When you give up “processed” food you cease to have anything on-hand that’s quick. We had a lot of nights when I realized it was dinner time and I hadn’t taken anything out of the freezer…. leading to more eating out than necessary… leading to no left-overs for lunch. We’re on week two and it’s working great.  We spend one whole day prepping and making soup (we eat a shit-ton of soup) and whatever else we can make in advance and freeze. J has been stepping in as household chef more than a couple times a week too, love that man…

I am hopeful that one day I will be better at just living life, rather than constantly figuring out a ways to make it run more efficiently…

My favorite task this gardening season is digging up potatoes. I’m like a little kid digging for buried treasure. I love the sight of dead potato plants…

Another good place to eat close to home…

This is what little care packages want to be when they grow up…

I hope you are loving your new treasures, Miss Jane.

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My surprise peppers…

They were suppose to be pepperoncinis, they are not. The look like a small cherry pepper but taste like a cayenne. They are hot little bastards…

I think I love gardening because it reminds me of Christmas… or the other way around.

My first batch of canned tomatoes…

I have done another batch since then, I love these tomatoes for canning… I will grow them forever. The plants are HUGE! 

My perfect pumpkin.

I smile every time I look at it. It’s not out on display yet since it’s not quite fall in my book, yet.

I have not burned any fall candles, or painted my toes a fall color… or watched Hocus Pocus.

Soon though… I just haven’t gotten that fall feeling.

It seems like forever ago since my in-law family was here to visit. It’s almost time for us to head down there to see them.

Always love spending time with them…

His sister was here too, I got very few pictures of her visit. Mostly they are all on a waterproof disposable camera we took kayaking. I don’t even know how to drive to cvs and drop film off anymore…

Summer squash and green onions from the ol’ plot. I love having meals where our home grown makes up all, or the majority of our meal.

We cut up our first watermelon… it was not quite ripe yet. I have since learned how to tell when they are ready to pick.

Our second one was much better…

The neighbor kids are waiting patiently for “their” watermelon to ripen. This week for sure… I have seven that will be ready very soon.  (I’m a watermelon gardening baddass).

The end of the cucumbers… you had a good run boys.

Dill…

I’ve had this picture on my kitchen sink windowsill in every house I’ve lived for the last 15 years…

I rocked the poofy hair!

That was 20 years ago…

Happy end of summer, and almost fall Loves!!

This is my 100 post…!

It’s beyond late, I’ve had a lot going on since we last met.

I’m trying to get on a more regular schedule in my life, I am finally winning the battle… more on my next post.

For now… Montana!

The theme this trip… Bloody Mary’s.

One of the main things I went home for was to help my parents renovate their bedroom.

I loved physically being able to help them on a project, rather than giving my opinion from 3000 miles away.

I was thrilled my mom wanted my art on her walls…

A little “Annie” time…

I hit flathead cherry season, I feel sure I ate ten pounds of cherries while I was home.

Fam time…

I got my great grandmothers pickle recipe. I have yet to use it since I couldn’t find where I packed it until after I was done pickling for the year.

Next year for sure

My mom’s recipe book…

My parent’s neighbor has the sweetest yellow lab ever… I love all over him while I’m home.

To all my gardening friends in Montana and Wyoming… GO HERE.

It is at the four way stop when you’re coming off the zoo exit toward king ave (in Billings).

It is the best gardening supply store I have ever been in. You will think so too.

Love.

I’ve missed you Mas Taco.

My friends are badasses.

Roadie to southern WY with my girls…

Those are not pop…

More Bloody’s…

And Dan.

HA!!

House full of photographers…

Hmmmm.

Of course…

I LOOOOVE me some lemon squares.

Insert Marlon Brando voice…

Mr. P,  I figured you couldn’t hate this lens flare…

Photo gals… and their master.

That’s my girl… pure class.

I wish you two all the best in the world… Love you both!

My favorite doodler…

My grandmothers kitchen aid…

My Wynn fix while I was away…

I forgot to wish my sister and her hubs happy…

And back home again…

Thanks for the splendid trip, Loves!

Visual aid for those who don’t know what a celery root looks like… (myself included).

I love my family…

Yes, I know it’s been awhile…

(When I’m away from my computer for long periods of time, the margarita I spilled on my keyboard comes back to haunt me.)

I had every intention of writing a little post while I was in Montana/Wyo, I knew I wouldn’t.

The Loves take priority.

I took a few images, not many… those later.

This is how my July started…

My first garlic scapes, ever. The cooking of them did not go so well…

I’ll grow hardnecks from now on just for these pretties. They did better than the softnecks.

In the end I killed them both (with the potatoes help).

Next year I’ll know…  

It was beyond lovely to see you again, my friend…

Korean BBQ…

Korean S’mores…

HAPPY 4TH!!

My bachelor buttons are blooming, my first flower planted from seed.

I had them in my wedding bouquet.

This seems like such old news…

THIS is what I had to deal with for three hours while waiting for a tetanus shot (thanks to the naughty dog down the street) .

I loath the disney channel.

And I was hungry.

There are around four separate occasions within a month my husband should get a medal just for dealing with me.

He is a good man.

I almost forgot! The loudest puker in the world.

He screamed while he threw up… and moaned a lot.

His girlfriend had it worse.

Beets and arugula out of the garden…

Caramelized onions, my new favorite topping for everything.

That is a true picture of summer…

I have a drawer full of cucumbers in my fridge. I need more jars.

I might have enough dill growing that I don’t need to buy any ~big happy sigh…

My first potatoes…

How every potato wants to go… Fried in butter. With bacon.

First (probably only) raspberry of the season.

Next year…

My happy accident pumpkin.

It’s almost full orange now… It will be an only child (the plant is dying) but I still get this one  to enjoy through the fall.

Spaghetti squash plant didn’t do so well either.  I think I’ll end up with three, not bad for the first year.

It’s such a pretty green before it turns yellow.

Can you see it…?

Oh bean…

First batch of beans… into lamb stew (that kept my husband alive while I was gone).

First aid on my pumpkin plant, I found a vine burrower… bastards.

You will not be so lucky next year, I know you exist now.

I made seven veggie lasagnas  with our zucchini surplus. The other thing that fed the Mr. in my absence.

Okra has the most beautiful blooms. They are hard to catch…

See you soon Loves… two more to go.

My garden… she is a growin.

The weather is stressing me out a bit.  Lots of rain, lots of hot, and rarely at the right time.

I guess that’s just how it goes. Next year will be different, that is a guarantee.

At least once a day I eat something from my garden, I think that is pretty cool.

We had a weekend guest, we always love Lola time…

Mango salsa, I am a fan.

This beet was twice as big as all the rest, reminded me of myself during the grade school years…

I have discovered about fifteen tomato seedlings growing in last years spot, and out of the cracks in the driveway… and across the driveway in a completely different bed. Ambitious little guys. I only have room for three, (the rest are in pretty little vases) I can’t bare to throw them into the compost just yet.

The two carrots that are growing from the first planting. I’m happy to say the second planting is doing much better.

Pretty girl…

Our first day of summer was delightful. Among other things, a Wynn friendly patio during happy hour(s).

We know how enjoy life.

She is a lover…

I miss my Jane’s. One named for the other.

Yoga with my man. It feels so good to get back, it’s ben far too long.

Waiting on the beach with my fam for the biggest full moon of the year. I feel blessed to have a husband who celebrates life’s little events with me.

Potato flowers….

Bush bean hanging with a summer squash.

1940’s squash blossom…

A random squash I found growing over by the compost pile, so I moved into an empty spot in one of the beds. I’m thinking it’s a spaghetti squash?? The leaves are HUGE now, it just wanted a chance.

This little guy flew around and posed for me for a good 20 minutes.

Because of the heat, I think I’ll only get enough peas for one meal, but it will be a marvelous one.

Better luck in the fall.

My very first rhubarb… I’m not suppose to pick any the first year but one leaf  was haggard  so I picked it… and of course cooked it, because how could I not.

Have a great weekend Loves!

I feel sure I’ve posted this picture before…

Two of my very favorite people were born one year and eleven days apart forty some years ago this month.

Siblings really are the best…

I’m beyond excited to see you all very soon!

My garden is full of rain and looking forward to a week of sun…

Happy first day of summer Loves!

I’ll be spending my day in NH with the Mr. and our favorite furry girl.

More soon…

Can you believe it’s June? Summer is so close…

If it wasn’t for gardening, I’d have very little use for summer. I loath being hot and despite what my husband thinks, I do not look good in less clothing. (These arms and legs need cover.) Everything I love about summer could easily be done in spring and fall.

Is that not the sweetest face…?  She turned five in Saturday. We’re now the same age.

She is laying next to me in the window having a snooze, she makes my days brighter.

My greens are ready, I hope we’re officially done with store bought greens.

I have salad and spinach planted all over, every three weeks I plant more. I love gardening.

My tulips bloomed.  The gift that keeps on giving…

I’m trying something different with my parsley and cilantro. My hope is to plant them closer together so they hold each other up and don’t get so leggy. Stay tuned.

We had a hot snap that upset everything. I am NOT ready for heat, either is she… either are my brussels sprouts.

I wonder if this eggplant’s alter ego is named Barbara…

I want something growing in my yard named Barbarella, past meets present. I so wish I liked eggplant.

Sweet potato slips… Or a dragon.

Get ready for dilly beans my friends, I’m gonna have a lot.

My peonies bloomed! I guess I can now plant my watermelon.

Chives are so beautiful…

The bees are loving my yard, everyday I see more. I’d hang out in my garden if I were a bee. Chives are their favorite.

Happy national egg day Loves. May all your eggs be from free range chickens…

I have been outside every day since last we met…

That seems to be the trend this season, sunshine for 14 days, rain for five. I do get a lot done in those two weeks.

A welcome site…

I’m in love with my new spoons… They from J’s grandmother and great – great grandmother’s collection.

They work perfect for eating kiwi, a rare and prized trait in a spoon.

It was bound to happen… I had 35 1/2 sparkle free years, not a bad run.

My sweet nephew/godson sent me tulips for Mother’s Day.  Ethan, you made my month!

The first ripe treasure of the season, we shared it last night… A perfect start.

I met a couple in our neighborhood that has the most beautiful garden. I photograph their flowers all the time on our walks. He started sharing… That is a shit-ton of chives!

This is from their garden, so is the purple columbine at the beginning. Something is always blooming…

#32… dust the disco ball.

They smell exactly the same… perfect.

Where’d you come from pepper…?

I have two of those, I have no idea what they are. I think that one is a cayenne and the other is a sweet of some sort.

They will be goodness, that’s all that’s important.

Loves!

I have been working on my plot  for the better part of 10 days; I have to take advantage of the sunshine.

The inside of my house is another story. I’ve managed to keep on top of the dishes, that’s about it. What a sty…

I have enjoyed the sunshine…

The Mr. is not excited by gardening…

But he loves me.

We have the best friends ever! Thanks for saving our marriage.

An oddly satisfying tool… we all have aggression.

Sangria

• 3 L red wine  (whatever is cheap)
• 2 C gran marnier or triple sec
• 2 C any flavor brandy
• 1 can limeaid concentrate
• 4 C tropical juice of some sort, or oj.
•  Fruit – oranges, pineapple, mango, kiwi, grapes, berries… Whatever you can find.  Don’t leave lime wedges in there, it will turn bitter.
• Soda water or ginger ale

This makes a lot, like a stock pot full. Divide the recipe as needed. Or just drink it for awhile…

Put everything except the bubbles in a huge pot and stir. Refrigerate… Stir a couple times in the next 24 hrs, mash fruit with a potato masher. (Only make this if you have at least 8 hours to let it meld… I usually make it the day before, it’s better the longer it sits)

I mash the fruit one last time and strain it out. Use a funnel and pour it in something easier to manage than a stock pot.

Serve cold with bubbles. Freeze halved grapes to use as ice cubes  ;)crafty.

I’m sitting here wondering if I put this recipe in here on an earlier post… hmmmm, I’m sure it’s changed.

I’ve started soaking my celery to get it to regrow. I don’t care if it gets any bigger, it’s adorable.

I have one snap pea that decided to make an appearance 2 weeks after the others. Take your own sweet ass time…

Blueberry.

Lettuce and spinach.

Almost… I can’t wait!!

HA!

 

I just realized I forgot to photograph my absolutely amazing ice tea spoons. Next time…

I also missed wishing you all a Happy May Day… Happy May Day Loves!

I wish I could give you all strawberry twizzlers, pixie sticks and dum dum’s in a basket made out of salmon colored paper.