pretty + simple

glimmer

I always have good intentions of updating this little space on a regular basis.  Before I know it the days turn into weeks and the calendar flips over to a new month.  In this case, that's a good thing.  This has been such a long winter.  Extended to the fullest.  April has been welcomed with open arms.  Finally life is breathing back into the earth (after a very long winter's nap) and I'm seeing precious peeks of green here and there.  I feel a glimmer of hope.  Hope for the change of landscape.  Hope for the months that lie ahead.  Thanks Spring.  I really needed you.

I can't wait to show you off!

seeing green

Looking outside these days the snow is still quite deep and spring feels like a far away land that we can only dream of being in one day.  I was looking out the window today and I have a hard time imagining this hill with no snow.  It will happen but sometimes you wonder... so we decided to start a little spring indoors.  May I present our first crops of ....

::  lettuce  ::

::  spinach  :: 

 

 

::  and the start of a little basil for good measure  ::

 

 

We used these trays and after using those black, plastic ( & not to mention flimsy) trays in past years... the cedar trays really rock!

When I went back to check on the lettuce I spied this little guy taking a snooze on the fresh bed of green  in the warm afternoon soon:

 

Gnome Sweet Gnome.

rewind

Even though we are well on our way into November  I didn't want to pass up October just quite yet.  It's one of my favorite months of the year.  It was full of activity, fun, and simply beautiful.  Seriously... the whole month.  It was one of the best October's that I ever remember.

In early October we went camping in northern Minnesota that included an array of fall colors, day hikes, evening campfires and perfect sunsets.

There were also many pumpkins, gourds and squash that found their way home with us from the farm.  I felt like a kid in the candy store while I was in the middle of the pumpkin patch.  There were soooo many good ones to pick from!  For the love of pumpkins.  Warty and all.  We also managed to plump up the wood shed.  Huge thanks to a friend that brought over another load for us.  Always a good feeling to have it ready before winter moves in.  And those mums.  I love their hardiness and late season showings.  This year we did not have a hard frost until late October so the flowers just kept coming.  What a nice treat!

 
And there were apples.  I know it's hard to believe isn't it?!  (wink, wink)  We've been enjoying them every single day.  There have been many put away in the freezer, more made into applesauce and many more consumed.  Did you know they are wonderful in pancakes?  A customer told me to slice them very thin and place them on top of the batter after you pour it in the pan.  Super yummy.  Its making my mouth water just thinking about it.  Apples can be added to pretty much everything.  I know I've said that before but it's true!  Meatloaf.  Chili.  Smoothies.  Casseroles.  Roasts.  Bath tub.  Kidding!  I was just making sure you are still paying attention to my apple love here!  :) 

 

Of course, October brings another celebration that involved a perfectly frosted cupcake and the number forty-two.  You know it was really good.  Both of those.

This is probably the longest post I've had since who knows when so if you're still with me and your eyes are still open... I'm leaving  you with these - the last flowers from the garden this season.  Bright and colorful ... and just for you!  A little thank you for coming back and reading this little space. 

{xoxoxo }

sunny days

It's been busy.  Crazy busy.  And sunny!  Loads of sunshine this week.  Everything seems to be taking on a new color and light with the change of the seasons.  It's such a beautiful change.  I sometimes rub my eyes just to make sure I'm not dreaming.  Can fall truly be in full swing already?  Indeed it is.  The farm has been a steady stir of activity.  We've been making and baking apple pies, apple crisps, apple pecan scones, soups for the weekends... followed by long days of packing apples and assisting with school tours at the apple orchard and whatever else might happen to drop in for the day.  I'm also finding little bits of time to squirrel away just a little more of the garden for the long winter ahead of us.  We haven't had a hard freeze yet so the flowers and vegetables are still in pretty good shape.  The chickens are so pleased with all the garden scraps they're getting these days.  I think I might have even seen them click their heels in delight.  I know, it's hard to believe but easy to imagine.  :) 

 

 

 

just like candy

 

[ sweet cantaloupe from my sister's garden ]

thanks for sharing with your favorite sister!  ;)

it was good... really, really good.

cooler

{ September weather }

 

Along with the month of September came the cooler temps and it's been such a welcomed change around here.  The first thing I want to do is crack open the cookbooks, turn on the oven and warm the place up a bit.  So I did just that.  A garden casserole, an apple crisp, and the season's first squash did the trick.  Then came pumpkin chocolate chip bread, a tomato cobbler, tomato pie, and of course tomato basil soup. 

Next up:  More tomatoes!  Loads and loads of tomatoes.  :)

I've been busy squirreling away all kinds of garden goods for the upcoming winter months.

How about you?  What's cooking at your place?  

overnight

 { bread and butter pickles }

 

so easy, super simple... and always a summer favorite

 

...if you have extra cucumbers from the garden - this recipe is for you!

{ enjoy! }

backyard groceries

There's another bonus to this season.  That garden.  It's like a grocery store in the backyard.  Especially when you go to the frig and there's slim pickings so you head out back and soon, lunch is found... dinner is in the works and life is good.

And speaking of good greens, have you tried this before?

Green beans, onions (lots), and garlic sauteed in a little olive oil in a cast iron pan.  Topped off with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.  It's really hard not to gobble it down in record time.

Who knew green beans could be so yummy?

 

 
 
 

fresh

 

flowers and salsa.

both of them are so, so good.

what's been showing up on your table this week? 
 
 

facts

{ about summer }

your t-shirt makes an eggs-cellent gathering basket when no other can be found

fresh cut flowers are like little happy faces looking back at you

rubber ducks really do love to hang out in the rain barrel

a clean coop + fresh bedding (made by Gordy) + dinnertime

always bring a roaring round of cackles from the ladies

And...

Mrs. Bush has been spotted at a local garden this summer!

Who knew that summer could be so fascinating in these parts?!