Monday, July 13, 2015

Monday, Monday

Our barn

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Summer has settled in nicely, with temps in the mid-to-high 80s. Fortunately, we've had a nice breeze that keeps things bearable. I know, those of you who live in the South would love to see 80s so you could put a sweater on! And that reminds me of the time we were driving back to Wisconsin from Houston, Texas in January. When we stopped in Oklahoma, everyone was wearing parkas and shivering. We were comfortable in T-shirts.

The little sweetie you see above, along with his parents, is moving in with us for a month while they wait for the closing on their house. They've bought a nice house with wonderful back and front yards, beautiful mature trees, at the edge of a little village not far away. For now, we'll be living together and I'll get to see those unbelievably bright blue eyes every day! And since he's just beginning to walk, it will be an exciting month!



Just thought I'd take a few pics of the flowers around the yard. My echinacea seem non existent this year, and the rudbeckia haven't started to bloom. But it's such a lovely time of year. It's what we long for in February - warm weather, sunny skies, beautiful field crops of corn and beans, a garden that's growing like crazy, and pretty flowers in the yard.



I got 16 pints of strawberry jam and a few gallon bags of strawberries in the freezer from this year's garden crop. This is just the beginning of the canning season. With three rows of green beans and way too many tomato plants, I should get a lot of beans and tomatoes canned this summer too. I love that project!  Does anyone else love canning, or is it just me? LOL


Have a wonderful Monday!

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This post might possibly be linked to one of more of the following:

Mosaic Monday and Amaze Me Monday and  Roses of Inspiration and  Treasure Box Tuesday and Tuesday with a Twist  and  Tweak it Tuesday  and  Good Fences and  Freedom Fridays  and  Saturday Critters and  Vintage Inspiration Friday  




53 comments:

Linda said...

Thank you Judy for a lovely post and yes, I love to can, but haven't since we moved here. Yes, I do believe summer has moved in here as well in western NY. Have a lovely Monday, my friend. Blessings

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Beautiful flowers! I need to make some jam soon, but I think I am going to make peach instead of strawberry this year :-)

Joanne Noragon said...

You certainly have a fun month ahead of you, with the lovely little family. We've picked about half a cup of raspberries each morning from my establishing raspberry patch. They sit on the counter and are gone by evening. With some forbearance we might have made jam.

Arlene G said...

I know you will enjoy all the loving you will get this month Judy!! And your plants are GAWGOUS! as we say here in NoAla. But we are all wilting down here. Just got back from my six am walk and my hair is a frizz ball and I am "glowing" from perspiration. So glad for a cool shower this morning. As for canning....I guess I did way too much of it growing up in a hot no airconditioned kitchen! My mother and sisters still can so I enjoy the fruits of their labor when I visit!!

eileeninmd said...

Good morning, your grandson is adorable. What a cute family! I am sure he will be a treat to have around! Your garden looks beautiful, I love the hostas! Sounds like your strawberry crop was awesome. Have a happy day and new week ahead!

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Hiya Judy!
Well, I have canned once in my life. About 30 years ago. Grew some cucumbers and followed a recipe for bread and butter pickles. Was sure I was making botulism in a jar. But put up a dozen jars of the best pickles I've ever had. My friend is a Certified Master Canner out it Oregon. She cans tuna 'n' stuff 'n' sends it to me. Heaven. Not sure how the tuna in question feels about it. Oh well. Our Lord ate fish and meat and that's a good enough example for me. Gotta go put an eyeball on a bunch of goats and one cat. Speaking of eyeballs...those blue ones on your grand baby? Oh my!
:) m & jb who is RIGHT HERE MOM (she has become a teenager)

MadSnapper said...

no, no no a thousand times no on loving canning. my mother loved it and forced me to help, i moved out at age 19 and have never touched it since. but i do love eating what others can. hint hint... those blue eyes are beautiful and it will be a fun month. your yard looks super... love the barn and did not know you have one

Deb said...

Wow - you have some fun times ahead. He's a little doll. :) Love your barn shot, how gorgeous. Your land looks so beautiful in all seasons. I LOVE fresh home-made jam. Brings me back to times with my gran where toast was made on the wood-stove and covered in her strawberry or raspberry jam. All the raspberry bushes are gone now from the property. :( Here in Ontario, Canada we are in a heat-wave. +30C everyday. I am really loving living in the country but will be much more settled once the main house is built. We are presently staining the board and batten on the mouse-house. Big job. *groan* Enjoy your lovely home and all the surroundings, Judy. Sending a hug, Deb

DeniseinVA said...

Baby blue eyes is adorable. How lovely you get to see him every day for a whole month. Great photos, great post :)

Stephanie said...

Mmmm... Your strawberry jam looks delicious and I'm sure it tastes oh-so-good on toasted bread :)

Oh my, isn't Baby Blue Eyes precious! You will indeed have a fun and exciting month. Enjoy, sweet Judy. Happy Monday to you. Hugs!

Cheryl said...

I started to tell a long(ish) story about my canning history, but I'll just make the long story short (this time). I enjoy canning in small, manageable amounts. :)

Oh, you will certainly have an exciting, loving, and busy month!!

Tired Teacher said...

What a blessing to have your grandson and his parents stay with you for a month. I predict the days will go by much too quickly, so soak up all the hugs and kisses that you possibly can.

I love to can, but since it's just me, I don't do it anymore. My supplies were given to my nephew and his wife.

21 Wits said...

Monday, Monday so good to me, of course you know this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h81Ojd3d2rY
is still playing in my head! Delightful Monday morning wake up call right here seeing all your lovely photos. I really like the hint of a porch with all the greenery and flowers, just beautiful!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

What a nice month you are going to have with the little one there everyday. Your yard and flowers are just beautiful!

I don't mind canning...I usually do tomatoes and I enjoyed making jam the last two years : )

Linda Kay said...

Judy, I used to look so forward to canning and preserving, but haven't had a good gardens spot in years. In Illinois the dirt was conducive to growing beautiful crops, but usually, here in Texas not so much. So I've given all my jars away and look for bargains in the stores and at the vegetable farms.

podso said...

How much fun you will have with that sweet one toddling around your house this month! Your surroundings look so pretty and colorful. Gorgeous shot of your barn..

Monica said...

it's 92 already here with tons of humidity, making it feel like 105. I live in Missouri (or is it misery?) LOL!
Love those big blue eyes! What a fun month you are going to have! Your gardens are beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Snap said...

Your grand little is adorable. Have fun! Lovely garden. I love fresh picked strawberries and love it when they show up at the Farmer's Market. So much better than those store bought berries! Lucky you! Happy Monday!

Pamela Gordon said...

How nice that your family and that darling baby boy will be living with you for a month! Your gardens are looking beautiful. We've been having fabulous weather here and the gardens are doing beautifully. I don't can anything but do freeze some things. I picked 4 boxes of strawberries at the you pick this morning and will freeze 3 of the boxes for smoothies. Have a great week!

Teresa S said...

Hi! Oh what a cute little prince! Your strawberryjelly looks yummu and you have lovely garden. Its a awesome place to run with small feet and for hiding games.

Heide at ApronHistory said...

It was a good strawberry year. We made two batches of jam and have a stock in the freezer. There has also been peach jam made, on to cherry next! Very exciting time of year!

This N That said...

Strawberries have been good this year..Love the flowers in your yard..Beautiful..Hot and muggy here..Not a fan of summer mugginess...Have a wonderful week..

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

How nice for you to have that little cutie for a month, Judy. Your flowers look lovely! I used to can years ago, but have not done any for years. Your efforts will be delicious in the cold of winter. ♥

Vee said...

It's just you! No, no, more like I am the only one who can not stand anything about canning except for thos beautiful jars filled with food.

How sweet to have that little grand visiting, along with his parents, for a while. He has the bluest eyes! Has he met his little cousin yet? Bet they keep each other amused.

That photo of your flowers and the barn looks like the subject for a painting...just lovely.

Vee said...

some days I can spell "those"

Gail said...

Enjoy your company.

My cone flowers have done amazingly well. They grew so fast and tall during our last thunder storm they just fell down but still blooming.

Your yard is beautiful.

I used to can a lot but not so much anymore.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I'm humming Monday, Monday by the Mamas and the Poppas. :-) Do enjoy that sweet face with the blue eyes over the next month, it will be fun for sure.
I liked the view of your gardens, and the jars of strawberries. I've never really done canning, chili sauce in the past but that's about it. Hubby rarely eats jam so it's a waste to make it and for only two people, I buy a small jar of anything we want.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Judy.

L. D. said...

That grandchile will make you life to be so cheered. Your garden areas are beautiful. We make jelly from some cherries once a year and that is all we do with canning jars. I don't grow a vegetable garden anymore but the tomatoes can be frozen, romas. Thanks for sharing all the great photos.

VioletSky said...

I'm relieved to see that there are others who are not into loving canning! I thought I might be the odd one out. Tried it twice - the second time just to see if really was a bothersome as I remembered (it was, and worse).
But kudos to you for keeping up the old tradition!

Lorrie said...

What fun to spend a month with that little sweetheart. It will go by quickly. I do enjoy canning and freezing. Lots of berries are put away in the freezer already and I have plums on the counter top waiting for me to make jam. So why am I reading blogs? Great photos. Your garden is looking fresh and cool.

Judy S. said...

Enjoy every minute with those big blue eyes! What a little cutie.

Anonymous said...

What a sweet baby; I know the month will just fly by as you will enjoy the company. Your yard is so pretty. I have never canned before but I sure love to eat canned veggies, jams etc. lol

TexWisGirl said...

nice they can stay with you in the interim!

Jill said...

Your yard is lovely and that jam looks delicious! What a little sweetheart and those beautiful blue eyes! Enjoy the time together as they stay with you, they grow up so quickly. Have a great evening.

Blessings,
Jill

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
I enjoy canning as well. I am gearing up for beans. :-))

I love the big blue eyes :-)) Sweet!
Carla

Donna said...

Beautiful gardens, yummy jam and a blessed family staying with you!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Such a sweet little visitor you have - those amazing blue eyes just melt your heart! Your gardens are really so lovely and good for you for growing and canning your own delicious food! Strawberry jam sounds wonderful. xo Karen

Mama Hen said...

Wonderful pictures! So nice that your family will be living with you several weeks before the closing. To have little munchkin with you every day will be so fun! The strawberry jam looks delicious! I hope you enjoy your week! :-)

Mama Hen

Linda said...

I used to can a lot!!! I loved it and can't think why I don't do it anymore! I would gather a few friends and we would be at the Farmer's Market downtown at 5:00 am .....buy all the fruit and produce - go out for breakfast and come back to my house for a canning party!!! We would can into the night! I'm too tired to do that any more - but in small batches? I think I WILL!!!
Those beautiful blue eyes will be such a blessing to look at!!

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Oh what an absolute DOLL Judy!! Won't that be a fun month. ;)

I've always been intimidated by the idea of canning - but my Grandma always used to it and I loved to reap her rewards!! If I really start growing a garden I may have to become more adventurous. YOur strawberries look amazing! Yummy!!
xo

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Beautiful blooms in your garden!!
And what a sweetie!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Seeing those adorable blue eyes every day will be such a treat!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, I bet you're going to have fun with that darling boy and yet be ever so glad when the month is up! :D (fun but exhausting!) I do like canning and making jam. And freezing. Just froze a bunch of peaches Pie-Ready (posted it this morning) and will do more today. Your garden sounds amazing, and I love your barn!

Anita Johnson said...

I just love that first photo! I would print that as a beautiful reminder of summer. Have fun with the little one at your house, exhausting and so much fun too. My grandson was here for a week...love that he started the day, " Oma, I'm up!" I have never canned...but never say next year. I did manage to pick raspberries this year! I would love to have fresh canned tomatoes.

camp and cottage living said...

Sounds like you will have plenty to can! Yes, I love it too, but I'm not going to have the beans and tomatoes you are to put up.
What a delight to have your little boy blue there with you for a month!

Anonymous said...

Everything looks good around the garden, and barn. :) What joy to have your family with you, what a blessing to them to have you there. My mom canned for what seemed like weeks on end!

Anonymous said...

What lovely shots.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love seeing your beautiful flowers and sweet family too. I don't can any more but I freeze fruit in season! Enjoy your weekend my friend. Hugs, Diane

Decor To Adore said...

Oh boy could I use your green thumb skills in my garden. It looks lovely.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Smalltowngiggles said...

Beautiful flower gardens. All the rains here in Iowa have made our part of the world pretty lush, too.

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful flowers! I have always loved canning, but do not do much anymore!Enjoy your time with the family!

Empty Nester said...

Those EYES! How beautiful! I hope I get to visit your area one day. It's all so lovely.

Rose said...

No, it is not just you that loves canning. Not that I do it any more...other than a few jars of tomato juice. And sometimes peppers. We do not have room for much of a garden...but I have loved canning since I was a kid. And freezing foods. Nothing more fun, well, maybe quilting and picking blackberries and apples and cherries. I LOVE the harvesting part just as much.

Have fun with your bright eyes...our Lorelei has been with us a lot this month...but goes back to school the 29th! That is July 29th, too! Way too early in my opinion.

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