Monday, September 5, 2016

Can You Believe that September is Already Here??



Hello Blogland, This is your long-lost blogger, Cranberry Morning. I decided that even though I've not been out getting new photos with my real camera, I'll put up a few pics that I took with my not-so-smart phone.

That fencing you see above is the gate to our garden. The brick is standing in the gap between the post and the gate to try to keep out the bunnies. It seems to work relatively well.

I  have about a dozen tomato plants, but they're determinates so they are all getting ripe at about the same time. (Determinates or determinants?)  I'd really like to open-kettle can them. Does anyone still do that? I know that the County Extension Office strongly advises against it because the 'new' hybrid tomatoes are not as acidic as the 'heirloom' tomatoes were. But if I add a tablespoon of lemon juice to each quart, can't I still open kettle? It would be so much more convenient, because at this point I'm not hauling heavy things up and down (where there's a second range) the stairs, and my kitchen range on the main floor is a ceramic top, so I don't want to use the pressure canner on it. I've heard that they can crack from the sustained heat of canning. Okay, you're right, I'm rambling, and it's not your problem. Sorry.

 Terrible photo, nice dog.

Jazzie is back for a visit. This afternoon she was out in the front yard sniffing the breeze. She's got a smorgasbord out there and is loving it.



Above is the view to the southeast from our front porch. I know I tend to put too many photos of views from our porch or our back deck on Instagram, but I happen to love those views, and besides, if I came across something better, I'd be sure to share to post that too.



At the end of last month, we were at our daughter's home, celebrating the SIXTH birthday of Henry. What a fun kid. What a Lego lover! What a Minecraft lover!  Anyway, it seems impossible that it's been six years since that little guy was born.


This was Henry on his introduction to winter, back in 2010. That's kinda how I feel about winter, Henry.



Can I ever publish a post without a barn? Not usually. And I like the star on the front of this one. I hope everyone has been well and enjoyed a great summer. My summer was non existent, so I'm going to try to make the most of autumn and hope that it lasts about six months.

Trying to ease back into Blogland.. maybe.


***

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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Hodgepodging Summer's End


Birthday Boy
Little grandson, looking slightly lost
at his birthday party on Sunday afternoon.
His parents put on a spectacular party.


Join Joyce and the Gang
for
She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Plug them into your own blog post
and join in!

1. It's National Waffle Day (August 24th)...what decision are you currently 'waffling over'? (or share one you've recently 'waffled over')
I rarely waffle. And mostly on things like: Should I use a filter on this photo or not? or One crutch or two?


2. It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts. Do you think we rush the seasons? If so, does that bother you? I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list that included-

It seems to me that the school year beginning in August is responsible for rushing us into fall. I don't like seeing Christmas decorations and goods in the stores so far ahead of the holiday, or Valentines rushed onto store shelves the day after the Christmas sales. The only season that should be rushed is winter, if we could somehow confine it to three months instead of five.

As for the second part of the question, I don't like S'mores, I'll read a book at home on the porch, I won't be attending the state fair, I'd rather eat something bad for me that I've made myself, and actually I see that none of the others apply to me this year either. I'm not doing too well, am I. I think I'm starting to sound like a cranky introvert. Oh, that's right...

make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for the day, have a pot luck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day on the lake, try a new summer recipe

Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close?
So I won't be doing any of those things, but I will soon be tracking my husband and son on their England getaway. That's exciting even to me, who will not be going along, but will be here with my granddaughter - a real treat for me. We'll have a week of baking, photo excursions, soapmaking, reading, journaling, etc..
I'm looking forward to her visit!



3. Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

Clouds and blue summer skies. If you're following me on Instagram, you'll have noticed that I can't seem to stop posting photos of the clouds I've been seeing from our front porch. They look a lot better in real life and on Instagram. And yes, some of these should look familiar. I hope to be getting out and about to get new photos - soon.

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their actions.' Agree or no? Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else? 
Oh, I think that's totally true!  Trying not to do that is something I work on and pray about almost every day. I hate a self-righteous attitude from anyone, especially myself. 


5. Are you useful in a crisis? Elaborate. 
This is a really tough question. I think I'm good in a crisis, but I suspect we all are when the responsibility is ours alone. In the case of an accident, if someone else competent and trained is there who wants to take charge, I would definitely prefer to take orders. The example I can think of is if I came upon a farmer with their arm caught in the corn picker (doesn't happen often anymore, thank goodness.) But think about it. Isn't that a horrid situation??! I realize that accidents happen all the time, but at least we now have cell phones to call for help if we're first on the scene. Shudder.



6. What's been your go-to dish this summer? Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?
Salad. Lots of salad, which means a combination of lettuces or cabbabbages and tomatoes, peppers, any other fresh garden vegetables, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, shredded Dubliner cheese, and a drizzle of dressing. I'll make it year around. A couple nights ago I made chicken strips and hot apricot/mustard dip. Whoa, was that good!  Check out this OLD blog post with the recipe.

August 2015 garden collage
This year we have tomatoes and peppers and peas - That's all.

7. Adult coloring books are a thing now. Have you jumped on the bandwagon? If not is this something you think you might enjoy?

I've heard that people find coloring to be relaxing. I can't imagine it being relaxing to me, unless I were coloring with one of the grands. I think I'd prefer to try watercolor or fancy types of lettering (from someone whose penmanship is barely legible these days, but then I do suffer from years of typing.)

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 Littlest granddaughter on top of 'The Big Hill,'
aka the top of our alfalfa field.
Do you think she's watched The Sound of Music  ?



***

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and at


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Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning


Judy

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