I have been thinking of this tree lately. I find it stunning. A bit twisted and kind of funky…but still amazing. Creating a bit of beauty in its small space in this big wide world for those who come upon it to bask in and enjoy. I’d like to be this tree. Twisted and funky is no problem…I don’t think I can avoid that…but the rest is a constant effort. Today’s goal: patience, patience, patience…and uber-productivity. Wish me luck.
There are fiery red and orange leaves on the tree across the street. (My husband likes to point out {in all his glorious sensibleness!} that the branch that the said leaves are on is dying and that is the only reason that those handful of leaves are turning…and that there is no need to panic!) Even resigning myself to his sensible point of view…I still find myself panicking. Not a full blown panic…but an heightened urgency to fill every minute of summer with wonderful summery things. Lists are piling up everywhere. Full of things to do, things to make, things to eat, places to go, and things to see. Whew…it’s going to be a busy month…full of the glories of summer. Truth be told it’s been a pretty full and glorious summer already. Lately we have been filling our summer full of…
sand
evening games in the yard
fiber
a new friend to see the world with
very silly books to read very seriously (The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, “read” completely by memory…word for word…by the big sister!)
adventures of all sorts in the “the big red stroller”
parades
and experiments in furniture refinishing (sooo hooked!). 
So…what have you been up to this summer!?!?!
I have come to realize as grow nearer and nearer true adulthood (!) that time really and truly flies! So fast! And that living in the moment, and filling those moments as full as possible with family, adventures, creating, stillness, nature, harvests, etc is the only way for me to live! Fullness. It is the main goal as we chase summer!
There are a great number of barns around here. Gorgeous big red barns, long low dairy barns, hi-tec produce barns, dignified historic barns, half-dilapitated mostly tipped over barns…oh so many barns. Aside from the barns in ruin, the rest of the barns can be divided into three categories. (1) Barns full of mighty farm equipment in every variety…the favorite of the almost 2 year old. (2) Barns full of magnificent animals. Deep eyed cows, wooly lambs, little peter rabbits, and oh so many more…these barns are the favorite of the little miss! And (3) Barns full to bursting with antiques and treasures from the past….and though I thoroughly enjoy the other two types of barns with my children I do so love a good browse in this third type of barn.
On “the Ridge” close to our home there is a magnificent old barn of the third kind. I have driven past this barn for over a decade and always wanted to stop in. The stars aligned last fall and I stopped in for the first time and fell instantly (and deeply) in love! The barn itself is amazing…and it is just full of bits of wonder! Although I have not tested this theory (though I would certainly be more than happy to)…I do believe that barns like this exist all over the country. Go find one!!!!
Brown and Daughters Barn
Ridge Road, between Murray and Brockport
Did you notice (well…how could you not!!!) the giant quilt blocks on the barn?!?! These are common on barns around here and this giant barn has two! It is a really interesting tradition, that apparently spreads across the country, that I don’t know nearly enough about. In these parts there is a “trail” that links each of these beautiful “quilted” barns. I am anxious to travel this trail a bit and explore the hills and dales of this beautiful farm country. Maybe I’ll even happen upon a few barns full of treasures just waiting for me to fall in love with them!
No one here has jungle fever…thankfully! But what a jungle the garden has become!!! Yikes!
{this moment} I would like to bring you a few of our favorite spots and favorite things in this special place of ours.
Lately in this space we have been devouring the very last of a very large amount of string beans, and welcoming the very beginning of an insanely huge amount of cherry tomatoes! We do so love to mark the time with the coming and going of vegetables!
It is truly incredible how massive a plant can grow from so small a seed, planted by so small of hands. There is nothing like larger than life sunflowers to create a playspace full of magic and wonder. They truly are a children’s flower!
The seesaw is more often used as an balance board than a seesaw…!
For me…right now…I am loving the last romp in the yard and garden before bedtime. When our whole family is together and often finding ourselves hunting for bits of juicy red goodness, sliding, running, and balancing…together…peaceful and happy. When the light is amazing and everywhere things come to life in a new way. When moments and memories are captured in hearts and cameras. It is a beautiful time. Oh such a beautiful time.
Cucumbers have arrived in all their glory and a quite a bit of relishing has been happening around here! Relishing in the fresh crunchy goodness…relishing in the endless tasty salads and snacks…relishing in all the relish!!! Batches have been stored away for use throughout the coming months (most likely years…there’s a lot!), and one special batch bottled up in funky little jars have been tucked away for holiday gifts. Though the thought of mountains of snow, crisp cold air, and bare trees is hardly imaginable in the hazy heat, and abundant growth of late summer it is still oh so lovely to tuck things away in preparation. What could be more lovely than a jar full of summers bounty to give to those we love in the depths of winters cold. The squat little jars, a cheery bit of ribbon, and a little holiday note….and mouthwatering cucumber relish. Ahhh…I do love Christmas!
In canning and preserving I rely heavily on the Ball Blue Book. In fact…if I’m not reading directly from it step by step as I go…it’s just because I’ve already memorized their instructions!!! It is so reassuring to have a resource that you know will just what you need each time you need it! I have used their cucumber relish recipe for years and absolutely love it! For the batch pictured I was out of sweet red peppers, but had an abundance of green bell peppers so used those. Very very delicious! I have included the relish recipe from the Ball Blue Book, with my own tips of course!)
Cucumber Relish Yield: about 6 pints
2 quarts chopped cucumbers (about 8 medium cukes!)
2 cups chopped sweet green peppers (about 4)
2 cups chopped sweet red peppers (about 4)
1 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium)
1 Tablespoon turmeric
1/2 cup salt
4 quarts cold water, divided
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 quart vinegar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 Tablespoon mustard seed
2 teaspoons whole allspice
2 teaspoons whole cloves
*I put all the vegetables through the meat grinder which cuts down on the chopping time significantly, and makes a great texture.*
Combine vegetables in a large bowl; sprinkle with turmeric. Dissolve salt in 2 quarts cold water and pour over vegetables; let stand 3 to 4 hours. Drain; cover vegetables with 2 quarts cold water and let stand 1 hour. Drain thoroughly. Combine sugar and vinegar in a large saucepot. Tie spices in a spice bag; add to sugar mixture. Bring to a boil; pour over vegetables. Cover; let stand 12 to 18 hours. Bring vegetables to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until hot throughout. Pack hot relish into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Adjust two piece caps. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water or steam canner.
Enjoy!
Sometimes life dispenses bitter pills that simply must be swallowed. I recommend a healthy (and by “healthy” I mean huge) spoonful of Nutella, ice cream of the utmost flavor, and images such as this.
I’ve shared with you before how much my little girl loves to dance. She loves to dance. All day everyday she dances from room to room, often wearing a tutu, leotard, or dress she deems twirly enough! It is simply a part of her! In fact, at this very moment she is dancing and flitting around from room to room in a purple leotard gathering toys. It’s unlikely she will take it off…or stop dancing…before bedtime!
Recently I decided I wanted to document more of my children’s loves and current interests with artwork created by me. This serves two purposes. It creates a beautiful representation of where they are in this phase of their lives, and also offers me yet another chance to create. I completed a zebra for my son recently and have only to hang a new piece for my dancing girl!
I used a piece of salvaged wood and stenciled three dancers, and wrote the word “dance”. I used a staple gun to attach scraps of fabric and “gauzy” bits to create their skirts. Yup…that’s it! Easy peasy! Now the only challenge lies in finding the perfect spot to hang it that also lines up with a wall stud…! I’m probably being overly cautious…but I don’t want to take any chances with it falling down!
Happy Monday friends! Granola is in the oven…bread is started…the kidlings are playing beautifully…it’s going to be a great week!
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