Coastal Reflections

A song stuck in my head & new school books

There's greenbeans in the garden,

Clean clothes on the line,

There's little ole' barefoot children playing beneath the grapvine.

The sun is shining bright

And the creeks a' bubblin' too

We've got alot to be thankful for

And Lord I want to thank you.

Today is another hot one here on the little bitty homestead.  I do have my dryer running but it's just to dry the undergarmets.  The towels & the rest are out on the clothesline. 

My husband & son are gone fishing and Abigail is still sleeping.  So even though it's a little after 9:00 it is very quiet here. 

I got my package from Rainbow Resource in the mail yesterday.  It feels like a holiday when those crisp, clean schoolbooks arrive....To me anyway.  Abigail came running in from outside yesterday evening with the package the UPS just delivered.  Here was our conversation:

A- "Mama, mama, we got a package & it's got your name on it."

M- "Oh great it's from Rainbow Resource."

A- "What is that?  Is there anything for me in there?"

M- "Yes a few things & a couple for your brother."

A opens package up and pulls out a couple of books.

A-" Are these school books?"

M- "Yes aren't they neat.  Come look at this one for you all about animals."

A- looks at cover & looks back up at me not too happy.

A-"Next time can you please order something useful."

M-

Hope everyone has a good 4th of July.

Pickles, pickles, pickles

I started early this morning due to the heat.  I got 16 pints of dill pickles canned & made a double batch of the refrigerator pickles & put those in the fridge. 

We are watching my niece (the 2 year old one) today.  She was apprehensive about our swimming pool the last time she stayed.  However today I put on my suit and got in with her.  She LOVED it.  I'm watching her again on Friday & then next week too so I'm going to get some floaties and things to play on.  Our dog Carly (Should have been named "Dog that chews everything to bits") Has squeezed on the pool deck and popped every float we have. 

Well, I have a little while until she wakes up from her nap so I think I'm going to get a couple things done. ~Take care

Happy Canada Day!!!!!!!!!!

Refrigerator Pickles

I had about 10 cucumbers to use up & made this small batch of refrigerator pickles.  They were really simple to make & taste great.  Not too sweet & not too sour.

1 cup sliced onions

1 cup sliced bell peppers and/or banana peppers (I used both)

6 cups sliced cucumbers

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup sugar

1 T. salt

Put sliced veggies in a big bowl.  Then put the sugar, vinegar & salt in a sauce pan.  Heat on low until sugar is dissolved.  Pour over vegetables & stir.  Place in jars or containers.  Cover & put in fridge.

These are to put in refrigerator.

New Christmas Tree Garland

Good Monday

There is a slight chance of a shower today.  I sure hope it comes because we need it something badly.

Over the weekend my husband rented a bobcat to move the piles of dirt in the back.  He filled in some ruts and holes.  Also burried a septic tank for the dog kennels. (Mr. Invention)  They are suppose to be coming sometime this morning to pick it up.

We really need a tractor of our own.  One that we can mow with and with a front loader.  Maybe one day.

My husband's boss will not be at work for quite some time.  On Saturday he had a tree fall on him.  He broke his hip, some ribs & a couple other problems too.  Please say a prayer for them if you can. 

Today we'll be around the homestead until time for Ju Jitsu practice.  Abby & I will be visiting the library after we drop him off to pick up some movies.  When it's this hot it's just a good time to stay in during the afternoon & watch a good movie.  We saw "The Sin Eater" last week.  It was ok.  A bit odd in my opinion but Abby really liked it.

I've got a couple of projects to do to keep me busy for the next couple of days.  I can hardly believe June is almost over.  Our summer is going by so fast.

Hope you all have a fun day!

Pear Tomatoes

I love pear tomatoes. I planted red and yellow ones. The red ones always ripen first, then the yellow ones begin....they are stingy, they take so long to ripen, but the golden pear shaped tomato is worth the wait. I plant them in garden containers. The red ones have been very prolific, they have grown over the top of the tub and grown down to the ground, they are loaded with small pear shaped globes. I find my self going out there several times a day, just to pop one in my mouth, hot from the sun, and so tasty. YUM ! They produce just enough each day for the salad or sandwich, and that is it......I faithfully water them and watch them closely. Today the yellow ones finally gave in, and I had four in my hand to go along with a couple handfuls of the red ones. I know I will itch, and probably break out again in hives, but I love tomatoes. I even love tomato jam. Tomatoes on pizza, a tomato sandwich with a little sugar sprinkled over it, nothing else, scooped out and filled with a macaroni salad, put in soups during the winter....I never tire of them.

4 little bread pans all in a row

My mom gave me this cute little set of tin bread pans.  4 all hooked together.  Very cute & it fit into my countertop oven.

They were crying out to be filled with a little treasure.

So I abliged them and baked some yummy zucchini bread.

Bottles are best...

for feeding little piggies that is

Little yorkies would like a sip as well.  Can you see his little tongue sticking out?

Cuteness

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