Sunday, September 21, 2014

Playing catch up!

It's been a busy few weeks. 
I've been meaning to post here, but somehow I just never got a chance.
Lots has happened since my last post on August 23rd!
Country Boy had his 18th birthday and moved away to college the very next day!
Not sure if I should still be calling him 'Country Boy' anymore?  After all, he is 18 now, which is legally an adult! Regardless, we got him all settled in at Residence.

It's oddly quiet around here. I miss him a lot and look forward to next weekend when he will be home for the weekend.
Little Country Girl started grade 6 the very next day. Gosh, they are growing so fast!
With the beginning of school comes the beginning of all the extra curricular activities ... aka
skating. Little Country Girl will be skating 3 days a week again this year beginning October 1st. With this comes a commitment of 10 volunteer hours for ME. Because I am not busy enough this time of year!  (eye roll here :) )
Our town had its annual fall fair a few weekends ago. We had many things entered again this year and won a few ribbons each. And made a few $$ to pay for our day at the fair. I somehow forgot to take photos of our entries, but did get a few of my 'Stunt Girl' on some rides. 

Yup, that's her in the first car, hanging upside down. I would be wearing my lunch if I went on that ride! Little Country Girl loved it and went on many times with her friends.
Earlier this month we had a nasty storm blow through. Thankfully we were all home when the storm hit, because we had all just come home a few minutes before.
It was a scary one! It hit all at once with strong winds, heavy rain, hail and lots of thunder and lightening. We were all scrambling to close windows and the wind was blowing things all around. Even had tomatoes blow off the window sills! The storm lasted about 20 minutes and when it was all done there were hundreds of branches to pick up, patio furniture to gather up, our picnic table was destroyed, and our tv tower was bent. Still looking for someone that can remove the top before we get our internet 'dish' re adjusted.
It's been a great year in the veggie garden for tomatoes. Not sure if it was the secret new formula I added to the soil at planting time or the compost added this spring. I picked more tomatoes than ever!
Look at this giant 'Sicilian Saucer' Tomato!
I grew this type for canning, but soon discovered that they made an excellent slicing tomato too. They were very meaty with few seeds and a wonderful taste. I'll definitely be growing these again!
Tried making salsa for the first time and it turned out excellent. I entered some in the fair and it won 3rd place. Not bad for a first timer :)
Used more tomatoes than ever ... have some canned, frozen, stewed, salsa. Ate lots too and even gave a bunch to friends. Haven't counted, but the pantry is full of jars of home grown, canned pickles, mixed vegetables, salsa. The freezer is full of peas, beans, tomatoes too. Carrots and onions yet to harvest when I have a bit of time as well as cabbage and kale. I would say this years garden was a success!  I also learned a lot about canning this year, and look forward to doing more next year.
The flower gardens are winding down now. Fall is in the air and we had our first frost on Friday.
I haven't had time to assess the damage yet. I was able to get out and snap a picture the night before.
Fall officially begins tomorrow, which brings along a whole new job list.
I just hope I have time to do it all :)