Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Now that the dust has settled and we have welcomed in the New Year, it's time to think about what we want to accomplish in 2016. 

2015 was such a busy year!!

It was a good year though, and there isn't too much I would change for 2016.

2015 saw a few changes - Big Country Girl starting her career, getting engaged to Country Fellow, buying their first home, moving out, and getting a puppy.

Me learning to can, and trying to keep up with work, the kids, new clients, and the house.

Little Country Girl getting more serious about figure skating, and less serious about soccer.

Country Boy continuing his College education.

Hubby starting a new job.

We were all kept so busy, that it seems things outside 'our world' were a little forgotten, including this blog. There are friends we haven't seen, places we haven't been, projects we didn't get to.

I am really going to try to be better about keeping in touch this year, and not being so crazy busy all the time. But that could prove to be difficult ... we have a wedding to plan!

WELCOME 2016!

Looking back at this years garden

One of my goals this season, was to improve the vegetable garden.

Looking back now, I think it was a success!

 

I had wonderful harvests from every crop planted, and spent a good part of my weekends canning.

 

This winter I know I will eat well, and I will know exactly what is in every single jar I open - good, organic, home grown goodness!

Totally worth it!

Now on to planning next years garden...

Garden bounty and canning

The garden has been producing lots of veggies for me this year.

I've been filling this basket with fresh, organic veggies almost every day!

The beans, cucumber and tomatoes seem to be the best crops this year, giving us seemingly endless supply. The tomato crop this year has been amazing! There is nothing like a fresh sliced tomato, still warm from the garden! You just can't buy this taste!

We have eaten our fill, shared with friends, and canned a lot.

I even had my first pressure canning mishap! While canning some tomatoes, I heard a funny sound from the inside to the canner. I can only assume the lid was on too tightly and the pressure finally blew the lid off. The jar was fine, but what a MESS!

Our pickling cucumbers were a little slow, so I bought some from the farmers market and made some garlic dill pickles and bread and butter pickles.

A winters worth of green beans and dilly beans has been canned up as well.

Onions will be ready soon, and cabbage and carrots will be harvested and canned for winter use.

The Cucamelons have been very prolific this year as well. Most have been eaten straight off the vine, but I am hoping to try a cucamelon mint pickle. I'll let you know how that works out.

While the veggie garden is still winding down, I am already planning for next years garden. My main goal this fall is to improve the soil in a few sections of the garden with leaves, compost and manure.
Yes, I said FALL. It sure is feeling like fall in the mornings.
And with the kids going back to school in a few days, fall isn't far behind!