Friday, May 24, 2013

This life

Sometimes, even at 40, I still question what this whole "life thing" is all about. What am I suppose to be doing? What's 'my' purpose? I try to be mindful of what's happening around me, to be present in every moment, to create and enjoy the beauty in my surroundings. Is that enough? Is that all there is? After our life, what's left of us? Just 'things'?! What's the point of having these things and what will happen to them? Does it really even matter? Look at all the antique and thrift stores that have nothing but 'things'. Where were they before? Who did they belong to?

I was in an old house a few months back. It was a house that belonged to a friend's family members. I actually had the privilege of walking around to see if there was anything I might be interested in purchasing. And trust me, I did do some purchasing! I mean, this was 90 years worth of untouched stuff or 'things'. And I absolutely love anything antique or vintage. I walked in and started looking around in amazement. It was quite overwhelming to be honest. I bent down and picked up a homemade jar of green beans. I took a few deep breaths and even though I tried, I couldn't help but cry! I have to admit, I was a little embarrassed. At that very moment, as I was holding the jar, I had envisioned someone planting those green beans, growing them, picking them, cooking and canning them in a hot kitchen. A now, old hot kitchen. Someone had put a lot of work, and obviously love into each bean. But why?  Here they sit, this jar of green beans, covered in dust and a near rusted lid. Only to be thrown away eventually. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure there were plenty of green beans that were consumed and enjoyed by this family. But not this jar!

To be completely honest, I'm not exactly even sure of what I'm trying to say here. To me, it just seems sad. Is that all that could be left of us? Just dusty old things? Sad that even as I type this, I bet those green beans are still sitting on that very shelf. And furthermore, as I type this, I'm still trying to figure out just why I think it's so sad.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Easy Sweet Jalapenos

Sweet & Hot Jalapeno Peppers

1 1/4 cups sliced fresh jalapenos
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

1. Slice jalapenos, and place in a small sauce pan. 2. Add water and sugar. 3. Cook over medium heat until boiling. 4. Reduce temperature to low, and simmer until the liquid has reduced, and the sugar water has become syrup-like (about 15- 20 minutes depending on temperature of heat source). 5. Let cool and place in clean jelly jar. 6. Store in refrigerator.

We like to eat them on toasted bread or crackers with cream cheese. So yummy!

Enjoy!

Around here, as of late, I have...

* Made homemade bread.

* Transplanted 40 stalks of corn.

* Received a baby bird hatchling from a disturbed nest. Now at a licensed rehabber. (Emotional)

* Visited our local "downtown farm days" where I picked up fresh and locally grown veggies, homemade jams and smoked sausage.

* Planted more seeds of veggies and flowers in the garden and around the yard. (Once you start, you can't stop) Seed addict! :)

* Visited my dear granny's grave.

* Survived another migraine.

*Celebrated my mother's "71st" birthday!

* Received fresh handpicked flowers for Mother's Day, from J.T., my sweet stepson.

*Discovered the blackberries are in full bloom. (Yay, I can't wait to make jam)

* Watched our very first tomato of the season bloom and grow.

Hope you're all having a great weekend! XO

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Garden in May!

Finally! Our garden is mostly all planted and full of promise! We recently added about 400 square feet to our garden. A little more than I previously thought. However, I think it's pretty perfect! This year we have 3 gardens. 2 raised beds, a pea/bean garden, a squash garden, and now, our new garden. All 3 are full! Not over crowded, perfectly spaced rows. I'm somewhat of a fanatic about my garden rows. My husband finally excepted that each row MUST be perfect. No questions asked! :) When it's all said and done, I will have a wide variety of about 45 tomato plants, 40 stalks of sweet corn, okra, zucchini, yellow summer squash, zipper peas, green beans, radishes, lettuce, spinach, butternut squash, cantaloupe and eggplant! Oh, and a few potatoes. Wow, I'm already tired. I'm really excited to watch it all grow. Almost everyday that passes is spent outside. I recently spent a lot of time mulching the garden rows with fresh pine straw. We have 2.5 acres here, mostly covered with pine trees. I raked, and raked, and raked between the pines for hours. Making nice rows of pinestraw to help cut down the weeds, etc. While spreading out the straw I picked small limbs, twigs and any green leaves that were scooped up during the raking process. Only later to find out... those "green leaves" were actually poison sumac! Oh joy!! I've, only recently, developed an allergy to poison ivy, oak and sumac. Although I had absolutely NO idea what it even looked like, you can bet your life on the fact that I have fully educated myself on the green, leafy, nightmare of a plant! *sigh*itch*and*sigh*again. Horrible. Also, living out in country of south Georgia, we have mosquitos something terrible. So, after the unknown contact with the plants leaves, I was continually slapping and scratching every inch of my body. So, needless to say, its sporadically spread all over! Neck, face, arms, back, etc... If you have never experienced poison ivy, oak, or sumac, you can't imagine the uncomfortable feeling of the "itch". It is ultimately what does you in. Emotionally, it has taken a toll on me. Seriously! Ok, enough about that! But please, educate yourself on what it looks like and stay away!

What are you growing this year?

A few pictures from our back yard...the beginning stages...

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mothers Day!

As I sit here sipping coffee from my front porch, in the early morning light, I stop and appreciate how very quiet it is. The sun is just coming up, and I can hear a few birds singing sweet songs. While the rest of my house sleeps, I sit and think of how blessed I am. Feeling thankful and thoughtful on this Mother's Day!

I was never able to bear a child, but I have a wonderful step-son who loves me just the same, one sweet & precious little dog, who never leaves my side, and four little hens that I adore. (I'm the chicken mama). I'm thankful for my little family here and I love being 'the mama' of our home!

Hope you all have a warm and sunny day today! XO

Friday, May 3, 2013

Keeping it simple.

Sometimes, I struggle with clutter. I don't like it. It makes me nervous, but I have a hard time letting it go sometimes. Especially when it comes to vintage kitchen "stuff". Declutter my life!! That is my goal. Ugh...what to do!? Too many cookbooks, too many dishes, yikes, just too much! I really want to keep it simple. The older I get, the more anxious I get around too much clutter. If I don't use it, or it's not functional, I should let it go, right!?!? But what if I love it? See what I mean? Struggles...in my kitchen...nothing but struggles! Help!


                      some of my loved treasures...