A weekend of plenty...

* morning back-porch coffee              

* fresh hay for the chicken coop

* dug the last of the Sweet potatoes

* homemade raspberry jam

* sitting in the evening sun

* late dinner of vegetables

This old door.

Everyday for the past year I have driven by a building with a small old barn sitting just behind it. On the steps of this barn was this old pink door. I always thought to myself 'I really want that door'. So today was the day. I pulled into the empty lot and looked around. No one insight. Darnit! I got out of my car and started walking toward the back of another nearby industrial type building. It was very quiet and honestly a bit scary, but I kept walking... all the way up to this old opened garage door. Just inside I saw two older gentleman sitting there chatting....like old friends! I stepped in and one of them asked if he could help me with something. Thank goodness! I explained the old barn and asked if he knew who owned it. His reply "yes, I own it". My heart was happy. I questioned him about the old door and asked him if he would be willing to sell it. After all, it had been sitting basically outside for all this time and through all types of weather. His reply, "sure, its a 50 year old door and the paint is chipping off badly, but you can have it for $10.00". My reply, "Sold"!  Turns out these two older gentleman were really funny and very talkative. I sat and talked with them for about 30 minutes. We chatted about military life, small towns, old fashion chocolate malts, his lawn mower repair business and coca-cola with peanuts. It was a great time! Ok, so back to business. I told him that I would be right back with his money. So, I went to the nearest gas station,  bought 3 coca-colas and 3 packs of peanuts, and got $10.00 in cash. When I returned to the garage and saw the smiles that came over these two gentlemans faces, once they saw what I had for them, I thought 'how priceless'! In the end we were all happy, and at last, I had that old pink door!

A time to reflect...

I love my evening walks with my husband. It's a good time for us to 'just talk'. About anything we want. No Interruptions. No phones. No text. No Emails. Sometimes, on rare occasions, I walk alone. Not because I want to. Just because it happens. I must say it's nice. Just me, alone with my thoughts and nature. A time to be quiet. A time to soak it all in. A time to reflect.

Shhhhhhh, don't tell the others!

Of the four chickens, Hillary, pictured here, is my very favorite. Don't get me wrong, I do love them all, however, she is very loving. She runs up to me for petting and follows me everywhere I go, just like a shadow. Often she jumps on my lap and just sits. Don't tell the others, but she has my heart. I love how she pecks at the freckles on my arm and I swear she knows what I'm saying. I know its a bit crazy, but it's simple and priceless love.

Where did August go?

August flew by me it seems.  And what happened exactly? Let's see...

-Back to school for J.T. (10th grade)

-A long weekend get-a-way with Aunt Nell @ her beach house in Keaton, FL. A weekend full of sunsets, sunrises, sewing, wine, food, movies, karaoke, long talks, and nurturing for my soul. Just exactly what I was needing. Aunt Nell is my mothers sister and is very dear to me. I love her very much.

-Planning and getting ready for the fall garden. Preparing the soil, etc.

-Two of our hens started laying. And in some very odd places I might add.

-Hunting season is just around the corner. Football as well. (my husband can hardly contain himself).

-Cooler temperatures. Fall is definitely in the air. My favorite time of year!

Four little girls....tap tap tap!

Our hens are such a joy. We laugh constantly at them. This past weekend we were inside trying to stay cool (and putting up tomatoes of course) and my husband kept hearing this noise...tap...tap...tap. Once he got up to investigate, he quickly found the source. Outside on our screened in back porch stood four little hens pecking on the glass patio door. As if to say "hey, Mom and Dad, can we come inside or can you come outside? We just laughed....and of course immediately went out to spend some time with them. Those girls have made their way straight to our hearts.

Tomatoes!

I'm picking atleast 20 tomatoes a day now. Trying to find my favorite recipes for spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce and salsa. Spent part of the day freezing Roma tomatoes and figuring out the process for homemade tomato juice. Going to be busy for awhile with 26 plants growing strong!