Thank you to whomever put this picture up

I saw this on FB recently and just needed to save it here.
A good reminder when life gets crazy.
"Come apart before you come apart."
I don't know where that quote is from but have heard it many times and it's appropriate for me right now.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."  1 Corinthians 13:12

Canning - Camper Style

We prayed for a good harvest of especially tomatoes and cucumbers because we were out of pickles and canned tomatoes which we use regularly.  God provided a great harvest... that's not quite over yet despite a hard frost on Monday morning.  Thankfully a young man from church warned us of the frost and we had the afternoon to make sure things were covered.  

This is what I did most of the day Saturday.  I spent the early morning gathering supplies.  I had to find more rubber rings for our bale top jars, take the trash to the dump and get water for drinking.  I was home by 10 am, then went right to the garden and started picking and weeding.  I picked beans and tomatoes mostly.  There were a couple of squash but that is slowing down now.  Then I washed the jars and the canners and the bowls which I keep outside... no room inside right now.  And away we go....

first batch of tomatoes

second batch of tomatoes

last batch of cucumbers

canner going as well as brine on to boil and jars on to boil... made for crowded conditions on our little stove top

I was tired but all finished up around 10 pm with a pot of chicken soup made for church potluck cooling on the porch.

So, altogether so far I have 29 quarts of dill pickle slices, 17 quarts of tomatoes in jars, 4 quarts of frozen tomatoes and 2 quarts of roasted tomato sauce.  14 quarts of green beans in the freezer and more on the way if the weather holds.  We've enjoyed kale, Swiss chard, carrots (very few but tasty), many cherry tomatoes (which I am not canning or freezing), summer squash, zucchini, and we have not yet put up the winter squash or the beets.  They are all ready, but I just need some time now to do them.

God was good to us this summer and we'll enjoy these veggies all winter long.

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

Happy Wednesday to you all.  Yea the work week is 1/2 over already *** smile ***

Join up at "From This Side of the Pond" to take part in the fun...

1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way?

I will remember by praying for those families who lost loved ones and for our country which has gone through major changes since that day.  Pray for our leaders and those whose job it is to defend our country.

2. Do you ever/still...listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?

I listen to the news via NPR on my way to work some days.  We have many VCR tapes that we look at regularly.  Our phone book is within easy access… mostly the yellow pages.  I have no GPS, so if I want to know where I am, I consult a paper map which I have in the car at all times. My alarm clock wakes me up daily… except Saturday morning which is my non-alarm clock day.  I guess I must be in the dark ages still

3.  Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

Not usually a good way to begin a conversation.  My family was split politically.  My moms’ family were democrats and my dads’ family were republican so we did not discuss politics without getting into a big argument.

4. What's a dish you haven't eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?

I think we did pretty well this year.  We’ve had lots of great garden veggies and salads and cookouts.  I have not had any BBQ chicken which I love but I have had grilled chicken.  We have not eaten many hot dogs… probably a good thing.  We’ve only had one corn roast over the fire this year.  That will change this weekend since I have some corn to roast.  We usually have lots more corn roasts over the fire than that but it’s been a very busy summer.

5. What's something you know nothing about?

There a lots of topics I’d like to know more about but there’s just not enough time in the day.  If I had lots of time, I’d spend it on the internet looking up stuff.  I’d like to know lots more about how to play instruments and read music, I’d also like to know more about the natural world.  It’d be great to be an expert at anything.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what's your favorite piece?

I have a great number of classical CDs but don’t get to listen to them often because we do not have a reliable CD player in the house or the car.  I just picked up a CD in the thrift store of Russian Folk Music and Bing Crosby Christmas music.  My favorite classical is Aaron Copeland, but I like many others too.

7. What's the oldest thing you own?

I have lace pieces that my great, great grandmother made.  One I used on my wedding dress, but they are in a well secured place and don’t get used too much as I’m afraid they will fall apart.  I want to have them put into frames when we get into the house again.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Work has been crazy with all the transitions taking place.  I’ve been busy at home too.  Sunday night canning tomatoes and getting beans ready to be processed till 2 am.  Monday night visit with Joanna and Heather and dropped off some jars of pickles and tomatoes that they will keep for me there… more space and helped Brandon a little with homework.  Tuesday night went to vote and then processed the beans… 7 quarts.  Tonight I’m picking up Brandon for youth group and then prayer meeting, then I’m going to try to get to bed early.  I didn’t sleep well last night because Mr. D was having asthma problems and was coughing and sneezing.  I finally abandoned ship and went to Joanna’s camper and spent the rest of the night  sleeping there.  When he’s having problems he must keep the house closed up and the dehumidifier on which heats up the place too so it was hot and uncomfortable on top of the noise.  I hope he is able to sleep better tonight.

I am so incredibly grateful for our good harvest this year.  It was a good growing year including the berries.  I’m hoping to get a couple bushels of apples to put up too.  There’s a little orchard down on Rte 25 and they had apples left on their trees last year that weren’t used.  I’m going to ask if we could get some of those at low or no cost this year instead of seeing them go to waste.  

soon we'll see these colors... some are beginning to show right now

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.  I love these deep blue morning glories.

They go well with my red and white gladiolus.

Joanna planted some pails with tomatoes and she's been getting tomatoes quite regularly from these plants.  She started them from seed sometime in March.  Good work Joanna... Spotty thinks so too since she gets the drops.

I love these double impatiens.  They look just like little roses.  One year I had a pink variety that I bought for my mom and they were just covered with flowers and were the most beautiful pink color.  I wanted the "red, white and blue" theme though, so didn't get pink ones.

Joanna's marigolds that came up from seed from last year.

The harvest is coming in.  These were the strangest "plum" tomatoes I have ever grown.  These are drops, so I brought them in and though they are green on the outside, the inside was red and made wonderful sauce... now in the freezer.
A basket of green beans.  Lots of other types of tomatoes which are now processed in jars for winter enjoyment.

Many more cucumbers to make pickles... already have 24 quarts so maybe I'll make some different kinds of pickles too.  The summer squash has been producing all summer long.  We have this about twice/week for dinner.  I have also brought it to the church potluck on Sundays.  Very yummy.

I thank the Lord every day for letting the garden produce well.  Sunday I was complaining a little since I had to can it all up.  I didn't get done till about 2 am, but it was well worth the effort and I'll recover from lack of sleep.  I repent of complaining.  I truly am very thankful for a great harvest.

Apple Picking Day

Heather taking a picture of me taking a picture of her...
sorry to the others who got trapped in my picture.

Cute hat little apple picker.  Very serious too I might add.

Come on Mom... let's get going!

Gotta love those little bunnies.  Only animal in the petting zoo he wasn't afraid of.

We couldn't have wanted a more beautiful day.  It was very sunny, but not too hot.  We had some great views of our old haunt, Mount Ascutney, in the background.  The girls took many more pictures, but I haven't rec'd them yet.

On Monday Mr. D and I took a trip to the ocean.  Another beautiful day and so relaxing.  It was a needed time off.

Thank you Lord for the beauty all around us!

JUST A FEW GARDEN PICTURES

MORNING GLORIES
I was disappointed in the varigated color.  
I like the solid blue, but that's what you get
when you purchase your seeds from the dollar store :)

double day lilies
purchased a couple years ago and the fire station plant sale in Rumney

Jewel weed

Thistle

red raspberries

Blackberries

Amber cup squash

Echinacea

mint

lobelia and impatiens

QUICK UPDATE

We've been eating well, chard, summer and zucchini squash, cukes, a few little tomatoes... usually devoured before we make it to the house... and the berries... yummy.

We had enough berries to make some mixed berry muffins for church on Sunday.  I am using the "therapy garden" to help me cope with the craziness happening right now at work.  I must have a place of solitude after dealing with all the changes and "thinking" that is going on.

The wild raspberries are coming to an end *** sniff *** and the blueberries are about 1/2 way done.  The blackberries are going to be many this year and I hope to be able to freeze some and also make some blackberry jam... yum!

not my picture, but I will take some of our blackberry bushes if the bear hasn't gotten into them yet

Happy Tuesday... hope you all have a great week.

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

1. When I look at the sky I feel –

I’m always checking the sky to see what the weather’s going to be.  A couple weeks ago I went out on a Saturday morning and the sky was an incredible deep blue with not one cloud… at least over my head… and I was so happy to see that on my day off.  It wasn’t humid or hot, but just a breezy 75f and my clothes nearly dried before I got them all hung up.  What a day that was!

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?

I have no desire to run for a political office of any kind. 

3. What scent makes you think of home?

I love the smell of bread baking in the oven.  My parents didn’t make bread, but I do every weekend and it smells so “homey”.  My Nana’s house had a clean and “salty” smell since they lived close to the ocean.  I love that smell too.  I have some of her old furniture and it all has that smell still in the drawers and cupboards.  It has permeated the wood I think.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection? 

I used to reflect all the time on the future, but I don’t do that so much anymore.  I’m not sure why, but it just isn’t something I think about.  I used to have an idea of things I wanted to do.  Now I just want to make it through the day.  I often wonder about my children and grandchildren, what I can do to help them live out their dreams.

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?

I love bananas and ice cream.  Pretzels and ice cream isn’t bad either.  Hmmm homemade apple pie… the ideas are endless.

6. What might your autobiography be called?

“Outsider”.  I was one of those kids who never quite fit in.  I don’t really know why, could have been factors like moving many times,  just being a little strange, being an MK, being a friend of the underdogs, it doesn’t matter what the reason.  The Lord has used that in my life to make me more compassionate and determined.  I’m thankful, though while I was a kid it hurt, God used it for my good. 

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why?

I like all sorts of travel.  I love to go on long trips.  I especially like traveling in a car ‘cause you can stop at places that look interesting.  Buses are a little stuffy, but if you need to get there a bus is good.  I just hate hauling a bunch of luggage, so if I can travel light a bus, train, or plane are good.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It’s “hump day” yea… tomorrow I get the window fixed in my car.  I was able to weed some of the garden last night without being lame afterwards.  I can’t tell you what a relief it is to not have pain in my back.  It was so miserable not being able to even tie my shoes…  Mr. D had to wash my feet one day and help me get my socks and shoes on a couple of days.  It’s wonderful being able to walk around without limping along.  Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer.

I hope you have a wonderful day.

It's a happy Friday to ya!!!

Hope you are all doing well today.  I have visited some blogs and it looks like everyone is enjoying summer.  There are so many things to do  hanging clothes on the line with Mrs. V . Moving into a new house with Mrs. H.  Making Raspberry jam with Monica, and Oh! the strawberries with Mrs T.  Even though it's winter my niece and nephew in Australia are getting fresh product as I see from their FB page and my friend Sharmayne from Australia is knitting up a storm in her new little crafters retreat.  I don't always leave a comment, but I do read your blogs when I have a chance.  

Our pastor even has a blog now which is always an encouragement.  

I've looked into some new blogs which I am enjoying very much:  Dianna at "Joyful in His Presence" ,  My Cup Runneth Over, and Tracy a friend of Sharmayne at Sunny Corner Farm.  If you want to meet up with some new friends, here's a start.  

I hope this weekend I'll be hanging clothes on the line and doing a bit of gardening.  As you can see the garden is doing quite well.  The tomatoes are as tall as me, the beans are beginning to climb (praise God after such a tough start), and the weeds are in full explosion.  I hope to get some help this weekend and catch up on the weeding.  I injured my back a couple of weeks ago and haven't really been able to do much in the weeding department... been to the "bone cruncher" a couple of times and am feeling quite a bit better today.

.

God is good!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Garden progress.....

WELCOME TO THE MILLETT FARM

Some of the "everbearers" that survived this winter.  We've had a few to munch.

Tiny summer squash just starting.

Dill we will use for the pickles.

Small "jet star" tomatoes just beginning.

Kurly Kale - and a few weeds.  Just weeded this a few days ago!

Swiss Chard - "Bright Lights"

Blush on the blueberries

Brussel Sprouts

Cukes

the Squash we planted in tires this year.  Can't see the tires anymore.

Gonna be some heavy munchin' going on around here real soon!!!

God is giving the increase.

Close Encounters of the Furry Kind

My daughters have been actively looking for permanent housing.  Though the little camper in the woods has been great for 2, it's just not adequate for 4.  We've made it work thus far by having a tent set up for Brandon, but I'm quite sure he won't want to be there through the winter.

They were told by a friend of mine about a condo in Enfield and were going to look at it on Monday afternoon when we were all out of work.  I met up with them and loaded the grand boys into my car and the two of them went the other way to look at the condo.  I thought I'd have time to get to the bank in Cornish before it closed to deposit a few checks and take care of some other stuff.  I started off from Lebanon down 120 towards Cornish.  About 2 miles out a deer came barreling down through the woods and jumped out of the trees crashing into the side of my car.  I wasn't going too fast since the speed there is about 35/40, but she hit me pretty hard and I think she broke her neck doing it.  There was a family just down the street who were out and heard the crash and they called the police and game warden as she was not dead, but couldn't get up and was obviously in pain.  I pulled into their driveway and with their help I pulled the deer off the road onto the shoulder.  The police came and took a report and put the poor deer out of her misery.  We were able to take the carcass which fit neatly into my trunk on some plastic liners I had in there.  We had called Mr. D, but he never showed and we later found out that he'd had some trouble with a flat tire on his way so we met him on our way back.

We now have about 150 lb of venison in the freezer and are getting some estimates on the damage to the car.  

These things we are thankful for:

Accident could have been much worse.  She could have gone directly through the windshield, but God's timing was perfect for us.

We had collision insurance on the car... lesson learned from a previous accident caused by an uninsured driver that totaled our main commuting vehicle.

We were able to keep the meat.

We had some help there with getting the deer off the road. (very busy road)

No one was hurt.

Cost of getting the vehicle fixed only $100 deductible.

I'm still able to use the car till it is fixed.

Body shop is right across the street from us.

Joanna and Heather found a place to live that day and are moving in this weekend.

God is always good, but He was especially good this day to us.

After 40 some years driving on these country roads I've only hit two wild animals and one domestic.  This is the only one that died.  I'd say God has His angels watching over me all the time.

Notes from the appraisal  -  fix
Hmmm that seems like a "no brainer"

I can open the door, but not all the way as there's the dent in the fender.

Spring Trip to the Nature Center

This spring we visited the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, NH.  We live very near, but never have gone since it is quite expensive for the whole family.  This was “opening day” so we were able to get in for FREE… yea!  The day was sponsored by New Hampshire Electrical COOP among other sponsers and because we are members we didn’t have to pay. 

They have very nice native animal displays…

I think the animals were shy, but many were out and about.  We saw Mountain Lions… this was the Mountain Lion display and they were in there, but just taking a nap.

Norman was showing Grampa where the animals were.

“Can you see her all snuggled into her cave?”, Mom said.

Grampa and Norman looking at the White Tail Deer… Grampa making sure Norman’s feet are in the right place.

It was a wonderful day and we had lots of fun looking through all the displays.  They also had a porcupine presentation and Owls… Norman’s favorite.