Crunchy Peas

Like a squirrel

One of the great things about where we live is the availability of delicious produce.  Fresh fruit, picked right off the tree is plentiful.  Part of the reason I am dreading the end of the summer season is because I am dreading the end of the growing season. We make two trips every week to the local farmer's market where we load up on the things that aren't growing in our own garden.  What will we do when all the peaches have been picked?  What will dinner be without tomatoes and fresh greens?  Do we have to suffer through the winter without cantaloupe and corn on the cob? How will we make silly masks without fresh apples?

 

I have been hugely inspired by this book.  So much of my thinking towards food has been altered.  Where does the food on my table come from?  How far did it travel to get there?  Is it safe to eat?  Why do I buy green onions that were grown in Mexico when they are grown and sold in my own town?

So, part of my efforts to change can be seen in quart jars and zippy bags.  I am canning and freezing like crazy.  Why is this task so unfashionable amongst women my age?  Virtually no one I know does this anymore.  My grandmother has been so helpful in walking me through the process.  I am excited to have local food at my disposal this winter.  It's like having money in the bank or something.  Come the colder months we will be enjoying spaghetti sauce using locally grown tomatoes (my backyard), peaches, pears, apples (dried), applesauce, green beans, corn, squash, and more!

I will say that it is a lot of work! However, how come I have never used one of these before?

This apple peeler is my new best friend!  Somehow, I missed it's invention- such a fabulous little tool! Today, we peeled like 5 apples (before realizing that we would then have to eat them all) just so we could "do it again, mom".  Anyways, call it old fashioned or better yet retro, but I heart food preservation!

Not yet!

Let it be known that it is officially STILL SUMMER!!  We are protesting the near end of the season.  Today we spent some good quality time at the "secret beach".  It is not really secret- but we like to think that it is our special place (it is a rare day when we must share it with others who happen to come along).  So often during the summer we retreat here.  There is usually a nice breeze coming off the river and the water is refreshingly cool. 

The younger girls dig and dump sand, seemingly content with such a monotonous chore.  We listen to the birds sing and watch the ducks float by.  Short breaks are taken to munch on snacks (lots of sand in every bite).

Emma spends much of her time searching for shells.  She has taken to "collecting" things.  I dutifully save each tiny little thing that she deems worthy of saving (not really).  She organizes and catagorizes them, looking carefully at the qualities of each shell.  Often times making up stories about the creatures that once lived inside.  Such a deep thinker.

Yes indeed, for two more weeks (until school starts) it is still summer. The girls and I intend soak up every minute left.  We will swim, we will nap, we will eat watermelon for dinner, we will play and play and...

enjoy!!

Not a Frog

He is a real prince! As requested here (in the comments), this is a shout out to my husband.  Not only does he love us fiercly- but he does yard work too!  Praise the Lord because we are ready for some grass.  It just might grow in before the first frost! Isn't he wonderful? Let's all clap for Carl (and for grass.)

happy days

Our garden has been such a great teaching tool.  It has amazed the girls (and me too) that with a little dirt, some warm sun, and a lot of water- things grow!  It has afforded us opportunities to talk about hard work, reaping what you sew, planning ahead, sharing with neighbors, and things of the like.  Each one of the girls has their own work ethic.  Emma loves to harvest. She digs the glory of brining in the biggest cucumber or ripest tomatoes. Hannah likes to go behind me and find the green beans that I have missed or the tomatoes I couldn't reach. Laurel loves it all.  She is perfectly content eating the leaves off the sunflowers or the blossoms on our squash.

I was talking with my Dad today about how there are different times during the day when I wish I could just freeze a moment- so that I could enjoy it a little longer. Wouldn't that be great?

For example:

Popsicles on the deck after dinner (and before bath- messy... note to self)

Or:

Reading books before bedtime.

As the children get older, I have begun to realize that they are growing so quickly.  I look around me and wonder where the time has gone?  Part of this blog, I guess, is in effort to document our days.  Our happy happy days!

okay me too

I have been saying that I was going to do this for a while now...I guess I will just jump in.  I have learned and been inspired by so many other blogs out there- it is a facinating community!  So, here you will find little bits about me and my peas (daughters ages 6, 4, and 18mos ) and the blessed life we live.  Be back soon!