Saturday Song.

Remember when you were a kid and couldn't wait to get out of bed Saturday mornings?

Well, your life isn't over yet. Get your butt out of bed and enjoy the day!

Here's a Rare Earth song to get you started. https://youtu.be/8697G9RAi-Y

Love the lyrics written by Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris:

Well I can't be bothered with sorrow,
and I can't be bothered with hate,
I'm using up my time by feeling fine ev'ry day.

Saw this band in the late 90's at the Budweiser Sound Stage at TAGS in Big Flats, New York. Fabulous show. Perfect venue for those who hate big crowds. Good times with good friends!

WAW (What A World!) Wednesday, 22 September 2016

The aforementioned pumpkin blossom DID turn into a pumpkin. As a matter of fact, the three pumpkin plants took over a sizable portion of the back border. They're still full of blossoms and the bees are happily buzzing 'round them.

pssssttt.... If you look closely at the window you'll see Reggie-cat (sometimes called "wedgie") checking out the back yard.

Up until late yesterday afternoon, we believed there was only one pumpkin and were rejoicing at the unexpected harvest from a late planting. Especially after the neighbors said theirs dropped off and died. ~ yikes! ~

The pumpkin we've been watching grow for the better part of this summer is about ten inches wide and the same in height. Nice and round. A very good size for a pie with perhaps enough extra to make some bread or soup.

Much to our surprise, on our way 'round the perimeter to finish our evening walk yesterday, we discovered a second pumpkin. And Oh What A Pumpkin! Made me think of Cinderella.

Check it out: about 14 inches wide by 18 inches high!

Both pumpkins have started to turn orange. Yippee!!!

I'm feeling truly blessed today. Hope your day is full of blessings as well.

Sunday. An actual day of rest.

Although the point was argued, five-thirty a.m. saw us out of bed and feeding the poor, starving kitty.

It's been hot fairly steadily in NE Pennsylvania for the last two months. Not a lot of rain to go with all the humidity (this morning it's 95% humidity). Luckily Mother Nature favored us with enough rain yesterday to ease the burden of watering the garden.

Speaking of garden...

The blueberries are starting to ripen. Only enough for one pancake today, but many more will be ready soon. Hopefully, enough for homemade muffins!

We had our first zucchini fresh from the garden a few days ago. Sauteed slowly in butter. A little salt, pepper and fresh thyme for good measure. Par for the course, the squashes are taking over the raised beds. Serves me right for planting so much in one bed. Am going to use the rusty old fencing to trellis it over the potatoes.

The basil is starting to make that bushy mound as is their habit. Am pleased there is enough to make some nice pesto for Meatless Monday.

Both tomato plants have grown at least a foot taller in the last two weeks and are covered with blossoms. The yellow pear plant has several "babies" and the Cherokee purple has one little marble-sized tomato so far.

The mint is now over three feet high. Surprisingly, the chives at either end of the bed are still thriving. Will be chopping some of those chives to top a baked potato tonight. Thank God for toaster ovens!

There is an open blossom on one of the late-planted pumpkins and the other two plantings are full of buds. The non-mulched plant flowered first, but am leaving two mulched to see which type of planting produces best through the heat and drought of August. In the same planting bed, the late-planted cucumbers seem to be adjusting. Wire fencing was bent to an arc and placed over the cucumbers to give them something to climb. A trellis will be added as soon as dowels are purchased.

Yesterday we all did a bit much. Today we're taking it easy. Y'all enjoy your Sunday!

Sunday. A Typical Day of Rest.

The solstice has passed and the sun, heat and humidity seem relentless. This is the earliest in the season many of us have run our air conditioners. Everyone 'round about is praying for rain... and it's only June. Well, to be fair it's the end of June.

The heat and sun are great for the harvest. The gardens in these parts are growing like mad. Berries, apples and nuts are full of fruit. Two of the four trees in the yard have apples - the Gala and Fuji varieties. The branches of the blueberry bushes are so heavy with fruit they almost touch the ground.

Our radishes are finished until the weather cools a little. They bolted and unless we get a cool spell, the lettuce will bolt as well. Put three pumpkin plants in the ground along the back of the house. Hopefully the rabbits will refrain from eating them (fencing is on the supply list).

Last week the Great Valley Berry Patch opened some strawberry fields for picking. They are big, sweet berries. Perfect sliced over vanilla ice cream or on cereal. Will wait until later in the season to pick some for freezing and making jam.

The watermelons from the grocer are exceptional this year!

Speaking of gardens... I'm off to water the transplants, have a second cup of coffee, and take the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order. Perhaps I'll turn the TV on for a bit and watch that CBS Sunday Morning show.

Y'all have a great day!

Sunday. A Typical Day of Rest. Snowy 15 May 2016.

Snow on the Woodpile

Today we woke to light snowfall and cold wind. Quite a change from the 75 degrees reached on Wednesday.

Luckily, the earth has warmed up enough that the flakes quickly turn to water once they stop moving.

Still -- quite a change in temperature in only a few days. I wonder if rapidly fluctuating temperatures is because of Global Warming (it's real, folks) and if we still have enough time to change those repercussions. (That's as deep as my thinking is gonna get today. lol)

After getting the grocery shopping done by 9:30 a.m., I have decided to follow the rabbit and take a break from social media for the remainder of the day.

Y'all enjoy the day wherever you are.

Finally Friday. If At First You Don't Succeed...

As discussed in last Friday's post, backwards knitting took care of the error I had made. If you look close you'll see that there's another error with the pattern, so this week I'll be knitting backwards again to make it right or tearing it all the way back and trying again.

The pattern size chosen was 3 months, but this sweater is making up much, much larger. Based on current measurements this sweater is going turn out to be a size 2 or 3. HUGE in my little world of 3, 6, 9 and 12 month sizes.

For now this project has been put on hold while I decide whether to knit backwards or rip back all the way and start again. Perhaps I'll modify the pattern so it is the proper size.

Am doing my best to count my blessings - like my tape measure advises.

This weekend is the 50th Maple Festival celebration in my home town. Maple syrup and candy here I come!

Y'all have a great weekend. Remember to count your blessings!

Sunday. A typical day of rest.

We've had gray, rainy days since last Wednesday. Which is good because we need to raise the water table a bit. Most folks don't care too much for the rain and I can understand their viewpoint (I feel the same way about snow).

I usually enjoy the rain. Listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof has a rather calming effect. As children, sister and I would run outside in our cute little rubber raincoats and hats and our brightly patterned knee-high boots to splash in the driveway puddles.

Today Bandit and I were caught in a mild sprinkle on the way home from the morning constitutional. Pretty day anyway. As you can see, the apple trees have "budded out".

Today I'll be working on finding the knitting error I made about two rows back on the knitted baby sweater. Backward knitting, if you can imagine that.

Hope y'all can get out and enjoy your day.

Bless someone else today with a smile or kind word. You'll be glad you did!