Thursday, August 29, 2019

Where Have I Been?

I seriously can't believe it's been over a month since I managed to get a post written.

Thank you to all of you who reached out to see if I'm ok.....Yes, I'm ok....Summer's just ridiculously busy for me!

 

I really do get a kick out of it when I hear people refer to the lazy days of summer. I see people's photos where they are relaxing by the lake, out on a boat, spending time at the beach.

Not me....nope, can't find the time! Sad, but true. 


I plan weddings and events for a living and in spring/summer/fall my job is in HIGH GEAR. When I finally get some free time, I'm home taking care of the gardens, cleaning the house, or preserving the harvest.


It is what it is, it can't be helped. Fortunately, I actually like my job, which helps significantly.  But it sure would be nice to have a little more free time! 


When I get home at the end of a long day, the first thing I do is take care of the pups. Poor things are so happy to see me, and very anxious to get out and run. 

I take them out to the back garden and play ball with them. It sure brings a smile on my face to watch their crazy antics! 

 
After that, we'll usually take a stroll around the gardens to see what grew while I was at work. 

Lately it's mostly weeds! 


Then it's into the kitchen to start dinner. These days dinner is planned around what's coming out of the garden, and I sure have no complaints about that! 


Sweetie surprised me on his birthday by buying ME a present! He knew I wanted a Le Creuset dutch oven that was in between the two sizes I already had. What a good man he is, and what a wonderful surprise! 


Those Le Creuset dutch ovens are the hardest working tools in my kitchen, no doubt! 


More often than not you'll find something simmering in them when I have a day off, like this Zucchini Relish I canned a few weeks back. 


Soup season is upon us here on the mountain top, and the leaves are really starting to change colors on the trees. 

The nights are lovely and cool, and more often than not I need to throw an extra blanket on the bed. 


I'll miss all the flowers on my deck, and spending evenings on my swing....but I also look forward to fall and all the cozy nights by the fire. 


Meanwhile, I'll try to check in when I can, and let you all know I'm still around....and I hope to share some amazing recipes with you when I get the time! 


Wishing you all a fun filled holiday weekend!

50 comments:

  1. Sounds like you really are super busy. I envy your fabulous garden, it really does provide a super bounty for you to can and have all winter. Take care and check in when possible.

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    1. Thanks, Marty - the garden is producing like mad right now, I almost cringe when I see more and more cucumbers, ha ha!

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  2. Hi Debbie, I don't think I've commented before, but I have loved your blog for over 2 years now so was glad to see you 'back'. I knew you had a busy job, but wedding and events will be in full swing during summer, so it's now clear why you had a gap. The garden looks beautiful.I live and work in the dusty desert of Dubai, counting down the months til I return home to Scotland, and I always take hints because I hope to have a garden of my own at that point.Your photos and articles on how you manage your own gorgeous plot always interest me. Hopefully you enjoy some time to yourself this weekend. Colin

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    1. Thank you, Colin, for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment! Wow, Dubai - I'm not sure how my white Irish skin would take to that climate, ha ha!

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  3. I am so glad you're back i missed your posts!!

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  4. Oh, your garden is lovely!! The soup looks good too. We've had some cooler nights, but it probably won't last. The good news is the conditions are right for wonderful color in autumn, I cannot wait!! It is my favorite time of year.

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    1. I'm seeing some serious foliage already, Carole!! Hoping it's a killer year for foliage!

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  5. I love seeing your harvest, pups and soups! Fall will be here before you know it.
    Lisa

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    1. It's already showing up here, Lisa! It will be time to swap out the pillows in the living room soon and bring in some fall colors!

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  6. Hi Debbie,
    Wow a wedding planner would keep you busy. Glad at least at night you have a few hours of time to spend with the pups and your sweetie. He's a keeper to gift you the the new dutch oven. I am sure he knows it will produce lots of good meals. Fall will be here soon in the midwest. I can already see the trees starting to turn. Summer flew by. Have a nice long weekend. I am sure you will be very busy this weekend with weddings.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. He is a keeper, Kris, you're right! Of course, you're also right that he knows he will get the benefit of all those lovely meals!

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  7. Has it really been that long??? Well, I know you're busy. Got to have a way to pay for everything for sure! He gave you a great gift. Those pots are expensive!
    Brenda

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    1. That's exactly it, Brenda, if I didn't have a job, I wouldn't have my home that I love!

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  8. How wonderful to see this post from you. Weeds? What weeds? All I see is lush beauty. Congrats on your new dutch oven and the food photos make me hungry. Enjoy those lovely cool nights.

    Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Believe me there are plenty of weeds, Lorraine!!

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  9. Beautiful photos of your garden. Happy weekend to you.

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    1. Thank you, Martine! I took them right after a good cut and trim with the weed-wacker - that's always my favorite time in the garden, when everything is neat and tidy!

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  10. Your property and all the flowers on and around your deck look so beautiful and lush in the summer.

    Isn't Le Creuset cookware the best? I have a small Dutch oven and a frying pan in that brand; then I have a large Dutch oven that's made by Fontignac that's actually just as good as my Le Creuset (shh, don't tell them, lol).

    I can't wait to see all that you've made from your garden produce. In the meantime, hope you have a nice, long weekend at home ~ enjoying the fruits of your labor and maybe even some rest time!

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    1. My freezer is full, Melanie!! Time to start sending stuff home to Sweetie's freezer! Not sure what we would do without all that extra space!

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  11. I missed you...so glad you had a bit of time to post! I am thoroughly jealous of your le Creuset cookware! Take care, post again soon (especially pictures!), and don't work too hard!

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    1. I felt bad not getting on here more, but it happens every season...I need a clone, Vickie!! Hope your house build is going well!

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  12. Happy to hear from you, Debbie! Busy hands, happy heart. Your property looks so beautiful, and your pups so sweet. Just be sure to take care of you!

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    1. I try, Rita, but a nasty summer cold got me down for a bit recently....probably doing too much! My sweetie says I burn the candle at both ends, but I don't know how NOT to!!

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  13. Hi Debbie, I'm so glad you're doing well. That pic. of the cookware and what's in the pot is cookbook worthy. What a fun gift and love the red ...of course. It's in the 90's here in CA and my garden is still in production mode. Your lawn looks so lush and is just the perfect place for dogs. Take care.

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    1. My lawn is a mess right now, PJ - the blades on my mower got messed up over the weekend when I was only partway through the mow, and made quite a mess of the grass in the process! Sigh, it's always something, isn't it?

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  14. Your sauce and soup look delicious! That corn looks so pretty. I have not had any luck with mine so far. will try again next year. If there are any weeds in the pictures you have shared, they look pretty too. I just see beauty. I just canned some basil jelly the other day and now some peppermint. You are a busy lady and thanks for sharing all that you do. I enjoy reading about it.

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    1. That corn was from a local farm, Betsy - I don't have luck growing it. I tried last year, but it was a flop. It's a risk to grow corn around here anyway, as it's one of the bears' favorite snacks!

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  15. Hi! I have had some extra health problems so haven't commented that much. Your La Creuset pans are so pretty. Nothing more relaxing than playing with your pets. Your place is gorgeous as usual. Nancy

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that Nancy, and I hope you're feeling better now!

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  16. I knew it was your busy season for your job....still I checked in a time or two...just making sure you were well and okay! Glad to hear you are, and, as always---love to see pictures of your pretty flowers. Oh my gosh, y'all are using blankets already and seeing leaves start to turn....not so here that is for sure. Its hot,muggy, "mosquito-y" (LOL!) and the oceans are starting to swirl and spin as hurricane season revs up. Yep, a dose of real Fall weather sure would be nice!

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    1. I sure hope that hurricane Dorian is not coming your way, Debbi!!! Be safe, my friend!

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  17. Your garden is still so beautiful. I know that being busy when you are self employed is very important. Hopefully, you are taking important time for yourself. xo Laura

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    1. I am not self employed, Laura - I work for a resort. But yes, being busy is both a blessing and a curse! It means job security, of course, but it also raises my stress level!!

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  18. So glad to see your post! I haven't been keeping up with my blog, either - where does the time go? You can only fit so much into a day! We're getting a bumper crop of cucumbers here, too, along with tomatoes. Pickles have already been canned, along with tomato sauce. I think my Pete will be canning tomatoes again new week. Loving these cooler nights, but we haven't needed any extra blankets yet here a little south of Saratoga!

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    1. I made another batch of pickles just yesterday, Sue - I think that's my 4th batch this season! I also have 5 big zucchinis staring at me, I must figure out something to do with them next. We're having a great tomato season too - thank God, last year was the worst!!

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  19. Ha! A month gone is nothing compared to my whole summer not posting. And I don't have all your reasons for it. I have enjoyed keeping up with what you're growing and cooking on Instagram. For some reason they've blocked me from liking or commenting, which makes no sense as I'm the last person to misbehave on it, but I still look at your and other blog friends' pictures on it and enjoy them very much.

    I love your new Dutch oven! You know it's true love when he knows it's better to give a beautiful pot to cook in than a diamond bracelet--well, maybe he gives you that too!

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    1. Ha ha, he's not stingy with jewelry either Dewena - he's a good man, no doubt about it!!

      That's weird that you can't comment on Instagram...how bizarre!

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  20. So nice to see a post from you today. The pictures you posted are just gorgeous as always. You sure lead a busy and productive life. Since my husband and I are retired, our lives are pretty chill! I so enjoy my visits here :-)
    Take care
    Jeannette

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    1. A chill life sounds pretty darned good to me, Jeannette!!! I'd be happy as long as I have good books to read!

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  21. Your yard/gardens look absolutely lovely - and that takes work! Right now the weather is perfect and there are many flowers in bloom at this old house, the last hoorah before fall frosts kick in. Love this time of year. Glad all is OK in your world!

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    1. The fall frosts will be here before we know it, Karen Ann - the farmer's almanac predicts a rough winter, yikes!! I don't look forward to shoveling, sigh.....

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  22. Your job sounds fun! Things are looking good around your home.

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    1. It is fun, Penny, but every now and again I get a client that really demands all of my time and energy....which leaves me struggling to keep up with the rest of my clients!

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  23. Hi Debbie sorry I'm behind visiting. Boy your summers are really crazy. Planning weddings is alot of work and summers are wedding fever. I can imagine how busy your property keeps you too. Your efforts payoff because it's gorgeous.

    Love Lecruset too and my hubby surprised me with some peices last year. Great to cook in isn't it. I have red also.

    I'm ready for cozy weather too.

    Cindy

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    1. This morning I used the gas fireplace in my master suite for the first time this season, Cindy - it dropped down to about 45 last night and since I sleep with the windows open it was chilly in my room! Leaves are changing like mad here, and hopefully I'll get some photos taken and a new post written soon!

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  24. Mountain Mama, hope you are enjoying the summer on your mountain. O how I miss your post, but realize this is a busy time for you. I enjoy everything about your blog, it is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing your life with all your friends, the pictures make it seem like I am sitting in your living room or walking thru the garden. Also, thanks for all the garden information, recipes and all the informative ways to save money. Take Care!

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    1. Thank you, Theresa, and I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to get back to you! Wedding season is winding down and I should be back to blogging more regularly soon....hope I still have some readers out there! xo

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I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

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