Last night we went back out to sit and look at the moon.
Of course this morning we missed the eclipse as I was too tired to get up before 6. We did get to see a rerun of it on the morning news....yeah I know, not the same.As I am watching my friends kids for the week I had extra hands to run around doing little errands. After a morning of cutting the broom corn, pulling some plants, and getting a cabbage and digging potatoes to go with the ham for dinner, I decided we needed to take a rest.
We got into bathing suits. I may be putting of my cares but there is NO way I was putting off my clothes....some things you just do not need to see in the light of day. But I digress, we packed some PB&J sandwiches and kool aid and off we went to the river.
While wading in to get use to the water they noticed mussels on the riverbed. In a matter of minutes we had....
When we left they went back into the river because I told them they had to eat them if thye came home with us. They decided a ham dinner was more appetizing. When we came home we found out that the lines on the shell tell how old they are, like counting a tree's rings. We also found out that a large population indicates a healthy body of water and that the United States has 300 different kinds of mussels.A little work, a little play and a biology lesson all in one day, not bad!
pulled out the squeezo (a miracle tool) and pulped those babies. 
Filled up two gallon bags and threw them in the freezer to deal with at my own convenience. After I cleaned up the mess I took the rest of the day off. #2 daughter and I went school shopping (Have I ever said how much I hate to shop?) and we finished everything but sneakers and a couple of more pairs of pants for #2 son. I didn't even cook dinner just stopped at McDonalds.
A sincere Thank You to those involved in getting him there. The man needed the break, he works so hard and does so little that is just for him. He came home ecstatic and went to work, tired but still smiling. What more can you ask for?
and made two batches of salsa...the 1/2 full jar comes home 
We have not had time to go swimming this year and we should have taken the time. We felt great afterwards and were able to enjoy the rest of the day. I even got in some spinning before the mosquito's drove us indoors. The man took #2 son out on the boat for some night fishing. #2 daughter and I are relaxing and watching Disney. 
and half a batch of polish ketchup canned. 
She had made 8 pints pickles while I was helping a friend move on Friday and at some point we made 7 pints of pickle relish.
Sunday night Farmer Dave called and said he had some fleeces and to come get them. I know there is Jacob, Icelandic, Shetland and Cheviot. He can't remember what else. Wednesday night the man is going to help him shear someone else's animals and I will be getting 6 or 8 dorset fleece and an alpaca. I need to spin faster.
blooming out of season
and feel like things are looming over me. 
I need to step back and stop looking at things as black and white 
and start realizing there are alot of gray area's. So today I am stepping back from my problems and duties and I am going to go to a steak bake to help support a scholarship fund for a fallen soldier. Nothing like a reality check to make you start getting your things in order and approach them head on. Regroup, Reorganize, Remember, Rejoice in what we have, Return to work another day
Mom came home sick from work today so I couldn't do any canning at her house where all the supplies are stored. I was able to blanch and freeze some broccoli here at home but then I ran out of freezer bags. The beans I sorted thru and some went to the pigs and the rest I cooked for dinner. So what do you do when you aren't able to can or freeze things....
you lay outside and do nothing. At this point in the gardening season I don't care about the weeds, everything was pretty much caught up on yesterday so far as picking. I didn't want to read a book, spin or knit. I just laid back, dozed a little and enjoyed the peace. Got up long enough to go into the garden and grab a red cabbage and dig a couple of potatoes. Made the man s & s cabbage, pork, potatoes and green beans for dinner.
the first salsa. Some for us and some will become gifts. #1 daughter took some home with her already!
this won a first prize ribbon. I don't now who did it as it sat up to high to see but he is so cute I had to take a picture. 
Yesterday, I knit the cat's paw print scarf found here.... 
I was working on two years ago when I went to the MD S&W and I got rid of all the strings on my socks. 
Just in time too seeing as how it is only 54 degrees and these will be on my feet when I leave to go to spinning. Not the best pics as it is a rainy day but you get the jist. 
Then I turned on the computer and the 
I found myself driving down the road looking at leaves, trying to determine how many more had changed color. It finally dawned on me that I was missing the now worrying about tomorrow. I still have lots of summer to enjoy. So let the leaves fall when or where ever they may. I haven't canned my first tomatoes yet!
All is right in my world no matter what. Each bite a delight to the taste buds, while the mind wanders to thoughts of happiness. Yes I know my mind wanders without the tomato sandwich....work with me here people, work with me! Where was I? Oh yes, the sheer joy, the bliss of it. In that brief time you can forget a multitude of things. But then while you are swallowing the last vestiges of heaven on earth, as you are licking the juices of the tomatoes and crumbs from your finger tips reality comes crashing down and you remember....that your son just came riding home on this....
a 2002 Kawasaki ZX9R Ninja and then he tells you, he bought it, insured it, had it delivered to a friends and is driving it without a permit because he couldn't wait until he got one! And that it can go 180 mph...WHY???