Brr!

Just a short note this morning. It's early, but I'm already on the go. Here on the farm, it's going to be a very busy day. Harvesting. Canning. Eggplant parm for dinner, as well as a few servings for the freezer. Trimming and weeding in the vineyard. Housekeeping...oh, washing floors and chasing dust bunnies.

And the book. Working on the book. Our heroine has herself truly tangled--in more ways than one!--in the current chapter. Poor thing; her already upside-down life is about to get even more harried. Me? I'm loving giving her a healthy dose of aggravation right about now. Life has bumps, so she's busy bumping along.

First, to dig out a sweatshirt. Not for her. For me. Because you know what? There's a definite chill in the air this morning. Brr!

Wishing you a peaceful day.

Bony Fingers

Yes, it's true. I'm writing. My fingers may not be bony yet but they sure do hurt. The wrists, too. It's annoying, for many reasons, but mostly because I've been trying to baby them a bit by stopping writing before I'd like to. Hoping this is just a fleeting annoyance.

Especially since I'm really enjoying writing this book. Vito and I spoke about it last summer, laughed over the trials our heroine finds in her path and imagined all sorts of ridiculous situations for her. So, I'm trying to make those fun conversations come to life. I hear him laughing, so it is a good experience.

So, off to write. Then, jam making. Afterward, garden harvesting...cukes, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Still waiting on the eggplant, but I have faith.

What about you? What have you got planned for this summer Monday?

Unplugging

Good day, friends. I hope this finds you well and enjoying a lovely, peaceful Thursday.

Me? Well, I've got a kitchen counter covered with peaches, cukes, eggplants, tomatoes and a fridge full of berries. I've got some serious canning to do. And, there's more growing in the garden as we speak!

AHH!

Too, I need to put myself in front of the computer and work on the new book. I'm into chapter seven, really enjoying the way it's going and am anxious to put more time in on the story.

So...

I'm going to unplug for a day. Maybe two.

Hoping to be back by the weekend. Until then, I wish you joy. Thanks for stopping by!

Four-story Gorilla

You know, there just aren't enough hours in the day sometimes. I scramble from one thing to the next, always with my to-do list by my side, but try as I might I just don't get everything done. It is beginning to frustrate me!

What about you? Does your to-do list feel like a four-story dancing gorilla? If so, does yours need a partner? I've got one I'm willing to toss!

I hope you have a lovely Sunday.

Me? I'm off to do some weeding and mowing before it gets hot. Then, I'm bringing heat into the kitchen in the form of hot pepper relish. Afterward, I'm putting the heat on the page in chapter four of the new book. That's right, things are getting steamy in book world.

Thanks for stopping by!

Busyness

Lions and tigers and bears--

Oh, sorry. Canning steam on the brain, I think.

Around here it's mangoes and blueberries and eggplants and...

Oh, the list goes on and means I'm busy in the kitchen. Will show photos soon, I promise. Until then, it's back to the stove for me.

Hope you have a peaceful weekend!

This and That

Taking things slow and easy here on the farm. Not overdoing...in fact, not doing much of anything. A little writing, some reading and beginning to eat again. More than that? Nope.

Thank goodness, it's cooler here now. Finally, the heat wave has broken!

What have you been up to on these hot, hot, hot days of summer?

Me? Took a walk around the farm, just to see what's growing. Want a peek?

I'm nuts about this color. Snapdragons, looking oh-so lovely.

The first tomatoes have been picked. Not this variety, but Romas and cherry tomatoes are ripening nicely.

Can't you just smell this basil? Mmm...

Peppers by the truckload! I'm trying to figure out what to do with all the peppers. Salsa, anyone?

See those little green things? Look like tiny tomatoes, don't they?

They're actually growing on a potato plant. Have no idea what's going on there.

I can't pick raspberries quickly enough.

Sorry for the fuzzy photo.

The blueberries? I've been picking 1-2 pints a day!

Lots of blueberry jam coming soon!

Peaches are ripening.

They are beyond words fantastic.

Even in the midst of summer, winter is on my mind.

Another load of firewood arrived last night. It all needs to be stacked, but not this week.

Nope, this week is for resting. And harvesting. And eating.

Writing. Reading. Relaxing.

How about you? What's up in your neck of the woods?

Blistering Thursday

Good morning, friends. I hope this finds you doing well--and trying to stay cool. Oh my goodness, it is hot, hot, hot here! Yesterday upstate NY sweltered. Today it's going to be even hotter, in the high 90s. Scary hot.

Thank you for all the kind notes and emails about my finishing the story. You are amazing, and I am blessed. You all stepped up, supporting me and really making what could be a hard time very satisfying. Thank you.

Yesterday I began the post-book catch-up. When I'm in the home stretch, writing, I pretty much ignore everything else. And this time, there wasn't anyone to take up the slack and keep things under control here. What a mess I had!

I vacuumed and mopped. Dusted and tossed the expired milk and moldy cheese from the fridge. Spent some time weeding. Did laundry. Made phone calls--I won't even tell you how many messages were on the machine. It is too funny and embarrassing as well.

Still trying to catch up on blog reading, emails and putting laundry away. I also have a sewing project that I'd like to finish by next week. So I've got a few things to cross off my to-do list but it's whittling down.

This morning I'm going to get back in the garden before it gets too hot. The tomatoes need staking and peppers, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries need picking. Cukes, yellow squash and zucchini are on the way. I just hope things come in in big batches, so I'll be able to pickle or can all at once instead of in drips and drabs. We'll see.

Good news? It looks like Chuck didn't have any friends or relations. I've been poking around but it seems like there was only the one woodchuck. Friends Linda and Ray took him to live on one of their woodlots, miles from here so I'm hoping he's happily chucking wood in his new home!

Enough rambling from me! What have you got planned for this boiler room day? Whatever you're doing, please try to stay cool. This heatwave has dangerous written all over it.

Hope you have a peaceful day!

Gardening, Anyone?

Thank you for your kindness and support. I was lifted yesterday when I read your comments, and I appreciate the lovely emails as well. You've warmed my heart when I really needed it. Thanks!

Just a few days after my husband's funeral, one of his aunts told me that I'd hear things from well-meaning family and friends that would upset me. Her advice? Whenever someone says something that pushes me near the edge, just turn my back and close my ears! Smart lady. I should have remembered that when the "move on" moments came. Now you can bet I won't forget the advice again!

Anyhow, it was sultry here yesterday so the gardens needed watering in the evening. I love watering, so I took my time strolling through the garden areas. So many things are growing! There are small green tomatoes and peppers. Vines are vining, squash and melons are growing wide leaves and the carrot tops look so feathery. There are flowers on some of the potatoes and the eggplants look sturdy. Oh, I love gardening!

My one gardening flop this year--so far, that is!--isn't in the veggie gardens but in the front flower bed. I planted orange cosmos. I'd grown them from seed in the greenhouse and they were about twelve inches tall when I planted them out. Well, they apparently enticed a bunny to dinner. Ahh! They may recover but I doubt it. On the one hand, I'm happy Mr. Rabbit isn't devouring the vegetables. On the other hand, I'm sad to see the cosmos so munched up.

I know Vito's laughing in heaven. He's got to be amused that life here is somewhat "normal" and that I'm dealing with the wildlife! He'd always plant "extra" for the bunnies, so really, I can hear him chuckling over the Cosmo Buffet.

What about you? Are you gardening? How're thing growing in your backyard?

Down and Dirty

Um... Did I get your attention? Sorry, nothing juicy or sordid here.

Just me, getting set to head out into the garden again. Hopefully I'll get most of the rest of the garden in this morning before it gets super hot out there. Yesterday I nearly melted so the plan for today is get down and dirty early. Then, a break during the hottest hours. Who knows? Maybe I'll even get some writing done!

What's on your agenda for this sweltering spring day?

Glowing

Just a quick stop in to say hi and let you know things at Casa Leone are still humming along. Busy, but humming.

It has been wicked hot here all weekend, with more hazy, hot and humid forecast for today. I'm putting in the garden so I've been doing a lot of huffing, puffing and glowing. See, I kept things pretty sedate...glowing sounds so much nicer than sweating my tail off, doesn't it?

The sun hasn't begun to beat down on the yard yet so I'm heading out to plant, mulch and, you guessed it, glow.

What about you? What's on your Tuesday agenda?

Clean Up

Remember how I said we've had strong thunderstorms? Well, they brought wind when they barreled through. Real strong wind.

Wind strong enough to cause destruction. Not Joplin-type issues, thank God, but enough to warrant cleaning up the mess. So far the biggest leftover from three days of storms is a toppled tree. It's broken right off. I'm thankful it fell away from the barn instead of on it. Also, one of the barns has a length of fascia torn off so I'll have to get up and put that back. The tree? I'm not chainsawing a tree just now so it'll have to wait. I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Yes, life on the farm is interesting. Snakes, mice, wind... It's always something! But you know what? There's no time to be bored, which has its own benefits.

Today I'll be working on the veggie garden. So far I've got three dozen tomatoes planted. Today I'm putting in the eggplants and hopefully the peppers. That is, if I beat out the impending rainstorm!

So, have a peaceful Sunday. Me? I'm going to be eyeball deep in chores. I'm grateful for the busy work.

Yesterday Continued

My three things? Would've had them covered had I not added a dozen other items to my to-do list. Ahh!

So, only half done with yesterday's list. Today? More writing, sewing and gardening.

My mom is a bit under the weather so we'll celebrate the day later in the week. I hate it that she's feeling unwell but love it that she's on the mend. And, whatever the day and however she feels, my mom is still the greatest mom ever.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday.

Now if you'll pardon me, I've got a list to work on...

Hope

Last summer we weren't here. You know that. What you don't know is that we have the most amazing friends. Not once did we need to worry about our lawn. Not once. It was meticulously cared for, looked beautiful all year long and everyone involved refused to take credit for their hard work, choosing instead to say it was one of the other people who did the bulk it.

All blessings. We were so very grateful for their love, support and caring. We never concerned ourselves one bit with what was going on here. We knew everything was being well tended.

One thing was very well tended. Meticulously trimmed, to say the least! And, lest you think otherwise, I've got to tell you I'm smiling as I write this. Why? Because one tiny little rosebush was trimmed to within an inch of its life. Planted near a row of pines, it was definitely not large enough to attract attention--especially for someone who didn't know of its existence and who was riding a tractor when it, ah, met the diminuitive rosebush.

You got it. The bush was mowed all summer long.

I'm laughing now. Really. When I first discovered the sawed-off bush a couple of weeks ago, I shed a tear. I remember planting it with Vito and was just sad that it had met an untimely end.

But I'm not crying over the rose anymore. Know why? I'll show you. Take a peek at the photos below. Do you see what I see? That's right, the rosebush is growing. It's not dying, it's living! I am thrilled by its determination, tickled by the saga of its near-miss and eager to see more of the gorgeous orange-and-pink blooms I know it will make.

Hope. It just makes my day. It's what keeps me putting one foot in front of the other.

I'll keep you posted on the progress this rugged rose makes.

Anything new in your world? Please, tell. And have a peaceful day!

Meaningful

Our anniversary was a few weeks ago. I admit, the thought of spending the day without my guy right here beside me was unsettling. Then Cousin Joann (a wise woman who is, thank God, recovering beautifully from her medical issue!) said, "Do what's meaningful. Ignore the rest and focus on what means the most."

So, that morning I headed straight for this little bulb garden. It was a gift from my husband and is one of my favorite spots here on the farm. But in the year we'd been gone, the weeds had taken over.

We battled so much...you don't think weeds can scare me, do you?

I spent hours working on the spring garden. By the time I wiped my hands on my dirty jeans, I was at peace, content and very satisfied with what I'd done.

These are the photos from that day. You can see how things went from awful to orderly. I bought a new bag of mulch to put down but it's been raining so that's still on the to-do list. And as soon as it stops raining, I'll take photos of what's blooming there now.

Meaningful moments here on the farm. Anything happening in your backyard?

Wet Wednesday

Rain, rain go away,
Come again another day...

Feeling kind of waterlogged here. Really, it's been cold and drizzly for days. Know what that means? My yardwork to-do list is gathering dust. And, I can see the weeds growing in our flowerbeds.

But you know what? I'm not perturbed a bit by Mother Nature's antics. Not today, anyway.

Acceptance, that's what I'm feeling. It's such a small thing, this weedy sogginess. And, it alleviates any guilt I'd be feeling for ignoring the weeds in favor of...

Drum roll, please!

...writing!

Yes, that's right. I did it, I actually did it. I began something new--in a full-on, committed way. The first page was the hardest but now that I'm deep into Chapter 2 I'm fine.

I worried I'd forgotten how to write. Now it seems a silly, embarrassing admission but there you have it. The unvarnished truth.

Kind of pleased by the raindrops, now that I think of it. Come on, weeds, make yourselves at home this afternoon. I'm writing, and don't give a fig what you're doing!

What about you? Any plans for this sweet Wednesday?

Busy, busy, busy!

The first item I plan to put in my Etsy shop, Sew Cherry Pie. I made more than one of these and have already sold the other one so I figure it might be the perfect way to open my little shop. What do you think? Is it the right choice? I plan to cross Open Sew Cherry Pie off my to-do list by Sunday. I'll fill you in on the details as soon as I know them.

Today, though, I've got a date with a rake. And a hoe. And a couple of bags of manure, garden soil and mulch. And yes, gardening gloves.

What have you got planned for the day? Whatever's keeping you busy, I hope it's something you enjoy doing!

Calm

Calm. That's all I can really say about yesterday. And calm? It's highly underrated. Truly, it was so refreshing to simply have a peaceful day.

After Mass I came home and was out of my church clothes in half a heartbeat. It was funny, how fast I ditched my cords and sweater, hopping into grubby jeans and an old sweatshirt. Then, gardening gloves!

The weather was gorgeous. A little bit breezy, but warm and sunny--perfect for working in the yard. Our garden beds are all overgrown and neglected (that's what happens when you walk away from life for a year) so I've got a big task ahead of me. Reclaiming the property will take time, but that's something I've got. Yesterday I spent six hours digging in the dirt.

Near the doorway to my husband's workshop, there's a flower bed. It hugs a stone wall, the ideal spot for a splash of color. Vito loved cosmos, so that's what we plant there. Last year nothing was planted in the bed, and it was choked with weeds. But six hours, a bit of muscle and lots of determination later, the bed is clear of weeds, raked smooth and ready for planting. Color me tired, but satisfied.

And calm. It is amazing how soothing working in the earth can be.

It's raining today but the next time there's even a spot of blue in the sky I'm heading back out to work in the next neglected area. I'm doing it for the farm and flowers, but mostly myself. This bit of tranquility is a very welcome change. I need it.

Oh! Saturday's baking was a success! Want to see?

Beer bread

Yum!

Hope you have a great day!

Digging It

Today I've got a date with a pair of gardening gloves, trowel and shears. What about you?

Hope your day is a peaceful one!

Tuesday Tidbits

Finally! Blue skies and warm breezes! I am psyched. I've spent the morning outdoors, just walking around the property and enjoying the birdsong. It feels fabulous to get out on such a pretty day.

Yesterday I finished a baby quilt. Want to see?

Very simple patchwork, one of my favorite patterns. The rounded corners make me smile.

And, something else that brings happiness. It's too early to put seeds in the greenhouse (it was 9 degrees this morning, so the greenhouse must've been chilly!) but I've begun a few flats in the family room beside the fire. Apparently the conditions are right, because we've got...

Pansies! I've never grown them from seed but I couldn't resist picking a packet up when I saw them at Agway a few weeks ago. I love pansies!

And these? Peppers! Yes, that's right, they're Italian frying peppers. Aren't they sweet?

So, just a peaceful day here. Nothing amazing, just a healthy dose of ordinary. What about you? What's going on in your neck of the woods today?

The Best-Laid Plans...

Last February we ordered a box of seeds from Burpee. We perused the catalog, bought vegetables and flowers. We wrote a large check, telling ourselves that the flowers would bring us joy and the veggies would feed us all year.

Life throws twists at us, as we all know. The gardens didn't get planted last year, but we told ourselves that we'd be all set for this year's gardens. Seeds don't go bad; we figured we'd plant everything this year and be filled with joy as well as being well fed.

A few days ago I opened the expensive Burpee box. Evindently the box had a visitor while we were in the hospital in Boston. The mouse must have been very, very hungry because the little rat, er... mousie, ate every last seed.

Not exactly bringing me joy or feeding me, this box. Can you see where the packets are chewed open? Ahh!

I did pick up some pepper seeds about a month ago, purely because I couldn't resist the pretty photo on the packet. Good thing I did!

I'll be perusing the shelves at the local Agway for seeds to replace the ones eaten by our univited guest. What about you? Planning to do any gardening this year?