those wonderful gals at Mary Janes Farm...

were kind enough to include me in the October/November issue of their amazing farmgirl magazine!

My heartfelt thanks Mary Janes Farm ...

I just couldn't be happier.
Actually, I'm jump up & down excited!
Dreams do come true!

do you see the changes?

fields of gold...

storm clouds gradually turning to blue skies...

later sunrises and lengthening shadows...

pumpkins at the roadside stands...

That's how the Midwest looks now...ready for fall.
We're certainly ready...it's been a very hot summer.

This morning the kids asked for hot chocolate (the real kind), there was a light frost on the grass, and we even turned the heater on in the truck for the drive to school.

Brrr...

Do you see the changes where you live...crisp days,
an early-autumn palette, the sights & sounds that mark the changing of seasons?

harvesting...

Bundles of just-picked herbs lay waiting to be rinsed and turned into an herb weaving, while spatterware buckets filled with potatoes, onions, peppers, and tomatoes are sitting at the
garden's edge. Potatoes and onions will be carried to the basement and stored in wooden bushel baskets. Not really a basement...
the low ceilings, wooden shelves, partial dirt floor, and tree trunks (yes, tree trunks!) that help hold up this 146-year old house, make it more of a root cellar.

Our neighbor tells me she has just finished canning over 100 quarts of tomatoes, and is ready to put the garden to bed. We'll be doing the same this week...canning the remaining peppers and making tomato sauce, then tilling the garden and letting it have a long winter's rest. Gather, prepare, put by...it's a quieter time of year, yet we're busy as bees.

There is a sense that summer is winding down. Yesterday we woke up to a morning that was 38 degrees...sweater weather as they call it, and my favorite time of year! Last night while Little Man was on the tire swing, I noticed subtle changes around us. The evening was still...soybeans are now golden, field corn is dry, and the sunlight cast lengthening shadows around us.

It's the time of year when we find ourselves trying to savor it all...the simple pleasures of changing seasons and sweet September.

happy birthday Sweet Girl!

my, oh, my...

how time flies!

Wishing you a magical day
filled with the happiest moments!

XOXO

glimpses of the farmers' market...

golden honey

colorful flowers and fresh sweet corn

homebaked pies, breads, cakes, and cinnamon rolls

Indian corn

(for those of us anxiously awaiting fall!)

just-picked apples

It was still cool in the early morning and the square was bustling with activity. However, through all the chatting neighbors, laughing kids, and tail-wagging dogs, one little sign caught my eye...it simply read:

and Mattie, who was all of about 6 years old,

has been growing flowers all summer to sell at the market.

I just couldn't resist, so I asked her pick out her favorite colors for me, and I came home with a sweet bouquet
I promptly tucked into a Mason jar.

The farmers' market...what's not to love?!

putting things by...

I've had this photo for ages and it's always made me smile.

This young lady's been working hard alongside Mom and is rightfully proud of her efforts!

That's the goal for our pantry...and while it may not end up looking exactly like this one, the temperatures are 20 degrees cooler this week making it perfect for "putting things by"

as Grandma would say. I'm canning pizza and spaghetti sauces, pickles, beans, and peppers. The onions are ready to braid and hang, and herbs are ready to dry. Before we know it, we'll be digging potatoes.

Isn't it interesting that we all seem to get spring fever, but so many of us also have a fever in early fall? I once heard this described as a season between earnest nesting and flagrant wanderlust. It's that need be plan ahead for the frosty days sure to come, but to also enjoy the lingering summer days.

Hmmm, today I'm prudent...

next week I may just take a jaunt to Amish country!

So, how are you spending these days that are teetering somewhere between summer and fall?

first day of school...

and so the cycle continues...

day-to-day, month-to-month, year-to-year.

The first sight of school buses is gentle reminder that one season is slipping into the next. Summer's light takes on a coppery glow, and every now and then, we catch a gentle, cooling breeze from the north.

There is one county fair left to enjoy...it has a huge train layout that Little Man circles for what seems like hours. We'll laugh on the rides, enjoy the food, linger over the blue ribbon entries,
and come home exhausted. We'll savor it all...the winding down
of summer and preparing for autumn.

And so, on this first day the house is quiet...close to absolute, broken only by the chirping crickets heard through the
screen doors.

I'm sure in time my "worker-bee" agenda will kick in and
I'll be cleaning closets, drawers, and barns.

But for today, I'm baking their favorite cookies
and waiting for 3 o'clock.

time for school?

Saturday Grandma took us shopping for school clothes...
Monday we bought school supplies...
Today is one week from the beginning of school,

and I find myself trying to pack as many special memories as I can into summer vacation's remaining days.

This year Little Man begins what I describe as "real school" otherwise known as 1st grade. He'll be gone all day, every day. And while I have a to-do list a mile long and often wish for some quiet time, I don't think I'll quite know what to do with myself next Tuesday. Over the years we've had our special routine...
drop Sissy off at school, then it's "You and me time...
I love you and me time!" he would always say.

Sweet Girl moves upstairs in the elementary school this year...
a big deal for 4th graders. A big deal indeed...it almost feels like the beginning of a separation, and I'm not comfortable with that. Not ready for that. Not happy with that.

So today's post has "drivel" as The Coop Keeper calls it.
The dictionary defines that as "silly and irrelevant talk." True...irrelevant to most, but none-the-less a part of our world this week.

I want to find a way to slow down time. I want to hold onto each happy moment, to erase the unhappy ones, and to keep our kids little...just a bit longer.

As corny as it sounds, I often find myself thinking back to the lines from one of our favorite movies, Hook. At one point
Moira says to Peter,

"Your children love you, they want to play with you.
How long do you think that lasts?
We have a few special years with our children,
when they're the ones that want us around.
After that you're going to be running after them
for a bit of attention.
It's so fast...it's a few years, and it's over.
And you are not being careful. And you are missing it."

I recall sitting in a ladies church meeting and the question was asked, "What do you wish you could have changed about raising your children?" I was eager to learn from these ladies who had already raised their children...what insights could I gain?
 
I was amazed that every lady who raised her hand said,
"I wish I would have played with them more." It hit me hard. These ladies couldn't go back and change that...they had teary eyes and heartfelt regrets. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
 
And now, it's about time...
time for the sound of feet running down the stairs.
So I'll be signing off...I don't want want to "miss it!"

this says it all...

I saw this on my travels,

and had to share.

beat the heat!

When the sweltering heat descends on us, we make homemade
ice cream. What a summertime delight! If you love chocolate, this recipe is an ideal way to beat the heat. It's easy to make and oh-so good!

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream

2 c. whipping cream, divided
2, 1-oz. sqs. semisweet baking chocolate
2, 1-oz. sqs. unsweetened baking chocolate
2 c. half-and-half
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. baking cocoa
8 egg yolks
4 t. vanilla extract
1/8 t. salt

Combine in a saucepan 1/2 cup whipping cream with semisweet and unsweetened chocolate squares. Heat over medium-low until chocolate melts; stir frequently. When squares have melted, remove from heat; set aside. Pour half-and-half into a saucepan; heat until hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat; set aside.

Stir together sugar and baking cocoa; set aside. Whisk together egg yolks until well blended. Gradually beat sugar mixture into egg yolks with an electric mixer at medium-low speed; blend well. Slowly add chocolate mixture, then half-and-half; mix until smooth.

Return mixture to saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is hot, but not boiling. Transfer to a bowl; stir in remaining whipping cream, vanilla, and salt. Cover and chill 8 hours.

Pour into an ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. Makes 1/2 gallon.

(Jenean, you'd asked about a Peach Ice Cream recipe. I have it on good authority that this recipe is absolutely delicious! My friend Diana passed it along to me...her daughter Jennifer makes it for her family.)

Peach Ice Cream

4 peaches, peeled, pitted, and chopped
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
juice of 1 lemon
1-1/4 c. whipping cream

Combine peaches, milk, and lemon juice in a food processor. Process until smooth; set aside. Beat cream in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form; fold into peach mixture. Place into an ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.
Makes 1/2 gallon.

the dog days of summer...

Here in the Midwest, our mornings are hot and muggy.
Each day we wake to find a haze has settled over the fields, only to be burned off by the heat of the morning sun. Somewhere in the distance are rumblings of thunder, but the much-needed rain  passes us by. There’s a constant hum of cicadas, and although there is much to be done, we seem to move in slow motion.

Yet, however sweltering August may be, it is also rich in garden bounty…tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, cucumbers, green beans, peaches, cherries, and new potatoes. A trip to the farmers’ market last Saturday found me coming home with an overflowing bag of pickling cucumbers. Now, at day’s end,
faint traces of ginger, cloves, vinegar, and garlic linger in the kitchen from the morning’s canning.

As evening approaches, we’re ready to settle in…there’s the sound of thunder moving closer, and the doves are cooing softly.

I think we’ll make homemade ice cream tomorrow…a simple summertime pleasure we look forward to. I want us to enjoy every minute of every day, because although these summer days can seem endless, there’s a sense that they are numbered.

"dream on!"

My sweet hubby brought these home...
to celebrate an exciting email I received!

For those of you who know me well, you know that in a past life
I was the Sr. Book Editor and Manager of Licensed Books for a cookbook publishing company.

Times being what they are, last October the company made deep cuts in the staff. Unfortunately, I was one of those, along with a great group of creative people, who found themselves looking for a fresh start. During my 13 years at that job, I was blessed to be able to work from home, while still being here for our children. Those types of jobs are few and far between.

But, as we say, "Life is good." With my new "free" time, I began chasing my writing dream. With so many wonderful blogs out there, I felt it was time to begin one...it would be the first baby step to the writing I eventually wanted to do.

Like so many of you, I'm a fan of The Farm Chicks, and I dropped Serena a quick note to compliment her on her fun blog and to thank her for all the terrific and clever ideas she shares. Her story was an inspiration to me...someone simply doing what she loved. She returned my note, and graciously said, "I'm thinking of you while you follow your dreams. Dream on!"

Well, this September, I hope to be able to let you know that
an article I wrote will be in the October/November issue of a country lifestyle & farmgirl magazine! As of now, my article
is set for placement. I got a sneak peek at the pdf file for proofing...it looked terrific!

As we know, however; there is always the possibility articles set for publication can be delayed at the last minute to accommodate the layout. So, when I have the magazine in my hands, and see my name in print, I'll post the happy news!

Yes, life is good...dreams can come true.

ribbon report!

Yay, the county fair was great fun!

We enjoyed eating the tasty food, seeing the adorable Nubian goats, (I really "need" some of those!) and watching the kids laugh as they rode the rides. A county fair is a simple country pleasure I never tire of.

The official ribbon report is...

(drum roll, please)

6, 1st place blue ribbons

7, 2nd place red ribbons

Sweet Girl took 1st place for her artwork and a vintage apron her Grammy gave her...she was so happy! And both she and Little Man received 2nd place ribbons for their baked goodies.

I submitted photos, canned and baked goods, along with a

Knotwork Nine-Patch quilt. The quilt is over 90 years old and was given to us many years ago by my mother-in-law. She was so tickled to hear it took first place in the heritage quilts class!

We all had a terrific time and by night's end, we were worn out. This weekend we'll bring home our entries, ribbons, and checks...the kids are already plotting and planning on how to spend their prize money.

Now, lest you be too impressed with our winnings, remember,

this is a small county fair...

First place will get you $3.00, and second place $2.00,  

but hey, when you're young, that's enough to stir up

some excitement!

fair competition...

Our county fair has started and this morning we've been up since the break of day baking, decorating, and making sure our jars of canned vegetables sparkle...we're getting ready to deliver our entries to the fairgrounds! It's a wonderfully cool morning, with temperatures in the 50's. What a welcome relief from the hot & humid air almost 25 degrees warmer that has greeted me each morning as I head to the garden to weed and till.

I took a moment to sit in a porch rocker to enjoy the cool air.
As I looked around, it was obvious the spiders were busy in the nightttime, as these delicate webs were everywhere. A kitten hopped into my lap and we took a few minutes together enjoying the quiet and coolness.


However, it's time to deliver our entries...judging begins at
10 a.m. sharp! Tonight we'll go to the fair and enjoy the
yummy food, rides, and farm animals, then we'll wander
(nope, run!) over to the grandstand to see if we were lucky enough to win a ribbon! Wish us luck!

old-fashioned buttermilk doughnuts...

As a part of our pioneer celebration this week, we made buttermilk doughnuts. The recipe was so easy, and they were delicious warm with a glass of ice cold milk! Even if you've never made doughnuts before, try this recipe...handed down,
it's stood the test of time.

Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnuts

5-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1-1/2 t. cinnamon or ground nutmeg
2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1-1/4 c. sugar
6 T. butter, melted
oil for deep frying
Garnish: cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon or nutmeg; stir well to blend. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk,
eggs, and sugar; stir in melted butter. Add to flour mixture, blending well. Dough will be sticky. Set aside to rest 5 minutes. Add 4-inches of oil to a deep, heavy pan; heat to 375 degrees.

On a floured surface, roll dough out until 1/4-inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter. Add 2 or 3 doughnuts to hot oil and cook until golden; turn and cook second side. Drain on paper towels. While warm, toss doughnuts with cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar. Makes approximately 30 doughnuts.

pioneer day celebration...

Our family loves history, and so this week we'll be celebrating Pioneer Day! While Pioneer Day is officially July 24, we like to spend the week leading up to it doing something fun each day. We'll play pioneer games, listen to music of the time, and cook recipes over the tripod outside or in the tin kitchen by the fireplace. I'll definitely wear my pioneer dress and pinafore
apron to get into the spirit!

It's a good time to reflect on what our ancestors sacrificed and left behind, talk with our children about the unknown road that was ahead of the pioneers...the joys, along with the dangers and sadness they experienced. They have left us an example to follow, and we are grateful for that. Amid all the fun, it's the faith, courage, and strength of the pioneers that we hope to teach our children as we celebrate this week.

sun-drenched July...

Here in the Midwest we are in the absolute heat of summer with temperatures in the mid 90's. Although hot and humid, we find we can survive the heat because our windowsills are filled with garden-fresh tomatoes and our gathering baskets overflow with new potatoes, green beans, and onions.

The growing season has been good, and the rich farmland
 around us has produced field corn 8 to 9 feet tall
(forget the old saying, "Knee high by the 4th of July!")

Saturday's farmers' market was bursting with the bounty of the season. I stared like a kid in a candy store at stands filled with baskets of plump blueberries and sweet cherries. Next were bunches of carrots, radishes and beets arranged neatly together alongside rows of large candy onions. I lingered as I passed all varieties of mouth-watering pies, fresh bread and rolls, and the season's first sweet corn. I found some just-baked Amish Fry Pies (some people call them hand pies) and those were definitely coming home with me!

Our county fair will be soon, and for us, it's one of the biggest joys of living in a small town! We love seeing all the animals, riding the rides, sampling the food, and joining in a friendly competition to see who really bakes the best apple pie. We're small town, and we like it that way. Folks know each other by name...it's one of the joys of living here with so many nice people.

July is rich from start to finish. The breezes are warm, but cooled by delphinium blue skies. There is much to do, but much to enjoy...yes, life is good.

summer vacation...

We've just come back from a wonderful drive that took us north into Wisconsin and Minnesota for a wedding. The heat-wave
was behind us and the temperatures were 20 degrees cooler...
that made it so nice for stopping along the way to see the sights.

From beautiful farms that lined the roads for most of our journey, to lovely brick farmhouses, and acres of corn and soybeans, it was such a  pretty drive.

We stopped along the way to visit children's museums,
Navy Pier in Chicago, and the Mall of America in Minneapolis
(oh my...how many malls have roller coasters in them?!)
This dinosaur is made of Legos...we couldn't believe the
amazing creations!

 Of course we had to sample Wisconsin cheese (and bring home lots to share!) and we spent a night in one of our favorite spots...
a train car in Union Station.

However, the best reason for our travel north was the wedding of this sweet couple. Congratulations to Joanna and Ben...
we wish you happy forevering!

They were radiant and all smiles. It was such a blessing to be invited to share in their special day and to spend time together (the bride's parents are dear friends.)

And there were new little people to meet...just look at these sweet faces!

Our vacation was over quickly, and before we knew it we were back home. But it won't be forgotten soon...it was a terrific trip filled with laughter and so much fun.

land of the free; land that I love

my home, sweet home.

small town softball excitement!

It's plays like this...

that lead to smiles like this...

for a team that ended the season League Runners-Up!

Last night's game was a jump up & down, cheer 'em on,
knock-your-socks-off competition!

What a season...congrats Sweet Girl to you and your teammates!
(We can hardly wait for Fall Ball to begin!)

retro fun...

We just discovered a little 1950's-style ice cream shop not far from town. Not only was the ice cream terrific, just stepping inside made us smile.

This fellow was at the counter,

while a jukebox was playing jazzy tunes.

The menu had sandwiches with fun names like The Hungry Big Jeff Hamburger, Ethen's Cheese Dog, and Kent's Kitchen Sink.

It was filled with people and laughter...the perfect place to cool off at the end of a hot summer day.

Ahhh, it made me feel one step closer to Mayberry.

midsummer night...

Today, the longest day of the year, is officially Midsummer Day. And while we have a long to-do list of chores and errands,
we'll still take time to celebrate a delightful summertime event filled with whimsy and imagination.

Legend says that only on this one enchanting night, fairies are visible to the human eye...and then, only if a feast is prepared
for them.

So, with that in mind, today we'll be preparing sweet treats and decorating around our fairy garden. Then, after the sun sets,
we'll find a quiet spot, hidden from view, and wait for the fairies to make their arrival.

These are the kinds of old-fashioned traditions we love...
ones that take us away from the fast pace of the modern world and slow us down, if only for a brief while.

happy fathers' day...

We love you!   

berry season...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...


well, for strawberry lovers it is! We'll be enjoying ours with homemade shortcake and real whipped topping. Not that
store-bought doesn't have its place, but for just-picked berries,
there's nothing better than homemade.

If you haven't tried making whipped topping before, it's really quick & easy. Simply pour a pint of heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl and whisk until the cream thickens; add sugar and vanilla extract to taste. That's it!

Tomorrow we'll have black raspberries for dessert, and the kids want to pick mulberries off the tree. I'm thinking it's time to make Amish Fry Pies. Yum!

lots of rain + sunny days = blooms galore

I love hollyhocks, and this year blossoms of peach, black,
and pink are over 6 feet tall!

The false sunflowers are such a happy, cheery yellow.

Remember when I first found this fountain at a barn sale?

The flowers have filled in so much, you can hardly see it.

The peony bushes were so full of beautiful blooms...

I hated to see them go.

The rain has made sure that this is a very green late spring here in the midwest. And while the grass is growing almost quicker than we can keep it mowed, ahhh...the flowers are loving it!