Long Days

This past Saturday was my favorite day of the year, summer solstice.   It means the start of summer and lovely long days.  When I was working it was ideal because it meant I would have so much daylight after I was off work I still had time to do things like garden and ride my horses.  Now that I am not working it isn’t as big of a deal but I still love the long days of summer. 

I will say being married to a farmer/rancher makes this time of year a little bittersweet.  I love the opportunity for more time outside but it means I see less of the man I love.  Although there is great flexibility with being self employed it also means there are seemingly endless and exhausting days.  In the winter when the days are short and pecan harvest is done for the year we get to spend lots of time together.  However, in the summer the daily schedule is pretty much sunup to sundown 6 days a week and then the occasional Sunday afternoon when there are jobs that just must get done.  It also makes for long days with a little one in the house.  When the bedtime sleepiness has set in and your little one can’t shake the crankiness but also can’t settle down it would be nice to have someone to help out.   I know that this is seasonal (mostly) so it will pass but sometimes it is hard to remember that in the midst of chaos. 

I think that the flexibility and wholesome lifestyle associated with farming can be a little misunderstood and over idealized.  The hours and days and months that go into making food for people is just astounding.  Remember, next time you are sitting at your table eating dinner with your entire family there is probably another table across the country that is missing a person or two because they are out working to make food for the masses.  Enjoy and savor every bite you take and bask in the company of your family, it truly is a special time. 

Summer Time and the Living is Easy!

Summer is off to a fantastic start, even though summer doesn’t officially start until this weekend.  The excitement of the change of season really has been different for me as I am no longer working.  There is no anticipation for the summer break and vacation time.  Now, we can go on vacation or sneak off for a night away anytime without having to submit leave requests and the like.  It really sweetens the experience.  Although, with the busy farm this time of year little escapes are a rarity.

Rufus enjoying a summer afternoon in the backyard.

 

                We have our garden in and it is coming along well. We had some bouts of cold nights and so a few of our first plantings died but we have been able to replant and everything is doing well now.  I was so sad that all the tomato plants that I had started inside from seed got taken in the cold.  They were all from seeds that were saved from favorite tomatoes so we can’t just go to the store and buy more packets.  I was upset about it to begin with but have since settled down and accepted the situation.  What else am I to do?!  Our artichokes are in full production so we have been eating them like crazy.  We boil/steam them and then eat the meat out of the leaves and savor the hearts at the end.  We use garlic butter and Heinz 57 for dipping sauces.  The process of pulling apart each leaf and sucking out the meat reminds me of summers at home eating fresh lobster.  I miss those days but embrace what we have now.  Again, what else am I to do?!

 

 Fresh artichokes picked from the side of our house.

 



Our first cherry harvest.  A little green but had to get them before the birds. They still taste fantastic but of so tart!

  

 

Roses from the garden.

 

Our rose patch.

 

            I have been on a big sewing kick lately and just can’t seem to get enough hours in front of my machine.  There are so many different projects I am working on.  They are all so different which is fantastic for providing entertainment when I get bored with one project I can easily just switch to another.

Some of the crazy quilt blocks I have been doing.  Trying to use up my scraps and try something different!  Also, in the bottom corner you can see one of my 1930's mini block.

 

A new wall hanging done and ready to be quilted.

 

 

  

A couple of the mini blocks I have been paper piecing for a 1930's mini quilt.  These blocks are 4.5" unfinished.  So much fun to do!

 

 I hope this post finds you well and happy!