Long Time Comin'

I really wasn't planning on this long of a break. But I'm not going to apologize. Life happens first and blogging is as it always will be. Whenever. I did miss it though.

To bring you somewhat up to speed, in no particular order, and with random thoughts on all things, and a link or two, just for kicks, I give you the following:

My ornery Beans. This kid is a barrel of laughs, and he knows it

He's 2 now.

 And really good at throwing out diapers. And being a big brother. He would gladly hold Sprout all the live long day.

My tomatoes were Fan-ta-stic this year. I had some puree from last year that I had frozen so I added that  to my last picking, since it was small, but as opposed to other years I didn't have to buy *any* tomatoes for canning. Muffin took the "scrape-out-the-tomato-guts" job very seriously.

My goal for next years sauce is for it to contain only items I have grown, my own garlic, onions, herbs and tomatoes.

Picked all this the week after Sprout was born. 

I learned that you DO NOT plant cucumbers by your melons. The melons will have no taste.

They will smell positively intoxicating, but they will have no taste.

Where shall I plant them next year I wonder?

This is very often my view. Sweet little soft head. Just a minute, I have to kiss him. Okay, I'm back.

He's nursing right now. Again. He's 2 months old and weighs over 17 and a half pounds. My friend Erin is convinced I only produce butter, not milk. Ain't no skim milk, that's fo' sho'.

A savory herb bouquet, and a sweet herb bouquet for a friend. (which reminds me, I have garlic to plant, but not right now, as it's 11:08 pm, black as pitch, and raining. oh, and cold.)

It's kind of tradition now that Biscuit plants the sunflowers.

I wish I had thought to measure this one. It's sitting in a tree right now, where Biscuit keeps a sharp eye on it, and a bird book handy so he can show me what is visiting.

Biscuit is also short 5 teeth, the first 3 lost in less than 24 hours. He freaked out about losing the first one. Come to think about it, he also freaked out about losing the 5th one. He was mad at B. for pulling them, and wouldn't talk to him. The fact that we couldn't stop laughing at his panic didn't help matters any.

We had a killing frost. Pretty though, and kind of a relief.

We pulled out the garden. And busted out the winter coats. I'm still trying to figure out how to avoid the home-schooler look for girls. Sigh.

We've been pouring over the seed catalog I forgot I saved, eagerly planning next years garden.

Bring on some raised beds for early crops.

B. and I, two of my brothers and their wives

Sprout was dedicated a few weeks ago, and out of the 6 babies being dedicated, 2 were/are being adopted (one of them will be my nephew) and 4 of them are cousins. We're planning a church take over. Not really. But we've started on a second pew.

And now I must leave you as tomorrow is Sunday, it is rather late and my alarm clock will rudely shrill before I'm ready for it to. It's the price I must pay if I want the chance of a shower .

And a kicker link, for a kitchen I am in love with, and it doesn't even have drywall up.
Actually, read the rest of their peasant kitchen posts. It's a goal I am working my way towards.
G'night.