Saturday, June 21, 2014

Summer Time


Today is the official first day of Summer!  But where I live, it has been summer for some time already!  I realized last night, when looking at the photos I had just uploaded from my iphone, that I really don't have much of anything new to write about.  My camera has not been fixed yet, so for those that may follow me on instagram, a lot of these shots are duplicates.  Sorry about that.  My days are pretty much the same now.  I rise early.  Go out to say good morning to the girls.  Let them out into their run until eggs are collected about noon, and then they get free range of the property.
We took the fence down around the pool.  I repurposed the gate to my chicken run.  Eventually, I will use the rest of the fencing to make a better run too.  But the new gate is working out great here!
I make my rounds at watering the gardens, both front and back.   Pulling a weed here and there.  Planning the meals around what I will harvest that day.
The front garden is filling out and looking lush and pretty.  And the sunflowers have now all begun to open up to show off their happy faces.
This is a typical haul about every other day or so.
Lots and lots of the sugar snap peas.  I love these!!
We are loving the Swiss Chard.  I saute it and use it just like you would Spinach.  The other day I sauteed a big pan of it, and steamed my first head of broccoli and made a delicious quiche for dinner.
It was so good!!
One day, I took all of my greens, stems, and pieces of produce I didn't use, and made a huge pot of vegetable stock.
Looks like a big pot of vegetable soup!  And smelled like it too!  I brought it to a boil, then turned it down to simmer, and left it on the stove for a couple of hours, with the lid on pot.  Then removed all of the pieces to my compost bin.  And poured the broth through a strainer.  I used a mesh coffee filter.
I wound up with all of this beautiful stock.  I froze some in ice cube trays, and tupperware.  Once frozen, I pop this out into a freezer bag.  And put the rest into jars to use for cooking.
Loaded with flavor, and couldn't be easier.  Do you make your own stocks?
Noah is my egg collector, washer, sorter, packager.  He takes his job very seriously too.
He pulls the yellow stool to the sink, and does the whole thing by himself!
While he did that, I washed and packed up all of the produce.
I have all of my friends saving their plastic that produce comes in at the market.  I wash it and reuse it for my garden produce.
We are spending a good deal of time in the pool every day now.  Noah wants me IN the pool with him usually.  I don't mind.  I am a water lover.
Whether he is showing me his muscles, or doing cannon balls, or relaxing on the raft, he is having fun!
Yesterday, Gennifer and the girls came to swim with us.
Look at Hannah's little pointed toe pose.  I love it!!!
And little Claire Bear! She is such a fishy too now!  They are in their new pool every day...all day, from what I hear!
Hannah and Noah were having a rousing water pistol fight, and I look over, and there is Clairey, sitting on the side of the pool, quietly playing with water toys.
They had fun, and I loved watching them have fun!
Not too exciting, but this is how I spend the days in the summer.  I go back outside after Noah goes home about 5, and work in the gardens again.  I sit in my favorite swing, and talk to my chickens.  Greg and I have a little dinner together when he gets home about 7.  And then I go back outside to put the chickens to bed, and maybe pull a few weeds in the garden.  I come in at dark, wet and muddy.  Hit the shower, and fall into bed, tired and usually sore, but ready to do it all again the next day.
Happy Summer!!!!!
XO  Kris

24 comments:

Home Meadows said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the summer Kris. I have vegetable garden envy! That is a great idea to make veggie stock. I have made chicken (and turkey) stock before, but never veggie. Enjoy your weekend. Heather

Gloria Baker said...

All look nice and beautiful and love the pool:)
Here is winter and we have today a really gray day!
xo

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi my friend! I love how you utilize each moment in your summer.. and a nice long one you have. I'm very impressed with your produce! The kids are adorable.. having fun in the water. You're a great grandma! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Between Me and You said...

I'd trade places with you anyday, Kris. What a lovely life you have and those children are just so adorable. I'll soon have a new grandchild in a couple of weeks then I'll have two grandchildren - nearly catching up with you and yours!I had a fabulous day today with my sister in her new caravan (trailer? though we're definitely not 'trailer trash'!lol)set amongst some Scottish hills and so peaceful and tranquil. I really didn't want to come home but she says I can go with her every weekend if I want to!Good Sunday to you. x

Betsy said...

I think you are describing the perfect summer Kris. I would give up my lake time in a heartbeat if I could have the time at home with my Grandkids. A pool, garden and chickens? Sounds about perfect to me. Throw in a husband that loves me, (mine spoils me rotten), and it would be a wonderful life. Your produces looks wonderful. I make chicken & turkey stock in the winter but I've never tried vegetable stock.
Blessings my friend,
Betsy

NanaNor's said...

Hi sweetie, How I enjoy hearing about your days. I so remember spending days at my dad's pool when my girls were little. WE gave them both money for membership of our local pool and now go with them and the grands. I love the water and just relaxing around a pool, but here the weather isn't conducive to having one. Hope you have an incredible summer, friend.
Hugs, Noreen

Debbie said...

Your summer is sounding wonderful. I'd truly love all the fresh produce. I definitely miss our pool we had for 25 years in some ways. Watching the grands enjoying it is one of the biggest. The kids are getting soo big! They are so cute.

Tammy said...

That is exciting! Looks like fun too!

Gracie Saylor said...

Your summer days sound perfectly interesting and exciting to me, Kris! I am so glad you are able to spend lots of time with your Grands, and that you are able to pursue the creative activities that you most enjoy.Blessings! xx

Patty Antle said...

I loved reading about your day. Maybe I should pull weeds everyday. That way I could keep up with them. What cute grandkids you have!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great summer, Kris! You have such beautiful produce! Enjoy those grandkids!

45th Parallel Quilter said...

A wonderful and blessed life ;-) Happy for you!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh your garden is just beautiful. Your corn how jealous I am.

Grammy Staffy said...

You are surely make the most of summer. I love your garden and all the wonderful produce. The pics of the kids in the pool are so much fun. Your life is good. I'm happy for you. Hugs, Lura

Poppy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Poppy said...

Sounds like a perfect summer day to me, Kris!! Lucky you; your haul looks so fresh and delicious as does your quiche! You are always on the go, girl!

XO

corners of my life said...

I don't know who is luckier you or your trust helper, Noah, to have such a wonderful relationship.

Amy at love made my home said...

There is no way that you are not getting enough veggies in your diet!! Everything looks so wonderful, you really are such a great gardener. Hope that you keep having a wonderful summer! xx

Susanne Tyree said...

That is what summer is all about, work and play, spending time with family, making memories. I find that we all work way too much. The trick is to loving what you do and it will never be like work at all. It is good your little helper does those eggs. The quiche looks wonderful. Do you have a recipe or did you just throw it together off the top of your head? I use to do so much with the garden produce, but there is no more garden here anymore since my husband passed. I did plant 6 tomato plants and lost 2 of them. I have blooms and one tomato on them so far. I planted some radishes and that panned out. Could be because the seed was old that they didn't amount to anything but huge tops of leaves with radishes the size of near nothing. I am not the gardener my husband was. It was work, but I miss the canning and freezing, never thought I would be saying that. I have made my own soup stock with bits of chicken fat and carrots, celery hearts and onions. It is the best. Home made is always the best.
Have a great week.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Kris, Your days all sound so lovely, productive and fun. I've been going to bed sore too, lots of gardening. Love all your cooking, it all looks so healthy and fresh!!!
xoRobin

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh Kris I love your life! Just "Simply" beautiful! You have a wonderful piece of property filled with treasures, fruits, vegetables, chickens, critters and grandchildren! What more could a girl ask for!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Just found you from Pati's post and am now following.bni look forward to reading more :-)

Mereknits said...

It sounds like a blissful summer, everyone moving at their own pace and enjoying some freedom from school and schedules.
Hugs,
Meredith

From the Kitchen said...

Your garden is picture perfect! I envy those meals prepared straight from the earth.

Best,
Bonnie