Quick Combo...

Just a quick combo to share before heading into the weekend.  These three trusty plants will be dug up and replanted into my new garden area.......

Lamb's Ear

Montrose White Catmint

Ornamental Onion

Happy Gardening Friends!  

A Collection...

Just a collection of all the bits and bobs happening in these parts!

The pit is almost finished!  The water issues in this space have been plenty.  We are just elated to be close to the finish line. 

We discovered once we started digging that the pipes for drainage under the slab were all broken.  One main pipe was wrapped in siding from our house which would explain some things!!!

We recycled some of the concrete to make the steps and walkway.  This space now connects to the upper area off the kitchen and was reduced in size to be used as a small sitting area.

My wonderful husband wheeled 12 yards of dirt back here to fill in this massive pit the day before my daughter's birthday party.   Do you see all of the new space for plants!?!  

Off the kitchen is where I had some of my veggies. 

Now we have a deck for a table.

Big bean is now 5!

For her party I wanted some color for the center of the table so I filled a vase with water and water balloons.  A fun and bright display!

 Apple picking and baking this weekend.  

Cortland apples

Mom's Apple Crisp...

Cut-6 large apples into small pieces
Mix-with 1/2 cup sugar and one tsp cinnamon
Spread into 9 by 13 glass baking dish

For the crumble
Mix-6 tbs of softened butter with 3/4 cup of flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt
Sprinkle on top of the apples

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

raspberries are coming in

a happy pot of asters from my mom

I went with simple planters this year for the front porch.  Pumpkins and sticks!  

The simple things are the sweetest things!
Wishing everyone a lovely new week!

MAKING Mondays.....a bit like fall

Well, it's not officially fall yet but you would never know it by the temperatures we have been having in these parts!  It has been chilly!!!!  The slow cooker has been running and homemade bread is back in the oven baking.  On days like these I like to sit back and listen to a bit of this...

And when I'm not listening to a bit of that I like to start adding touches of the season to cozy up our little home.  I had seen some Halloween villages in some magazines and thought it would be cute if I made my own for above the coat hooks.  Just black construction paper and tape.

I have a thing for plaid!  After I sewed this pillow my son helped me stuff it and he is so very proud of it!

My fondness for vintage bird prints comes from my grandma.  I was able to track some down HERE for a reasonable price and then just framed them up for the mantle.

And the backyard construction is making progress! Have a look out the kitchen window.....

Not done but we have somewhere to sit now!  

Happy making, baking, and growing friends!  

Floral Fridays.....

The theme for Floral Friday this month was to choose a favorite garden quote.  This one resonates deeply with me......

via~ Rindy Mae

Life isn't always easy.  I read a quote once that said that bloggers blow sunshine at one another and I had to chuckle a bit.  I guess we do do that but then I really started to think about it and came to my own conclusion.  I think we collectively like to find the beauty in life even when the days are dark.  A good trait among us if I do say so myself!

As September sets in I can feel the change in my garden.  Plants are dying back, seed pods are forming and my annuals are carrying the color in most places.  Little signs that the new season is upon us.

 {Turtlehead-Chelone obliqua}

I miss the newness of my garden but if I've learned one thing in life it's to embrace where you're at.  Change is bound to come.  To have bits of beauty in your life to lift the soul along the way is a pretty awesome thing.  So with that, I leave you with a song about change....

Blind Melon...Change

Make it a great one!

Floral Friday is a monthly photography project with different themes each month. This series is about fun and taking time out to smell the flowers. To play along next time, please email Trishie for next month's theme.