Here Comes the Sun

Literally!

 

Early morning is my favorite time of day.



 

If only George Harrison had been sitting in our hayfield yesterday morning singing with me..

 

Or with any of the folks over at Song-ography ,

 

It just might have been perfect.

 

 

 

Happy Sunday!

~Joan



A Work-In-Progress Retreat

Wine tasting and Wool.

My kind of retreat.
 

 

The afternoon event was sponsored by Fibre Space one of my local city side go-to yarn shops, and held at the lovely Zephaniah winery in Lounoun Co, Virginia.

Bill and Bonnie welcomed us to their historic home and into their parlor tuned tasting room.
We enjoyed tasty treats and cheeses, a sampling of seven wines, some of the best sangria these lips have ever met and a chance to get out the WIPs and work a few rows.

Chatting, wine and knitting...how many mistakes do you were discovered the next day?

I am still oogling over that mantle.

 

I must admit that I did not accomplish much on my current WIPs.

Vests for the little boys. There is one in red and one in blue coming up next.

 

Mystery yarn. Label lost long ago. I love the copper and nickel colorway.

 

There was just too much exploring to do outside.

And purchases to be made back inside.
 

 

 

 ***

Sharing with WIP Wednesday

Happy Sunday

You all already know that it is hot, so I won't mention that.

I arrived back at the farm yesterday morning somewhat dreading the garden chores when my mother, her Ray and my 20something year old niece Amanda pulled up the drive way.

 Reprieve.

I could entertain them and put off the work until later.

Good Plan.

 

NOPE!

 

Amanda was the first to say that she wanted to pick some fresh veggies and learn how to garden.

So out into the heat we went.

Ma and Ray followed right along.

What would have taken me most of the day, was accomplished in a flash.

 

We came in, cooled down and replenished our bodies with water.

Next I got the canner out and prepared the jars, while Ma and Amanda sliced cucumbers for pickling .
All the while we were preparing lunch.

In the background, Ray was telling stories of how his parents gardened and preserved food.

My kitchen was the scene of 4 persons performing their tasks in perfect rhythm.

Generational support at it's very best.

 

A day not long ago. My daughter, grandson and mother.
Three generations enjoying work and laughter.

After the clean up, it was splash time in the pool.

and then naps for all.

  I thought of my husband and sons. Working in a non air-conditioned metal building in the family business started by their father/grandfather.

They would put in a 10 hour day in extreme heat conditions.

No dip in the pool.

No Nap. 

 I knew each would be looking out for the other and working in the best rhythm they could.

Generational support at it's best.

Stay cool my friends.
Enjoy the support of your families however it is offered be it with a hoe or glass of water,
 coming together from various places for a beer and chat after work,
  a call for advice or to brighten a one's day.
It all matters.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Ready

It's been a bit warm here for holding wool in the hands, so knitting has been a bit slow.

 

I am not sure why a baby that is to be born next month in the high point of the summer needs a thick sweater made with fleece yarn and a warm and cozy blanket, but it is standard newborn knitting.

 

 

So now we get dear daughter out of the hayloft,

 

and off things that go bump,

 

and her and her family moved into their own home this week and then wait.

 

And Wait.

 

I am ready to meet our little prince.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy Sunday

Fencing, even ugly chicken wire and whateverwecanfindtostakeitwith ugly fencing, can keep the rabbits, groundhogs and deer from totally gorging on the garden.

 

But walking out to the damage of potato beetle larvae, cabbage worms,

 

 and those mean little Japanese Beetles

 

 

is making my blood boil

(actually the heat is doing that, but I really hate the beetles more, so I will blame it on them).

 

Yet, I am determined to grow this food without dumping insecticide on, so plucking the pests off and into a bucket of soapy water will have to do.
 

 Perhaps I should be very thankful for all that is blooming and happy.
 

Clockwise: okra, runner beans, sunflowers, zinnias, eggplant, and beautiful fragrant dill (which will be harvested over the weekend along with an overabundance of cucumbers for pickle making).  

 

Or just grow enough for my family AND the critters.

 

Yes.. that's a good plan.

Although it would be nice to see more of the helpful winged munchers like this in the young asparagus bed.

Happy Sunday

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the Goodness of the Day,

~Joan

 

 

***

linking with Homestead Barn Hop



A Few Photos from the 4th

 

Like many places around America, our town had its share of families gathering to await dusk and fireworks.

 

 

With our family scattered about in other parts of the nation on this holiday, we opted instead for stopping by the plaza right on the corner of Main and Broad Street. A local group of music and performing arts enthusiasts often has a band playing for special occasions (which usually means Fridays) financed solely by donations and proceeds from their tailgate style bar. (remember...it is just a street corner that happens to have an open space....I love life in a small town!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Live music is a favorite for us,  

{no matter what the genre}.

  These classic rockers put on a really good show.

 

Whether you were celebrating America's Holiday or just the fact that is was Thursday, I hope you had the time to enjoy every moment.