Fruits of Our Labor

The gardening season is winding down. 

We have thus far canned 27 quarts of green beans, 6 jars of salsa, 11 jars of peppers
 

I have frozen 17 containers of spaghetti sauce

24 quarts of tomatoes (love, love, love fresh juicy tomatoes from the garden)

and, approximately 20 quarts of blueberries

I have also put blackberries in the freezer, and we have had oodles of squash and cucumbers. Our watermelon plants were a bust and I'm not sure if our pumpkin vines are going to survive or not. Our potatoes did great! Most of them are still in the ground. We leave them in the ground and dig them as needed.

I am going to make jelly out of some of the blueberries once things are a little less hectic around here. I love blueberry jelly!

I am not a big fan of peppers, but those canned peppers are delicious!

I know a lot of you out there 'put up' much more than I have, but we put back enough for our needs.

I made the salsa last night, now I'm off to the kitchen to 'put up' more tomatoes in the freezer.
I always try to freeze a lot of tomatoes. We use them in chili, soups and creamed tomatoes for breakfast.

What have you 'put up' this summer? Are you glad that autumn is around the corner?
 
P.S. A note to my writing friends who read this blog. Don't forget to go over to my writing blog, Creative Writing in the Blackberry Patch  to follow me there and read my writing posts.

 Posted by Janet F. Smart on Writing in the Blackberry Patch

Boxes Full of Color

We went on a trip today to Flatwoods, WV, to another Fiesta Tent Sale.
I came back with boxes full of color.

Here are some pieces I came back with.

I didn't need a lot. Well, really I didn't need anything. But I can't resist the huge discounts at the tent sales.

And they are so fun to go to. You always make friends in the checkout line. It is a very long line and you have a chance to talk to people and get to know them.

Everyone talks about how they use their Fiesta and what their favorite pieces and colors are.

I was still unable to get any spoon rests, but I did get a couple of jam jars, utility crocks and large prep bowls. I love my large marigold and turquoise bowls.  I like the red water pitcher, too. I think it will be very pretty at Christmas.

If you don't know much about fiestaware, you can go here to find out more.
I've also posted about it before. You can go here to see these posts.

I love the bright colors, they brighten my day!
If you get the chance, buy a piece or two and it will brighten your day, too.

Posted by Janet F. Smart on Writing in the Blackberry Patch.
©Janet F. Smart

Mushroom Yard Art

I've seen on the internet lately people making mushrooms out of cheap vases and crystal bowls.
Well, I got a few things at our local thrift store for a quarter each and made my own smaller versions.

I painted the tops white. I used a couple coats of acrylic paint, then spray painted on the top coat. Two of the 'tops' didn't have to be painted - the little enamelware cup and the glass custard bowl.

I glued them together. On line they say to use waterproof liquid silicone as a glue.

Here they are in my pitiful excuse of a flower garden in front of my porch. . .

and here are three more. . .

I know some of you may think  they are kind of silly. But I think they are cute!
My favorite is the larger one in the top picture with the top knot on it.

You can do whatever your mind can imagine. Check for items around your house or go to a yard sale or thrift store for items. Buy the clear crystal items or the white ones. You could even use colorful ones for a whimsical look! Go small or go large.

Now all I need are a few little blue Smurfs to stand along side them.

Posted by Janet F. Smart on Writing in the Blackberry Patch.
©Janet F. Smart