Garden Gifts and Bartering

Bartering is not yet a thing of the past.  We barter our garden goodies for services or to borrow tools. 

Yesterday, we bartered a jar of jelly, and a bag of fresh picked green peppers for the help of a family member (moving our new treadmill, again from my wonderful Uncle).

We also gifted another family member with a bag of green peppers, a cucumber, some cayenne peppers, and banana peppers.  

The garden has truly been a blessing.

Wow! What a Ride!

The title is a portion of a favorite quote of mine, "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out. and loudly proclaiming -- WOW!  What a ride!" 

I've read that quote in so many different versions, so I have no idea who to give credit to.  It is now written in my "Favorite Quote" journal.

But that quote sums up the summer so far, and I am sure there is more to some.

 Canned Ketchup

These summer gardening days have become longer and longer.  I don't always have the help from my older kids, as the two oldest have jobs now.

The last two days have been productive, but long.  After my ketchup canning day (and hope to have another), I tried to sort through a pile of library books.  It seems I never have time to read them.

This is Jesse, my 14 year-old's dog.  He has claimed his bed.  Isn't he adorable?  However, I  need to train him to not sleep on my bed at night.  He eventually goes to my daughter's room, but still loves my attention.  My Uncle gave me a king sized, hand made quilt, and I would love to put it on my bed, and know that the dogs won't jump up there.  

In between daily chores, and another dentist run, my kids helped me locate a good spot for a bird feeder my Uncle gave me also.  It's gorgeous and looks wonderful by this natural fence of flowers and rose of sharon hedge bushes.  Somewhere in there is a bird bath.

This ornate feeder is taller than myself, and looks wonderful in our flower gardens.  I just put it out there, so I need to add some feed soon.  It's in a location where it can be seen from the front porch, the back porch and anywhere I am at in the back garden.  The kids love it and can't wait to watch the birds.

Did you know you can roast chickpeas for a crunchy, and healthy snack?  We made these last night, and although I had to roast them longer than the recipe stated, they were actually pretty good.  I'm searching out healthier snacks to pack in my kids school lunches this year.


Here is the recipe online:  Spiced Chickpea "Nuts"

Here is another updated photo of the sunflowers blooming.