Its Been Awhile...

I've been absent from my blog for quite a few months. I'm hoping I can keep up on it now ... not sure, but here's to giving it a good try!

Suffice it to say that its been a long winter... full of time consuming events. Some good, some trying, and if I were to list them all here, I'm sure some of you would tell me I'm not alone in the scurry of trying to keep up.

The economy of our state is not good (to put it mildly). I won't bore you with all that, but there seems to be a great groaning present here. Semi-silent so far, but California, the country and dare I say - the world - seems to be straining. Does it seem that way to you too?

When it all gets heavy, I'm out to the garden... as often as possible. Its peaceful out there. The animals and plants don't seem to notice what the humans are doing, so I think I think I'd rather be with them.

I remember how both my grandparents lived. They went through the great depression and WWII... raising a family when times were tough. They saved everything... I remember finding gum wrappers in a drawer once ... all folded neatly in a little box. I also remember root cellars packed full of lines of canned foods from their bountiful gardens. The freezer was always full. I used to wonder how they could eat all that food... just the two of them. Well, they didn't. They shared it with family, friends and neighbors. And who knows, maybe we will be doing the same. With numerous friends and family going through tough economic times right now, its time to help and share.

I've always gardened. Its in the genes. My grandparents were farmers, as were a whole line of great-grandparents as far back as 5 generations... They came from the Amish... so I believe that when I can test the richness of my garden soil by its scent, and don't need at test kit to tell me whether or not its good ... I can thank my long line of ancestors.

I've always canned and put-up for the winter from my garden (at least, ever since I was first married)... although I must admit that it was my husband-to-be who was the first one to have a big garden and a room full of plants (when we were dating). But since our wedding, we've made it our hobby together... to garden. I'm not sure he's always happy about it though! I always have an on-going list of things I need him to build or do for my garden! (:

This winter brought SNOW to our Bit-o-earth! Yes, right here on the California coast. Can you believe it? Almost unheard of...
It only stayed on the ground for a few hours, then melted off as soon as the sun came out, but still, what a novelty!

And here is the garden today, only partly planted with spring crops... broccoli, cabbage, onions, garlic, potatoes, spinach, peas and tomatoes in the greenhouse. The soil is ready and waiting for corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, beans... and the list goes on and on!


Another favorite hobby is the local flea market. Hubby and I happened to drive by one Saturday, saw the array of "stuff for sale" and decided to stop in. I was instantly hooked...

My best find, of late?

A whole box of "Virginia Rose, by Homer Laughlin"... my grandmother's wedding china...

She had divided what was left of this wedding set between my sister and I a number of years before her death. There wasn't much... 11 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, 2 cups and 2 saucers. She had used the set for everyday ... she had 6 children, so you can imagine how difficult it was to avoid breakage.


So... my sister, my hubby, and I were at the flea market a few weeks ago when we spied "the box!" FILLED with more than a whole set of Grandma's china! We were so elated that when the seller said she was asking (only) $20 for the whole thing, we didn't blink... WE BOUGHT IT! ... and divided it evenly between us! Now we each have service for 6 of almost every piece! We figured that box, if bought on ebay would have been worth at least $500!)

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And see how big my little Sophia and Max
have grown!?

It happens TOO FAST, doesn't it?
I wish I could slow time down a bit...

Of course I'm a bit biased,
but they're so dang cute!



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And here are "the girls" ...

... all grown up too... Big chickens, and giving us eggs every day

I have to admit... they're probably the most spoiled chickens on earth...

but I can't resist them.
They're just too dang cute (yes, chickens can be cute) to resist!

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Sophie turns 3
and Max turns 1
in April...
so a matching set of Nami-made(that's me) Sailor outfits
is in order!

~And something extra that I couldn't resist for Sophie~

Isnt' this little stripped fabric irresistible?!
Yes...
and I was a sucker!

I hope you all are well...
and happy,
and making every second count!


... and haven't forgotten me yet! (;


~See you soon~