black and white

Decorating for Fall

One of my kids asked today if we could put up the "nut line."  I'm laughing hysterically inside!

September

September is drawing to a close.



Here is my 'harvest' picture for the photo scavenger hunt.  Have any good tomatoes recipes or canning tips?? 

Trains Go By

Today, we went to a train party.  A model train party.  Isn't it fun to have friends who do things you would never have thought of?

ETA:  Someone asked if I have more pictures so hopefully they'll check back.  Here's the rest of what I shot, on Flickr.  (If you are not familiar with Flickr, let me just point out that you should click on the first thumbnail picture, and then click it again, and then "Next," so you can view all the pictures large on black; so much better that way!) 

Maybe I should go back with a tripod and get some more pictures!  Do you think they would notice me slinking through the yard and basement?

'm'

M is for marigolds, which remind me of my mom.  As a child, I thought they were so orange, and not fancy.  But then I became a gardener, and realized that, like my mom, some things have a hidden value, which I never appreciated growing up.

Stranger 4/100

Advice

Perhaps it is the voice of experience talking: 

Speed:  You know mint toothpaste?  Don't ever put it in your eyes.

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On a different note, I made the mistake (?) of eliminating everything from my blog yesterday to make it poignant, and now I cannot reload the / any picture on my header.  UGH.

REMEMBER.

.

Red Sunflowers

I had such a great response to my red sunflowers last year, that I planted all the rest of the seeds this year.  They are such beautiful flowers. 

This morning, as I was talking pictures in the garden, the Bruise shared with me that his teacher told him there are not red sunflowers.  I asked for a clarification on that.  Apparently, he had added to a discussion about sunflowers, "...and red ones."  To which she replied, "You mean tulips or roses.  Sunflowers are not red."  Guess who will be learning something at school tomorrow!

Fresh Berries

Fresh Strawberry Syrup

Ingredients:
1 c sugar
1 c water
1 1/2 c mashed fresh strawberries

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil.  Add strawberries and return to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Serve over pancakes or waffles.

Recipe from www.allrecipes.com.

I visited Berry Patch Farms again with a couple of friends.  This time, I left triumphantly with a whole flat full of strawberries, and a few pints of raspberries.  I could have picked more, but you know, I did have to pay for them! 

From this: 

We now have one bottle of syrup, three pints of raspberry jam, at least six pints of strawberry jam plus more on the stove now, eight little packs for lunches, and several snacks on the go.  Yum!