Around the "Farm"

I used to love Farm Mama's "around the farm" posts...joining in was such fun; even if our farm is more like a family with raised beds and a few dogs, nothing I would really call a "farm", but I have dreams of so much more.  So here is a tour of what's been growing around here lately:

 Some of my favorite flowers are blooming right now.  I must say that I feel so proud every time a flower comes back to these little beds we started 7 years ago!

 The branches of the peach tree are heavy with fruit, honestly I probably should have thinned it more than I did, but I have such a hard time with thinning:(

 I've sort of made an attempt at a Three Sisters garden.  I love the idea and if we have some success this year I will work on refining it a bit for next year. 

 The pole beans I planted this year appear to be more of a runner bean...hmmm.

 I'm a bit puzzled by what I did or didn't do with the summer squash and zucchini this year.  I was careful not to plant too many as I'm really the only one in the house who eats them, but alas 1 lonely little guy.  Luckily my good friends at Dragonfly Farm have promised to supply me with plenty of zucchini.

Tomatoes are starting to ripen on the vine

 Cukes are being eaten quite happily.

And this week the best treat has been the raspberries!  I've frozen several quarts and yesterday managed to get the first batch of jam put by...

Home made jam is a hot commodity around here and we never seem to make it through the winter with what I can,  who knows maybe this will be the year. 
I have to admit that the weeds haven gotten a bit ahead of me this year, the broccoli was small (tasty, but small), the summer squash is bare,  I see a few small fruit on the butternut som I'm hopeful there.  Honestly I'm a bit of a casual willy-nilly gardener and don't stress too much about it, but this year has left me wondering if I don't need to pay just a bit more attention to beds...
How is your garden/farm/back porch?  I'd love to see!  If you want to join in feel free:)
~Angie

My New Chair

So I mentioned that I had done a bit of thrifting over the weekend.  Well, I scored this sturdy chair frame from the restore for $5.00!  Can you believe that?  I'm not sure what the wood is to be honest we will have to find someone who knows.

Needless to say I was thrilled, we have these two chairs that are in terrible shape, I keep thinking about re-upholstering them, but it seems like such a daunting project.  However, when I saw this beauty I knew that making cushions would be a snap.  I went to our local quilting store and got some of last years fabric on sale it's the summer house collection and I must admit I'd never seen it, but boy is it perfect!
voila:

A couple of cushions from Joannes, and some simple sewing and I had a new chair in an afternoon!  Did I mention I did this all for under $50!  I've made the cushion covers so that they are removable for easy washing (a must in this house) and who knows maybe I'll make a few more covers to change with the seasons...
This has been a busy week of projects around here, Molly and I have been busy with a lot of painting furniture and a bit of embroidery for her new room.
Here is just a little sneak peak into what is quickly becoming her "Pink Phase"...

More on these to come, but I figured we'd get everything finished first. 
What have you been working on?

Weekending

This past weekend the kids went off to have extended family fun at the beach and a small little agricultural fair while Greg and the band played 3 different gigs and I worked at the hospital.  The hubs and I were like two ships passing in the night, he would come home exhausted from playing at around 2:00am and I would be getting up and heading out to start my day.  I did manage to do a bit of thrifting in between, scoring a really cool wooden arm chair frame circa 1970 (more to come on this project).  I browsed through Alabama Sewing + Design, courtesy of a good friend and now I think I may have to add this book to my shelf...such fantastic ideas and ALL hand stitched!  The weekend ended perfectly with our family reuniting last evening for some amazing grilled Salmon and trip out for ice cream and a family movie.  We watched Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life . Great family movie, a quirky little film that I would recommend for older kids. 
We've got some projects going on this week that I'll be excited to share soon,  So happy to have the kiddos home and finding a bit of rhythme again.
How was your weekend?

linking with Amanda

This Moment

Joining Soulemama for {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

The Annual Trip

For seven years now we have been going to the same spot in Crawford Notch deep in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a few days of camping with some of our favorite friends. 

 This shot out the sun roof was just fun, we were driving through Franconia Notch!  Our route to camp was a bit different this year as we had to pick up the boy at his grandparents after his Georgia trip.  At this point we are getting close and everyone is beyond excited!

 We stay  right on the Saco river, the kids float down as soon as we get there.  Everyone was a bit shocked at how different the river front was after Irene came through last August.

 Our little tent city has grown as the kids have gotten bigger and wanted their own sleeping spaces.  Notice Molly's little tent in the front, it's the tiniest thing ever, but perfect for one.

 I loved this tree on a day hike to the Kendron Flume, who were these people?  How many years ago were the their initials carved into this tree?

 Watching these five children from our two families grow every summer is always amazing to me.  They have known each other for most of their lives.

 A little quite time in the early evening is a perfect way to wind down after a long day of play.

 The view from our little site of the Texaco Slab never gets old!

 Neither do the bear sitings for that matter.

 The best camp crisp ever is cooking in this pot!

 As always the dads are in charge of the entertainment...nothing better than some music around the campfire.

 This year there was even a boat race (made from recylables) complete with sparklers. I don't seem to have any good shots, but we built a tube shute by moving rocks in the river (something that has become a tradition in itself), this is a highlight, watching all of our kids and others from nearby sites floating along.  this years was huge!

I even managed to snap a shot of these two together, my how lucky we are!

Once the kids are all snug in their sleeping bags the grown ups usually sit around the fire or play a board game; cranium, pop five, boggle, yup, we bring them all camping with us.  I can't imagine this little trip of ours ever stopping!  I hope that we manage to keep this tradition going when there are grandchildren involved (though we may need a few more sites). 

Off The Grid

Back for a quick hello!  We got one child back over the weekend and now are off to get the other and then camping in the White Mountains!  I'll be back next week with lots of adventures to tell!

Hope you are enjoying summer!

weekend sewing

As I mentioned previously the kids are away and I have been working a bit of extra at the hospital (lots of babies and mamas to care for).  Camp care packages have been mailed, and  I did manage to find time to make a little something for my sweet niece's 1st birthday.

 Miss Hen and her chicks!  So stinkin' cute! From Amy  Butler's Handmade Beginnings, I love her style and this toy couldn't be more perfect for a child this age; little velcro wings on the baby birds that attach to mama behind her wings!  Melt my heart I say!

Of course when you are one opening a bunch of gifts is of little to no interest.  I think the highlight of the day for this little gal was sitting and playing with gravel rocks!  I was inspired for future craft ideas and reminded just how beautiful these little beings are s I watched her pick up one rock at a time and carefully place it on onto one of the walkway pavers. So much learned from such simplicity  Oh I do love this little girl and cherish having her in my life.

How was your weekend? Linking with the lovely Amanda.