Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Hello Summer!


Don't let the green grass fool you in the picture taken this morning at sunrise.  Smoky skies have been hanging around for a few weeks.  Things are drying up around here and elsewhere in the west.  Devastating fires covering many western states have turned into infernos.  Oldest son has been fighting fires for several months.  First in Arizona .. and now a little closer to home in Southern Idaho.

I've been filling up the hummingbird feeders almost daily ... poor little birds are swarming looking for a drink.

A trip to Sandpoint to pick up our annual chicken order for the freezer.  I don't think there is a bird under 7 pounds and many of them are close to 10 pounds.  We ordered from a different farm this year and I was so surprised to see how BIG these birds are!  Good thing I have a dedicated freezer just for chicken.  
Filling up the winter pantry.
Chicken Stock
Our sour cherry tree produced quite a bit of fruit this year and we picked it before the birds devoured our treasure!  Pie filling in the freezer ... and brandied cherries 'maturing' in the basement pantry ..oh, YUM!
Brandied Cherries

The ever labor intensive homemade Boston Baked Beans ... it's a once a year endeavor that I'm always happy to have completed.  
Boston Baked Beans


What's up in your neck of the woods?

3 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wow, you've been busy preparing for winter. It all looks good.

I pray your son will continue to be safe as he fights these fires and pray that they will soon be contained.

Have a nice Sunday ~ FlowerLady

Saija said...

our amazing Mrs. Mac!

Debby said...

God Bless your son and all First Responders and Firefighters. All of them! I'm in Redding, Ca where the Carr fire is. It's been a nightmare. Our area will never be the same again. So sad