commence weaving........

The fall rains have descended on Paine Falls.
No gardening, no canning, no goose chasing.
However as the summer energy shifts into the even keeled fall energy, so do my daily activities.

Indoor sports are great and the last few weeks have been slow, tedious but productive.

Here is a sample of what's new in the studio.

There is bisque kiln going up, pots drying on the racks, pots stacked on the weaving table and the coffee pot is humming along.  It's a nice shift in the energy.......... 

Eggplant, the garden gift that keeps on giving...........

They just keep coming.  

I planted three little plants last May and I have picked so many aubergines I have lost count.  

Running from the studio I spied a huge eggplant.  I jumped in to retrieve it and found 8 more and couple of green peppers.  I just picked eggplant a few days ago!  

The temps have turned cool, things were supposed start slowing down, somebody tell the eggplant, please.

Tonight I set up the Egg Plant Parm production line.  

This is also called;   Getting ready for show season.

7 pans ready to be sealed in foil and set in the freezer.

and one for dinner.......

and time to weave pots........ 

been a day here in the falls......

Mrs Miller, WHERE ARE YOU?????

 

As summer wanes in Paine Falls and the geese flapping over head announce;  "Honey, it's over, we are outta here!"   I know what's coming, no reminders needed, thanks.

Since July I have walked 256 miles (and feel great!), gardened, canned, made pots, laid a patio, cleaned the studio, participated in 2 summer shows, shopped for a "Smart" TV (a later blog), installed glass block windows in the basement and had a block party with some great neighbors.  No time to blog, facebook, tweet or email and sitting has not been on my radar.

Here is a quick run down on the last few months around Paine Falls...........

Vegetable gardens getting their green on.....

Perennial beds getting their pollen on....

The pay off is HUGE!

as the tomatoes piled up on the counter the canning stuff gets dragged out of the basement 

and it begins.......

canning madness........ 

Here is the run down:

Salsa HOT:  11 pints

Salsa Mild: 11 pints

Chili Sauce: 10 pints

Pickle Relish: 10 pints

Catsup: 8 pints

Pickled Beets: 8 pints & 4 quarts

Chutney: 12 - 1/2 pints

Tomatoes 8 pints, 6 quarts

Dilly Beans:  5 quarts & 7 pints

Pickled carrots: 5 pints

Corn relish: 15- 1/2 pints 1 pint

V8 juice: 4 quarts & 5 pints

Applesauce: 6 pints

Peaches:  frozen 1 peck

cost to put all this stuff up:  $48.00 (jar lids and other produce I needed to buy from the local farmer)

the gardener got her jars on! 

In defense of canning and freezing I have to say the time invested for the food put up is worth it. 

It takes about a 2 weeks of non-stop food prep to get a winter's worth of food.  I know what's in it and I know where it came from.  I refer to basement as the vault and feel like it's money in the bank. 

There is high garden satisfaction when I walk down the basement and see the shelves full and boxes filled with potatoes and carrots.  There is happy pig headed to my freezer, keeping the halibut and salmon company Rachael shipped in from Alaska this summer.  

Confessions of an urban homesteader. 

hands down favorite this year; pickled carrots!  

Patio is just about done and knees are holding up... 

block party rave.......

Courtney, always so chic......

Courtney changed ensembles but was embarrassed by the plaid shorts our neighbor wore! 

studio cleaned and continues to stay clean.....

The basement shelves are full, the studio shelves are full, the patio is just about a done, and weaving has commenced.  

It's been quite a summer and now you know where I've been. 

Looking forward to digging potatoes, backyard fall fires, a bowl peach cobbler and show season........ just around the corner.