Making the Most of Summer

My sister in law emailed last week to ask if we were free on Sunday for a little visit. I sadly had to decline, Sunday was a busy day of preparing for a little camping trip Reece and I were leaving for on Monday. She replied by saying you guys certainly are making the most of summer. Yes, I agreed, we are doing just that.

Monday morning Reece and I left to travel just 75 minutes north to Balsam Lake Provincial Park for a few nights of camping with another mama and her two kiddos. It was a fun few days of hiking, swimming and kids playing around the campsite.

We walked through a lovely meadow to get to the beach, we enjoying swimming in the lake and playing on the beach and we took a little hike on the Plantation Trail, finding a ton of wild flowers and wild raspberries, which put a smile on everyone's face.

We arrived home a little dirty and a little tired, but full of wonderful memories made with friends.

Drifting By

I flop down
on the green grass,
thinking I might rest
for a minute.

I close my eyes,
the quiet takes over.
But then a little
voice,
open your eyes.

I do.

Before me
is the sky,
and the clouds
drifting by.

I watch.

There is elegance in their
motion,
an unchoreographed
dance of beauty
and mystery.

I stay
far longer than I expected,
captivated,
amazed
and grateful.

Garlic

I harvested a little garlic on the weekend and wow, it smells amazing! For the next few weeks it will hang in our little cottage in the backyard drying, and I will wait, patiently, until I can use it.

A Gift

A Saturday afternoon family hike found us sitting trail side eating the sweetest wild raspberries. After eating just enough, we used Reece's sun hat to gather some more before heading for home. We enjoyed them later that evening topped with coconut milk whipped cream.

Mother Nature is so very good to us, and we are one grateful family for receiving this lovely gift from her.

{This Moment}

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Make and Listen

Making:

~ I finished up two hats for this wonderful project

~ A little soap making was necessary, we kinda ran out

~ Raspberry picking was followed by some jam making

~ Those beets Reece was harvesting in yesterday's post became gingery pickled beets

~ Kale chips! We love them and grow a lot of kale so we can eat them all summer long

Listening:

~ The sounds of nature are still serenading us and we love it. The birds, the bees, the coyotes...all of them filling our ears with nature's music.

~ We always tune into the Back in the Day Sunday brunch on the radio. It does make me feel old, but the music is so good...well, some of it is.

~ During dinner preparations there is always a little Pink, Jason Mraz, The Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers playing in the background.

What are you making and listening to?

Joining Dawn

Around the Garden

We have moved from tons of work in the garden to a little bit each day. Checking for bugs, pulling a few weeds here and there, giving water to the plants that look a little thirsty and harvesting. Yes, harvesting has become a twice daily routine.

Our morning harvests provide us with kale for our smoothies or juices, a little Swiss chard and herbs for our omelets and a few strawberries or raspberries to round out our breakfast. Afternoon harvests see more greens hitting the basket as well as snow peas, yellow beans and beets.

On Sunday I found Reece sitting among the yellow beans, picking them off one at a time and eating. Pick and eat, he continued for a while, enjoying every last bite. Then on Monday the two of us harvested enough beets to start the pickling season...gingery pickled beets have made it to the new pantry shelf, and I can't wait to dig into them.

The herb garden is doing well too. Yarrow, comfrey and lavender have been harvested and are now infusing in oil on my kitchen window sill. Calendula flowers are being picked daily and drying.

And did you see those tomatoes? Yup, we enjoyed the first ones for dinner last night and they were oh so sweet!

Our no dig potatoes are green and lush. They are starting to flower and I am keeping my fingers crossed that when it comes time to go searching for potatoes they are waiting for us in abundance.

In the rest of the garden cucumbers are growing, zucchinis, green beans, peppers and butternut squash are flowering, the ground cherries are spreading and the garlic is almost ready. I dug up the remains of our mesclun mix, and am preparing the area for another seeding of greens.

The sun has been shining, the temperatures are soaring and the humidity, well, let's just say it is hot and humid. We could really use a little rain, and I have my fingers crossed the long range forecast of rain on Thursday and Friday holds true.

How are things around your garden?

Linking up with Taryn