Friday, July 22, 2011

The Garden...Save Me!!!

I know the rest of the country is suffering in horrible heat, but as many of you know, it has been a downright chilly summer here in Washington. It's a good day if we hit 70!! We had 2" of rain in three hours last week! You'd think my garden would be suffering, but surprisingly it's growing quite well...maybe too well???

This week I had to harvest my Swiss chard. I have one, thirty foot row. I took a laundry basket and filled it...three times!!! Washed, chopped, steamed and got it ready for the freezer. I make a good sized ball of it, squeezing out all the liquid, place them on cookie sheets to freeze and then bag it.Three baskets and this is the result...one large bowl of finished, freezer ready chard! It just doesn't seem right!!!

Cut a bunch of cauliflower and broccoli yesterday (more than in the picture!) and did the same thing...washed, cut, steamed and bagged! Broccoli only, the cauliflower I pickle!


The raspberries have just started and my bushes are loaded!!!! I picked 4 flats three days ago and another two yesterday. Even with all the rain, they are big, juicy and no mold!!!

These are already frozen, which is why they look a little dull! Since I grow my own and don't spray or use any chemicals in my garden, I just pick, put them on a cookie sheet and throw them in the freezer. After they are frozen I put them in quart bags. There are three more of these in the freezer!!


I'm so grateful to have all of this fresh produce! Tons of lettuce, and the beets....oh my!! So tender and yummy! Slathered with butter and salt of course!!! Busy times!! If you live nearby, your porch may have a little something on it! No Returns Please!!!!




Last Sunday, Ashleigh and I went to Alderwood Mall. We went for the Nordy anniversary sale, but deep down we wanted to check out the new American Girl store!!!! Grand Opening and very busy...to busy to stand in line and purchase, but we had fun looking!!

Ashleigh collected these dolls for years and they are such a treasure! I still order something every once in awhile!!



One of the dolls we don't have...Kit. I want her. For myself. Yes I do. Depression era is my favorite!!! I do have some of Kit's accessories and have them on display around the house!!I told Ashleigh she could get me one in my old age. You know how you see those old ladies in nursing homes holding dolls? That will be me!!!
Supposed to be sunny this weekend, so more gardening and yard work!!

9 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh. If I saw that Kit display, I would have to have it! What a wonderful table and chair set, the tablecloth, good golly!!! My daughter was an American Girl fan, too - we have Molly and her accessories safely packed away for a future user. My cousin lives in Washington and I am so jealous of your weather. I know she is a little disappointed to wear a jacket in July :)

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  2. Hi there, Just wondering if you blanched the swiss chard for a couple of minutes or so, or if you cooked it (it looks like with bacon and onions??) as if to eat before you froze it?? excited to freeze mine:) Shannon
    (cousin of Tami's)

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  3. Hi Holly,
    I am wondering about the swiss chard, I have tons also and didn't know you could freeze it! Did you blanch it for a couple of minutes or did you cook it fully (it looks like with bacon and onions?) before you froze it? Shannon (cousin of Tami's, I jump over to your blog from hers every now and then:):))

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  4. I too "need" to visit that store. I found that one of our little visitors had broken the leg off Emily's American Girl doll. I've decided I need to pack her and her goods up and only bring her down when I can supervise. Now, I need to get her fixed. Can you bring them to the store, or do you have to mail them? We going to start eating beets this week too - YUM!

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  5. thanks for the produce! can i come over for a pie worth of raspberries?
    i left you a msg. save the date...

    american girl store, i have to take emilyn! but since i can't say no to her i need to save up!

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  6. My girls and I would love to visit the AG store! I would love to have Kit, too.


    You are so fortunate to have so much nice produce. It all looks so nice. I about give up on my tomatoes. I should have plenty by now. I have flowers, but nothing more. I might as well pull them all, but maybe, maybe we will cool down. Maybe you can send me some of that cool air you all are hoarding out in the n/w!!

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  7. Holly,
    Have you seen the Kit movie? I just love it? You should see it!
    Your garden is absolutely amazing! I need any tips you have for success! I'm still learning!
    Love seeing your Farm Chicks photos; one year I would love to go!

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  8. Oh my dear sweet friend Holly. (does it sound like I'm about to bribe you)??
    I can not get over your garden and flowers. Wow!! Please tell me that you will save something for me to sample when I come to town in just 17 days. I'm so proud of you. Those raspberries are what I'm craving in a woods white chocolate raspberry scone. Yum!

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  9. Wow! Love the bounty you are growing and preserving.

    Ashleigh is beautiful. Her delighted smile warmed my heart!

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