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!!