September 2022

September began the riping of our garden, and the work to canning, freezing, and using up the bounty.

Our tomatoes were riping and we had some real nice size ones.  Our friends and neighbors were surprised at how large, sweet, and juicy our tomatoes were compared to theirs.  And our small salad tomatoes were so sweet and juicy also.

I would go out to the garden every 3 days and need to harvest quite a few.  The heat and lack of rain, just seemed to bring on the harvest faster.

And it wasn't just the tomatoes.  The squashes, green beans, potatoes, and corn also were ready almost all at once.

I canned 6 pints of marinara sauce, 6 pints of pasta sauce, and 6 quarts of tomatoes.  We gave away bags of tomatoes to friends and neighbors.  I baked several loafs of zucchini bread and zucchini cakes, and shredded and bagged zucchinni for the freezer to use this winter.  We ate most of the corn, it was so good, I only managed to freeze a small portion.  I put the butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and the few potatoes we dug in the garage to keep for use this winter.

Then I noticed, just as the apples were starting to get their yellow huish glow and getting ready to turn yellow, the birds were starting to flock to the tree.  Once again, it was a race out to the tree to pick the apples before the birds ate all of them down to the core.  They were so sweet and delicious.  We gave bags to our friends and neighbors, and they loved them.  At first they would ask, are they ripe?  We would answer yes, but you can let them set a couple days and they will get more yellow.  Most just ate them immediately.  I made a couple of cobblers, and an apple pie.  I slice some apples and put them in the freezer for this winter.  This was a good harvest from our little tree.

The second week of September, our washer suddenly just stopped working, (it was about 16 years old, we had replaced it when we lived in the West Jordan house).  So, we went to Lowe's picked out a new one, and I had to do one week's laundry at the laundrymat.  Oh, how I hated that day.  I was so delighted when the new washing maching showed up.

Dave and I are doing really good.  His carpal tunnel surgery last month made a world of difference in his hands.  I've been going to a pain specialist for my left shoulder, (she diagnosed it as a torn rotator cuff).  So far, I've had an X-ray, a cat scan, and an MRI.  She said now my next step is to see a surgeon who specializes in this.  My appointment is next month, and we'll see how things go.  We are both still working at Honey Baked Ham, so are days are full and we keep busy. 

 

July and August 2022

 July and August were both very quiet months at our house.  The summer was hot and dry.  Our garden struggled, with the heat and lack of rain, (but we gave it an extra watering late in the afternoon on the days that were over over 100 - where was most everyday!!).  

Due to the heat, our peaches came on early, (the first part of August).  But, due to a late snowfall in April, most of the bloom were killed off, so our mother nature did a natural pruning for us.  Once the birds started flocking to the tree, we knew it was time to hurry out and pick as quickly as possible.  Our peaches were nice size, VERY sweet, and juicy. We gave away bags to friends and neighbors, and took some to work for our co-workers to enjoy.  Since we already had plenty of canned peaches on our pantry shelves and in our freezer we just enjoyed this years harvest as a gift everyday.  I made a couple of nice cobblers, and they were so good.  Anyone who came to visit, left with a small bag of fresh juicy, sweet peaches to enjoy.  There was one small mishap - as we were picking our peaches, there was a small branch, (left on the tree from when we were pruning the tree in the spring, about 7 inches long and 4 inches around, and just my forehead height).  Dave was on the top of the ladder and I was on the ground.  I wasn't wearing my glasses and so I didn't see the branch stump and ran right into it hard.  It knocked me flat on my rear, and I actually saw stars for a couple of minutes.  I had a gash across my forehead, and the worse headace ever for about a week.  Everyone said I had a concussion and should have went to the doctor, but eventually the headache went away and all was well.  Maybe the peaches helped, (LOL).
Dave and I still worked at Honey Baked Ham, which filled most of our days.  Dave went back to visit Jared for his birthday for a long weekend in August.  Dave also had carpal tunnel surgery performed on both is wrists in August.  So, since he couldn't work for 2 weeks at Honey Baked, I covered his shift and mine  - it was long and hard hours.  We also spent time cleaning our items that we had boxed up downstairs, and started downsizing.  Alot went to charity, and some went to book donation bins, and some directly to trash.  We realized that our family isn't interested in our stuff when we pass on, so we decided to deal with it now rather than leave it for them to throw away later.  We looked at some of our memories, talked about them, and then moved on.  Otherwise, it was just a typical summer at home.

Aunt Mae's tomatoes

The first part of June, I was storting through my seeds deciding what to plant and putting them into piles by dates, (one for first part of June, middle of June and end of June).

I happened to find this plastic bag in with the seeds, and I thought, "Mmm, what could this be.  I don't remember putting this here, and it's looks really old."

I opened it up and found 2 newspaper clipping from January 1996, and I recongnized my Aunt Mae's handwriting on them.  I sat down and read them.  They were about different type of very large producing red and yellow tomatoes, their origins, and so forth.  She and I always had gardening in our blood, and we would sit and talk about it for hours.  I learned so much about it from her and my Uncle Minter.  They grew large garden every year, and would can hundreds of quart jars of produce to fill their cellar shelves.  Many a times I would visit and come home with my little car loaded down with enough boxes of canned food to last me until the next visit.  I would returned with her empty jars, and she would have another box ready for me to take back.  I think in her heart, they knew that was what sustained Mike and I during my college years, (when my income was very limited).  I also noticed to small folded pieced of paper along with the articles.?..

One was marked "Big Red Tomatoes" and the other "Big Yellow Tomatoes".  I opened them and inside were the seeds.  I chuckled at first, and them thought, "I've planted seeds that were 5 and 6 years old, and they grew.  Let's give these a try.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained".  I looked up to the heavens, and said, "It's in your hands now Aunt Mae.  You and the good Lord".  It's late in the season, but let's give it a try.  So I planted 6 red and 6 yellow.  A dozen and it still left me a few seeds.

I put 1 seed in each pot of starting mix, watered them, covered them with plastic wrap and set them in the south kitchen window.  I watched over them like a mother hen.  After about 2 weeksm they actually sprouted!!  I removed the plastic wrap, keep watering them, kept them in the window, moving them around, (so each of a share of the sunlight).  And they kept growing.  They were my little babies.  I called them Aunt Mae's tomatoes.  I had the outside of the pots marked R or Y, so I knew which were red or yellow.

After a couple more weeks, when they had their true leaves and were really looking like true tomatoes, and the outside temps were in the very low 70's, I took them outside to start harding them off.

Dumb me.  It got a little to windy and I lost all my yellow tomatoes and only my red tomatoes survived, (they were protected my a large planter of basil that was sitting in front of it).  So for a whole week I fussed and babied my red starts, and kept looking up and saying, "help my Aunt Mae.  They got to make into the ground".

Finally in July I had enough root system and the leafs looked nice and full and green.  I planted the 6 little guys, gave them some fertilizer and a good drink of water.  I looked heavenly and said, "I've done all I know how".

Once a week, I would feed them my special "banana water', so they would get potassium.  Man did it help them bloom.  They loved the hot weather we had this year, being in the good earth, and getting regular waterings.

Unfortunately the middle of August I lost 2 plants to curly leaf, and 1 go a fungus.  But I still had 3 left.   Many gardeners in our area were losing whole gardens to the fungs and pests.  The rest of my garden suffered just a few plant losses, but nothing major, (only 1 or 2 but bed).

Finally the middle of August I had green tomatoes!!!  And they were good sized ones.  I looked to the heavens and said, "Thanks Aunt Mae".  I told Dave, "Come look at Aunt Mae's tomatoes".  We had quite a few tomatoes and loads of bloom.  Dave said, "How old were those seeds?"  I said 26 years.  He shook his head.

10 days later I took a photo to show the size.  You can see by the light change in color, it is getting ready to ripen.  I was almost afraid to touch it, for fear it would fall off the branch.  You can see that there are others hanging on the branch close by.

Finally, September 6th, I couldn't wait any longer, so I picked one of the ripe tomatoes.  You can see, it's fairly large.  I left it on the counter for a couple days to continue ripening.  Everyday, Dave would ask, "Can we cut it now?"  Finally, we cut it up, and it was delicious.  All the tomatoes from the 3 plants were large, meaty, heavy, and so sweet.  I would pick up a slice of tomato, look upwards and say, "Thank you Aunt Mae".  

I did save tomato seeds from 2 different tomatoes, (just to be on the save side), for future planting.

From seed to ripe tomato in about 3 months - from 26 years old seeds.   Moral:  Take good care of your seeds, and they will produce.

Side note:  My Aunt Mae passed away in 2015, at the age of 91, just 4 months shy of her 92nd birthday.  She was sharp as a tack until the end, quick wit, and didn't hold her tongue when she thought you needed put in your place.  And, I still miss her today.  I carry much of what she taught me through life.  She was very much my second mother.

 

June 2022

June finally brought not only summer weather, but extremely hot dry triple digit weather.  Dave and I got all of our garden produce in on our days off from Honey Baked Ham. On the days that the temps were over 95, (which was most days), (made sure to water the garden twice a day).

The first part of the month, a friend that Dave used to work with gave us 2 bicycles.  They were in excellent condition.  I have been wanted to get a bicycle so that I could get come exercise.  I named my bike, Melodie, (that's the brand).  She rides like a breeze.

A few days later, one of the most delightful days was when I went to the mailbox and found the following envelope from my great-grand daughter.  These days most people are complaining about the postage rates and the slow service, but when I look at this envelope and I see that the post office had to figure out how to get this to the correct address - I was a miracle!!  I'm sure that several workers looked at the address and smiled.  1st; they had to figure out where in Riverton, Utah to deliver, (the correct zip code area).  2nd; they had to figure out the correct address, and occupants.  In my book they did a great job.

The end of the month, Dave and I went to see Earth, Wind, & Fire along with Santana.  It was a duo concert.  Both acts were outstanding and we had excellent seats.  We didn't get home until well after midnight, but thankfully we didn't have to work the next day and were able to sleep in and recouperate.

Overall, June was a quiet month, but we felt like we kept busy - with work, our garden, and working around the house.  I guess as we've grown older that it doesn't take alot to feel like our days are full.

Here's hoping  your summer is busy and full of fun times.

May 2022

 May finally started to warm up ever so slightly, and we got our spring rains, (if wasn't much, about 1/2 of our normal rainfall).

Dave and I got the garden beds plowed, and we amended the soil.  But we still let it set for a couple more weeks, (it was still to cold to plant, and we even got a couple of small skiffs of snow), then the 3rd week, we starting planting.  This year, I had to fight off the birds.  I would plant seeds and the next day I would have to chase the birds out of the garden, (they were picking the seeds out of the ground and eating them).  I replanted 3 times. It was still rather cold, so the seeds took much longer to germinate.  I didn't put my tomato starts in the ground for another 4 weeks. 

The 20th, I had to serve on Jury duty.  I spent 5 hours on line with answering questions to attorneys and the judge, then we let go at the end of voir dire.  Afterwards I looked up on line what the case was about - it would have been pretty interesting.  A couple was sueing the company and the owners for poor installation and construction of the garage and driveway, and the special rubber like covering they ordered to make the garage easy to clean.  Dave and I are still working at Honey Bake Ham and I've surprised them that I don't use the recipe cards to make the different salads.  The customers comment on how good the salads are.  We enjoy seeing people and talking to them.  It's nice to get our of the house, but a little exhausting with our other chores.

Here's hoping all our friends and family enjoy the upcomming summer.

April 2022

April was still rainy, cold, and somewhat snowy.  But we could see some spring sunshine on the horizon.  The week before Easter, Dave and I went back to work at Honey Baked Hams.  We finished up the day before Easter, and they asked us both to stay on part time working about 12 to 20 hours a week, (doing a little of everything, i.e.: registers, back of the house catering production, and catering deliveries).  We agreed, as long as they knew that we had other obligations on our calendar.  And they agreed that we could have any time off we wanted.  So, our new life as part time employees at Honey Baked Ham began.  

On the 23rd of April, we left the cold wet temps of Utah and flew to Cabo, MEXICO for a week of wonderful warmth.  We were able to secure our usual room at Hacienda Encanda.  Nothing in front of our view but the pool and the Pacific Ocean.  We were happy to just relax and warm our bodies.

Every morning, Dave made his way down to the pool for his early morning swim, (and to check our the local beauties).

I have this friend, (he was a vendor I met when I worked at WF), and he also goes to Cabo. We have this joke that when one of us is in Cabo, we send a photo of this little taco place with the caption, "Guess where I am, and your not".  This year when I got the photo, I called him and asked, "Are you down here?"  He said, "Yes, are you?" We both laughed so hard at what the chances were that we both were in Cabo at the same time. We met up Sunday morning at Gardenia's for lunch.

It was great to met up with a friend from Utah.  And it was even better for Dave to have a guy friend to pal around with.  

First thing every morning starting Monday, Dave Argyle would call up Dave and say, "Are you up and ready for the pool?  Dave would say,  "Of course, why aren't you here yet".  Dave A would jump in his rental hurry up, and the two of them would spend the morning in the pool checking our the scenery, the girls, laughing, and so on.  Then when they were ready to go out to eat, they'd come in get dress and the three of use would hit the town.

One day, we went down to town and spent the day at the beach.  It was so busy and noisy.  But the two of them loved it.  They would run out to the water, splash around like teenagers, them come back to their shaded chairs, order food and soda, check out the people walking down the beach, then do it all over again.  At the end of the day, we drove up to Todos Santos and had dinner with a couple a women that Dave A had met.  It was a gread night and the 5 of us laughed and told lots of stories.  Saturday the 30th, came to soon, and the three of us all had to pack our bags and head north to the airport.  Dave A was on a different airlne, but I'm sure if he could have figured out a way to change airlines and get seated next to Dave he would have.

Well May is ready to start, hopefully spring and summer are not far behind.

February and March 2022

February and March were very quiet months for Dave and I.  We didn't go anywhere during February, due to the cold and snowy days.  It was nice not to have to worry about being out and about, dealing with the snow and the icy roads.

March was still cold and snowy, and again we stayed home.  The last of the month, we met up with one of Dave's former co-workers, (and his wife), to go to dinner and the four of use headed downtown to see Carol Burnett.  It was a great evening.  We have great seats.  Carol came on stage and she simply let the audience ask questions and she would answer the questions with stories about her life and time, (over 60 years in show business).  It was so funny.  She was still as sharp as a tack.  And the 90 minutes with her just flew by so fast.  Originally we had tickets to see her 18 months ago, but because of COVID, the show was postponed to this year.  And it was so worth the wait.

This month Dave and I also received our 2nd COVID booster shot, (recommended because of our ages).  We're guessing that in the future, we will receive a booster and our flu shot at the same time, (usually in October). But we feel it is so worth it to be protected.

As you can see, we had a very quiet 2 months.  We are so looking forward to Spring and warm weather.