Friday, July 17, 2009

busy in the garden {and some crafting}

This was yesterday morning's view from the back porch--an absolutely glorious summer day.
Our strawberry season is drawing to a close, with just a handful picked yesterday. I was not able to freeze any or make jam--a couple late frosts in May really hurt the plants and they did not produce the many quarts of berries I had last year.

In the vegetable garden we're picking swiss chard, lettuce, zucchini, green beans, broccoli, and cucumbers.
This year I planted some fingerling potatoes for the first time and can't wait to see how they do...

Earlier in the week I harvested 6 large heads of broccoli and froze much of it...


I also made some chocolate zucchini muffins and a chocolate sheet cake--oh so good!
Despite all the gardening busyness, I try my best to squeeze in time for my favorite new project, a vintage vertical stripe crocheted blanket...

...sometimes a row crocheted with my morning tea, and usually always a couple rows done right before bed. Perfect for using up leftover yarn...

My color pattern is completely random and each row is eagerly finished so the next color can be carefully chosen. I love seeing how all the color combinations unfold...

The goal is to have it finished before winter--wish me luck!

52 comments:

  1. Your blanket may be random but it is wonderful. It just blends beautifully and I love the colors.

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  2. What a lovely way to use up bits and pieces of leftover yarn. This looks great! And I love to read the British version of Country Living magazine, too. Such a treat now and again...

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  3. Deb,

    What a wonderful view from your window :) So beautiful. Despite the strawberries not doing well, it looks like everything else is doing wonderful! I have not tried growing Broccoli yet, maybe next year :)

    I LOVE your blanket! It is so beautiful Deb. You never cease to amaze me with your handwork and creativity. Have a glorious weekend!

    ~Sharon

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  4. Absolutely beautiful afghan! I just posted a recipe for freezer pickles to use up the oodles of cukes in the garden. I've never tried freezer pickles, but hope they turn out divine! :)

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  5. I love how your blanket is turning out. I just started one as well since I have so many little balls of yarn to use up. Mine will be a gift for a bachelor friend of ours who I know will appreciate it very much.

    I am about 1/2 way through your archives and just love your blog. I wake each morning with my cup of tea and start where I left off the day before. Thank you for so many wonderful posts.

    Have a great evening with your hubby! :)

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  6. Anonymous8:41 PM

    How do you think this would work up in cotton?

    Donna

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  7. Your yard is just beautiful! I love your blanket the colors are just wonderful for using up yarn. Good luck on getting it done summer seems to be going by so fast. I'm not looking forward to winter!

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  8. I love the colours in your blanket!!

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  9. That's going to be really beautiful. Looks like you have all the same weight yarn leftovers. I can't wait to see the finished product.

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  10. Your strawberries look so lush!
    The colour combination on your blanket is gorgeous, it'll be so good for winter snuggling.
    Lisa

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  11. Chocolate Zucchini Muffins sound good.

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  12. Your blanket looks so cozy and warm. What a great idea for using the leftover yarn. I just started crocheting again after many years. I made a few dishcloths and now I am starting work on a blanket. It is very relaxing. Look forward to seeing yours when it is finished.

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  13. What a lovely blanket. I used to crochet squares but they were never that pretty!

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  14. That blanket looks like a great way to use up scraps of yarn. You've got a great start there already. The views of your yard are beautiful.

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  15. (Groggy Froggy Lisa on hubby's Google account) :) I love your colors. I've been thinking that a stripey blanket would be my next crochet project. I'm working on a giant granny afghan right now,just trying to use up the yucky yarn I bought at a yard sale 3 or 4 years ago, as I've committed to buying no new yarn until it's gone. I'm almost there.

    Your garden goods look yummy. We've only harvested banana peppers at this point but have eggplant, tomatoes, cantelope and watermelon to look forward to.

    Have a great weekend!

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  16. I love the random colors. It looks none lovely!

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  17. Wow love the view (thank you for that) and what a fun Afghan!

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  18. Anonymous1:04 AM

    Love reading your blog. Just wish we were more rural like you. How many chains did you start with on your blanket and which stitch are you using? Thank you for the inspiration.

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  19. Gorgeous colors in that blanket!

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  20. Claire4:22 AM

    Lovely views and beautiful blanket, I love the colours. Enjoy your day.

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  21. Ohhh these pictures are so peaceful and the blanket is beautiful, All of those different colors together are eye candy for sure :)

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  22. Still blanketing along with you! It's a bit addictive, isn't it? I have broccoli envy though. I have lots of leaves but still waiting for the goods!

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  23. Oooh, I do LOVE that crocheted blanket. Happy stitching and let us see the final product!!

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  24. Ooooo -- love your pretty blanket! Gorgeous colors and so homey looking.
    Blessings,
    Georganna

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  25. Hi Deb just a quick hello to say I am now in full swing using my handknit dishcloths and they are lovely thank you.

    I love the idea of growing my own strawberries - sadly my one potted strawberry plant got some bugs and that was the emd of that - we enjoyed one strawberry from it!

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  26. I totally love all the pics of your backyard and all your veggies look fantastic! So sorry about your strawberries! :(

    I am totally loving the blanket you are crochetting!!! It looks beautiful!!! Great job! :)

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  27. Gorgeous view from your window. I love the blanket. It's so colorful and cheerful. A great way to enjoy color through out the winter.

    Our strawberries didn't do so well here either. The month of June was cold and cloudy.

    Ruth

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  28. You are so right...everything looks so glorious...all the way from the beautiful garden and it's produce to the darlin' chickens in the coop. I also love that you are using up all your left-over yarns...and making a fab looking blanket to boot.

    I was just wondering...what kind of chickens are those w/the black and white spots. Our neighbor told me yesterday that when she moved to this neighborhood several years back one of those types of chickens just showed up on our country lane and took up residence. They named her "Freckles"...so when I saw your chickens I knew you might know the name. I should...but I've forgotten a lot about farming since I was a little girl.

    Love your peaceful home...Blessings...
    Teresa

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  29. Wow

    Your blanket is beautiful...I would like to make one also as I have so much left over yarn...What size of crochet hook did you use ?

    I love your blog...

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  30. Ooooh, it's so pretty!! The blanket and everything else, that is!

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  31. Very pretty and lots of wonderful colors you have chosen. You did so much and have made a big dent in your upcoming food needs. I didn't have much of a vegatable garden this year. So I'm feeling a little bereft in the freeaing and preserving departments. Good luck with the rest of your season.

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  32. gorgeous rug and gorgeous garden. Who wouldn't love to sit there with a cuppa and crochet (envious sigh!)

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  33. Deb, the frost did a number on our strawberries as well...no jam here either.

    I love the colours in the afghan! Beautiful.

    God bless.

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  34. I love your yard and all of the pretty things you have! Wonderful photos as always,

    Linda

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  35. Absolutely cheery and would be wonderful to snuggle up under this fall and winter. That's a great idea to just throw my leftover yarn into a big basket, then once I have enough start on something like this.

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  36. Random works for you because the blanket is gorgeous. Love the colors

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  37. What a beautiful blog you have..so inspiring, very glad I found it. I'll be back to visit.

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  38. what a beautiful place you live in...Just lovely..
    I love your blanket, love the colors also..

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  39. Your blanket is just beautiful.....the colors, even though random are lovely together. I love seeing projects come to life...hugs, Linda

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  40. I am going to try and find the time to turn my bag of leftover yarn into a neat blanket as you have done. Great idea.

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  41. Thank you for your tutorial on the hot-pad. I just finished one recently and posted it on my blog. Thanks again, your projects are inspiring.

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  42. I love your color theme on the blanket. I have so much left overs- maybe??????? Anyway - thanks for shearing the chocolate Zucchini muffins.. I will make time to bake them- I love both chocolate and Zucchinis.Have a nice day.
    Beate

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  43. Oh my, your garden and your craftworks look wonderful.

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  44. You really made your summer very sweet, just look at the garden it’s wonderful and the strawberries look so delicious

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  45. Aw! I love summer. The photos you posted really defines what the best summer is all about: fresh veggies, amazing view on the garden, sweet delicious strawberries and a crafting project to make the summer perfect.

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  46. First time visit on your lovely blog today.I enjoyed every picture and story. Your life is as busy as mine although I am "retired Special Ed." I too am a farm wife blessed with eight grandchildren, Kids Church director and Sunday School teacher of pre-teens. I thought I would have time to sit on the veranda sipping tea just soaking in the beauty of the flower gardens when the kids married. Right!!! Have yourself a very blessed busy day.

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  47. I love the blanket as well... Any chance you would post some directions for all your fans??

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  48. I love the colors in your blanket.

    My mom made one for me years ago with different colors and I love it.

    Maria

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  49. Is this the blanket pictured on your sofa?  I searched your blog for a reference to it because I like it so much.

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  50. Yes, Jan, it's the one.  I'm still working on making it wider...

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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