Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

July Garden Walk, Antiques & Green Beans


 It's Mid July and our weather
is turning very hot.


The garden is growing like crazy
and the canning season is 
getting underway :)


Come walk around our little farm
with me.


This is my small garden by the 
back door.






 Here's my shadow in the garden
getting ready to pick beans.








We put up 22 pints of Dilly Beans


and the last seven pints 
we put in jalapenos.

 
Remember my sweet neighbors that gave me the garden gate.

Look at these next three treasures
they brought over to me. 

I already have ideas dancing through my head
on how I am going to use this
medal medallion. 


Time to do the laundry?

 No, but I'll certainly find
a place for this in my laundry room :)


This is the back.


Look at this . . .
Do you know what it is?


It's a Rapid Washer.
Your grandmothers may have used 
one of these to agitate
their wash.


Looks like we will be having
a chunky cucumber salad with dinner tonight:)



That's it . . .
I hope you have a great day!
~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~ 
Keep Smiling! 
 ~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~

Your blogging sister,
Connie :) 

64 comments:

  1. That Rapid Washer is something else! I'm glad I didn't need to use one when I did laundry today....back in the good ole days it was a tougher task! Love your pretty pink toenails in your sandals and your garden shadow. And how nice to have the canned veggies for the coming winter! Enjoy your afternoon! Put your feet up and rest now! Hugs!

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    1. Oh, there will be no rest for me until October, LOL. Canning season and harvesting our garden is a full time job. Thanks for stopping by . . . I love company:)

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  2. I enjoyed the tour!! I've just finished freezing corn and pickling beets. We're having fresh tomatoes now too. Otherwise, we're in desperate need of rain. We've only had one cutting of hay which is far, far less than needed. I have my mother's rub board hanging in the laundry room, and two of her heavy "sad" irons sit on the dryer. Wonderful reminders of how difficult wash day was for her. I'm sure you'll find just the right spots for the "new" antiques.

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    1. I enjoy antiques that are tools and everyday items. Things that people used to farm, cook, clean etc. I'll take them over fancy crystal and heavy furniture. I'm just a simple gal :) I think it is wonderful that you have your mother's rub board. We have it so easy compared to the life they lived. Thank you so much for popping in to say Hi :)

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  3. How kind of your neighbours to pass their old treasures on to you.
    I have my Mom's old wash board; I can't remember what the back of it looked like so I must go take a peek ( yes, it hangs above my washing machine.)

    Your beans are doing amazing!!

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    1. I think it is great that you have your mother's wash board . . . that's a true treasure, being able to look up at it and know that your sweet mother scrubbed your clothes and made sure that you were cared for and went to school in clean dresses. Mother's show their love in so many practical ways.
      You are right about our neighbor's we are blessed to have them right next door. Not only their generosity but, they are brothers and sisters in the Lord and we can enjoy sweet fellowship together :) We are blessed living here on our little area farm.

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  4. Your garden looks great --both outside and on the kitchen table.
    My MIL used one of those gadgets to do her laundry until she had to leave her home. Refused to use a washer and dryer. Nor a dishwasher. Not sure why.

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    1. Sounds like your mother-in-law was a pioneer woman at heart. She would truly fit into the new "living off the grid" movement. I do not have a dishwasher either, I enjoy doing my dishes in the sink but it's just the two of us, so there aren't many to do :)

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  5. My grandma had a wooden laundry board, but I dont think she actually used it as such.
    My sunflowers are shining in the garden, they are such happy faces, aren't they?

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    1. I love sunflowers, they are one of my favorite things about summer, like watermelon, fresh tomatoes and cold ice tea :) I hope you are having a very sweet summer day :)

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  6. Replies
    1. I'm glad you asked . . . Dilly Beans are green beans pickled with dill and vinegar, we also add garlic to ours and on our last batch we added a jalapeno pepper.

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  7. Oh my, look at those fresh homegrown beans. YUM, it's been ages since I've had them fresh out of the garden. Love the treasures from your neighbor. That metal medallion is awesome and I have never seen one of those rapid washers before

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    1. We had a batch of fresh green beans cooked with ham the other night for dinner . . . what a treat :)

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  8. Enjoyed walking around with you. : )

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  9. Great finds!!! The washboard will look awesome in the laundry area. AND I love Dilly beans!!!!
    Lisa.

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    1. Thank you . . . I agree they will be perfect in the laundry room :)

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  10. There's nothing better than fresh vegetable right out of the garden. Our every meal these days is served with fresh sliced tomatoes. Your canned beans will be a real treat come winter when the snow starts to fly. I have my grandmother's old rub board. Just for the fun of it, I once used it just to see how it was done. I am definitely happy to have an automatic washer and dryer. Our visits here are always a real treat! Thanks!

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    1. Our garden is just getting started and in a couple weeks I know it will be overflowing and time to truly get into canning. It's a lot of work but the rewards are marvelous :) I'll not be trading my washer in on that washboard either, LOL.

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  11. That Rapid Washer would have been High Tech in its day I guess. There are a 1,000 reasons for being alive now and not then- not least the back breaking relentless work!

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    1. You are so right about the back breaking work, I love my washer and dryer. Seeing old tools like these make us stop and appreciate modern conveniences :)

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  12. Connie, thanks for letting us take a walk with you! Those are treasures indeed!

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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    1. I'm delighted that you stopping by to visit. My welcome mat is always out :)

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  13. What a fabulous garden...those dilly beans look soooo good.
    Thank you so so much for your very kind comment on my heart wreath post. You are too sweet and you did more than "make my day"...you made me feel so good and I appreciate it. You are such a great blogging friend...and I love everything about you. xoxo

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    1. If I could I would have a jar opened here in this post for all my sister bloggers to taste. This was our first year to make them, but certain not our last :) BJ you are a special blogging friend, we have been following each other's blogs for years now and you hold a sweet little corner in my heart :)

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  14. Your garden is doing wonderfully well. We have had a few fresh green from ours to eat but they are done now. Am getting yard long beans now and hoping for some yellow beans. That is a lot of dilly beans! Have your tried dilly carrots? Did you freeze some green beans also? Lucky you to receive those antiques! They are wonderful neighbors to have. Take care! Nancy (I wrote one comment but don't think I pushed the publish button but poof it was gone so hope I have not posted twice)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I'm happy that you tried posting again, I've had that happen before and afraid to rewrite the same thing. Computers are nice, but they do create problems, don't they? I have only frozen two quart bags, but as long as they are growing new beans we'll be using them :) My one yard long bean that lived is still only about three inch tall. I'm sorry that you wasted your beans sending them to me. I feel a little bit guilty that they didn't grow for me. Yes, we have beuitful neighbors, with hearts of gold.

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  15. Just love all your little yard vignettes especially those old boots as planters! My daughter has some do ya think shell notice them gone lol Your neighbors is very kind what beautiful treasures! The veggis look wonderful and whats up with the kraut you made have you tried it yet? Enjoy ! Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Hi Lisa, we have not tried the kraut. They say that the ones that I canned get better with time, so we are giving them time. The cabbage that Steve is fermenting is still in their buckets and still fermenting. He read that they should do this for 6 weeks before you can them. It's all new to us, we are learning as we go, LOL. As long as they don't start smelling, I'm okay with him trying this fermentation method.

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  16. Some wonderful treasures from your kind neighbours Connie. How special! Your garden is looking abundant & very pretty in mid summer. We are in the midst of mid winter here & our days are cold, wet & foggy. Love all your garden produce.

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    1. I need to pop over to your blog and get cooled off. Our weather is extremely hot, but that is what we get here in the summer. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and have a lovely day :)

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  17. I enjoyed seeing your new treasures today. You have some great neighbors! Your garden produce looks wonderful. Especially the beans. I miss picking beans and having them fresh for dinner...and a freezer full come winter.
    Have a lovely day.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. We truly treasure our neighbors and love our summer garden :) Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  18. Amazing! You can grow anything. Love that little spot by your back door. I love how friendly your neighbor is. She must know you'll do something wonderful with them. Can't wait to see how you use them.
    xx Beca

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    1. Thank you . . . but truly I cannot grow anything. I don't take pictures of my unsuccessful projects, LOL.
      We are blessed with our sweet neighbors; they treat us like family. We are sisters and brothers in the Lord, so in truth we are family :)

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  19. How fun to walk around your yard with you! I love all the unique ways you showcase your treasures. Love the succulents in the boots! I love the vintage items, the washboard and agitator... I can't wait to see how you incorporate them into your decor. Canned vegetables are always pretty to me. And remind me of my youth spending time with my grandmother gardening putting up vegetables. I remember dreading to pick okra though... one time I got the sore throat the same day we picked okra so in my childs mind I thought the picking okra made me sick ha ha. Your sunflowers are gorgeous! I didn't plant any this year and I guess it is okay because we have not had any rain and its so dry here in NC. Anyway, I've enjoyed this post so much and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week my sweet friend!
    Sherry

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    1. How funny the story about the okra :) I always love reading your comments, of course you build me up far higher that I am, but it's nice to heard. You're a sweetie pie :)

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  20. Oh, Connie, I love your little farm, and your photos are so well done and pretty. You are doing things that I have only dreamed of and I would love to sit down to your dinner table with all those fresh and good vegetables..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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    1. Hi Judy, for years I've dreamed of having a garden and learning to can. I just never had the room to do any of this until we moved here, four years ago. It's nice having so must space. Thank you for your lovely and kind words, you touched my heart.

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  21. Your posts are always such a delight...I love your property and seeing what you're growing, from all your beautiful vegetables to your pretty flowers. I would love to learn how to can (I think! lol) but I'd want someone to teach me. If I lived near you, I'd ask if I could come over and spend a day in the kitchen with you. :-) And what a nice neighbor you have to bring you such cool gifts! I love that medallion.

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    1. I would love spending a day or more in the kitchen with you. I could teach you what I've been learning about canning and you could share some of your delicious recipes with me. I'm sure we would share some laugh, too :)
      Have a sweet day dear friend.

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  22. All I can say is I'm VERY envious! Your garden and veggies and flowers are all so beautiful and lush! Have you had rain there in the last few weeks? We are so so DRY here and no matter how much watering I do, it doesn't seem enough. It just soaks down through the soil and leaves everything bone dry within an hour! Plus the bugs are back again, chomping away at my leaves on everything.. and some sort of worms or cacoons that must hatch out into worms that eat everything. I'm very discouraged and about ready to give up on planting ANYTHING. they've even eaten my beautiful Coleus that has grown to 2 feet and now the leaves are all getting chewed up. I just can't afford to keep spraying everything as it just washed off when I water (although I try to water only at the bottom but hubby waters the entire thing). Sigh. You are so lucky and fortunate to not have bugs eating everything up. Your canning looks beautiful and those beans look so good. Did you grow your own dill? It's so expensive to buy the dried dill. Do I sound envious???? I am! Take care and enjoy this HOT weather.. has been over 100 here the last 3 days... ugh.. Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn, well we are both in the same stew pot when it comes to weather. Our weather is hot, hot and hotter :) I water all day long and move the sprinklers around the yard many times a day. We are blessed with a very good well, or I wouldn't be able to do that. I have been having a problem with earwigs . . . I hate those little devils. I do have things in the garden that are not doing that well. I planted five watermelon vines and I have one watermelon growing:) I have a huge pumpkin vine that is just gorgeous and growing so fast that you can almost watch it grow, but so far no pumpkins, LOL. Don't be envious, I get up early and start watering and don't stop until bedtime, then I'm hoeing, weeding and deadheading in between that. It's a lot of work and it does tie you down. Have you googled your worms and looked for any organic remedies to get rid of them. I know that I use bananas on my roses or anything that I think has aphids. Sometimes it's as easy as hot pepper or little bowls of beer set out. I do hope you find the answer. Better yet call your courthouse and speak to the master gardener. Every county has one and their job is to help you with your gardening questions. Let me know how it goes. I am always looking for health solutions . . . I do not want a garden sprayed with chemicals. I want to eat this stuff, right?
      I hope there is something here that helps you. Keep smiling sweet sister, summer will pass and we can start complaining about how cold it is, LOL.
      Here's to better seasons,
      Connie :)

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  23. Your garden is looking terrific and sounds like it is keeping you very busy... Love the windmill and how sweet of your friends to gift you with more goodies, looks terrific!

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    1. Hi Connie, I love our windmill too . . . it was a gift we bought ourselves for your 40th anniversary. We wrote our names and the date into the cement base :)

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  24. So lovely to walk with you through your beautiful garden! What wonderful produce you grow there too. Those green beans are gorgeous! What fun vintage things your neighbour gave you! Though I'm glad we no longer need to wash our laundry like our great-grandmothers!

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    1. Hooray for modern washing machines! Thank you for popping over to visit and for following my blog. I truly appreciate it and love making new friends. :)

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  25. You have wonderful neighbours. The treasures they have brought around are a joy. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them. I love this time of year when the the taste of summer is preserved in readiness for the Winter.

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    1. I like the way you worded that, The time of year when the the taste of summer is preserved in readiness for the Winter. That's poetry to my ears :)

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  26. You have sweet neighbors! and they know the kind of things you like. I can't get over how your plants, vegetables and flowers always look so healthy. This has been a bad year for beans, around here anyways. I mean, beans has always been something I can count on doing good in the garden. I've cooked two pots of beans and given away enough for a pot, and that's it. The vines are dying. Dilly beans sound good! Bet I would love them, especially the hot ones.

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    1. Oh, I have another sister that loves hot and spicy food. I hope that I never reach a place in my life where I cann't eat hot spicy food. I love it!

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  27. Oh, I love Dilly beans! It's been a few years since I have canned any. Love your fun succulent planters. What a sweet neighbor you have! You'll put them all to good use. I use one of those Rapid Washers to hold spare rolls of toilet paper in our basement bath. I have an old washboard similar to that in my laundry room. Actually, I have two. :)
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. It does not surprise me that you have this items. Jann, you must have a warehouse somewhere that you store all of your antiques in. You know you could open a store, LOL. Cute idea for a toilet paper holder:)

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  28. Connie, Your veggies are wonderful. I love seeing your pretty canned foods. Wow, such great things the neighbor gave you. I am so very thankful for automatic washers and dryers. LOL. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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    1. When it comes to washing clothes, we certainly have it easier than our grandmothers :)

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  29. Looks like you’ve been busy. Gardening and canning. I’ve never heard of dilly beans! I’ve also never used one of those washing machines! You have nice neighbors! Love the big medallion. Have a great weekend. Lots of storms for us this weekend.

    Cindy

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    1. Dilly beans are pickled green beans with dill, yummy :)

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  30. Connie, LOVE your backyard & gardens! Very cute succulent planters! Thanks for sharing your creative and fun ideas with us too! Hugs, Tami

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    1. Hi Tami, and thank you for stopping by for a little visit. You're a sweetie pie :)

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  31. Thanks for visiting my blog
    How on earth do you keep three blogs going?

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    1. Hello Hilary, If you check the dates out on my other two blogs you will see that I don't, LOL. I rarely ever post on them anymore. One is plenty :) If you are or know any beginner guitarist, my strumming blog has many great beginner songs listed. That is all that it is, a collection of easy playing songs.

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  32. Your flowers and garden look great! And isn't there such beauty in canned goods too?
    I love your neighbors finds for you!

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    1. I agree canned good sitting on a shelf are beautiful :)

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