Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, September 2, 2018

September Summer's Last Hurrah


September,
It's a special time of the year.
The weather starts cooling off 
and gardening starts winding down.


We put up another 21 pints of Salsa.
42 pints total!


And I get to celebrate another birthday.

Last night we had a candlelight dinner 
out under the apricot trees 
beside the grapevines.
We ate spaghetti 
with sauce made from our garden.

It was like the love scene from 
The Lady and The Tramp, LOL.


73 years young and going strong :) 

I love September and think that it is 
one of the prettiest times of the year.


I'm also looking forward to having
more time to spend out in the 
Art Barn sewing.

I'm ready for winter with a new 
bolt of batting.
Lots for fabric stash and
creative enthusiasm.


Here's photos from a project
I started last spring and have been waiting to get back to.







I used to dread winter with it's cold 
winds and icy roads,
but now I call it quilting season
and I look forward to the tranquility of
needle work.   


So as we get ready to enjoy the last 
lovely month of summer
and look forward to Autumn's glory,
I wish you all a wonderful 
month.

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

51 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you, beautiful Connie♥ I do not believe for one moment you are 73 years of age. Me thinks you are tricking me. =) Autumn for you and Spring for me. I can't tell you how excited I am at saying goodbye to Ol' Man Winter, though of course as you say, this season of chilliness is perfect for a spot of quilting and the gentle art of stitching. I look forward to seeing all your stitching pretties throughout the next couple of months.

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    1. Hello Kim, I am ready to be done with the garden... for a bit. I get so excited about it in the Spring and I absolutely love it, but with the changing seasons come new excitement. When the snow and cold weather gets the most of me, I'll come bask in the sunshine and enjoy your garden :) Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.

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  2. You have some lovely fabrics ready to go!

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    1. I do and I'm very excited to have time to use it :) By the end of this month I hope to have the garden pulled and put to bed for the winter. Then comes my sewing and quilting seasons :)

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  3. I love the Fall and wish it would last longer than it normally does. September seems to me to be a new beginning, inspiring me more than the January New Year.
    Have a wonderfully productive month with your many projects.

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    1. Fall is a marvelous time of the year . . . the crisp air does inspire new energy and new beginnings.

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  4. Such a sweet and interesting post! Your fabrics are lovely. I also like to work on quilting projects in the winter; however, farm chores seem more demanding in winter than in summer. Happy Birthday (a bit late ;)

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    1. We like to refer to our little acre as our farm, but with only gardening and a dog for our livestock (LOL) our winters are calm and restful times. I can imagine that a true farm would be very busy during the winter.
      Thanks so much for stopping by to visit . . . I adore reading comments and getting to know you better.

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  5. There's nothing like homemade :-) How sweet to sit outside and enjoy a nice dinner! Your projects are just lovely.... hope you have a great evening.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. Thank you Jill. It was a very pleasant dinner. We had a table cloth, candles and we were sitting out in our own orchard and vineyard. Our orchard is two large apricot trees and our vineyard is about 30 feet of grape vines, but it was lovely :)

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  6. Happy Birthday, Connie! What a pretty post -- the last picture looks so peaceful. I'm a September birthday, too, and I love this time of the year. I always think there's a feeling of expectation in the air as we look forward to fall. Your project looks so pretty; it reminds me a little bit of an apron someone made for me. You have a wonderful craft room. :)

    Hope you have a great Labor Day!

    Hugs,

    Denise

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    1. Hello Denise and Happy Birthday to you too. I think that September reminds us of school days, yellow pencils and new books, walking is crisp crunchy leaves and craving pumpkins. It's such a lovely time of the year when the air smells of Fall and we change for summer clothes to the marvelous feel of sweaters, jeans and corduroy. At least that is what pops into my mind when September comes around. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving this comment. I enjoy reading them and getting to know you better :)

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  7. Happy Birthday and Happy Fall! I still dread winter because I have to drive in to work. :(
    You should be stocked on salsa - good for you!

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    1. Hi Mari, you know that is one of my favorite thing about being retired . . . no ,more getting up everyday and driving to work in bad weather. Now I have the ability to pick and chose when I go out in the car and it is never when the roads are bad :) Your day will come and it's wonderful :)

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  8. I've always loved September, and consider it the beginning of a new season instead of the end of another. Now, having read your lovely blog, I feel the excitement for that new season, and even for the winter. "Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing. The days pass quickly when I am sewing." ~author unknown

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    1. I like that quote . . . too bad they didn't leave their name on it.
      Thanks for sharing it :)

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  9. Happy Birthday, Connie! A candlelit supper under the apricot trees! Wow! It doesn't get lovelier than that! I look forward to the cooler months too for crafting and crochet and delicious soups and apple crumble! I'm looking forward to seeing your quilting!
    I always have a cloth on my garden table on my balcony with flowers in a bowl! In the meantime, lets enjoy September!

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  10. Happy Birthday, Connie! And mannny more.
    That is a lovely stitchery project you are working on. And the stack of fabrics stirs my creative juices. BTW, how do you store your big batting role, if I may ask? I can't seem to find a good way to stow mine. Altho, I suppose if I keep hoisting that heavy thing around from one place to the next, it will help me keep in shape, maybe? :-) Your cloud photo is beautiful. I, for one, will be glad to see the back side of all this fire season smoke, so I can see the clouds again. We often get beautiful cloud formations here, too. --When we can see them. Please forgive my whine; just blame it on end of summer seasonal complaint. Now where did I put those silk autumn leaf bouquets from last year...
    Blessings!

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  11. Happy belated birthday. What a lovely way to celebrate. I like that project you're working on, so cute

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    1. Thank you, I'm looking forward to having time to sew again :)

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  12. Gosh I can't believe Fall is upon us already. Happy birthday to you sweet Connie! A nice spaghetti dinner outdoors sounds like a lovely way to spend the evening.
    xx Beca

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    1. Now that we are both retired, we need to watch our spending a little bit closer, at least until we have an idea of what living retired has in store for us. Dinner in the garden was every bit as sweet as dinner out, maybe even sweeter . . . except for the dishes, LOL :)

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  13. Happy Birthday! What a beautiful way to spend the evening. And your projects are lovely...Enjoy the fall and all that salsa.

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    1. I know, it's a good thing that we like salsa, LOL. I sometimes use it instead of salad dressing, it's non fat and spices up a salad perfectly.

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  14. Happy Birthday and many more. : )
    You won't have to worry about having enough salsa. That should last you awhile!
    What a pretty stack of material.

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    1. I do hope that I never reach a time in life when I cannot eat hot spicy food. We do love our salsa, LOL.

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  15. Happy birthday, Connie! Your birthday dinner sounded wonderful. More special and romantic than going out to a restaurant, that's for sure. So far, September has been very yucky here, weather-wise. Nothing but non-stop rain and thunderstorms. We have flood warnings again.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that. Isn't it funny (not in a laughable way) but we could sure use some rain. We haven't had a good rain since April or early May. Thanks for the birthday wish; where have the year gone?

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  16. Wishing you a wonderful birthday year! The pasta under the trees sounds wonderful. I see your stove and you have been working overtime! Salsa chips get ready! Love your bright outlook on winter when I lived in ct I never minded the snow and ice I brought all my children up playing in the snow. I guess within the next couple of years we will move back home and enjoy winter once again. Your project your working on is beautiful! Enjoy! Lisa @ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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    1. Thank you so much. I enjoyed winter when I was younger, and I still do as long as I don't have to drive in it, LOL.

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  17. Happy late birthday!! I love your outlook on winter. Our September is hot so far I am trying to soak up all the warmth I can before winter sets in. Beautiful material you have stock up....what a bright winter you will have while sewing them into beautiful crafts.

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    1. It's nice living in an area where we have all four seasons. I'm not a big fan of snow and icy roads, but "Quilting Season" changes all that. Stay inside and off the roads and watch the snow fall as I sit warm and cozy with needle in hand :)

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  18. Happy 73 years YOUNG Connie! You look so beautiful and happy! How wonderful to have a candlelit dinner under the sky and trees. As someone else said, it can't get better than that.. with your honey beside you. I'm with you on being "done" with the garden by this time of year! Although this year I didn't do much. Yours was huge and big and wonderful as usual and the canning and preserving takes alot of time.. I know from the past... am kind of glad I don't do that now, but miss making applesauce from fresh apples, and canned peaches. The light is definitely different now... and I'm so enjoying the cooler nights, although the days are still hot and dry. We sure could use rain here too. Has been at least 3 months since we had any, except for one short 8 minute shower we had a few weeks ago! I feel like we're living in the dust bowl of Oregon. This time of year reminds me of the childhood days of excitement when school started! I agree. I always looked forward to new books and pads and pencils, new crayons and new clothes for school! Had to earn the money myself for my own clothes by berry picking all summer long. What memories! And I too am looking forward to making gifts for Christmas, cards and fun papercraft and sewing projects. I'm looking forward to your new project reveal! It looks very fun and interesting! I'm still working away on the quilt for my son.... it's almost done (the top anyway) so it can be mailed to my sister for her to quilt it........ then it comes back to me for the binding. Hugs.... Marilyn

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wish. Now that I've lost some weight my energy level is back and I don't mind being 73 at all :) It's just when my health takes a dip that I feel old and tired. Looking forward to seeing photos of your finished quilt:)

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  19. Hi Connie, It is great that you and Steve can put up so many canned goods from your garden. It will help on the grocery bill and be so much healthier. It looks like you have a nice pile of interesting material there. I will look forward to seeing what you do with it! What a great picture of you and love that smile. I have always like that saying "Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be". I need that for my garden which is almost completely done now. The romantic dinner for your birthday sounds so special. I am glad you had a nice one. I was going to post on my blog today but something is wrong and it won't let me! Technology sometimes! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, thank you for the birthday wish. Our dinner out back was lovely.
      I do hope your computer problem fixes it's self . . . they often do :)
      Have a sweet week!

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  20. A very Happy Birthday to you, and many happy returns. I think you have more energy than I do, you are a great example that age is just a number. I do love my salsa that would be nice to have all that ready for the winter ahead. Your birthday dinner sounds very nice. I hope you enjoy your whole birthday month.
    Your hexagons look wonderful, I love how you added it to the stitching. I look forward to all your stitching that you do over the winter months :)

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    1. Hi Connie, thank you for the birthday wishes. As long as I have the energy to do the things that I enjoy, then you are right, it's just a number :)

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  21. First of all I want to wish you a happy, happy birthday Connie! I loved seeing your fabrics and batting already to go, and your sweet little ironing project is really cute. I don’t mind fall, but I always dread it coming because it means snow is also on its way. I really detest snow. If I could just stay home and never have to shovel it would be fine, but alas, someone has to shovel the walks and driveway. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Blessings, Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy and thank you so much for the sweet birthday wishes.

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  22. Happy Birthday, Connie!! You are adorable!! I love that picture of you in the cowboy hat. That salsa looks delicious. Next summer, if the Lord is willing, I want to plant more vegetables that I can can and freeze. We simply did not have enough tomatoes this year, and only the first few were really big and good. Same with the beans. My birthday is in September too. Virgos!! Love, Henny

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    1. Thanks so much for the sweet birthday wishes. It does not surprise me that we are both September girls, we have so much in common.

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  23. Oh, I meant to mention your beautiful sewing. Gosh, I would love to spend one day watching you sew, and put together a quilt, You do beautiful work.

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    1. I would absolutely love spending time with you in yours or my sewing rooms. Your aprons and bonnets are amazing. We could each teach one another a few new tricks and wouldn't we have fun laughing and giggling together as we sewed :)

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  24. Happy, happy birthday dear beautiful ladY!!
    I love your attitude about winter, and enjoying it for being your quilting season :)

    I haven't forgot about finding that sweet and sour sauce recipe for you. I will try to get to it one of these next days.
    Our schedule has been a bit full and crazy lately.

    Have a glorious Fall day.

    ~K.

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wish . . . I had a lovely birthday and i'm looking forward to seeing what my 73rd year of life has in store for me :)

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  25. Im a big fan of Spring but I do love the smell and colors of Fall. I think I would like Fall more if I lived in the Mountains.
    Lisa

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    1. I have never been to North Carolina but always imagined that you had lovely fall color. I enjoy living where we can see the changes each season, although we do not have many trees in our high desert area. The trees that are here are trees that have been planted through the years and not natural woodland.

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  26. Hi Connie.
    I found that recipe for sweet and sour sauce to can. Send me an email at kdgardenlady@gmail.com and I will send it on to you :)

    Smiles
    ~K.

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    1. I'm very excited to here this good news . . . thank you :)

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  27. Spaghetti sauce made from your garden, how special is that? I bet it tasted delicious. Happy Birthday, dear Connie. You have the nicest smile. : )

    love, ~Sheri

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