Monday, August 13, 2012

Growing amazement

Do any of you out there remember the 70's TV Show "Kung Fu"? You do? Good. Remember the part where David Carradine's character Kwai Chang Caine has to carry a scalding hot cauldron from one pedestal in the temple to another using his forearms? He's rewarded with some rad dragon tattoos that get burnt into his skin for his efforts. I always think of that scene when I carry my hot canning pot from one spot to another in my kitchen. I have to use my forearms, too. The only reward I get is not dropping the pot on my feet, because my RA fingers are too weak to hold the handles. *Sigh* Good thinking, grasshopper. I hope there are some boomers who know what the heck I'm talking about. Anyone?

Anyway, I've been canning for days, and all the steam has made my brain a bit foggy, so prepare yourself for a rambly post with pictures.



Okay, so who gets excited about a muddy panful of potatoes? *Points thumbs to self* This gal! We planted potatoes for the first time this year, and it worked. Some of you seasoned potato planters might be laughing right about now, but I am truly amazed. I'm always amazed when we plant something and it actually grows and makes food. I don't know why. I just find it shocking when I head outdoors and am able to gather what we worked and hoped for.

We bought a bag of seed potatoes to plant in the spring, and then life got in the way, and I nearly forgot about them. When I finally remembered, they were extremely shriveled and covered with mold. I planted them anyway, not wanting to waste the seeds. By jiggety, the spuds were born in spite of my forgetfulness. Some plant, some water, and God makes it grow. :)


Guess what else? The new chickies, Pepper-Ann and Natasha, have grown up and are now starting to lay. I'm pretty certain the egg on the left of my palm belongs to one of them. It's smaller and browner than the others. How thrilling!


Oh, and I've been wanting to post this picture, but haven't been able to fit it in until now. It's an antique photo I found in New Zealand. It's kind of hard to see in the image, but the two little children are sitting in a vegetable patch, holding some veggies they must've just picked. I think it's cool.


We've also had a successful pumpkin patch this year. The variety is called Sugar Baby, and they're meant for making pies, but we've been roasting them with olive oil and eating them like sqaush. So good.


Next in the long line of never-grown-until-this-year items are these speckled lima beans, which we'll attempt to dry and save for winter soup making.


Aren't they purty?


Our cat Nuit is not on my good side right now. When he knows that his behavior has caused vexation, he tries to make up for it by being helpful. He wouldn't leave my side while I was picking rhubarb, and even pretended to hold the basket the whole time. It didn't work Nuit; I'm still mad.


That should do it for today


Come on in! Let's make an arrangement of the rag-tag flowers and herbs that are left in the late summer garden.


There we go! Thanks for visting.

How about you? What's been amazing you lately?

19 comments:

Melissa said...

That was a lovely visit, indeed. I loved every single letter and pixel. And I am a boomer who knows exactly what you're talking about, grasshopper. You have been so deliciously productive and earthy and I think your lima beans are as pretty as gems. The last picture, with fresh cut flowers in the silver pitcher makes me feel very welcome indeed. Thank you, friend. Much love from me to you.

Leslie said...

those limas ARE purty (so is your nail polish :)

i love the name "pepper-ann." SO much.

why is nuit in the dog-house? (i love his "repentant" expression)

oh, and of COURSE i remember little "grasshopper." too bad you don't get dragon tattoos for your canning efforts!

Stephanie Ann said...

Potatoes! How exciting. I always had a soft spot for Nuit. Maybe it's the stigma that is associated with black cats. :D

Jodi said...

Hey Melissa, thanks for remembering, grasshopper. I hope one day your visits will be in person. Less pixelly that way. :) xx

Jodi said...

Les, thanks for the polish love. And the Pepper-Ann love. You're right, it is a shame I don't get the dragon tattoos for my efforts. Nuit "tattooed" the new sofa with his claws. Arrgh.

Jodi said...

Dear Steph, thank you for sharing my excitement about the potatoes. I'm glad you have a soft spot for Nuit. Someone needs to, haha.

Nancy Franson said...

I was all geared up for hearing how you had snatched the pebbles from the master's hand, Grasshopper. Yep, I'm that old.

I love when you get all rambly with pictures. And that cat? Have mercy.

Love the ragtag arrangement best of all.

Jodi said...

Nancy, yes but if I had snatched the pebbles,I would have to leave. Not ready yet me thinks. ;D

Leslie said...

Uh-oh. Did Nuit at least leave a dragon tattoo on the new sofa?

Jodi said...

Les, not even close. Grrrrr.

Connie Smiley said...

Jodi, what a delightful garden. Along with you, I'm always amazed at anything that sprouts up out of my garden. Your lima beans are beautiful, and how could you not forgive a cat who holds the basket for you?

Jodi said...

Connie, thank you :) And about the cat, I could NOT forgive him very easily. My cats and I have a history. We have two of them - they're brothers. When they notice I like something, they agree with one another to wreck it. And then they pretend to be sorry. They each have about two of their nine lives left.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

A lovely post about many things. I confess I have the same feeling you do when things grow in the garden. I don't know if I am expecting failure, exactly, but success is a great welcome surprise. I love all the pictures, especially the last.

Anonymous said...

Jodi, Once again, I can come to Curious Acorn and have my heart encouraged with the beauty of your delicious photos and the joy of your endeavors. You set about doing something and you do it fully. That is a gift. My one million efforts are all half done, suspended in time, waiting for completion.I went to bed sighing that I am a jack of all trades, asking, "Is there some redemption in having so many interests?" My heart was kindredly encouraged when I remembered that you take joy in "everything", too.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Your post was delightful to read...I like these off-the-cuff sorts of posts. Those lima beans are very pretty...I've never seen that version before. Oh, and yes, I do remember Kung Fu...you are not alone. And, last but not least, I adore that shelf of yours hanging on the wall...

Aqeela said...

I love this post! We didnt manage as much this year as we did last year, the veg patch turned to a weed patch because we were doing all of the house decorating instead.
I am always amazed by the amount of creatures in our garden, hoverflies, shield bugs and bees are the most common at this time of year. Do you get lots in your garden? Enjoy them or not so keen?
Aqeela xx

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures of all the vegatables and the big canning pot. Audrey has been canning pickles like mad and we have been roasting tomatoes and I very much want to can tomoatoes again. It was so much fun when we did it with you that one summer. See you all at my mom's 50th birthday party. I am looking forward to it.

Unknown said...

I started out to send you a message ( because apparently we didn't talk enough today) and realized I missed this post.
You are the real deal Jodi.
You so are.

Amy Smith said...

I want to *like* almost every one of these comments! So funny! :)

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