Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

Is it true?

Written by Sue, Friday, June 1, 2012                        Partly sunny, afternoon showers, 90 plus temps. 
that a "Busy person" is a "Happy person", if so, I must be the happiest person on the planet. ~grin~ A few months ago we started 5 new outside projects and then they increased to 7, I am happy to report that they are 75% completed,I will share soon. Woo Hoo!

Yes, we worked on all 7 at one time, doing a little here and a little there. The only one that I know that is completed is the redoing of my clothesline which I was able to use yesterday. LOL Sleeping under fresh sheets dried and kissed by the sun was a real treat for me last night, I even washed my pillows, you should have seen me sniffing when I went to bed. ~You can tell it doesn't take much to make me happy. ~smile~
BTW I looked out my bathroom window yesterday evening and saw Mr. P. starting number 8. lol Can you find him in this photo?


I have also been busy gathering, canning and freezing vegetables from the garden,
Let's can some yellow squash... after they have been picked and washed
slice to the size you want
pack in hot sterilized jars,  , add 1 tsp. salt to a quart, adding enough warm water to the neck of the jar
remove air bubbles, wipe top of jar, cap with hot lids and  bands (forgot  to take photo), place in pressure canner and process according to canner directions.
Voila~ the strawberry sauce was made later in the day.
 While I was waiting for the squash to process, I shelled these peas, washed them and
used one of my favorite appliances, my Food Saver, if you don't have one, adding it to your Christmas, or Wish List you might  enjoy. I also use it when I find nuts, meats,, and anything I use on sale. These English peas have been measured and will be used for making chicken pot pie.
 and would you believe I am still picking strawberries. One of the projects we have been working on is redoing this potting shed. It has become so helpful for me to wash the produce after gathering, it saves a lot of work  on my kitchen sink, the water runs out to the herb garden and is perfectly safe because we use no pesticides.

A little encouragement for you... I cannot tell you how much enjoyment and pleasure I get out of growing and preserving produce. Some of the reasons for doing this are,..  it is more economical, much safer (it seems like more often  than not I am reading of all kinds of chemical that are being put in the foods we consume, these are more nutritional because they are fresher.To gather and preserve the squash and peas took exactly 2 1/2 hours from start to finish, that included cleaning the kitchen.  If Sue can do it anyone can. Even if you don't grow your own produce, there are a lot of local markets and farmers who grow them.
Another added benefit is ....jams, pickles, relishes, vinegars, make wonderful gifts. Family and friends will be so impressed!~smile~

We have had the most fruitful strawberry season, so I have been inventing new recipes, this is my new recipe... strawberry ice cream flavored sauce, great to top on ice cream or pancakes, so yummy! (pic. in above photo.)



So would you like to ask me what I am doing today,...... absolutely whatever I want to, I am taking the day off to relax, read, nap, blog, watch some Walton Specials, and Anne of Green Gables, work on updating my blog. WHY? because Mr. P. is working out of town again today, and you know the old saying... "When the cat's away the mice will play". So this mouse is playing big time.... The real reason for the day off is we have a big day of work planned tomorrow, going to clean front porch, place furniture, and plants in and about, plus sheers go up!!! I have been waiting all winter to do this.


 I am still "Savoring " moments like these.. every day these guys come by to say "good morning"while I am having devotions on the porch.
 The mallards love to show off, it is hard to grab the camera and get great photos, but these will have to do. I feel so sorry for Whitie , as I know he would love to be soaring with them.
Enjoy your weekend,
don't forget to "Savor" moments in your day, 
as they are gifts from our Heavenly Father.
Love,
Sue

Psalm 118:24~ This is the day the Lord has made: we will rejoice and be glad it.

31 comments:

Carmen S. said...

What a beautiful view out that window!!!! Those fresh strawberries look so yummy, wish I could reach right out and snatch one, hehe! Have a wonderful, blessed day!

Angela said...

Sue you are an inspiration! I am interested to see what all you have been up to. In the meantime enjoy the day to yourself :)

Carol said...

Your strawberries look so beautiful. You are one busy bee! Looking forward to seeing the projects you've been doing.

Smiles,
Carol

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I am smiling...I had posted what I do when I get bored,(it was my redo of a door/potting table) well I must say, you are more productive all the way around and yes, surely more satisfied and happy when your head hits that pillow at night.
My mother is canning a lot this year also...one day I hope to have a garden that will produce enough...for now we are getting one thing at a time...LOL

Benjamin's sunflowers have now grown to over 5 feet with one huge flower...he is measuring it daily!

You enjoy your time...put those feet up...and again, thanks for allowing us to come visit and smile!!!

Hugs to you!!! from Benjamin and I

Lois Christensen said...

I am taking a rest just reading what all you've been up to! HA! Sounds like a wonderful life. I cleaned our front porch yesterday, well the best I could without hubby's help. Hope you're enjoying a beautiful weekend!

Doniene said...

Hi Sue,
Been wondering about you - but then I thought - I bet she is busy canning and preserving!! I too love to do that. The prettiest sight to me is canned peaches and green beans!! so beautiful on the pantry shelf!! I'm thanking the Lord that this year it looks like I will have some produce. Last year there was none! But this year I've put up some Algarita Jelly - so I'm a happy camper!!

Blessings!

Cheryl said...

Agreeing with Angela...you are such an inspiration, Sue! You are the busiest gal I know...and always cheerful in your work. I can't wait to see all that you've been up to. Completed projects are so satisfying, aren't they?

Your veggies and your strawberry sauce look yummy. I'll bet that there are always good things to eat at your house!

It must be a prolific year for strawberries. We have only one row, but they continue to produce. Every time one of us picks, we think it will be the last time...and then there are more! Soooooo good! We've been making too many strawberry pies. Kati pinned Lorraine's (With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart) recipe, and it is easy and delicious.

Thanks for showing us some of your savored moments...

Hugs...

Paula said...

I just love the view from your world, Sue... and all your canned goodies look wonderful!
I enjoy preserving too~ I love making jams and jellies best of all, but canning pickles comes in a close second.
Enjoy your "day off" and please~ rest for Heaven's sake! *wink*

Farm Girl said...

I feel like such a slacker when I see all of that work you get accomplished. I just don't know how you get it all done. You have humidity and I don't. :)Everything looks so neat and clean. All of your produce is so pretty. I am so glad your strawberries are doing so well they look beautiful along with everything else. I hope you have a very nice restful day today.

Happy@Home said...

Once again I am amazed at how much you and Mr. P accomplish in a day. Apparently it does make for a happy person because your joy shines through.
My veggie garden is very small, but I get great satisfaction from the organic produce I am able to grow there. I can imagine the satisfaction you receive from your beautiful farm produce. It all looks so delicious and healthy. The photo of the strawberries is gorgeous.
Enjoy your day today.
So glad to hear that your hydrangeas are doing well.

Christine said...

Love the way you stay busy.
And I love that you post them for all of us to enjoy. Ah... what a great way to enjoy life.

NanaNor's said...

Sue, You don't waste a moment and the fruit of your labor is your reward. I love hearing of all your hard work, especially your harvest. Hope you enjoy the free day and of course your weekend.
Hugs, Noreen

John Smith said...

You amaze me every year, gal, with all you do!! It is a lot of work, but you sure get it done!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!!
Blessings and hugs,
Becky

Jenni said...

Hello, dear frined! It's always a treat to get a "Sue's Eye View" of things......those canned jars of squash and strawberry sauce were so pretty! They reminded me of my Grannie canning in the Summer....and the pic of the peas reminded me of when my sis and I would shell purple hulled peas on Grannie's front porch....

Girl, chicken pot pie sounds delish today..... hmmm.... just might have to have that for dinner...

Hugs,
Jenni

Debbie said...

I think I found Waldo. Is he visible in the middle of one of the panes on the second row from the bottom?

As usual, I love the view out your window.

We just got a food saver. My MIL gave my husband one for his birthday last week because he's always talking about hers.

We haven't had time to save much yet!

Elena said...

Your produce and canning is always so beautiful! That is so good that you are taking a day rest before a big project. I try and do that if I can :)

Debbie said...

How I enjoyed visiting with you! Hearing ALL you have been up to. Always soo busy. I love it! Your strawberries look soo good, and I have a feeling your jam is wonderous. The squash and peas look really good too. I spotted your hubby I think, haha. You do have a big day planned tomorrow, but how you will enjoy it when it is all done. Your kick back day and what you did with it sounds soo much like one of mine to include the Waltons and Anne of Green Gables. Looking forward to seeing all those projects. Hope you enjoyed keeping those pretty toes up today! HUGS

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Sue! I'm in awe of all the work you get done! Your canned goods look wonderful and the strawberries...yum!! Hope you had a nice relaxing day and have a great weekend! Oh...can't wait to see those finished projects!

Vee said...

Oh I almost think I could do it, but not quite. You'd make a very good advocate for fresh food and a good teacher. Yes, I saw your hubby in that photo...what's he doing down there?!

Debbie said...

I found Mr. P! I had to enlarge the picture to do it :D I wish I had room for a garden. I'm growing a few things on my back porch. All of your canning is so pretty. I love yellow squash but haven't been able to grow it in the Midwest like I did in Texas. Also miss the okra!
You have earned some fun time. I like the sound of your plans!
Debbie

Bernadine said...

That is an amazing amount of gorgeous strawberries. What a harvest! I love my vacuum sealer too. You're right, it is a good investment. Enjoy your relaxing day and I loved the pic of having your feet up! It's the picture of "Ahhhhhh.".

Patsy said...

We go to farmers market on Sat morning now and get our vegetables. We miss our garden, just have small flower bed now.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Your strawberry ice cream sauce sounds wonderful- this is one of my favorite fruits.

Anonymous said...

Harvesting and preserving....what a wonderful pastime, in my opinion!
We're way behind you up here in PA, but it's coming!
Love where you do your devotions.
I'm grateful for simple pleasures!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Sue,

What beautiful gardens you have! Your strawberries are amazing! You have gotten so many this year! Thanks for sharing about the squash...ours are prolific every year and I froze some but never thought to can them - do you need to pressure can them or can you do squash in a water bath?

Thanks for your inspiration!

Deanna

Trish said...

Mr P looks very busy there amongst the bushes, lol!
Hope you enjoyed your "day off", Sue. You surely deserve one (or ten!)
I think you must be the most energetic lady in Blogland..I guess it's all that good organic home-grown food you love to harvest!
I also know how much you love to put your sheers up and I look forward to seeing your porch all decked out for summer :-)
love and blessings..Trish xx

Anonymous said...

Once the "Gough Inn" - now it's the K and S Inn... sure have miss poppinh in == been living abroad.. I am back and I still loving your blog.. the veggies are making me green with envy- wink!
Hugs

no spring chicken said...

I think 'enjoying the fruits of her labors' every time I visit here Sue. You are such an inspiration! You just keep those feet up today and enjoy.. :)

Blessings, Debbie

Charlotte said...

Hi Sue. I just dropped by to say "hi". It's been while since my last visit. You surely have been busy. As always your pictures say it so well.
Love,
Charlotte

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Morning Sue,
wow, you have been a busy girl, but it is a good busy for sure!
I think that is so neat that you grow your own food and can it. Can't wait to see your other projects. I think I saw hubby on hands and knees weeding???
Glad you get a rest today, every once in awhile we just gotta play and have some time to just do nothing accept what we want to....
So glad I came by....it has been awhile! Am always encouraged when I come by hon.
glad you are doing well,
Love and Blessings, Nellie

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

Came from Janette's and just thrilled to be here. You have inspired me to go tackle my veggie garden (not usually high on my list). I have truly enjoyed my visit on your gorgeous farm and beautiful blog. Thank you for all you share here!
hugs,
Leslie