Summer's Swan Song

I know it's been ages- days and weeks have skipped by without a wave or a wink, but I'm still here. August managed to fly by no matter how lazy its days claim to be and September has barely introduced itself and yet here we find ourselves in the middle of the month already. I've been gardening, getting eaten by monster mosquitoes, thinking about building an ark, canning like tomatoes are going out of style, and then canning some more when I discover I still have another bushel or something getting progressively riper by the minute in the sunroom. I've been getting a job, helping run a business (and getting woefully behind), reading like a mad fiend, jaunting off to Pennsylvania, gone to see a lovely brass band, and all together having a rather good time.

Summer Bounty. For a garden that I pretty much gave up on,
it still yielded enough to make me pleasantly surprised. Anyone want some zucchini???

But as summer wanes, I find myself trying to get back into things. Back into being a good blogger, and housewife. Distractions abound in the summer, always tempting me to do other things, but now I'm getting things properly sorted. I hope.

I've made a good start today. I have Mary Jane's Crackly Pear Cake cooling off on the stove. Milk setting into cheese on the counter, and bread dough in the fridge for baking a baguette tomorrow. Pork chops, rice and whatever veg (probably zukes and tomatoes) I find in the garden for supper. Might make up a nice gravy to go with.

The Cottonwood Brass Band. Just a beautiful country afternoon.

Have you been busy canning? This is my first real year getting serious about it, and it feels good to get things tucked away to eat when it gets a bit colder out. The Dervaes over at Path to Freedom, are encouraging everyone to be Harvest Keepers, like in the old days. You should check out Anais' pantry! *whistles* It's a beaut!

A summer feast; greens from the garden, fresh strawberries, vinaigrette, homemade fried queso blanco, prosciutto, and bread right from the oven.

Here's my bounty tucked away so far:

Strawberry Freezer Jam
Strawberry Banana Freezer Jam
Peach Freezer Jam
Apricot Jam
Pear Jam
Freezer Salsa
Chopped Frozen Green Peppers
Frozen Hot Chili Peppers
Strings of Dried Hot Chili Peppers
Dill Pickles
Chili Sauce
Freezer Peach Pie Filling
Frozen Tomatoes
Tomato Sauce
Frozen Shredded and Chopped Zucchini

Still to come - Canned Pears, Canned Apple Pie Filling, Apple Butter, Frozen Slice Apples and Pears, Frozen Pumpkin guts, Frozen Pumpkin Butter.

I think I've got my work cut out for me, but I know I'll be really happy in the winter when I don't have to buy a lot of fruit and veg, and I can whip up a pie in a trice :)