Tuesday, September 22, 2009

GOODBYE SUMMER

I finally have tomatoes!! I had forgotten what a thrill it was to see something you plant turn into something you had always bought. What a pleasure. I picked these at the lake on Saturday and Monday morning as we readied to come home, I picked 4 more! How exciting! I really planted these on a wing and a prayer. There was a pile of dirt and debris behind the Summerhouse where Former Resident Carpenter had stacked up bricks and stones, etc, but the area was out of the way and got a lot of afternoon sun. I raked and neatened up the area, added a little black topsoil and made a little bed along the Summerhouse. I think I am a good gardener, or at least have been over the years, but it was July already and I thought, I'm just going to throw in some tomato and basil plants, a few marigolds to deter pests, and see what happens. Now I have to decide what I want to make with them!

Milo enjoyed lying in the dappled sunshine on the dock this last weekend of summer. It makes me feel a little bittersweet to think of all the good times we had in the sunshine over the summer, all the places we went and fun we had. How we woke up to it and how it stayed with us so very long each day. To wax poetic, I think I am finally saying goodbye to summer.
The Husband's clematis is blooming like crazy on his arbor (yes, we have his/her arbors!). Isn't it pretty? The lawn guy kept trimming it down before it had a chance to grow and I did the unthinkable, I told The Husband to mark it with a stake or post. But the rule on the his/hers stuff is that we cannot tell one another what to do with his/her stuff. That is why we have his/her stuff.
I'm envious of his stuff.



The acorns are everywhere. When I was little I loved to collect all things small. I loved the book The Borrower's and I longed to climb right inside it and become one of them. And acorns remind me of little houses with thatched roofs.





Ooooh! Look! I have a village!






Emily decided to try my new fishing pole which surprised me because she is not the daughter that loved to fish. Abby used to lie on the dock on her stomach and catch bluegills with her hands!! So The Husband gave her a few pointers...I think he was telling her not to hook that boat in our little marina....




He makes sure she is off to a good start...








"Look Dad!"








Well, here we have a little crappie! Not bad. Once Em realized she had to take it off the hook, she decided she didn't want to fish anymore. I told her she was giving women a bad name and to just tell him she didn't want to mess up her manicure. I do love fishing in the fall. The days are hazy and warm and the fish seem to be jumping. We don't keep them unless there is a big group of us fishing and someone is willing to do the cleaning and cooking. We have had some great fishing parties at the lake, but not so recently. Maybe I will make a deal with The Husband. He cleans, I cook. I think somehow he will leave an eyeball or two.








This summer I got an F. An F for failure. I failed to read one single book. I am beyond ashamed of myself. Reading has always been such a treat for me. Something I looked forward to to doing in my spare time. Of course I have so much more spare time now that I am pretty much an emptynester (Kevin leaves in November). Reading just seems to have a hypnotic effect on me. Reading in bed at night causes me to be drowsy within 15 minutes. If I sit in the family room and read during the day, I become distracted. Most of all, I miss my Book Buying Trips. Armed with all of my torn out pages of book reviews, off I go to Borders to spend an afternoon book hunting, reading snippets and treating myself to coffee and a scone. But how can I do that when I haven't finished or started the last bunch of books?? Woe to me.











I can browse (somewhat) safely at Amazon where I came upon this lovely book. Below is the inside jacket that will tell you what the book is about and I have a few photos of pages I like. I savor a bit of this book everyday, like a great bowl of ice cream that you want to last. I highly recommend it to everyone.























































So it is goodbye to summer and hello to fall today!! It is rainy and dreary here in the Midwest. Guess I had better get used to it... Have a happy week!
xoxo
Jane
















































49 comments:

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, for your own tomatoes! Harvesting them, what a way to welcome Autumn.

Yes, it can be bitter sweet to go from one Season to another. I didn't easily "fall into Fall" this year. But then, something clicked. And it's *OK* now. [How *wonderful* of me, to decide that it's OK for Autumn to come, hu? Golly geeee, betcha' Mother Nature was sooooooo *glad* that I finally *allowed* Her to do her work! -giggles-]

Wishing you the finding of a lovely pile of books, which you want to dig into, this Autumn. I'm still doing my Summer reading, which just keeps growing, it seems.

But I'm also beginning to long for some soft, gentle, old fashioned, fluff up the pillows and sit by the fire kinds of books too.... So, we shall see.

Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia

Laura said...

I never had tomatoes this summer- I don't know what the magic is.

I have the Bunny Williams book, and I love it!

Enjoyed visiting,

Laura

Helen said...

Hi there! I managed to read four books during the summer so maybe I can have a "B" .... I could live on tomatoes, literally. Yours look wonderful. Enjoy.

Cherrie said...

Your tomatoes are beautiful!

Darla said...

Your blog is very interesting. Beautiful tomatoes..ours did not fare so well this year. I read in the winter. Your daughter's catch was cute. Your husbands vine...it sure looks like a jasmine to me, does it smell sweet? It it's a clematis what type please.

Stacey said...

Your lakehouse looks like so much fun. Congratulations on the end of season tomatoes. :)

Don't feel too bad about not reading. I kind of stopped for awhile too....definitely because I was blogging too much. I'm back in the reading groove now and loving it. It makes me sleepy too but that's ok. When I read at bedtime, I'm convinced that I sleep better. A good book just takes any worries of the day away!

Lynn said...

I enjoyed every word of your post today! and every picture!!!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I'm jealous...my tomatoes didn't look that good! This year my hubby planted some in pots and they didn't do to good...so next year...in the ground they go! Stop by for visit and look around,thanks!

Blessings,
Linda

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh your tomatoes look beautiful! There is just nothing better than a freshly picked tomato. That's one of the things I'm going to miss about summer. I laughed about the his and hers arbors. How cute is that? Is there competition? I think your lake house would be such a wonderful place to relax and unwind. laurie

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Girl don't you just love home grown...I have so many green ones I have been friend them every night here...OH YUM!! and I also had to admit I haven't read one book this year...oh no I did read a Judge Judy book..loved seeing your lake house once again...I could live there my friend..Hope you have a great week...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Barb said...

Your tomatoes look fab and I know they must taste marvelous.

I can't believe Fall is already here.
Since it is still 100+ it really doesn't feel like fall.

Right now I would like to be laying next to Milo on the dock. He looks very relaxed.
Take good care and I am praying for your dad.

hugs,
Barb

Joanne said...

While I read this fall is one hour away. So far its not bad. Lets hope it stays that way everywhere.

I believe home grown tomatoes are the BEST treat.

Sue said...

Oh, it's been fall here in Ohio for a while... although today was warm and humid. ICK... Give me back the cooler temps and the rain we've had for the past few days. light drizzle and cooler days and nites...
Hey, your acorns look different than ours. Different species?
I'll do my reading this winter. Cups of coffee and a blanket- I'll be all set.
Enjoy the fall, friend.
hugs, Sue

Kat said...

I love this post. Your description of the summer light at the lake - beautiful! And those tomatoes look delicious. I would just slice them up, salt and pepper them, and enjoy! Hopefully you'll get back into the reading groove over the winter. I had stopped reading much, but took up Susan's summer reading challenge and remembered how much I just love falling into a great story. Hope you have a wonderful week. Hugs, Kathy

Barb said...

Hi Jane, your tomatoes look wonderful. I have the book you are showing....cost a fortune in the original run....but it is great.

I am so glad Fall is here!!

Hugs, Barb ♥

Julie Marie said...

Love all the photos... your tomatoes look yummy! Sorry you had to wait so long for them! Yes, fall is here and I love it! Hope you enjoy the rest of summer and look forward to Autumn as much as I do! Bisous... Julie Marie

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hey Janie,
Great job on the tomatoes! I loved your melancholy post, I know just how you feel, saying good-bye to summer. Living in the upper mid-west means loooong winters and we appreciate our summers so much. That book looks so interesting,I need to check that out. Hugs, Cindy

Lori E said...

I too loved The Borrowers. I seem to remember some aged woman in bed missing her things???
I wish my tomatoes had done well. I did have high hopes but to no avail.
Enjoy yours.
I go in spurts either reading non stop or not at all. Once your force yourself a bit it will all become a good habit again.

Joyce said...

As long as I have tomatoes I will keep thinking it is summer. Mother Nature went a little nuts down here in Atlanta with tons of rain to make sure we know it is Fall. I think the floods was over the top for Mother Nature. Now it is hot and steamy with higher temps after all the rain. Crazy times!
Joyce

2 Dogs said...

I like your his/her idea and that's as it should be.

I don't read as much as I use to but I could spend ALL day in a book store. I just love it. We have a Books-a-million on the other side of town. I wish we'd get a Barnes and Noble on my side of town.

I'm getting ready for bed. Have my two alarms set for 4am. :-)

I feel I've missed out on the entire summer by being sick. Hoping for a quick recovery so I can enjoy the fall. My favorite time of year.

See ya in a few. Hugs

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Yes.. we are heading into fall, no getting away from that! Your tomatoes are a great reward arn't they... enjoy them, I can almost taste them from here...especially when they are warmed from the sun.. MMmmm, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

xinex said...

Hi Janie! Your his and hers arbors make me smile but you're right, your hubby's clematis are gorgeous! Did you show yours or did I miss it? My star jazmine are starting to climb the gazebo and have white flowers now too but the thyme seeds never even came up. Your tomatoes are gorgeous, yummy!...Christine

Fifi Flowers said...

What a GREAT place to spend the weekends! Love fishing too!!!

Kelee said...

Hi Jane!

Your fishing looks fun!!!!

Are you participating in the Pet Parade Party? I hope so!!! Let us know....

I need you to forward Milos pic to me ASAP.....it is on the video and we are having computer troubles!

love, kelee

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I just love tomatoes too...in fact I just posted a yummy dish I made!So sad to say good bye to Summer...but Fall is wonderful too!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

bj said...

Oh, Blondie, what a delightful post. I loved every bit of it.
I love your pretty tomatoes. We didn't have good luck with ours at all. That upside down topsy turvy thingy wasn't all that great.

So far, we are having a beautiful fall..cooler weather and a little rain. Not nearly enough but thankful for every drop out here in dry West Texas. My favorite time of year...WINTERTIME..oh, how I love to snuggle in for the winter. Plenty of firewood for great fires, lots of warm blankets and throws, popcorn, hot chocolate, great books, BLOGGING...ummm, just can't wait.

I am going to check into this Williams book...it looks wonderful.
xo bj

Kathleen Grace said...

lucky girl! Our tomatoes seem to have some kind of blight and I am sure they are just not going to ripen. I have a trellis almost like your husbandds outside the back door and my hubby planted sweet autumn clematis on it for me a couple years ago! This year it is blooming and it is so pretty!

SmilingSally said...

I wish I had your tomatoes and basil to scarf down (with a bit of olive oil sprinkled on them.)

That F should be for "fun." Summer can be fun, and your nest was/is still full. Plan to read in November.

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

Love your blog, I too have failed at somethings of late, just so much on my plate some things slip to the side... annoying isn't it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane. Those tomatoes look so good. I said I was going to plant some this year and never got around to it. When is the best time anyway? Yours look so ripe and healthy. You did a great job.

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Hi again Jane...in response to your question about the Noodleless Lasagna...I would just use any soup that you have on hand (a creamed one of course) Maybe tomato, or cream of mushroom or celery...but only a half a can or so. The veggies create a lot of juice on their own! Thanks for coming by. I will definitely be back again soon!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

marmielu said...

I really enjoyed that post! So glad you got a few tomatoes. We haven given up on tomatoes because of the deer. One of my neighbors just brought over a few of his - they have a fenced in back yard.
It seems like you have lots of good memories to take you into the cooler times.
I like the his/hers thing. I'll have to remember that.
Happy Autumn!
Mary Lou

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Hey sweet friend! I have heard about that book ! Heard it is fabulous! I am going to order me one from Amazon!
Great books! A thrifty treasure find (hint)
And the fish, high five!
The clematis vineis stunning!
Thanks for dropping by Bloggeritaville! I appreciate your visits and your friendship!

Anonymous said...

I love the tomato shot and the book, An Affair with A House. I must look for it!

Anonymous said...

Oh and that fab clematis!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Jane,
It sounds like you all had a beautiful summer together! Look at the gorgeous white flowers and the book sounds wonderful too. We both shop Amazon for books as well.

Thank you very much for your kind encouragemnt on my latest post. You can do it too my friend! I've been amazed what heathy eating is doing for me these past few weeks. I already feel so much better I can't hardly believe it!
I'm beyond blessed and grateful.
I'm so glad my new doctor insisted I do something about my blood pressure issues. Even a little high is bad and I needed meds. ~Whew! I was so emabarrasssed I let it go for two years before doing anything about it. Anytime you want to come by and talk about it please do!

Thanks for your generous compliment on my bows. To be honest I have no idea how to make them pretty either. I just copied "Kristen" from "Kristen's Creations" when I ordered some swags from her last year I tried to copy hers when I saw them up close. I didn't think I even came close to the beauty of hers but that is so kind of you to compliment mine as well. She's on my blogroll and the Fall swag she made me is on my latest post.
If you haven't met her yet she's a sweetheart! Stop by and say "Hello" to her. I'll go by and ask her to do a post on making nice bows from ribbons. She is so talented at it! I'm sure she will post it.

~Blessings my friend, ~Melissa :)

Melissa Miller said...

I forgot to tell you the rapid weight loss the past few weeks has been a combo of "both". One of the new meds is actually a water reduction/BP pill so I knew it would help me lose quickly for sure. I'm expecting it to slow down from here on out. :)

Unknown said...

Hi Jane,
You are soooo lucky to have those beautiful fresh maters! :) LOL!

Let's see.... today is the last day of summer and it is still 100 degrees.
And that's a drop. :( ugggh!

~Liz

Kathleen said...

Nice tomatoes, Jane..My crop was really bad...even the deer said they stunk!
Is that Paniculata on your DH's trellis??
Still warm and humid here, air on all day!

Cass @ That Old House said...

Hi Jane, congrats on your tomato babies! Tomatoes are THE MOST rewarding veggie to grow -- no trouble, and for awhile there's nothing, and then WHOOSH you've got those gorgeous red orbs just waiting to be sliced and tucked between two slices of good bread, with some Hellman's Mayonnaise...the highest calling of any tomato.

So -- you are giving up on summer, too? I guess we have to. Bummer. But I'm heading to California on Friday, for a week -- hot and sunny, one more time.

About Bunny Williams' book -- I almost bought that book when it first came out, but I found that picture of the table set, with the candles ON THE FLOOR. Now, seriously -- who in her right mind would put LIT CANDLES down where her guests FEET go?

I couldn't buy the book after that -- just couldn't get past that picture. I have another of her books, and it's good -- and I'm sure I'd like this one... but those floor candles. I couldn't sit at that table until I'd blown out all the candles. And then Bunny would probably never invite me back....
Cass
PS Cute fish. NEVER let your husband know you can clean fish -- my grandmother's lesson to me.

RobinfromCA said...

What a wonderful tribute to the end of summer. I too loved The Borrowers when I was younger. It was 2nd only to Winnie the Pooh in my list of favorites and I still love it, and that silly old bear, of course!

Happy Fall!
Robin

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Now you'll have so many tomatoes you won't know what to do with them all!
We love that book by Bunny... filled with lots of eye candy!
Karla & Karrie

Susie Q said...

Ohhow I love tomatoes fresh from the garden. Your photo was so pretty...bet they tasted yummy.

Loved seeing all your sweet pictures and oh! I LOVEthat Bunny W book. I think you will adore it!

Love,
Sue

Martha said...

Love tomatoes and I have a plant that took "forever" to bear -- it's an heirloom which may be why-- but their flavor is superb --

An Affair with a House is a favorite of mine and I love that book!

Bunny is such a great decorator!

Anonymous said...

Great post! Those tomatoes are so beautiful! I wish we could feel a little of the fall weather here. It's gonna be hot for some time around here! I have that book and it's wonderful, isn't it?
Oh, thank you for the info about the gourds! Since this post is a rerun from last year, I just put the gourds in a cupboard and forgot about them. I think they're dried, but they did have a little mold on the bottoms. I suppose I had better clean them up really well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Neabear said...

I didn't get much read during this summer either. I keep spending my free time stitching on my projects. But during our upcoming trip I will probably be doing some reading. I will take a book or two along anyway. I am not sure I can take my stitching along very well. You know with little scissors and needles. The airline security might take it all away.

The tomatoes look yummy. Also I noticed the beer bottle sitting on the arm of the bench on the approach to your dock. I am guessing it is your hubby's. Mine would do the same..

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I get an "F" for "Failure" on so many fronts this summer it's disgusting. I did manage to read ONE (and a half) book -- Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. But it was a really big book so maybe I can count it twice? :-)

I didn't grow tomatoes but our farm stand tomatoes were a bit of slim pickins' this year. We had a LOT of rain so I think that may have something to do with the sub-par crop? The corn, however, was outstanding.

Happy fall! Gah...is it really October next week?!?

Heidi said...

Hi there Jane,
It is hard to say goodbye to summer, isn't it? Esp. when you've been having such a great one - being so near the water must be lovely. I've always fantasized about a home on a lake...maybe someday, although there aren't as many out here in CA. We do have the ocean, though, and I try to walk the beach 3-4 times a week.
The Bunny Williams book is great, borrowed it from the Library a while back. Loved it. some people really know how to live!
Thanks for being such a great friend, I always love knowing you visited and reading your comments.
Oh yes, one more thing, I looooved the borrowers when I was young - they just fasinated me. I would make tiny little things and leave them around my room just in case I got a visit from one! Guess I just loved tiny things.
Ok - that's enough for now. Take some time to read one of your fav. books. I'm having a giveaway which includes something you might like, come have a look! And enjoy those tomatoes!
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

KarenB said...

I picked up a handful of acorns yesterday at the National Cemetery. We don't have acorns where I live. At least I don't think Live Oaks have acorns. Anyway, love your husbands clematis. It's beautiful. Good job on the tomatoes! They look yummy!
Karen @ Elderberry Street