Tuesday, September 17, 2013

THE COOK, THE GARDENER & THE FUSSY READER


I picked up a little bouquet of flowers at the grocery store, the colors are just perfect for getting in the mood for fall.  I haven't started doing any sort of decorating though...okay, I picked up two very cute pumpkin candles.  They are darling.  It's those one of a kind things that get to me when I try to curb frivolous spending.  Anyway, about my bouquet...
...this is the flower frog jars in a basket thingy I found at Tattered Tiques last month when I met up with Kris from Junk Chic Cottage.  I really love it, the old wire, the zinc lids and the wooden handles.  It makes flower arranging a breeze!

You can find this recipe in the October issue of Redbook magazine. 

This is how that space is looking now.  I order tulip, crocus and hyacinth bulbs every year from Breck's and they should be here soon.  That will be the end of my work.  And for the spring, I ordered seeds from Renee's; Alyssum, Cosmos, Four o' clocks, Morning Glories and miniature Sunflowers.

Not much planned for the rest of the week, dental check up tomorrow, major haircut Thursday.  Yes, I am getting it cut back up to my shoulders, I think that will be about a good 6 inches off.  My breath catches a little at the thought of it, it's sort of like a curtain I can hide behind.  But I want something more chic, something I can style easily.  As long as I can fit it up into a ponytail, I'm happy.  That's me, everyday.  And then I really, really hope we make it to the lake this weekend.  In another month we will be putting everything away until the spring.  I haven't been there since mid July.  How can that be?  Last weekend we had a fund raiser to go to which was very important to us and we had a great time.  The Husband won an autographed football by Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears.  He was one happy guy.  And after we went to one of our favorite restaurants.  So while it was a good weekend, I just want to spend a few days outdoors doing nothing, maybe even hop into the old fishing boat with the captain and take a slow trip around the lake!  Have a great week everyone!

Joining in with Tracie at Fishtail Cottage for her Thursday Garden Party.

49 comments:

Gina said...

Those frog jars are great! They make your fall flowers look so pretty.

I would be the non-adventurous drumstick person (lol) like your husband, but I have to admit, the ones you made for yourself look delicious!

Art and Sand said...

I laughed at the pony tail comment. My hair is shoulder length, but it spends most of the day in a pony tail or twisted around and held in place with a clip. It is just too much work to wear it down.

Lynn said...

Your chicken sounds great and the black eyed Susans look beautiful Jane! I hope you make it to the lake this weekend-gotta enjoy the nice weather while we can:@)

Debby said...

When I read your blog it is like sitting outside sipping a cup of coffee with a dear friend. You are so down to earth and tell it like it is.
Those drumsticks looks mightly yummy to me. Glad your husband tried them.
I hope you get back to the Lake. That's what happened to us when we had our cottage. The kids were getting older and having babies and it was too hard to spend time there. But I want it back now as you know.
I am anxious to see your new hair do. I want something spunky but haven't seen anything I think my hair could handle.
Happy Fall.

Stacey said...

It just makes me crazy when I'm reading a book and don't really like it. Sometimes I plug on through and other times...well just forget it. I just finished Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet a week or so ago. It was great. Found out at the library today that you can search for "Similar to ________". So I searched similar to Fannie Flagg (my fave) and came up with some fun reads. :)

Anonymous said...

a visit with you is always a treat, gosh I wish I could keep my hair long but when I turned fifty my hair became thinner, don't know why, no medical reason , the doc said it just happens, your hair is beautiful and thick!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

That chicken you made sounds so yummy!! My husband is terrified of Middle Eastern foods and won't touch them with a 10 foot pole (he's such a baby!)
Your flowers look beautiful! Love the trellis!
I read The Provence Cure For the Brokenhearted. It was a good read. :)

Sarah said...

You've had a busy week. I'm back in the garden all day tomorrow. I'm with you on books I don't like. I don't have the time to spend reading something that doesn't catch my imagination. As for a ponytail ~ I've been putting my hair in a ponytail since 3rd grade. It's not the only way I style my hair, but it sure helps to be able to just pull it back when I want. ;-)
Enjoy your week.......Sarah

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I read that book about Provence a while ago - can't remember all the details, but I remember I liked it :-)

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Jane,
Those drumsticks look so yummy. I love all the work to the garden it is looking so great. You go girl.
Kris

podso said...

Isn't it nice how even a simple bouquet of flowers can brighten our day and bring a touch of fall into the house! ( and a pumpkin candle too.) Good for you to get into interesting cooking, and not push it on your husband but have him become curious! Guess you'll be making that again! Thanks for the recipe. I think I should try it. We do love Middle Eastern food. enjoy the week and hope you get to the lake this w/e.

Olive said...

The drumsticks look wonderful Jane. I love turmeric and curry. I add them into lots of things. Love the found trellis too. Thanks for visiting CC. xo, Olive

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane... sounds like another busy week for you... your chicken looks delish!... and your gardens are still so pretty... ours are kind of pooping out for the year... we have had rain rain rain for days now... lots of flooding even in Southern Utah... and tomorrow our high is going to only be 68... I love the cooler temps though... funny you mentioned apple pie... that is what I am making tomorrow!... love this time of year and all the yummy apples... Honeycrisp are my favs... going to check out the book you recommended... I need a new one to read... hope you get to the lake this weekend... xoxo Julie Marie

Barbara F. said...

I want to try the chicken, it sounds wonderful. I have been hit and miss with posting. I hosted a prayer group today with 7 ladies and lunch afterwards and didn't take one photo! My bad. xo

chateau chic said...

Mmmm, those drumsticks look so good!! My family would love having you cook for them every day.
Mary Alice

Beth said...

Your chicken looks great, Jane. Apple tart or pie sounds so good too. I've been reading Kindle books lately. There is a website (Pixel of Ink) where I signed up for a daily email of deals and steals on Amazon. From that, I receive lots of free e-books. If they are free and I don't care for them, I feel absolutely no need to continue reading them. I enjoyed "Cold Fear" and "Replica" recently.
Your garden is looking good, Jane!
Best wishes, Beth

Beth said...

The chicken sounds delicious! Loved this post!

Tricia said...

I know what you mean about reading books that don't really catch your interest. I used to force myself to keep reading them since I paid for them, but I don't put myself through the torture anymore. Your sure thinking ahead with your flowers. I just got some mums yesterday...time for fall, I guess. You'll have to show us your new haircut once it's done :)

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I hope you do make it to the lake! It seems the perfect way to end a summer. Your recipe DOES look great! I admire people who cook SO MUCH! Thank you for the nice compliment on my chalkboard and the Windex tip! Have fun at the lake!

Pondside said...

I hope you get that lazy ride across the lake, Jane. It would be a lovely way to bid farewell to summer.

It's me said...

I wish i could smell and taste....and smell again !!!...happy day darling.....love Ria...x !

Jacqueline said...

I think I could smell the ginger and those drumsticks - wow, wow, wow! They are beautiful. I need to get to the garden again. It was sadly neglected but I think the grapes were OK with that, so I have to neglect one end of the garden and baby the other - don't know how to do that one.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

that chicken recipe looks awesome! Thanks for sharing...and good luck with the haircut! You have beautiful hair, it will look terrific.

I am coveting that flower arrangement set of jars in the basket, oh just love it. Might try to find one.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I laughed at the neglect part, ha ha! You really can, though...and the bees love russian sage so you will make them happy. I might try that chicken recipe / I do love ginger and have not cooked with it in awhile. And when you were listing all of the spices I was thinking " I wonder if HE is going to eat that or not" ! :)

Your yard looks gorgeous..you have been hard at work indeed.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Love all your randomness strung together, Jane - I totally get it, and just finding the time to jot it all down is an accomplishment.

I love that Russian sage. Another plant that really looks pretty with it, in front of it, is a pink knockout rose - easy - you can ignore that one too. I've seen those two together on a city corner landscape.

Have good day. :)
Rita

Theresa said...

Love the headboard/garden trellis! You are a busy lady and take time to cook and read:) Love getting a fresh haircut, can't wait to see yours! Have a blessed week dear friend, HUGS!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Finally getting around to catching up with everyone. I love your new flower holder!!! I cannot believe it is cool enough for you to do garden work-it is almost a 100 here every day-heat index is! No rain in over a month-everything is dead or almost so. I sure hope all that sunshine you have now that your trees are pruned, won't kill your hydrangeas. Well enough gloom and doom-I love your posts-it is like visiting a good friend and catching up.

Lulu said...

Boy, you've got the words flowing, and as I read them I think how much I would enjoy spending time with you. There seem to be lots of common interests, not the least of which is getting out of the box!

Lori E said...

You may say you are not getting things done but you always do a whole lot anyways. Busy, busy woman.
The chicken looked delish and it was nice of you to let him try it. lol
When your garden is done for the season make sure you cut back your Russian sage really low. It will regrow in the spring. If you don't it will look shaggy and unkempt. Try to get past the smell when you touch it. Smells like cat pee to me. Ugh. But it sure is great in the garden.

must love junk said...

Congrats on your 500th post!!
I love black-eyed susans, too...wonder why? ;)
Susan

Traci said...

I wish I loved to cook! Maybe one day. After all I use to hate exercise. I just love all of your plants.

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Jane, You have been so busy.The chicken recipe sounds so delicious and your garden is looking beautiful. Congrats on your husbands win. That's awesome! Thanks for always stopping by with your wonderful comments. Love hearing from you.

Hugs,
Jody

Kathleen Grace said...

This recipe sounds divine! I can't wait to try it, thank you for sharing it Jane. The headboard makes a beautiful trellis! I'll have to be doing some roadside shopping for one of my own:>) Lol

NanaDiana said...

Jane- How funny- I have been thinking about shoulder length hair, too. It really is a curtain, isn't it?

Loving your chicken recipe and your garden of "I can neglect these plants" looks great.

Hope you get to the lake this weekend- we are on the road in the UP. xo Diana

Gypsy Heart said...

I've missed you and your news...just haven't had much oomph to get back into blogland. I'm glad you shared that recipe, sounds delish to me!

Good luck with the haircut! I'm going tomorrow and just need to go back to short. By comparison, it is short, however, I don't do well when it starts to grow out even though I'd love to try a new style! Catch 22 ~ :)

xo
Pat

Susan Shull said...

Hi, Jane!
I just finished a book, The Red Book. I bought it because it claimed on the cover to be hilarious and a page turner. It wasn't funny and I made myself finish it because I paid good money for it. Goodness. I wonder sometimes of reviewers even read the books they brag about!

You will love Russian sage-very neglectable!

Melanie said...

I had to laugh at the first part of your post - you sound so much like me with your good intentions of all these wonderful things to do - but then other things take your time instead. Why is there only 24 hours in a day? ;-)

I *love* your flower frog jars. I have always wanted a set like that. Lucky you to find that!

I've made a yogurt marinade for chicken (breasts; don't like drumsticks) before, but not with some of those spices in it. I'll definitely have to try it; I love fresh ginger. I think I have about every spice known to man in my cupboard.

You will love your Russian Sage - it's definitely a plant you can neglect! Mine is huge now. I don't even water it. Love your headboard trellis - very pretty.

I have so many gazillions of books to read that if I'm reading one and I don't like it, it goes bye-bye. I either put it on paperbackswap, list it on half, or donate it.

Your hair is so beautiful. You're so lucky you can put it up in a pony tail. It's been many years since I've been able to do that. I hate my hair - it is so fine and stringy. I told Brian that I want to get it cut really short and he freaked out. Hope you make it up to the lake this weekend!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
Great post as usual!
That chicken looks amazing, you really are a great cook.
And your gardens are looking so tidy and pretty. I have so much outside work to do my head spins.
Instead my days are filled with amusing and caring for an almost 3 year old. I love it you know, but other things go on the back burner sometimes. I hope you and Al get back up to the lake this weekend..it's supposed to be cooler here but still fairly nice.
Your hair will look gorgeous no matter what you do.
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I love the basket and jars you have the flowers in! So pretty! I laughed at your comments about the Russian sage. We planted some in our garden this year, but mainly because the bees like it so much! We have black eyed susans as well and those are one of my favorites.

Good luck with the haircut today! Hope it turns out like you want :)

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I love the way you write, Jane! Your posts are always interesting (and funny!) When I get my haircut, I say the same thing...leave it long enough to put up in a ponytail. LOL! I've almost bought similar flower frog jars twice, but put them back. Now I wish I'd bought them! Yours are very pretty! Those drumsticks look oh so amazing! Bet they were delish! Hope you make it to the lake this weekend. We're going out for mexican food with my mom and step dad and I have a long honey-do list for my hubby. :)

The Tablescaper said...

Man you've been busy! I sure know how those projects get away from us.

- The Tablescaper

Ivy and Elephants said...

I can almost taste those yummy drumsticks! The spicier the better.
Adding to my file!
Hugs,
Patti

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

I can't believe you haven't been to the lake since July! And it sounds like you don't go there in the winter at all? We go to our cabin year round, and I would miss it if we didn't go for months.

I love apple turnovers and usually make a barefoot contessa recipe with dried cherries in it too. I'll be looking forward to your version.

Congratulations on your 500th post! I bet it went fast, but look how much you've accomplished and how many friends you've made!

xxx

Unknown said...

Kudos, Jane for keeping at the yard! It looks so good! That chicken sounds divine, but my hubby would "stay in the sandbox"! He's not too hip to trying new dishes. The plainer the better with him! But he's easy to please and never complains so that's a good thing! Hope you get to the lake this weekend. It's about time for me to get to go to our lake house. Maybe a couple of weeks from now! Have a great weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Love those jars, Janie! Now the chicken looks so good too and I always love to hear of more ways to cook chicken. Thanks for popping in to see me and have a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Betsy Brock said...

Mmmmm...now I'm hungry!

Love the jars with the frogs!

Unknown said...

Jane-Your chicken looks delicious-now I'm practically drooling. Your time at the lake, cruising around in the boat sounds so relaxing. I'm sure you'll get back there soon. Enjoy!
xx, Heather

Babs said...

Gosh, you've been busy and making those yummy looking drumsticks, too. I looked at tulip bulbs yesterday, but didn't get any.It's really too warm here for them to bloom more than one or two years. I should research some bulbs...besides daffodils, that will do well here. Hope you're having a good weekend.
xo

Low Tide High Style said...

Congratulations on your 500th post! And I can't wait to see your new haircut. I hope you made it to the lake this weekend!

xo Kat