Market Day - August 28th

From the Midtown (North Hills) Farmers Market

Local apples - Godwin's Orchard

1lb grass-fed beef - Cohen Farm

Rainbow chard - Edible Earthscapes

Tigger melons - Cloverfields Farm

White potatoes & onions - Ball Farm

Bell peppers - Kellam Wyatt Farm

Eggplant, zucchini & squash - Cedar Rock Farm

It Does Get Easier, Right?

This morning I dropped Clayton off for his first experience of kindergarten.  At our school, the kindergarteners only attend one day of school the first week.  It really is like an assessment day before the final class assignments are made.  I've been so nervous about this day.  My stomach has been in knots all week!  I felt a little better when we got to the school and found out Clayton would be spending the day in Ashleigh's former kindergarten teacher's classroom.  And that two other teachers, whom we know, would be assisting in the classroom today.  Clayton was okay right up until it was time for me to quietly make my exit.

Then he cried and I felt terrible for leaving my baby.  Having been at home for all his life, this will be quite an adjustment.  For him and for us.  As much as it worries me, I try to remind myself this will be a time of growth for Clay.  In a few months we will look back and be amazed at how much he's learned, the friendships he's made.  I know he will be okay, but right now it's kind of tough.  Funny thing is Reed was crying this morning because he wants to go to school!  Go figure!

First Day of Second Grade

Ashleigh with her sparkly kitty lunch box

She had a great first day of 2nd grade!

Homekeepers Journal - August 24th

Baby Clay around age 2. 

Can't believe he's headed to kindergarten this week!

This week's Homekeeper's Journal is all about thoughts of Autumn.

Autumn in my kitchen means ……. A crockpot of chili using local, grass-fed beef.  Then settling down to the table for a bowl of chili topped with sour cream and shredded raw cheddar cheese with homemade cornbread on the side.

Autumn in my home brings …….My birthday! 

I bring Autumn indoors by ……..Incorporating items from nature - pine cones, bare branches, colorful leaves, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn.  Also decorating with colors that bring to mind warmth - browns, reds, and oranges.

A few favorite Autumn activities for my family are …….The NC State Fair is an absolute MUST for us during Fall!  I love the sights, the sounds, the FOOD!  Funnel cakes - yum!  We also enjoy heading out to one of the local farms to pick our pumpkins for carving.

Two favorite Autumn recipes are …….My Chili using local, grass-fed beef and Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese (can substitute sweet potatoes - another Fall favorite!).

This Autumn I would like to ………Go apple picking!

Please visit Sylvia at Christian HomeKeeper Network to read what is going on with other home keepers around blogland!

Market Day - August 21st

From the Midtown (North Hills) Farmers Market

1 dozen pastured eggs - S&L Farm

Stoneground whole wheat flour (ground the night before market!) - The Grain Mill of Wake Forest

2 bars handmade soap - Moondance Soaps

Red apples - Godwin's Orchards

Sweet potatoes and okra - R&V Farm

Onions - Ball Farm

Trash to Treasure - Hubby Brag!

While my projects have been piling up, Dave has been  hard at work on his own!  His most recent project was this trash to treasure armoire.  He started working on it so fast, I didn't get any before pics! 

The drawers were busted, so Dave nailed those back together.  Then he got to work painting.  He used a color from Valspar (New Black).   

And here is the armoire in its new home!  We decided to put it in the family room, replacing the trash to treasure dresser that had been in the corner.  An upgrade of sorts!  

I'm so proud of my hubby and the work he did on this project! 

He's got quite the eye for cool trash. 

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm sharing my Hubby's project with:

Remodelaholic - Remodelaholic's Anonymous Meeting

A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS

Fall Garden Started!

This year, I'm attempting a Fall garden for the first time!  Using salvaged bricks Dave found on Craigslist for free, I constructed a square similar to the one used for my small Spring garden.  My intentions were to start the seeds indoors at the beginning of July.  BUT...that didn't happen!  So I planted the seeds directly into the soil mix and have been praying for the best.  I planted broccoli, kale (lacinato and a curly leaf variety), red chard and spinach.

The newsletter from one of the local nurseries mentioned them selling transplants for the fall gardening.  I may go ahead and clean out my Spring garden and plant a few of the transplants.  Sort of like a "Plan B" if my direct seed experiment doesn't work :)