I’m back! Did you miss me?
We had a very busy week, and I totally shut off my computer and did not check any emails, read any blogs, or keep up on anything! Now THAT is a real vacation!
It gave me a lot of time to think!After our trip to Illinois, the hubby and I spent some time on the sprucing up the beehive project! It is really coming along, but is a lot of work! I also decided it was time to harvest the garden!
First was the onion patch. I think we planted close to 80 onion plants, and this is what we ended up with! And they smelled sooo good!
I think this was one of the biggest ones. Yum! I will say though that these onions are nothing compared to my Dad’s! He grew the biggest onions this year! He says the key is to fertilize them every 3 weeks. I definitely did not do that .. maybe next year!
I also pulled up some more radishes .. they are still coming in! These babies are huge!
This is what I call the mutant squashes – it is a volunteer squash plant that comes up all OVER the place every year!! Most of the plants never get big enough to produce anything, but this one produced 2 squashes. Honestly, I’m a little scared to try it …
Fall is really hitting all around us! I love watching the trees change colors on the mountains! So pretty!
And finally, the moment you all have been waiting for …
Harvesting the potatoes in the trash cans! I’ll admit, I was a little nervous to see how we did!
The first can we emptied was the 3rd one in, counting from the left. All summer, it looked dead – nothing grew on top, and we thought it just never took off.
Wrong! I didn’t get a huge harvest, but I did find a few buried in the soil! Some were sooo tiny – they are like Sammy sized potatoes!
I continued digging in all 4 trashcans.
The best way we figured to do this was to shovel the dirt into a wheelbarrow, and I just sifted through the dirt to find the potatoes. Time consuming, but effective!
Most of the plants had potatoes attached to the roots.
I think my husband was a little disappointed in the harvest .. I guess I was a little bit too. But, it is better than nothing, right??
Would I do this again next year? You bet I would! We had some roasted potatoes for dinner .. so good!
During this last week, I kept our meals simple. We used the grill a lot! One thing I have been loving is roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts on the grill – I kind of cheat, and microwave a potato until it is almost cooked, and then cut it in fry – like pieces. Place it in a sheet of aluminum foil with a few brussels, and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook on the grill for a few minutes and wa-la! Homebaked fries (and brussels!) And ketchup is a must! No pictures
During my time off the grid last week, I did think a lot about the future of my blog. When I started blogging, I wrote mainly about my love of cooking healthy-er recipes. I have so many interests – I have started branching out, writing about herbal remedies, cheese making, and more recently – organization and how I am redecorating our home. I’m not sure where this is all going, so I am just going to ride the wave for now. I have some big work obligations coming up, and I know that will limit the amount of time I can spend on the blog. For this week, I have a work-related class I am taking, and a test I am required to pass, so I might not be around so much while I focus on that. Tests??? What is that?
This post resonated with me last week. I know life is a journey, and our desires and interests are constantly changing – that is what makes life interesting! I guess I feel I am at an edge of something – changing focus a little bit, and things that used to be my focus (like creating a new gluten free recipe), no longer hold that much interest for me. My food habits aren’t changing (although I have been experimenting in adding back gluten free oats – loving it so far!), but I am falling back on some simpler recipes.
I hope you will stick with me to see where this is going! I do know that with this little guy – life is never boring!
Thank you for linking to my blog.
renee @ FIMBY recently posted..A Peek into My Kitchen
Thank you!
Woo finally the potato harvest, I think you should definitely try again next year. How fun
My blog used to be just recipes, that is it. But I like sharing my ‘favorites’ and the best thing posts.
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..Ramen Soup with Vegetables
Thanks Rhonda
I like reading those posts too!
Trash can potatoes! YES, so glad you got some (a few) out of the experiment. And I wish I’d thought to plant onions–next year.
And my blog started off as only a place for book reviews…yeaaaah, things have changed a little
Just gotta explore and see what you love posting about!
Allie recently posted..Meatless Monday A to Z: Getting Figgy with It
There is always next year!
Those radishes look SO tasty! I am so envious of your garden. I dream of having my own garden one day. Your doggy is SO cute. Love and Shine CourtStar
Court Star @ StarSystemz recently posted..SLIM FAST SUNDAY
Thank you!
The radishes are awesome! I’m so glad I am still getting them!
I am looking away from the onions! At least you got some potatoes – I’ve never eaten a “fresh” potato before!
For those big squash? I would shred them to make bread, the big ones don’t taste too good sauteed in my opionion.
Holy cow, my blog has switched gears a dozen times in four years – weight loss, healthy recipes, Paleo, South Beach – you name it – I think blogs evolve over time and I like blogs that are constantly changing.
Biz recently posted..Broccoli Rabe Pesto … Pasta
I’ll stick with ya’ Jane !
Blogging is one way to get me do the ‘writing’ that I am encouraged to do by the ‘prfessionals’ in my life. I must admit, I enjoy it quite so! For some reason, even if I had no one who read or left a comment, there’s a prompting for me to write (journal) when it feels like somebody is ‘listening.’ Seems strange -I wonder.
WoW, for the first potato harvest -Fantastic! … and the onions and radish too!
I went to post some pictures of the start of my new fall garden -BUT, I couldn’t resist the flowers from this morning, tee hee. So that’s what’s new at my blog. Hopefully, I’ll get some garden pics up soon.
God Bless, Deanna
Deanna recently posted..A poem and more on this Pink September Morning
Thank you Deanna
You look so peaceful in the last picture. I’m excited to see what’s up and coming in your life. Good luck on your tests!!
Aimee recently posted..Summer Races: Lake Wyola Road Race
Wow, your garden came out so great! Your fries and brussel sprouts sound delicious! Great tips!
Farrah recently posted..Why I Run
Thanks! It really is my favorite way to make them!
Good for you getting off the grid! Never happens enough, but sometimes just what you need to re-charge. Your harvest looks great, I totally neglected my garden this year, but it is still rewarding me with yummy tomatoes and the hottest peppers ever.
Jacky recently posted..Frozen Dinner {Eggplant Parmesan Pizza}
Welcome back from vacation. I think unplugging like that is the only way to vacation. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
I like the variety of things you post about. Please keep sharing all of your interests as it opens up new things to the rest of us.
Tami @Nutmeg Notebook recently posted..Sun Butter, Flat Breads, Guacamole -Food Finds
Your onions look great. I want to do some next year but I never would have thought they needed so much fertilizer. Good to know!
TastefullyJulie recently posted..Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins
They really are pretty easy, but I will say planting them was a pain in the back … especially cause we planted 80! But, it was worth it!
Unplugging feels so nice doesn’t it?? I’m so glad you did! I missed you, but I’ll always be here for whenever you post. Living your life is so much more important than blogging. Yes??
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Marvelous In My Monday #15
Trash can potatoes! What a neat idea!
I like the idea of letting your blog develop organically and not taking anything too seriously – it is YOUR place to do with it as YOU please.
The rest of us are just lucky enough to be along for the ride
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because recently posted..Week 3
HI Jane, I’m excited to see what’s ahead for you! You seem like such an amazing multifaceted woman, I know there are great things ahead. Enjoy your day.
I remember when I used to have a huge garden and doing the “last” harvest. What fun! What a great crop of onion! You’ll be living off of those for a few months. Considering you were doing an experiment with the potatoes, I think you got great results! There is nothing like homegrown! Sounds to me like you have a lot on your TO DO list for the fall and winter. Good luck with everything Darlin!
mjskit recently posted..Grilled Meat and Late Summer Vegetable Salad by Nadalyn
Joe was in the study this morning (drinking the coffee from my cup—grrr) and looking over my shoulder at your post. He was interested in your trash can potatoes and shared a potato harvest story of his own.
This is one of the beauties of blogs–they inspire thought and ignite conversation. I’ll be traveling along as your blog evolves.
Hope you and the hubby and Sammy have a great weekend!
As you know, I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting to hear about this harvest. I would have been pleased. We just returned from Estes Park. The Aspens were stunning this year.
Lea Ann recently posted..Pan Fried Cod with Mustard Caper Sauce and a Winner
Fun! Just driving from the house to Denver yesterday, I noticed the aspens really are changing! I’m sure in a week it will be snowing