Berry Harvest!

Where has this summer gone?

I can't believe that we are in the middle of August already!

As the summer comes to an end, 

this may be one of my last berry harvests.

This season has been extra delightful.

As all my berry bushes mature, 

they produce more and more fruit.

I'm loving this summer so much. 

I don't want it to end!

Loving Lately...

Do you ever shop on Etsy? I absolutely adore it. Everyone is so sweet and friendly, and when you purchase anything you automatically find a kindred spirit.

I've purchased a couple of things over the years and have loved, loved, loved, each and every item. When things are handmade, they are made with love and care.

Here are a couple of things that I've purchased lately and am absolutely in love with :)

Vintage Glass Coffee Pot.
I'm usually very weary of buying anything fragile because I'm not as gentle with my belongings as I should be. However, I've been on the look out for a glass pot so I can use more tea flower blossoms. This coffee/tea pot worked out grrrrrreat!

I'm currently using it to hold my chocolate mint water. A refreshing bevie during the dog days of summer ;)

This Esty store has a wonderful owner with a lot more great vintage finds. I wish I could have bought the whole store!

Vintage Milk Glass Coffee Pot.
From this Etsy Store...

I actually don't drink coffee, but I am obsessed with Tea and infusing water with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries from my garden.
As we know, I'm obsessed with milk glass. I love it. I can't get enough of it. I want to have my house built with it. har har har... ;)

How absolutely adorable is this! When I saw it, I instantly fell in love. Come join my family my little coffee pot friend. I shall fill you with tea, and deliciously refreshing water. mmMMmm mmMMmm Yum.

Container Gardening: Gooseberries

Have you ever had a Gooseberry?

I find they taste like a cross between a grape and cranberry.

Wait until they are tender before picking. 

If  you don't wait until they are soft to the squish 

they can be quite sour...

Not going to lie, I did eat a bunch before they were ripe.

Trial and Error was how I figured out when they were ripe ;)

hee hee hee

Look how cute they are!

This was what the Gooseberry plant looks 

like when it is coming back from the winter. 

Caution:

The branches are extremely sharp! There are thorns everywhere...

Envy Apples

Envy apples are in season right now.

A coworker told me about them years ago, 

and I've been keeping an eye out for them ever since.

Have to say... They are pretty delicious.

I wouldn't bump Galas off the top of my 

favourite list just yet. 

But these are pretty good!

Keep a look out for these at your local store ;)

Healthy Roasted Garden Fresh Veggies

During this time of year the harvest of veggies are abundant.

All your hard work over the season is now paying off with boat 

loads of freshness from the garden.

If you're looking for an oil free way to roast veggies, 

try parchment paper :)

I did these beets and zucchinis at 375 for 40-45 minutes.

They were so delicious that even TheDapperGentleman, who 

hates beets, love these roasted veggies.

Beets... So Delicious...

And... they are ready for consumption ;)

Update: Edible Flowers

Cornflowers:

They taste very earthy, but definitely not in a good way...

They seem more for prettiness in salads than for taste :)

Bergamot:

These lovelies have not flowered yet, but the leaves are delicious.

Perfect for a cup of tea!

I used these seed packages. 

Both of these seeded really easily.

I only water them once every couple of days.

Great low maintenance plants ;)

My Best Comeback for Everything

This is my best comeback comment for everything :)

This is how you use it in a regular conversation:

Someone other than you: I really hate olives. They are so blah...

You: You're so blah!

Example 2:

Someone other than you: That movie was total crap. 

You: You're total crap!

It can also backfire and become a compliment

Example 3:

Someone other than you: The sunrise was so spectacular

You: You're so spectacular!

*****

Basically you take the last two words of what the other person said and add "you're" to it. 

I use this on TheDapperGentleman all the time. 

Best way to break a boring conversation and turn it into a funny fun one :)

Nugget from My Childhood

When I was little I was obsessed with Felicity the t.v. show. I loved how she had a pen pal that she sent voice letters to instead of written letters.

In grade 7 or 8 after babysitting all summer I had enough money to purchase this tape recorder, a Gloria Estefan CD, and a Moffatt CD. (It makes me laugh that I was into the Moffatts). I know this because the day I purchased all of these things I make a very bubbly recording recapping the day.

I love that I was such a dork. My dorkiness means that I have a voice recording of all of my little brothers and cousins as they were just learning how to talk. I have a moment captured in time that I can listen back to. Granted, I was annoying, so some of it was extremely challenging to get through lol...

Fresh Bouquet from the Garden

Do you ever come across the mixed flower seed packets?

I normally glide past them, but this year I tried one. 

It was the butterfly mix, and boy oh boy did it pay off.

The seeds germinated very easily, 

the flowers are so cute and little. 

Final Pea Harvest

My peas have given me my last harvest...

It's sad that I'm not going to be able to watch them grow, 

but I'm definitely at the point where I can't eat any more peas.

Blanched peas with butter and salt. 

Simple, yet mmMMmm goodness.

All the peas I harvested in the last couple of days

to fill my freezer for the winter months :)