Cold Turkey, Soup & Sorbet

What a great weekend.  I don't know when I've had more fun shoveling dirt and sticking things in the ground.  The garden fortress is shaping up beautifully.  The Mister is nearly finished hooking up the auto-drip system that will keep everything watered, in case, I, um...forget. 

(He made great waffles too!)

We went out and bought the girls each a chopped whiskey barrel, and let them have their pick of flowers to plant in them.  (We'll also be planting things like squash and beans, but a little instant gratification was in order).  The results reflected their personalities to a T.  Grace chose soft pastels, wispy, ethereal, graceful. 

Ginger went for bright, colorful, cheerful, spicy.  I can't look at these without being reminded of their gifts and talents.  It wasn't all work though, we did manage to slip out for that big enchilada fix one night and also made the afore mentioned strawberry sorbet.   In the very near future, I see my crockpot of soup being nudged out of it's prominent space on the counter by the electric ice-cream maker.  yum.  (Tami reminded me that we need to make strawberry lemonade too.  Yes, we surely must!) 

I know I said (last week) that I was signing off for the summer, OK I'm going...I really-really am this time...she says with one foot in the door. (tee-hee) I'm just not (sniff) good with goodbyes (sob).  It's hard to stay on task when there are so many lovely distractions like craftyblogs and blog pals.   So hard to leave this groovy party.  I just have one more loose thread to tie up before I go though.  The summer book give-away.   My goodness, never knew there were so many of you lurking out there.  Much thanks to all the old pals and the new ones for piping up and brightening my morning!  The comments are officially closed now though, and all the names are being tossed into the super sonic spinning bonnet as we speak.  A winner will be announced at any moment.  Hang onto your hats.  Drum roll please.... (nothing like keeping you all in suspense is there?)  OK.  The Super Shuffler has spoken.  It appears that lucky number seven has been chosen!  Congratulations to lucky number seven!  If you are lucky number 7, please contact me with your shipping info and I'll pack off your prize pronto. 

Thank you ALL so much for the fond farewells.  It warms the cockles of me little heart, it truly does.  Perhaps I'll pop in "now and then" with a bit of news throughout the summer, as has been suggested instead of going cold turkey.  (ha!) And just in case you may be wondering who this is, let me introduce you to, Star.  Star has been Ginger's constant companion for five years straight now.  She showed up one Christmas morning and the two have since been inseparable.  Meaning: she has accompanied us on family vacations, doctor AND dental visits, restaurants, shopping, anywhere and everywhere a horse can sidle up.  (Some kids have cute little teddies or blankies they transport with them everywhere they go...Ginger has Star.) 

Who um, appears to be waving.

(OK, I can take a hint. )

Comments

[Natalie]

I like to believe you will find to time to pop-in and post a thing or two periodically. I will be checking. As always, you share such lovely bits... it's a pleasure to visit.

[Mrs.Staggs]

Ha, we are both having troubles slowing down the blogging! I'm finding that doing less is almost harder, because then my posts want to be too long and sort of lose their rhythmn, so now I'm rethinking things again!
I was away over the weekend and missed your book give away, but will add this title to my library reserve list. The strawberries are perfect! I CAN taste them!
Love the girl's barrels and the way they reflect their personalities! Like the arbors at the gates to the garden. My goodness it's going to be huge..my sister's is too. The table looks so pretty! Love that combination with your beautiful roses...but, I was wondering...do the roses smell like sour milk and rotten eggs? LOL!
Well, this is getting to be a pretty long comment! I guess I'm having a hard time with goodbye too!
Take care Vicki. I hope you have a great summer!

[Anina]

Have a very, very, very fun summer! It looks like you'll have no problem doing just that.

[gillian]

You are sooooooo right... what a perfectly lovely weekend!

[Tina]

A comment on your strawberry story; you MUST try refrigerator strawberry jam. No boiling,very easy, fresh berry taste, delicious!! Recipe is on Certo, as well as other brands. Try it. Happy summer! Tina

[Barbara H.]

omehow I missed that you were signing off for the summer.

:(

I do hope you'll find time to pop in occasionally!!

[Yin]

I am truly sad that your blog is on hiatus for the summer. I will miss this creative, warm, artful online connection to home! I send the best for summer!

[paula luckhurst]

That must have been such a good weekend.

[sandy haynes]

Great entry... super start to a summer garden... Hope it stays a little cool for you and not too humid.......

[Sabine]

Oh, I will miss this blog. But I know the problem, sometimes I put all my crafting time in reading blogs
and working at my own, and the real life has to go on!
But I really hope you will show us some lovely pictures from time to time.
Have a nice summer in your beautiful garden!

[Tracy]

Vicki--lovely to see you here in spite of your supposedly leaving us for the summer--LOL! Your fortress garden is really taking shape-will be exicting to see the finished product. The girls' flower barrels are a joy to behold. Hope you can swing by here once in a while...Happy Summer Days! :o)

[willzmom]

I'll miss you over your summer break, but I know the feeling. So much to do, see, EAT, smell, enjoy-and summertime is fleeting. I will check in from time to time in case you slip up and leave us another fabulous post!

[Amy]

I've been reading your blog for a while now and I just love it when you put pictures of your pretty gardens up :)

[Felicia]

I would love to have an automatic watering system. I've heard they're the epitome of decadence!

[Ginger]

Hello! I found your blog while searching for something to do with fabric yo-yos. You have a wonderful blog.

Tell your daughter I love her name!

[jenny]

i don't know what to comment on more, how i will miss posts, or how pretty everything is...the slower pots...the waffles! :)

enjoy your summer, and hope to see you around!

[RAchelle]

FUN! Will you be my mom?

[Debra]

Great pictures, interesting reading.. and i think i have bought patterns from you awhile back! Have to add you to my blog list!! Thanks for the eye treats!!

[Gypsy Purple-Chamara]

What a lovely post this is!!!!

[lambie-pie]

I'll miss you although I understand needing a break!! Have a great summer. I'll probably go back and read old posts just so I don't go through withdrawl too much, I'm sure I've forgotten a lot of great things you've done!!
E

[tinker]

As I'm playing catch-up, I just found that somehow I missed your post about taking a break - and Grace's sweet 16th as well!

A belated wish for a very happy and sweet sixteenth year to Grace!

And a slightly teary-eyed 'au revoir' to you - only for a little while I hope! Though I do understand how time-consuming this blogging business can be - more than ever after a week of computer problems, and realizing how much MORE I accomplished while not being able to view and comment on blogs.

I do hope you'll pop in every now and then ('once a month, at least?' asked in a hopeful voice...) - just a quick wave?

Take care and have a wonderful summer, Vicki!
XOXO
Peace~Love~Hugs

[Marie]

I love your arbor! Looks great! I want one to seperate my driveway sidewalk and patio...gotta put it on the "honey do" list! Your flowers look great too...

[Kim Sherrod]

I think I need a vacation, too....sad and lonely. already. without you.
i am in love with star, btw.

[marie]

Enjoy your summer break. Your post made me smile - must be the image of star at the dentist's!

[Colleen]

I just used that recipe for your cupcakes, they turned out wonderfully :) I baked them on a half day of school and brought some the next day, every one looved them! And the icing was deliciouse =] Thank you!!
~Colleen