Did I say snow shovel? Why yes, yes I did. Okay so, it only snows here once a year, and trust me, there would be no need for a snow shovel. So, why do I love my snow shovel you ask?
Well, I have done more in 3 days, than I have done probably in the last 3 months, thanks to my dandy snow shovel (and some random jolt of massive energy). It works to pick up raked goods, just as good as it picks up snow, I am sure.
The cool weather has me up at 4:30 a.m. I force myself to try to sleep one more hour, but I just can't, so I morning dream for a little while. Then, I have to go out and enjoy the cool before the sun comes up.
Mister Lovee has been under the weather with a bad cold, and I have spent the whole time he has been sick, whipping around like the Tasmanian devil. Why? I have no clue.
The weather has me baking. I love working with yeast dough…
Leaving a huge bowl of dough to rise, really makes everything feel so cozy. When bread is rising, and the oven is heating the kitchen so deliciously, I really feel such a grounded sense of home. I can't describe it.
Mixing real butter with a glorious gloss of honey, for spreading on bread…
I made sure to send some of this goodness to a friend down the road (he has been Misters friend for 30 years, and mine for 10). He is such a kind soul, and always humors me by being excited about my baking and cooking.
And, that is just a little of what I have been up to.
I have a hammered finger (cut in two places), a swollen cut wrist and countless bruises. All from my garden shenanigans (tree trimming etc). And, after I hit post on this, I have to figure out how I am going to muster the strength to go up and get comfy.
I am so achy and tired.
But, I have good stuff to show for it. I moved 14 wheel barrows of brush that I raked out of the front garden areas. I raked, trimmed, mowed myself to oblivion. (My dad gave me a dandy brand new red lawn mower last year, with I adore and use constantly, lately).
Today I went grocery shopping at 6:30 a.m. It was great, not a soul in sight. Quick shopping, buzzing in and out.
I made Mister a giant pot of glorious homemade chicken soup.
And wouldn'tcha know, I found him outside this afternoon working on a project (chicken soup really works). Of course, I sent him right back into the house. He didn't listen for about 2 hours though.
I turned soil, moved a huge heap of miniature goat manure, put in all of my cool weather vegetable garden seeds, and said goodbye to almost every bit of summer in the back veggie garden.
I can't wait to see what grows.
My sis came over, as she is in town from New Mexico, and I fed her some of my morning rolls…
These are soooo yummy. I think I shared the recipe here before? If anyone seems interested I can post it again soon. As I will make another batch, and follow my steps closely, so I can share some form of a recipe.
I am a bit of a "measure by hand" and "invent as I go along" sort of baker/cooker girl.
Nothing like clouds to kick in that fall energy….
The front garden is so enchanting, with the mountains of flowers. I know, boring topic. But, I can't believe I had no plans for zinnias, and they are like "here, have some more, and more and more and more…."
Low expectations always turn out with grand results it seems 🙂
Right now it is zinnia, cosmos, marigold, dahlia, rose heaven.
Actually, I didn't have low expectations. I sort of had a solid sense of contentment with "no expectations." Due to gophers, heat etc.
But, I was taken by surprise indeed.
And so, the garden goes on thriving. It will be interesting to see when the flowering stops? Perhaps by our first frost, which is ages away.
For now, I have decided that I might not bring in any more flowers. I am going to try to enjoy them outside, and keep trimming…
But then again, I won't promise.
:)
Okay….off to soak in hot water.
I was just going to pop in and say hi real quick, but there I went, blathering on and on.
Oh and….
I am in the mood for Christmas movies, which is ridiculous. I know. I am supposed to be in the scary movie a night frenzy.
I must first enjoy fall fully.
Why is my brain doing this to me? Is yours doing the same to you?
I can't bring myself to finish harvesting pumpkins and gourds. I want to make it last longer. But, I have to soon.
I just want to wait, a little more, just a little before the harvesting season is totally over for 2011, in my little nook.
Time to munch, because if I keep typing who knows what will come out of these finger tips? I am so tired, I will start acting completely nonsensical in about 1 minute 😉
(See what I mean? I have no idea why I typed, time to munch. I meant, time to go, haha!)
These are steamy and moist inside. Not dry at all…… mmmm…..
I'll save you one 😉
I had art and such to share, but I will save it for super soon.
Love, Vanessa
ps: I will add more names to the party list first thing in the morning 🖤
I would love to have the recipe for those rolls, Vanessa. And thanks for reminding us we can mix honey with butter! I keep saying Christmas will be here before we know it – and it will!
mmmmm……..fresh baked rolls! you shouldn’t have! but now that you have, I’ll take one (is that cheddar cheese I see?)
I sprinkled a pkt of giant cactus zinnias by my driveway – didn’t even cover them and they bloomed like crazy……your’s are so joyful…..I see a few dahlias in there.
Hello to Miss Bobbypin Bandit…..
You are just so darn DARLING, Vanessa!!! Oh! you saved a roll for me? How sweet of you…I’ll take two pretty please ;-).
Your flowers are beyond grand and at first glance me thought them to be constructed of paper with all the vividness of their petals. But then who can create flowers as gorgeous as He? Certainly not me, but I think you can Miss V.
Hope Mister L. is feeling much better.
xoxo cori
Mmm, those rolls looked delicious!!! I would love the recipe 🙂 I love your flowers–so vibrant and colorful. And I know what you mean about the Christmas movies. It is so easy to just skip ahead and go into the holiday season full swing. But we must remember to save these goodies for the right times…haha but I know how tempting it can be 🙂
Oh! And I also tried out your little ghosty craft and I love the results! They are going to decorate my haunted house birdcage 🙂 So delightful and so fun to make!
Today I bought some canvases to do some painting on…I am a little nervous about being so honest with myself. I promised I would let my soul out on canvas, and the final result will probably be posted on A Woodland Fantasy 🙂
Thanks for another lovely post!
Hugs and hexes 🙂
xoxoxoxo Jessica
A Woodland Fantasy
~~morning dreaming~~
is The Best,
isn’t it!
🙂
say, don’t you feel
that Real Butter
is the only way to go?
{{ well,
not OCEANS of it
but
melty on warm bread….
i
mean…anything else would B
a sin
in my book }}
thanks
also, missy, for the splash
of
somepinkflowers………………..
When I saw the words snow and shovel in your post title I was a little bit shocked. It’s 80 degrees in here in Northern Ontario, Canada in the middle of October. If it were snowing in Arizona I would have know that that the world has truly gone off of its rocker. Those buns look delish! I love the honey/butter combo, makes me hungry!
I am in the mood for Christmas movies too! Yesterday I watched the Santa Clause while painting, and then watched the Worst Witch in the bath. I am all over the place! I find I usually get all Halloweeny in July then by the time the end of September rolls around all I want is Christmas. And by the time we hit December I am ready for summer all over again. I guess we always want what we can’t have.
cool weather sounds wonderful! We’ve had two days of very very HOT weather. Not a normal thing for TOronto. I hope you feel better from all those cuts and bruises. You sound all cozy with the baking! 😀 I love baking bread or mini breads at home. 😀 The house smells sooooo good! 😀 I’ve been thinking about Christmas too lately. About making my own cards to send to friends. lol I do feel like watching Halloween movies though. hehe omg i’m talking too much. Your blog entry is wonderful and your bread looks beautiful! your flowers too! 😀 Have a wonderful week!!!!
You do more in a day….!!! Your zinnias are lovely. The way you display them is a work of art on it’s own! xo
My you have been a busy bee! I hope Lovee is feeling better soon. I am interested in the recipe and any other yummy bread recipes you like (I know I have already said that, but since it is relevant to this post I thought I would say it again). Also, my pumpkin plant has two little ghost pumpkins on it! Yay, I am so happy some grew. But I wanted to ask you, how do I know when they are ready to pick? Thanks for being my pumpkin mentor.
<3 alia
ps. It is so weird how the temperature got down so low the last couple days and then it is supposed to be 99 degrees again next week. Arizona really is bizarre.
I planted zinnias specifically due to your recommendation….and was not dissappointed!
They come in those most delightful colors…..and happily spring forth more blossoms and need only a bit of water and a wish for more in return 🙂
My daughter’s pet goldfish is buried beneath them…and I tell her that he’s helping them grow so lovely for us ;P
It seems I picked the wronf time of year to go low carb….haha! I’d cheat for one of those!
Hope the Mr. feels better soon!
I think I must needs go lie down after reading this post. All the imagining of your bursts of mad energetic yard work, well, I think I’m starting to feel a little tired and achy myself. Would you consider bottling up all that energy and selling it in your shop? I’m sorry for the injuries. Yikes! And how is that foot?
Oh, when September hits, I find myself thinking of fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all at once! It’s hard not to when you frequent the craft stores and they’ve had all these holidays on display already for some time! Plus since I enjoy making things, I have to be in full swing thinking-of-Christmas mode early on in order to get everything finished.
Hope Mr. Lovee is feeling well very soon and that you don’t catch anything!
I totally know what you mean about rising dough making the house feel all cozy & home-y & content! I loooove making bread… it’s one of my favorite things to bake. ^-^ In fact, we just finished off the last loaf I made yesterday, so I’ll be baking today when I get home from work. Yay!
I also am wanting Fall to last & last… I love the crisp, cool weather, & the LEAVES! Oh the leaves are turning & make the trees look all fiery. It’s magical!
Here’s to your Mister getting all the way better very soon! And to you not getting sick at all. ^-^
XOXO
There is no medicine on earth more powerful than home made chicken soup and bread. Women who do this (like you and me) are the real doctors in the world!
Lisa
loverrrrrrrly! And….it is NEVER ridiculous to be in the mood for Christmas films! tee hee……has Little Women gone into the DVD player yet!?? eeep! 🙂
You have been busy. Hope Mister is feeling better.
I got a book the other day Artisan bread in 5 minutes (or something like that). So I hope to mix up a batch this week.
Your rolls look great.
Flowers are so pretty.
listen, missy,
i am just back from my book store
and
do feel compelled to say
how
it makes me so happy
when
i am out & about
and open up a magazine
and
come across your art*work
by happenstance…
🖤
I am sorry Mr. Lovee has a bad cold, that is a bummer…but your chicken soup sounds lovely and comforting.
Take care of yourself, dear girl. Sounds like you worked yourself almost into a frazzle. I was up in the mountains for two days in the snow, above the 7,000 ft. level. It was so refreshing and the fresh air was so invigorating.
Your rolls look heavenly. I haven’t baked bread or rolls for ages. Hope your bruises feel better after the hot bath. There’s nothing like relaxing in soothingly warm water.
I don’t know how you get these bursts of energy to do so much yard work. You are a marvel!
I am excited to see what you will be posting in the way of art!~
XXOO
Miss Teresa
Yummmm Your bead rolls look delish!! Fresh rolls with honey-butter mmmmmmmm….purrrr… My mouth is watering but alas I’m stuck in mundaneville pushing paper. -lol-
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Hi Vanessa, I do hope that Mr. Lovee is back at 100 percent very soon. 🙂 This is no time of year to be ill at all! It really is amazing the powers that chicken soup holds. 🙂 And your bread – wow. There is nothing like fresh bread. I am a breadaholic – and I can just imagine slathering it with that lovely honey butter. YUM! 🙂 Can’t wait to see your new art! xoxo Theresa
Hi Miss Valencia! What beautiful flowers you grow and I especially love them in all the colorful vases. It inspires me especially now around dia de Los muertos. I am working on my shrine this year and I want it to be colorfully bright .
I am so sorry to hear your love is under the weather! I am sure your yummy chicken soup was good for his little cold! I hope he gets plenty of rest and feels better soon!!
Those morning rolls look so yummy! I have been baking chocolate chip and walnut cookies and we just finished carving a pumpkin and roasting pumpkin seeds! And now I am off to watch the original Halloween!!
Take care and have a lovely week!!
Kim
Christmas films!!!! I have had this Christmas song in my head for several days now~ it is from a CD that someone gave my husband when he was in Davenport, Iowa in Dec. 2009-it has become my all time new favorite Christmas cd- I have to search to find it and share the name of it- it is incredible~ thank you for mentioning Christmas films, now I don’t feel quite so ridiculous for humming this song to myself recently 🙂 and I too, did early grocery shopping this morning and the little place called Taco Sisters around the corner from us planted zinnias & all I can say is OMG!!! Like yours, they are STILL producing oodles of flowers & color~ love, love, love it-they must be infused with a special magical growth-producing hormone. Thank you for all you share Vanessa~ Special prayers for Coco too-
keep saying Christmas will be here before we know it – and it will!.. I hope he gets plenty of rest and feels better soon!!
oh Vanessa wish i could get up at 4.30… living here in UK, its so dark here at that time, but I may try!!!! dont do too much and make yourself ill. loving the colours of the flowers and can smell the freshly baked bread. yes please to the recipe for the rolls. xxx
Hey V-
That’s weird, I’ve been wanting to watch Christmas movies, too! When you make holiday art/stuff, I think you get out of synch sometimes, you know?
The moon has been GORGEOUS here! It looks like a pumpkin rising up over the trees.
Soft tissues and a pat on the head to Lovee.
-Laura
Usually this time of year I’m all hopped up on Halloween, too, but this year my brain wants to skip it and Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas. Weird. Last year I was feeling kinda anti-Christmas and we had a rather low key holiday so maybe that’s why I’m ready for Christmas so much this time. I’ve even hung a new Christmas wreath I bought on my bedroom door already. And wrapped a bunch of Christmas presents I bought at Borders before they closed. I tried pulling out all my Halloween stuff from storage and decorating my mantel and outside, but still? I want to skip ahead to December. Weird feeling. Halloween is usually my favorite holiday. Guess I’m just feeling out of whack.
Are you kidding?! As soon as it gets all Halloween around here I think about the whole thing! Spooks baking turkeys presents trees parties te whole thing!
That bread looks amazing. I must bake some!!
YUM!!!!!!!!! I would love your receipe! Those little gems look divine. And I love the zina’s in all those different containers. Also, enjoy the pesto as it looked wonderful in your most recent post.
Charlene