Thursday, October 7, 2010

Where have Jamie and Randy Been?


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Wow! What a summer… Where have Randy and Jamie been? Trying to get our lives back together and I am happy to report everything is going great. Sometimes things just have to take priority over blogging and that’s what has been happening the past few weeks, well, the past year actually. We are so thankful to faithful readers that continue to visit us and comment on the scattered post, despite our truancy from blogland. We were just trying to do too much at one time in our lives and it all came crashing down on and around us.

Jamie, has been taking time to recuperate from several years of working full time, going to school full time, a full time hobby of body building and managing the demands of every day life. He’s also writing a book. And me, well, I’ve been exploring other little projects and interesting things to do. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make jelly and jams and that’s just what I’ve been doing. I been hunting down fresh fruits to make homemade gifts and so far I’ve been very successful. Jamie and our friends have been enjoying delicious pear, muscadine and pomegranate jelly. I also made some fantastic peach jam from the local peaches. I love all the beautiful colors that jams and jellies produce. Too bad you can’t put them in the window and let the sun shine through them.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but our garden just looks horrible. The heat and lack of rain has just sent everything into early hibernation. The past two months our garden has looked like we were in the last week of October or the first of November. The plants are hanging on and producing blooms, but bless there hearts they all look so tired and ready for rest. Jamie and I haven’t done any work in the garden for weeks now. With the lack of rain there aren’t even any weeds to pull. We’ll most likely get out there this weekend and do a little tidying up. I don’t even remember when the last time was that we cut grass. It’s been dry, dry, dry…

On a positive note, neither Jamie nor I can remember seeing so much wildlife and flying visitors in the garden. Despite its neglected and haggard look, it has been absolutely filled with hundreds and hundreds of butterflies, dragonflies, birds and insects of all shapes and incredible colors. It has been unbelievable; Jamie and I have been in utter amazement and wonder. Tiny jewels of color have filled the air like never before and our back yard has been a source of enchantment for both of us.

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14 comments:

Darla said...

Welcome back! I am so happy to read that things are going great for you two. What interesting hobbies..I love canning food too. Apparently the wildlife believes your gardens are perfect, nice photos..

Missy said...

Those are some great shots!

Doc said...

Welcome back, it is a relief to hear that you two are well and doing great.
Doc

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a great post. It is good to know that life is treating you well. Your photos are marvelous. I can understand your reluctance to blog about a garden that is just holding on. My garden is in the same shape. Mow?? not way here. I have hardly a blade of grass in the "lawn" area. Wild strawberry and about every other weed that takes drought is what is spreading around the "lawn" area. And even it doesn't get tall. I was so hope-fulll that we would get fall rains but it is not to be so says the weather people. Take care and enjoy your jams and jellies. You comment about them being so pretty reminds me of my Mother's cubbards full of colorful produce at this time of year. I wish I had taken pictures of it. The sight has never been lost to memory. Happy Autumn.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---great pictures, Randy.... Glad you two are doing good--and you are right... There is life beyond blogging.... ha

We have had a horribly dry and very hot summer also. AND--even though our Fall temperatures are pretty good now--we are still horribly dry. Don't know how much color we will have this year --since many leaves are just turning brown and falling off of the trees.

Take care and keep in touch.
Betsy

Racquel said...

Welcome back guys! I know how life can sometimes take priority over blogging better than anyone. Afterall I took a 5 month hiatus earlier this year. Sounds like you have both been very busy. :)

Les said...

I am glad you are back and understand the need for a break. Sometimes the best way to see something is to take a step back.

Pam/Digging said...

Sometimes you've got to take a break to retain your sanity or just get reinspired. Nice hummer capture on that 'Pam's Pink' Turk's cap!

compost in my shoe said...

Know what it is like to need the break. As much as I love posting, I also realize there is only so much time in a day. You are wonderful to have come back. What a great post to bring us back in the fold!!

Southern Lady said...

Everyone needs a break every now and then. However, I'm so glad to have you back...you've been missed. Our garden did not do well this year either. We finally gave up. The only weed that has flourished is the bermuda grass in our landscape. Any ideas on how to remove??? Anyway...welcome back. Carla

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

I missed your posts and I am glad you are back! Your photographs are amazing! Those insects look almost 3-D. Opposite to your garden, mine is still green. Well, we had late summer. I didn't have any tomatoes til September, for example. But hey, you don't have any weeds!!!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Wow, love all your insect friends!! And real life should take precedence over blogging; never feel you have to apologize for that. Glad things are going well for you and Jamie!! (The dahlias are STILL blooming!)

F Cameron said...

Life happens! I'm glad you had a good summer, but sorry to hear that your garden has been suffering from the weather, too.

My poor garden is suffering terribly from a few months of my neglect and the weather. Lost my motivation, but trying to find it again.

Randy said...

Carla,
Bermuda grass is a tough one. We have it in some of our beds. I spray it with roundup and it still comes back!--Randy