NOT TONIGHT DEAR

I overextended myself today. Up at the crack of dawn I had my cucumbers picked and almost all sliced for two batches of pickles, when my daycare kiddies started to arrive at 7:30...right on time as they always seem to whenever I need a little extra time to finish something I start. Murphy's Law. ..if I wasn't doing anything they would be late.

So with three two year old kids underfoot, I quickly finished slicing cucumbers and onions while keeping them occupied by doling out cucumber slices for them to eat. Their fascination with what I was throwing into the compost bucket also kept them busy for a while, then back downstairs for a morning snack and playtime.

Finally, nap time and I was able to get the Bread and Butter pickles cooked, bottled and processed before I had to wake them. The Sweet Mustard Pickles were done tonight and I'm pickled out!

So if hubby has any plans tonight,

I won't be long telling him,

"Not tonight dear,
I've had enough pickle for one day."

SIGNS OF THE COMING WINTER

It's not just the bears
shoring up their fat reserves
for
the coming winter...

Speaking of bears...

While I have never encountered a bear except for those behind cages, I know they're out there...as evident by the flattened blackberry bushes last summer and the big bear "dump" that I chanced upon in the middle of the road while walking yesterday...such uncultured animals. Needless to say, I won't be picking berries alone this year and I have moved my walk up to
6:00 am as it is still dark now at 5:30 and I'm a tad nervous.

...bearily I stroll along...