Our weekend was a pretty normal and low-key one, and we looked at ourselves over breakfast on Saturday morning trying to remember what it actually felt like to have a free Saturday. We love our little peach business, but it’s also a challenge to keep up with all the housework and yard work (please don’t come by my house today and look at the unmowed lawn and weedy flowerbeds) that we typically spend our Saturdays doing. We just have to get creative with catching up with those chores when we can! Till then, I try not to feel too embarrassed about our home and property looking like it came out of the pages of a redneck magazine.

My poor little garden is growing things, but it looks a little unkempt (because, uh, it is). The tomatoes are taking over everything, and my basil plants are thriving, and we have a few little bell peppers popping out. It’s terribly exciting to see some gardening success, but I’m learning that I am just not a gardener. Taking care of my garden is usually at the bottom of my to-do list everyday, which means with my work schedule, it often doesn’t get done. As sad as it is, it’s just not something I particularly enjoy doing. I would much rather spend my time in the kitchen cooking food than outside growing food. But all in all, I am glad that we put in a few things and can reap the benefits of some home-grown produce and herbs.

Speaking of cooking food, I was so thrilled to cook up some OKRA for us on Saturday night! Okra isn’t grown in New York (that i’ve found), and when I spotted some in a little international food market that we were browsing in last week, I grabbed a bag full. I make it the way my grand mom taught me, and simply blanched the whole pod in boiling water for a few minutes, until they are bright green. Such a fresh taste of the south.

And some links:

– Bananas are my friend.

– Clearly I’m not alone.

– Emotional eating =’s good.

– Strangers who care make a big difference.

– Hello yummy bread.

– Inspirational company + LEGWARMERS.

– Haha, true.

– Pretty black dress.

– Things to do when facing things.

Have a super week, y’all!

What about you: what was your weekend like? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

The only appropriate thing to call the last few days is a workcation, a perfect blend of work and vacation.

My family came in on Wednesday morning, and we had a great time over the next few days being together. Since we run the peach stand six days a week, we had to put together our family time and work, and it managed to work out pretty well! It was actually really fun for me to have some company for the days at work, and it makes the day fly right by. We did hire in a friend to work for us on Thursday, so I guess that was our official vacation day. We used it up by canning some pickles in the morning, and catching lunch and shopping in the afternoon. Such fun!

It’s a common thread any more that whenever my family comes to visit, there is some sort of surprise waiting to happen. The last time my parent came, my sister managed to sneak up without me figuring it out, and this time they brought my sweet little cousin (although she is more like my niece) with them. And from now on, I will just be surprised if they don’t bring a surprise, hehe.

Besides the day off on Thursday, we sold peaches together all weekend long. It was a doozy and by Saturday night, I didn’t want to see another peach for a long time…or at least until Monday. One of the little towns near us hosted an official Nascar race over the weekend, so we set up a little peach stand there to catch the race fans. Interesting crowd, to say the least. I saw more pick up trucks and beer and heard more country music blaring from passing cars in one day than I have in the past year here in New York. I felt like I was back in a little southern town.

My family headed for home early Sunday morning, and we spent the rest of the day catching up on sleep and resting ourselves from our slightly crazy weekend. Fun times, indeed, but exhausting!

Some links:

– Anyone try this before?

– Yes, ha!

– SUCH A GOOD PODCAST.

– Get out…

– Good word for wifeys.

– Why did I never know this before?!

– This looks so good.

– And this!

– Such a neat idea.

– And a song.

Have a great week!

What about you: what did you do over the weekend?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!