Harvesting herbs.....

It's that time of year again even though it feels like summer.  It's also very dry.  About a month ago we were having torrential downpours and now we're having to water.  The weather has just been crazy!

My garden gifts.....

 

It's been wonderful eating all the fresh produce and sticking lots in the freezer.  It makes cooking a joy for me. 

 

I've been drying these herbs for my own use.  Oregano, thyme, sage and rosemary are now in bottles.  They also look really good in the old mason jars on my counter.....a double gift!

 



....and yes, it's very important that I keep a jar of peanut butter M & M's in case I need a lift while doing all this work.

I've finally decided to buy myself a new camera.  Mine now is scratched on the lens and rather then spend the money to have it repaired, I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy a new Canon Rebel T3.  My birthday was on Monday and a couple of my sisters decided to help me make the decision and gave me money to go in on it (can't beat that).  I have such a love of photography and seem to be the designated photographer for our family but it's just always so hard making that final decision.  Can't wait!!!!  I'm sure you'll see a huge difference in my pictures.  Oh, and my good friend Cathy gave me a tripod so I'm set.

Have a great Wednesday......we're preparing for a cooldown (fingers crossed)!

 Judy and I took off on Saturday morning heading to an auction in Stotts City, Missouri, a tiny town not far from Springfield.  It's the home of Stearnsie Bears and it was this family that was cleaning out their parents houses, barns and storage buildings.  I think they own most of the buildings in town.  Were we ever in for a thrill!

This was one of the buildings that was piled with the most incredible things.

I've never been to a sale like this one.  It had started the night before with items that were offered on-line.  It was in the 90's all day and we almost didn't make it through the heat.  Think we're tougher then we think we are.

This was our main reason for going there on Sat......Judy's husband wanted this post office piece.  He even let us take his brand new pick-up.  By the way, the piece went for more then he was willing to pay.  It was beautiful.

 This little bent willow chair came home with me.

 ....and some of the crocks.

Also brought home a bunch of green mason jars.  The really old big ones.....some have bales and some with zinc lids.

 We couldn't believe all the Christmas.  Judy brought these old bottle-brush trees home.

We both have several boxes of vintage ornaments.

 Judy got the lighted Santa in original box.

 I love really early baskets and managed to bring a few home.  There were two others who seemed to love early primitives.  These were so good that I knew that if I paid too much to resale that they could live happily at my house.

 Here was the back of the truck plus the extended cab was piled to the top with quilts, crocks, a mannequin, suitcases and all kinds of treasures.  I was so thrilled to actually get some furniture.  It gets harder and harder for dealers to buy furniture at auctions.

It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday, even with the heat.  It's so fun getting a head start on fall & holiday goods for Leola's.

Guess I'll spend today washing old jars and oiling lots of old wood spoons and rolling pins (some of my favorite things to do).  Just love to see what happens when you put that oil on a dry piece of wood (I'm such a simple person).

Hope you all have a great Sunday!