Look at those little hands.
I actually reached for that little friend as I was picking beans today, thinking that it was yet another bean. Approximately the correct size and also, since the variety of beans I'm growing sometimes have a brownish-purple pattern on them, approximately the same color, too. Excellent camouflage. I did not pick the anole but I did pick four and a half pounds of beans. I weighed them on my granddaddy's old scale which looks beat and battered but which is still pretty accurate. Also, I realized that the bags I've been putting the beans in to refrigerate them before I can them actually hold 2.5 gallons and not 1.5 gallons which is what I'd thought so long story short- I'm picking a hell of a lot of green beans.Here's what today's pickings all looked like.
I'm not sure if that acorn squash is ripe or not but the vine was taking its one last gasp so we picked the squash and pulled the vine and threw it on the burn pile. We also had what were quite possibly the best bacon and tomato sandwiches for our lunch that I've ever eaten. I don't have any pictures of the tomatoes because we ATE THEM!
This is absolutely the prettiest summer garden we've ever grown and it's because of Mr. Moon's participation. He has worked so hard. I think he really loves it.
He didn't love working in it today though because he was depressed as hell that he didn't get to go fishing. The weather was a little iffy and the guy who owns the boat, and thus makes the decisions, called the trip off due to forecasted high winds. The seas looked flat but the decision was made and that was that and Mr. Viking Moon was sorely disappointed and home by 9:30 this morning.
Just picking the beans, which took the better part of an hour, was all I could tolerate in the sun. Sweat was sheeting off of me. But after I cooled off and we ate our lunch, I went back out and did a little more crocosmia pulling in the sago bed in front of the porch.
Here is a picture of a very male sago palm.
It will get bigger. Sagos do not bother to hide their candles under a bushel, do they?
Here's a female.
I rather love it. So intricate and shaggy. In a few months, orange ball-like nuts (I just made that description up) will be growing amongst the fringes if the pollen from the male makes it into them.
As much as I am not in love with the sagos, I can still admire them. They were here when dinosaurs walked the earth.
As much as I am not in love with the sagos, I can still admire them. They were here when dinosaurs walked the earth.
Vergil sent us some pictures last night that the camp photographer took that Jessie and the boys were in.
I'm glad the boys get to see each other. They look pretty happy about that, don't they? And isn't Jessie a darling camp nurse? And of course, Levon looks like The Man on the soccer field.
Here's something funny- I pulled a trigger fish filet out of the freezer to cook for our supper tonight and did a little google search for recipes. I'm not sure I've ever cooked trigger fish.
Here's something funny- I pulled a trigger fish filet out of the freezer to cook for our supper tonight and did a little google search for recipes. I'm not sure I've ever cooked trigger fish.
I found this one.
And this is making me happy.
There's my iron skillets, hanging on hooks that Mr. Moon put up for me. He's going to do three more on a different wall for my three cast iron saucepans too. This is fantastic as I will have more room in the pantry where they've been living and also, when I want my largest skillet, which I use frequently, I won't have to lift out the other four that were nested inside of it. Obviously, I need some decor items on that wall as well. You know me.
I can't tell you how much it means to me to be married to a guy who listens to what I want and need and does what it takes to make those things happen.
Mostly.
Mostly.
I've made an appointment for Jack to see the vet on Friday morning at 9:30. Ms. Merlot and River both suggested that perhaps Jack is having thyroid issues. Hyperthyroid issues to be exact. I have looked up the symptoms and think they may be right but we'll have to wait and see what the vet says and what the bloodwork shows. I have put the cat carrier in the guest room with the door open and a familiar blanket inside to see if he will maybe explore it and get used to it. I doubt that will happen but it's worth a try. Meanwhile, he is still sleeping in the puzzle box lid and sometimes he likes to nap on the old piece of sheet amongst the potatoes I have on it for curing. He continues to think he is starving and spends hours sitting by his bowl, trying to hypnotize me with his big eyes and making his tiny meows to attempt to force me to put some of that wonderful, magical, delicious wet food out for him. Sometimes I do but it's never enough.
Time to cook the trigger fish. Which did not come from an aquarium, I assure you.
Love...Ms. Moon
You could play the skillets. All you need is a couple of drumsticks. Maybe you could make up a song about trigger fish.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea! I could use wooden spoon handles instead of drumsticks. More authentic.
DeleteI hope you can find out what's ailing Jack!
ReplyDeleteI love your skillet display and having them hanging on that wall makes them so convenient to grab when needed!
I am pretty damn excited to have these skillets on the wall.
DeleteI love the wall display. I doubt if my flimsy walls could withstand my cast iron pans though.
ReplyDeleteGlen somehow made it work. You could talk to Gary and get his opinion.
DeleteI am so jealous of your skillets AND you have cast iron sauce pans??? Fabulous!
ReplyDeletethe sago is an amazing randy looking plant! The female is most willing! What a presentation!
Thanks for the photos of camp. Good times, the best days!
You are so right about the sago's. Their method of reproduction is fine and fancy, isn't it?
DeletePictures of the cast iron saucepans today.
I think the kids are having a good time at camp.
I am so glad wee Jack is going to the vet. Here's hoping it is his thyroid as that can be treated with medication and such. Although I don't know how easy a cat he is to dose. Maurice would be a feline chainsaw, I would imagine.
ReplyDeleteSo much cast iron cookware - I am green with envy.
The boys seem to be having a wonderful time. I hope Jessie is enjoying herself and being rushed off her nursing feet.
I don't think we could dose Maurice regularly. We'll see what the doctor says about Jack and possible treatments.
DeleteI've spent a lifetime collecting that cast iron and honey, I use it!
I think Jessie's keeping pretty busy.
I just came to your blog from Sparrow Tree Journal. I love those skillets. All those beans sound great. I planted some late ones and we are still getting a few as we arrive in winter.
ReplyDeleteHello Susan! Any friend of Jennifer's is a friend of mine. She is the dearest soul, isn't she?
DeleteThat's a pretty little acorn squash. Hope it's as good as it looks.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope Jack finds a cure at the vet.
It sure looks like you will have beans for two or three years!
You are so right about the beans. I am going to pickle some.
DeleteI have never heard of trigger fish...I hope it is good. Your skillets make a nice display.
ReplyDeleteTurns out that trigger fish is delicious. A nice firm white fish.
DeleteI have never heard of trigger fish and will now look it up to satisfy my curiosity. I hope Jack can be made well without too much trouble. The skillets look lovely hanging there.
ReplyDeleteThe trigger fish is a fine eating fish, I'll tell you that.
DeleteI'm keeping my fingers crossed for my Jack-o.
You have some of the most beautiful flora and fauna. Just stunning. Oh and I hope Jack is ok!
ReplyDeleteOur flora and fauna is probably pretty exotic-looking to you. Thank you for good wishes for Jack.
DeleteLucky you having space to hang your pans on their own. All my cooking pots and pans and bowls are " nested" ! Gets annoying having to drag them all out to get the bottom one.
ReplyDeleteI've spent my life unnesting and nesting pots and pans. This will change my life!
DeleteThat is so funny about the origin of the trigger fish recipe. But I’m sure they don’t tell you how to prepare beluga. Sad for Mr.. Moon. His fishing trips should never be canceled. The boys look so happy. And if Jesse were my camp nurse, I’d find a reason to be sick. I’ll bet she provides the best TLC.
ReplyDeleteHaha! An aquarium that creates recipes for seafood struck me as pretty funny and slightly absurd. But- whatever. BTW- it's a good fish to eat.
DeleteI suppose that when it comes to deep sea fishing, it's better to be safe than sorry. Storms out on the water can be scary as hell.
Doesn't Jessie look like a nice nurse?
The sago palm is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAll our cats eventually had thyroid issues, some could be treated, but two actually died as a result. Over the years the vets all told us that's due to the canned cat food as all brands, literally, use the same basic source (abattoir organ waste) no matter how fancy the flavourings and it's also the sodium content and some additives and what nots. We did try to make our own cat food, sourced all the fancy stuff but no luck, they were neighbourhood cats meaning lots of people fed them. And the cats went for the worst type of food, loved it more than anything.
You can get thyroid treatment if it's not too late, so Jack may be fine.
Our cats never until very recently got any canned food. Is the same true for dry food? And my cats have never wanted anything but the most prosaic of the dry food. Meow Mix which is probably the worst thing I could feed them. My pets have been notoriously long-livers so this is rather shocking for me.
DeleteOh, yeah, it might be thyroid. That would explain Jack's hunger, wouldn't it? I had to get one of my cats a special radioactive treatment to shrink its thyroid gland about 15 years ago. I think I blogged about it but it's ancient history now, that cat long dead. (Not from thyroid issues.)
ReplyDeleteThat IS rude about the aquarium recommending a trigger fish recipe! Maybe there's an ecological reason why it's good to eat them, like lionfish.
I've been reading a little about the radioactive treatment. I'm not even sure they can do that in Monticello. I suppose he could have diabetes.
DeleteI really don't know anything about trigger fish except that now I do know they taste very good.
Okay. You have quite the collection of cast iron. I have my cast iron skillet. It is the only one that I have, but I use it A LOT. Imagine my surprise, after using cast iron for years, to discover that one does not wash cast iron, or scrub cast iron. I was shocked. Not having received the memo, I'd been washing mine and scrubbing too, if needed. Then I pop it on the stove and turn the fire on to dry it. People are horrified when they discover this. I was shocked to discover that cast iron was so delicate. Did you know this?
ReplyDeletePeople are nuts about the care of cast iron. I read shit that makes me cringe because I do the same as you. Most of mine is so well-seasoned that a little soak is enough to get everything off of it but sometimes I even use steel wool. Don't believe everything you read.
DeleteWow! Your garden really is producing a lot this year. You and Mr. Moon sure are great gardeners!
ReplyDeleteHe's really put his heart into the garden this year AND a lot of work. It shows.
DeleteYour skillet display is fantastic and displays like kitchen artwork. I'd consider putting a frame around it. No fishing due to reluctant captain, boat owner. That is disappointing. Glen needs a boat. The boys look like they are loving camp.
ReplyDeleteGlen has a boat! Well, I think he has a few boats. But it has worked so well for him to go out with his friend Allen. Glen helps pay for gas and does other things that make it a more equitable arrangement.
DeleteI’d love those skillets love them xx
ReplyDeleteall but one of my cast iron skillets hang from hooks over my stove. the littlest one's handle is too thick for those hooks.
ReplyDeleteI thought Mr Moon had a boat. and poor Jack. fortunately Cat is not the least interested in wet food. and ugh! abattoir organ waste?