Cottage Life Lakeside

08/27/2026

Great grandpa made Constantine the place to be back in the day, bringing them in from all over. Time changes things. Sometimes the past is better left in the past.

08/26/2026

Hamburger dills and pickled hot peppers done. Grapes are in the juicer now. I blanched and froze most of my potatoes and beans because I just didn't have time to pressure can right now. I have to wash and core another 3 or 4 gallon freezer bags of tomatoes. Pasta and pizza sauces will be made from those when outside tasks are done. I personally didn't think this year was a good garden year. I have enough for us, but normally can help three or four families prep. That just wasn't the case this year. I'm grateful for what we have though. My husband asked for grape jelly so that's what he is getting. I love the steam juicer because whether it's cherries, elderberries, or grapes I don't have to deseed anything. Just rinse, pop in the top, fill the bottom with water and wait for that juice to flow.

08/26/2026

Dolly, now Tim Curry 😭

08/25/2026

Jeanne Jones-Whetstone look who is enjoying her teepee on the bed now. :)

08/25/2026

My first big bucket of grapes from my grape vine. To get cleaned, sorted and into the juicer they will go for grape jelly. 💜

08/24/2026

There are things you through in life that change you. Permanently. Whether those things teach you to have empathy, or hold strong boundaries, or be less trusting, or to love people harder...whatever it is. It's supposed to. Stop looking for who you used to be or longing for that person you were, before you knew better. They aren't coming back, you've learned lessons. Be the best version of yourself you can as you continue forward and to learn in your journey. That's it, that's all that you can ask of yourself.

08/24/2026

I think spiderman may be a popular Halloween costume this year. 🤷♥️

08/23/2026

Tell me you are not a gardener without telling me you are not a gardener. Hubby "you are always changing stuff and moving stuff and redoing stuff" in a super grouchy voice. Me..yes, because they are living things that overcrowd..die, need dug up and split. The boxes and all the day lilies we planted on that side are past their three year mark which means they have to come out and be split. The boxes need repaired. And since I have to do all of that anyway, I am moving most of it to the big garden and returning that side other than the bushes and the trees back to grass. Why? Because our homes are to close together for me to spend much time on that side (it's a me thing) and I am sick to death of fighting the maple trees, the rose of Sharon's, and the crab apple trees that want to pop up in the middle of it anyway. It it's grass it just gets cut. Also, I am manifesting something new in the future and if that pans out and I decide to put the house on the market..well it's got to be maintainable for someone who is part-time. It's almost September so now is the time to move it. Him..aren't you supposed to be canning and cleaning today? Well yes..yes I am, thus the other reason I am outside digging up plants. Obviously I don't want to do, what you tell me to.

Love, a gardening wife.

08/22/2026

What I am doing today. Along with burning all the squash and cucumber vines. More weeding. And sad to see the August ick has mostly set in. Can't believe it's almost September. Where did summer go already.

08/21/2026