Fun Off the Farm and then back to work!

We had a wonderful weekend spent with friends and family.  It is always nice to take a day away from the farm and just relax, rejuvenate and catch up with friends and family.

Saturday we were blessed to spend the day with my son, Matthew, and his girlfriend, Jessica!  We enjoyed breakfast out together and then headed to Columbia, SC to Repitcon a Reptile and Exotic Animal Show and Sale where we saw all kinds of snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, geckos, spiders and arachnids, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.  It was very interesting to see the many different colors and breeds. I think my favorite thing I saw was a huge monitor lizard walking on a leash!  He was massive and just hanging out like he was a dog. 

We finished looking at the reptile show and made quick stop at Dunkin Doughuts for a treat and decided to go to the South Carolina State Museum to check out the Bugs! Exhibit.

 It was ok, but I think for the extra cost it could have been a little better done. If you have younger children I think they would get a kick out of the robotic bugs!  They are also featuring a Christmas In July with a special showing of The Polar Express Movie in 4-D. 

We still had a good time playing at the museum with all the Civil War memorabilia, South Carolina History, and the favorite the Optical Illusion section.

After a great day out with family we had an invitation to dinner at our dear friends Stephen and Eydie's.  What a beautiful day!  It was so nice to just get away from the farm and all the work that is always needing to be done and just relax and spend time with those we love.

Sunday.....it was back to work on the Farm!  After a late and slow start my sweet farmer man started working on the mountain of Roma tomatoes we had covering the kitchen counter.  Unfortunately, I was feeling under the weather so he insisted that I go lie down.  I fell fast asleep to the sounds of my sweet farmer man working away in the kitchen.  When I awoke an hour later he had a huge bowl full of peeled tomatoes ready to be cored and quartered.  I jumped in and we worked side by side preserving the fruits of our harvest. 

There is nothing like spending the day with my best friend, working side by side, chatting and just spending time together.  I am so very blessed to have a husband, help mate, and best friend who I adore and can't spend enough time with!

Removing the tomato skins and processing the first canner full

Canners all loaded up, locked down and cooking!

Messy, Messy, Messy!

We worked all afternoon on the tomatoes and then green beans. 

So pleased with the garden harvest this year and thankful for my sweet farmer man's help preserving it.

We were almost finished with the last canner full when my son and his girlfriend came by to visit and have supper with us.  It was a long, hard day, but very worth the time and effort we put into preserving the wonderful harvest we grew.  A special thank you to Stephen and Eydie Tillman for the extra tomatoes! 

If you are interested in canning, please check out Ball Canning's Getting Started Page  for more information on how to safely preserve your fruits, veggie and even meats.  They have many recipes on their page as well.

The garden is still producing well, even without much rain and continuous watering!  We will have another harvest of green beans this week and probably more tomatoes to can next weekend.  So grateful for all the fresh produce.

The herb garden is growing like crazy and I am so excited about drying some herbs, making some tinctures and salves and sharing the harvest with friends.

Upper level:  Large leaf Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Thai Basil, Purple Basil, Second level:  Rosemary, Tiny Garlic Chives, Italian Oregano, Flat Leaf Parsley, Greek Oregano, Pineapple Sage, Lower Level:  Lemon Verbena, French Tarragon, Lavender, Yarrow, St. John's Wart, Plantain, Varigate Sage, German Chamomile, and Tansy.

All the animals of the farm are coping with the extreme heat well with some extra measures to try to keep them as comfortable as possible. 

Hoping to make a Farm Foto Friday post so keep an eye out for some photos of the farm!