Sketchbook Saturday

I haven't blogged lately, because I really have not been up to much these days. I should be cleaning right now, but I'm feeling a little like having a lazy evening.

So today I decided to take my sketchbook over to Manassas National Battlefield Park... one) because it was way too hot to do much walking and two) because I had nothing to do this afternoon, so why not?

And I now know, if I ever am feeling lonely to take my sketchbook out and about. Everyone will stop and talk to you. I have no idea why. People will even take your picture even if you're just wearing a hat, a Cottonmouth Hockey t-shirt and shorts. Apparently novice artists are a hot commodity or something. I had people talk to me about their mother/brother/friend/person- in-an-article-they-read who are/were artists. I had people tell their kids to talk to me about art classes. One sweet little girl even gave me a flower.

People went out of their way to walk behind me so they could see what I was painting! One person wanted to see the rest of my sketchbook! Haha! I felt like a big fraud, because it isn't like I'm some kind of "real artist". I just like to mess around. But even though I told that person I just started this year AND this was just my sketchbook, she would hear nothing of it, and declared it all "hang on the wall" worthy. Maybe she was just being nice since I let her look.

Anyway, since I don't have anything to report, I decided you can see what all the fuss was about (which is not much!!).

Hope you are having a good summer, and have some time to be lazy too.
P.S. these are a teensy bit blurry. Whoops, I forgot i was taking them up close, I should have had the macro lens on.

CSA Tuesday

Such a curious bunch you are!
So the question is, what do you get in your box?

Well it all depends on the week. Here is what I got this week:
Cucumbers, zucchini, beets, apricots (I had 4 but one squished on my ride home), peaches, an herb (is this cinnamon basil? I don't know!) and plums. These tiny little plums are to die for. I've already eaten four.



The beginning of the summer season was a bit lighter... as not as much stuff grows then. But I am sure it will pick up in July and August. I'm excited to see what is next. It's like veggie of the week club!!

Great Country Farms

So as I mentioned before, this year I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and bought a half share, which means I get a box of veggies each week. The farm I belong to is not terribly far from my house, and also has a vineyard and winery.

I hadn't had the chance to go (it seems to rain every weekend I have free)- but finally on Friday I did. Every week, along with your box of veggies you can also pick a certain amount of something else that isn't in your box. This week it was English peas and black raspberries.

Anyway, Here are some pictures from the farm, and I wish I had kids to take them here. They have a ton of kids activities. If you come my way at all this summer or fall, and you want to go, just say the words. It was a fun day and very relaxing.

Here are some pictures from the Black Raspberry fields (and me hard at work):




Here are some random pictures of the farm:





Here we are on the way out to the pea field...


On the way we saw the zucchini's getting ready... they look lovely. The farm is 300 acres.


Here is the pea field.


After picking we had some lunch and visited the petting zoo.

This poor duck has a third leg, see it in the back? I wonder if he uses it to steer?
They also had some baby annimals... and the cow and the donkey were pregnant.



After our "farming was done" my friends and I decided to go to the winery. They have a lovely tasting, and I came home with some wine. (Don't worry Mom and Dad, one bottle is coming your way). The winery is wayyy up this huge hill. I know the grapes grow better up there, but I have to admit I did not realize it was going to be such a hill. The view from on top was spectacular. They say on really clear days you can see the Washington Monument.



Saturday I spent de-cluttering, putting things in boxes to sell at a yard sale and getting rid of a bunch of things we don't need/want. A one-bedroom clutters up easily and I couldn't take it anymore. I want to be one of those people that other folks can drop on by at anytime and see a clean house. Not that anyone will likely come out to where I live just to drop by... but still. It's nice to live in an uncluttered place. It's taken me the last two weeks to really make a dent. Now I have to go through a few piles I created in the dining room. It's the last to do besides the closets. I've made a lot of progress. Today it is chilly and rainy - so it makes a good day to clean. Hope you have a happy 4th everyone!