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hump day nuggets: sweet spot
October 6, 2010

hump day nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week

Fall is completely here but summer is taking her sweet time retreating. The leaves are turning and the air is crunchy but the sun is brilliantly warm. This window doesn’t last long.

The sweet spot.

In my car in the morning, I clutch my coffee cup and give a stiff shiver as I crank the heat. By 10am, no heat, windows up. By noon, sweater in a pile in the passenger seat, window down. By 4pm, all windows down, flip flops and tank top.

I feel conflicted this time of year. I want to be outside absorbing the sun and I want to be inside near the stove (MY NEW STOVE!) preserving summer. So we do both. Out for a walk, in for canning tomatoes, out for bean-picking, in for baking cookies. It’s kinda perfect in its fleeting hear nor there-ness.

Sweet spot nuggets.

:: We know fall’s here when cool mornings encourage prolonged bed romping.

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:: My second kid is: quiet, loud, red headed, needy, hilarious, lovable, coy.

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:: Reason #764 why I love my town: I mention I have a crummy tomato show and promptly receive several dozen pounds of tomatoes from friends. Tomato sauce, oven-roasted tomatoes, tomato pie. I LOVE TOMATOES.

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:: Ruby got a new bike helmet.

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:: We’ve been watching our front-yard wolf spider all summer. She is about to have her babes. She’s huge. Like her abdomen is easily the diameter of a quarter.

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:: The boulevard garden is bursting. So is Margot.

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:: And the freakishly large pumpkin! Bug couldn’t be more proud.

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I cut the leaves back and she’s orange-ing right up.

:: While I sometimes cringe at my alone time cut short when Ruby wakes early from her nap, I always end up cherishing the quiet, dedicated space with just her.

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Adorable bib by Brooklyn Bib ShopΒ 

:: The perpetual, fabulous state of our kitchen window sill:

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:: Studio reorganization led to the realization that it’s time to clean out some inventory. So, 20%-40% off my etsy shop this week! You should totally buy some stuff.

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And what’s organization if you don’t have a little mess-maker by your side?

:: Curly red hair. Really? Really.

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:: And she’ll walk soon.

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:: I am so glad so many of you asked for range porn because I am thrilled to deliver. We baked and fried, we slow roasted and sautΓ©ed, we scrambled and boiled. I LOVE MY NEW RANGE.

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Never before had a window or a light. Oh, baker’s heaven.
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:: Waiting for papa to get home. I adore these photos. They didn’t know I was snapping away and do you notice how their body language mimics each other? Margot and Alice are best pals. Love that.

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So we’ll kiss that sweet spot until it’s tucked away safe for next year. And then we’ll love on piles of warm leaves, camping in the Big Hole Valley, visible breath and thick scarves. It’s all good really. Made better by the fact that it doesn’t last forever and one never really knows when it will end nor what’s next…

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41 Comments


MyRayOLite
October 6, 2010 at 6:33 AM

That pumpkin is fabulous! Just beautiful! Cannot wait to see it after it’s been picked. Will you use it for carving? Or use the meat for pie or both?

I envy your gardens and your zest to preserve summer. I need to learn to can. Especially my salsa.

:o)

Jennifer



clove
October 6, 2010 at 8:45 AM

I can’t believe how green and blooming you still are. But I guess you’re the Garden City, eh? Your pumpkin is–I cannot help but say–absolutely smashing.

LOVE seeing how much your Ruby is turning into a little girl! My little bean is six weeks older and we are fast approaching her first birthday and I’m trying to lasso together the whole pregnancy-birth-newborn-one-year-old experience, and it’s like trying to lasso a flock of chickens. I don’t think mind-blowing can ever be neatly packaged.



Eva Marie
October 6, 2010 at 10:45 AM

Its much to early in the morning here because my wee babe awoke but has now fallen back to sleepps…

i am officially in love with your stove, and your preserving.. i feel so unorganized with my house – i need to get organized

love the pictures with the dog haha so cute πŸ™‚

ps. what dimensions do you use with your photos in photoshop?



Jennifer
October 6, 2010 at 11:30 AM

Range Porn. Ha. That made me laugh out loud. Yeah Baby! Where’s the background music?!?

Isn’t it fitting that Ruby has red hair…strongest stone and brilliantly colorful! And your front garden – that rocks…

Have a great hump day.

-Jennifer in Annapolis



Tina
October 6, 2010 at 11:34 AM

Margot’s totally rockin the skull shirt… how cute! And I’m loving Ruby’s chompers; I love that awkward stage inbetween the teeth growing in evenly. So sweet and silly looking. πŸ™‚

Your spider, however, is grossing me out. πŸ˜‰



The Little House That Grew
October 6, 2010 at 12:06 PM

I love your new range. What a fun toy..I mean essential item. I live in Alabama where the “window” of fall is forever changing. It means some days summer, some days fall. So on good fall days it is so hard to choose where to spend them..inside , like you said, baking and cooking, or outside enjoying and breathing. I think both is best too.
I love that you love where you live.
Lisa



michellespicka
October 6, 2010 at 12:27 PM

I totally LOVE this time of year also; Nebraska has the same morning/afternoon extremes in temperature changes. Thanks so much for sharing!!



Kelle
October 6, 2010 at 12:33 PM

Aaah! When the nuggs are ready with my coffee? Oh, it’s gonna be a good day. Sliders open and I’m sitting on lanai feelin’ it. Your range is giving me serious stove envy. And that isn’t the spider that was next to your door, is it? Oh, I miss those girls. So much!!



β†’Daniele←
October 6, 2010 at 1:07 PM

Whenever I read a post of yours I’m just always nodding my head in yes’s…I heart you. haha
We have the same routine here right now…cold morning, by 4 pm back to tanks and flip flops. In and out of the house all day long.
I too, sigh sometimes when my 1 yr old is up before my 3 yr old during my “alone time” and then every time I feel so lucky for the one-on-one time we just had. I don’t know what I thought having a second would be like…like maybe when I was pregnant I thought I wouldn’t be as amazed at everything with it being the second time around…but I’m always amazed at my amazement in her, if that makes sense haha- that everything is still brand new and I’m in awe of everything she does and her unique personality.
Oh and range porn? This was a good batch. I almost spit out my coffee laughing.



Sara
October 6, 2010 at 1:45 PM

There is so much I want to say about this post. Your kids are so adorable. The sunflowers & pumpkin….sweet. The way you so perfectly describe this time of year. It really is a “sweet spot”. We dress in layers, the backseat is full of sweaters & hats..I go out the door in the morning in jeans, teva sandals & a wool hat on my head. My kids think it’s hilarious! Savoring Summers end yet embracing Autumn. πŸ™‚



Pam
October 6, 2010 at 1:55 PM

Triple love!



Gramomster
October 6, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Oh those teeth! And the curls! Oh my oh my…

*sigh*

babies are delish.

Love those sunflowers! Holy cats! And your range porn? Definitely drool-worthy.

We’re having the back-and-forth weather stuff too, but the changes are in chunks of days rather than chunks of hours in a day. Many perfect fall days in the upper 60s of late. Goodbye, humid-sticky gross! Woot!



Colleen
October 6, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Love Ruby’s chompers coming in and her little curls. And Margot’s face standing next to those sunflowers puts a huge smile on my face too. You have gorgeous girls and a gorgeous life!



j.j.
October 6, 2010 at 2:22 PM

my favorite tidbits in this sweet post: Ruby’s great smile!, your beautiful sunflowers in front of your ultra cute house, Margot’s resemblance to her Oregonian cousin (second cousin? once removed? however that works?!) in the pumpkin pics, the big green pumpkin itself…and lastly, your great new range!! Fantastic and yay!! take care~



Anna
October 6, 2010 at 2:47 PM

Thank you SO very much for including a photo of lil Ruby wearing my bib! I was absolutely thrilled to see it.



TRB Holt
October 6, 2010 at 2:56 PM

What a sweet post Burb! Your new range should be the “centerfold” in Bon Appetit magazine! I know what you could crank out on your old stove…so everybody stand back and just watch!

Margot~All I can say is WOW, that’s some pumpkin you grew! AND your sunflowers are the Bees Knees! I think my favorite photo(s) in this blog are the ones of you and Alice. There is nothing like a dog for your BFF! I Love You A Bushel & A Peck!

Ruby~Talk about sweet spots, I wanna kiss that sweet spot right behind your ear, next to your curly red locks! Seeing both you and your big sister here makes me want to book a flight TODAY! You Are My Sunshine!

I love you all!
xoxo, Mom/Gram



Sarah { bee house hives }
October 6, 2010 at 3:03 PM

a sweet life i see. nici, i love coming to visit. i always close the puter with a smile. have a great day. we are in thick fog here this a.m.. but the sun is about to burn it off! lovin these fall days too!



Katie (Mama May I)
October 6, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Your new range~she’s a beauty. I’m in love with your sunflower patch. Those crazy cold~ cool~ warm~ hot~ cool~ cold again days~ not here yet for us.

ps..I love tomatoes too. Secretly really, really in love with my tomatoes right now. πŸ™‚



elizabeth
October 6, 2010 at 3:19 PM

I love the photo of your house and daughter with sunflowers. Reminds me of a postcard I have of Monet’s garden.

I bought 125lbs of tomatoes at the farmers mkt last weekend. Have been making tons of roasted tomatoes with onion, garlic, basil, oregano, parsley. Have been freezing it all, but think I should can some. When you can those quarts of sauce, do you put lemon juice in the bottom as they suggest? I was wondering if it would change the flavor? Do you skin the tomatoes, but leave the seeds? I put some of my roasted tomatoes through the food mill for sauce. Makes great soup too!

Just wondering about your canning method. I still have about 60lbs left. Thanks!

p.s. Made it the to Missoula farmers mkt a couple weekends ago for the peaches. Made peach butter. Delicious! Thank you.



Cloud9Farmer
October 6, 2010 at 4:17 PM

Reading the comments is almost as good as reading the nuggets…So much love your writing inspires all over the big world: babies, food, family, gardens, home, creation, sewing, making, doing, being…you are one heartful agent of love! Hugs to you Big Mama! The world needs more people spreading love around!



Minnesotagal
October 6, 2010 at 4:40 PM

I’m laughing at your description of the weather and the piles of clothes. It’s so apt! I just cleaned a heap of clothes of all sizes out of the back seat of my car yesterday. Our closets are migrating like the birds this time of year. But that’s what’s so wonderful about fall – if it starts as a gloomy day it may just finish as a glorious one!



Flower Patch Farmgirl
October 6, 2010 at 4:49 PM

I thought of you this morning whilst showering. Weird, yes, but it’s where I have the biggest window of quiet, so it’s where I do my best thinking.

I love watching your life, which parallels mine in quite a lovely and inspiring fashion. Your life reminds me of the best of mine.

Except for that Hunka Burnin’ Love Range. That’s just plain not fair.



Amie
October 6, 2010 at 5:05 PM

I love, LOVE Ruby’s one-front-tooth grin!



Melissa
October 6, 2010 at 5:25 PM

yay for nuggets.

happy wednesday!

so happy you have a new range. the window and oven light are the best for little ones eager for the cookies to be ready . . .xo



Joan Cline
October 6, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Can’t wait to see you little nuggets live and in person.



Nicole (@NicoleLJ)
October 6, 2010 at 6:33 PM

I’m a relatively new reader to your blog. I’ve been thinking about your last blog post since I read it. My 2nd kiddo had an RSV-like virus at 8 weeks. He’s 5 now, so clearly we lived. But OMG was it awful. I was plagued by HORRIBLE anxiety for a year after and it really took me another 6 months after that to settle down. One part of me will be warped for life. My sister (childless at the time) said to me once “I don’t get why you’re so freaked out. It’s not like he died.” and, just in case you get comments like that too I wanted to say: you have to have been there to understand. I totally get it!



Sarah
October 6, 2010 at 7:28 PM

I love the expressions on the girls’ faces, especially as Margot looks at her baby sis…

Good reading here:)



FinnyKnits
October 6, 2010 at 8:24 PM

Ditto to all: charming, lovely, *exactly!* and Alice.

And you can never have too many tomatoes, I’m sure of it.



Ann
October 6, 2010 at 8:38 PM

the close ups of ruby are way too cute



Julie
October 6, 2010 at 10:31 PM

That spider is so gross and would not be there anymore if that was my front yard! Sorry… πŸ™‚

Your blog is super cute! Your kids are adorable!



Elizabeth
October 7, 2010 at 12:46 AM

I love your life, your outlook on it, the way you live it, what you’ve been bless with it — you’re so amazing and overwhelming all at the same time! Love your kids, your home, your dog, your talent with EVERYTHING, your stove, your writing, your honesty, your passion, your blog, (in no particular order, by the way) — love, love, love!!



KWQR
October 7, 2010 at 1:56 AM

Beautiful photos! Can’t decide which I love best… ruby’s curls or those teeth… both so adorable. But my absolute favs are the 3 of margot & alice. Great shots.
Any chance you would share your tomato sauce procedure? I wanted to can some this year but we ended up eating every last one. Am hoping to “help” my neighbor with the last of her crop. πŸ™‚
happy wednesday
kate



Hillary
October 7, 2010 at 2:52 AM

Absolutely beautiful post.
I love the picture of Ruby and her little choppers.



Anonymous
October 7, 2010 at 3:13 PM

Nici,

That po po spider,hope she’s had those babies by now! Your porn-range descriptions are too funny!
(I don’t even cook and I think she’s beautiful).

Thanks for another great read.

~Julie



Kate
October 7, 2010 at 3:50 PM

hey nici!

love the blog and watching your chicklets grow up! the title of your post reminded me of a song that i love called “sweet spot” by a band named “the rescues”. thought you might enjoy it too πŸ™‚

http://alturl.com/q66so

enjoy the rest of your “falling out of summer” time!



Jen
October 7, 2010 at 5:10 PM

Your boulevard garden is so inspiring and the photo of the sunflowers is amazingly beautiful!

The tomato…oh how I love it so. Could you share your tomato pie recipie?



Kathi
October 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM

“Range Porn”….I’m still laughing out loud. In love with your blog!



Anonymous
October 7, 2010 at 7:02 PM

Loving your blog, your pics and your extraordinary story telling of no ordinary life.
Gets me motivated in this block of time where mine is far less than what I imagined but is still worth living.
Thanks for that. You are a gem.
Digging it in my own way.



The Small Gal
October 8, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Ok so first off I so love your blog and get excited every time I see you put up a new post!

And second I believe you promised an pear applesauce recipe back here: (http://www.digthischickmt.com/2010/09/hump-day-nuggets-equinoxes-and-harvest.html) And it would make my day if you delivered on that, as I have some apples that need to get used up. πŸ™‚



Mama Bella
October 8, 2010 at 6:35 PM

so beautiful!



Anonymous
October 10, 2010 at 4:57 AM

You have great teeth.



  • hello and welcome

    I’m Nici (pronounced like Nikki) and I live in western Montana where I raise kids, vegetables and the roof.

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