Garden Craft

I don't remember where I saw this craft done but it is so cute I remembered it. So of course I had to do it for myself. You may never have paid any attention to the terra cotta pots that I had in a couple of the pictures that I posted of the garden. Well, those are the ones that I used.

First thing I did was paint them all white.

Then I put round stickers on the dry pot. Yep, yard sale stickers did the trick!

Next I painted with the top color.

Once the paint was almost dry I peeled off the stickers.

The only thing I will do different next time is get a can of clear to put on a top coat. Right now they are residing in the garden, I had wanted them for the trailer. But I might have to get more for that... LOL!

Yart

An hour outside

The rotting crud seems to have decided finally to leave me in peace. With the rain taking a break, I thought it was a good time to get outside. Right before I got sick, the lavender and the blueberry tires were weeded. Also I was able to get about half of the grape/rhubarb/coneflower bed weeded. So I got out there and finished off that bed. Then I added another bag of mulch. I got it on sale last year…(it was suppose to go down in the fall but the weather didn’t cooperate.)

I pulled some weeds out of the daylily bed. Not as many as I would have thought but they are really filling out. I need to get one maybe two more and that bed will be done. I pulled some of my pots to get some seeds started. Chamomile and calendula are now in the hanging pots right outside the back door. Then I went into the BEAR garden (LOL, Skippy) and looked for a ground pot….. Guess what I found….. One of the blueberries in a pot, that I thought didn’t survive from the garden debacle actually has some growth on it. So that got moved over by the others. Then I cleaned out the weeds from another pot and planted nasturtiums.

I am hoping to borrow or buy a roto-tiller in the next couple weeks. The Bear garden needs to be tilled before I can get in there to do the renovation. It is going to look so nice. And everything that is along noisy neighbors side will be in pots up on blocks. So then when he sprays whatever it is that he uses to kill with it won’t be in the roots of my plants. Good thing I pulled the veggies out of that area…. God only knows what chemicals he was putting in the ground.

Anyways, I got to see a robin take a bath in the bird bath. The mason bees and a bumble were very intent on that yellow weed, I showed you the other day. These butterflies were covering it, too. So now I need to find out what type of weed it is and if I can transplant it. I would love to have more of it growing. I love the butterflies and bees in the yard!

Yart

What’s Blooming

Tulips

Lilacs

Tulips

Red Bleeding Heart

White Bleeding Heart

Volunteer Pansy

Maple tree growing in the garden that will need to be moved soon.

Hostas

Lemon Balm

Apple Tree

Weed of some sort… I thought it was pretty so it stays.

Blueberry bushes… Seem to like the tires!

Work in progress. It looks so bear with nothing in there. But that will be changing soon.

Yart

Lots to Talk about

With the way things went this summer Grim and I have decided to get the basement walls fixed up. Then we will fix all possible entry ways into the yard to keep out the damn r*ts. That way I will rebuild the garden to something that works better for us. When we built the garden 3 years ago, I went off of what I thought would work. And it did work, but it didn’t really suit our needs. I had the 12 4x4 raised beds. This time we are going to build 1 24x6 raised bed in. I will also be able to add the the drip irrigation. Cutting the grass will be so much easier…. or I might just build a walk way all the way around and not have to worry about it at all.

All of the herbs died, as did all the blueberry bushes. My mint and chives have held their own. The lavender should be ready to start harvesting next year. The grapes grew this year but not one grape did we get to eat. They never turned to purple. And yes, I did buy purple grapes, Grim asked the same question. Maybe it is still to early. I will be looking for borage to plant for next year…. so if anyone has any seeds that they would like to part with please let me know.

I am working with a lion brand yarn right now to make Teenage monster a scarf to match her varsity jacket. Once I am done making it I am going to get more of this wool and make hot pads. It is the thickest, softest yarn ever. The color is Claret, it is a deep wine color and her jacket is a burgundy. They seem to go good together. I may never have to make more hot pads once these are finished.  LOL! I also need to get my butt in gear. I bought yarn last year to make a crocheted blanket and haven’t done it yet. Good thing fall is on its way.

Well, since it seems Picky monster has hidden my sugar I have to wait till they get home from school to make the raspberry jam. I need to get that done tonight so that the berries don’t go bad on me. This is the first time in years I have picked fall raspberries. I think I like them better then summer ones. But then again next year I could have a change of heart… LOL! Yep, you guessed it I’m fickle! I also need to get the rest of the pears cooked down and started on the apples. I think that pears and apples will be waiting until tomorrow though.

Today ended up being a run around type of day. Took the monsters to school, then had to pick my mom up at the shop and take her home. Then had to take Grim’s car into the shop…. brand new and one of the pieces of trim fell off. I also had to go to the post office because my mailman was late getting here Friday and then when I went Saturday they were already closed. But I have my package and I have already started on my “Introduction to Natural Wellness” course. I think I will be done sometime in November. I have read the first unit, but I need to go back and take notes and flash cards. The test for unit one seems very straight forward.

Yart

Another Busy Day

When I got up this morning, it was still overcast. So I waited a bit and got the monsters up. I took Picky with me to go and get peas. Of course when we get there I am told that they are sugar snap peas…. hmmm! So we only picked a peck. Now I have a peck of peas and not really sure what to do with them. I am going to head over to Punk Domestics to see if there are any ideas. I really don’t want to freeze them if I can avoid it. We had a nice time picking though, it was cloudy with a nice breeze. We were almost done and the sun came out. No complaints!

I pulled in 5 heads of romaine today as they were showing signs of bolting. I caught it in time before they went bitter. I still have 20 more heads out there. Luckily, we eat about 5 heads a sitting. They aren’t very big or tight. I love being able to pull from the garden. I think I would need an entire greenhouse full of lettuce to actually save money with the way we eat. Every little bit does help.

Like that video about victory gardens. It said that 1 bushel equals 12 quarts and that each person in the house needs at least 20 quarts. For us that would be 100 quarts. I do about 1/2 that and a 1/4 of that comes from my garden. I am hoping this year that my yield will be much improved with the spacing of the plants. I need to fertilize them but it keeps raining. I’m afraid that if I fertilize them now the plants won’t benefit.

Took the monsters to the library today. I was hoping to find some books on fermenting. There is an on-line class about fermenting, I just don’t know if I want to spend the money right now. So I thought I would use a free source. Of course, no such luck. But I was able to find some good books on preservation. I hope to learn a lot from them. The one I think I need to purchase for my home library is Stocking Up III. It is full of tons of great information. They even talk about what to do with Kefir grains.

I have a couple of links to share with you today!

S’mores Granola Bars

Oatmeal Pancakes

The Best Summer Sips

Vanilla Kefir Ice Cream

Gotta Run,

Yart

Why I was so tired today

These are the boxes that Grim built for me.

Here is the first one marked off with painters tape (a roll free from some promotion. Worked pretty good too)

Here are the boxes painted…. Didn’t the little monsters do a good job?

Here the boxes are in place with cardboard down as a weed barrier. Way cheaper then the roll of stuff.

Here are both of the boxes waiting for dirt. Good thing I got some yesterday.

Here are two views of my lavender! Band monster was nice enough to help me do the planting.

And this is the new and improved 2011 garden!

Do you think Grim would mind these colors for the house? LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Never a Dull Moment

First let me say I did not get pictures. I had my hands full.

It is finally bearable outside. So off I go to water the garden. I figure that even though it was a warm day not super hot my plants needed a drink. Good think I went out there. I water 3 of the beds and go to water the fourth. And to my surprise, yep I yelped.... there was a robin trapped in the netting I put around and over the strawberries. I called for Grim. We were able to get a hold of the bird and he cut out a huge section of the netting. The poor thing once caught twirled itself around, so Grim had to cut the netting string by string as I held it. The whole time praying that I wouldn't break something or accidentally kill it. And of course two of the monsters were right there watching.... No pressure! We were able to completely free it. Once I let it go it was able to fly to the fence... It didn't put any weight on the foot. But that's ok, it can fly... Job well done.... and the netting is gone. It was suppose to keep them out not trap them.

I got my first batch of jars washed out yesterday. I still have a lot more to do. These are the remainder of the first year canning adventures. With each success, I made more and more. Yep, just a little compulsive... LOL! It is bittersweet. I hate to see all the food wasted, but I'm glad that I had it in the first place. We ate quite a bit out of the pantry while Grim was laid up. I have a better idea now what works for us and what doesn't. This year I think will be an easier year. I have the steam juicer. I can't wait to start canning again. Yummm!

Oh, I have some exciting news. Last year I got a warty pumpkin... You know the kind Judy... They are french.... ohhhhh lala. Anyways, while I trying to prepare them, my pyrex blew up in the oven.... So I never even had a chance to try one. But I was smart and saved the seeds. Since I have never saved seeds and used them, these were the Guinea pigs so to say. I planted a handful of seeds in each of the 4 holes. I didn't count as I really didn't think I dried them right (so nothing was going to grow anyways, right?) Wrong, I have 14 plants, I am scared to thin them as they all look so healthy. Remember half-a$$ed gardener here. Mind you they are all in a 4x4 raised bed. I know your shaking your head laughing cause you all know what is going to happen.... right around harvest time these plants are going to eat me... LOL! One day I will tell you about my first garden. It put me on the path to never garden again. I figure my yard is going to be completely over run and I will have 18 thousand pounds of pumpkins..... and seeds galore to dry and give away.

On to other news from the garden. I really do have grapes growing. I have only had the vines for 3 years and have never seen grapes start out itty bitty. They start out like a little cluster of green pods.... tiny though.... then those pods turn into a type of flower again very small. Then the flower fades and there are these very small green round ends.... sorry I have no idea what any of the technical terms might be. There is very little information on line for grapes at this stage. The blueberry plant that I bought this spring has a ton of berries growing. The other two I have had are just growing, no sign of berries, maybe they are late bloomers. Almost forgot I got a fig when I bought the blueberry. It has two little pod things.... I don't know if they are flowers or if they are the fruit. Will keep you updated on this. All of the pear blossoms fell off and died, except for one. Keeping fingers crossed. My apples all look like something attacked them. They have small scratch looking marks on them. Like I said before I am in no way a master gardener.... half the time I wouldn't even consider myself a gardener.... I just get things to grow... sometimes to my own detriment..... Attacking Pumpkins... LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Spring Cleaning

I have started my spring cleaning... Even though it is like only 45 degrees right now. No I mean that is what I have been doing the past couple of days. I am hosting a Moderation Nation from Hershey's party on Sunday. I hate cleaning to begin with and couple that with having people over and a complete stranger... Stressed doesn't even begin to describe it.

With all the cleaning I thought I had a doctors appointment tomorrow. You know to get my blood work redone to see how my cholesterol is and to show the doctor that I have lost 18 pounds. Yeah, well, I guess the appointment was actually this past Tuesday. They didn't call to do a reminder.... so I have to call tomorrow and reschedule. No big deal.

I got out when the weather was still good and planted yellow and red beets, multi-colored carrots and red onions. I wasn't going to plant a ton of different things this year. Just tomatoes and squash and beans. I know I am a renegade....LOL! I can't even follow my own rules. Not a problem, though! I am going to be building my mom two 4x12 raised beds for her house. I will plant lots of stuff over there. She only wants some tomatoes, what a deal. More room for me and a few tomatoes for her!

I also went to the farmers market ~ plants ~ only. I picked up a tomitillo. Just one, it is sitting under the grow light with the rest of the seedlings. It is just still way to cold to put tomatoes outside. I need to wait at least 2 more weeks. Mother's day weekend, should be good.

We picked up paint for the garden fence! It is yellow and aqua. Yep, part Polish and Proud of it... LOL! Now if the rain would just go away so the fence can dry out that would be great. I still need to finish weeding out the last 3 beds. That is a job that will have to wait.

I am working on socks with double pointed needles. Needless to say there is a class, I will be taking it. It is 3 weeks long and I hope they can help me. Either with the needles or teach me how to do it in the round. You knitters know what I'm sayin'. The lady that taught me to knit is no longer in business, Diana would have been able to teach me. I hope these new ladies can help!

It's getting late!
Gotta Run,
Yart

Homestead Happenings

How is everyone doing today? Good I hope! We are all fighting off a little bug, nothing major, just annoying. Grim, was home most of the day today. So we went to one of the area parks, it is a metro park... Now it's not a State Park or a County Park.... But you have to pay to get a membership for the year. They have nature centers and walking/bicycle paths. Wooded nature walking trails are what we hit today. There were tons of deer. They kept hopping out of the bush onto the trail right in front of us. Very Kewl!

Then since we were already out it was time to see if my farm markets were open yet. Nope, not till the end of the month. But I did stop to see the old farmer.... he usually has stuff to sell. I wasn't dissappointed. I got foodhook, italian rose beans and purple hull beans. I also got a flat of romaine lettuce. After we got home I had to get off my lazy butt and clean out one of the beds. So now that is done and the 24 heads of romaine are planted. In about 3 weeks I will go back and get another flat for another box. That way I can stagger them. I know what your thinking why not grow them from seed. Lettuce hates me. I have tried before and I will try again at another time. But since I want lettuce I need to buy starts. Where else am I going to get 24 heads of lettuce for $8.99.

Tonight I needed to do some sewing. There was a fitted sheet that got a tear and Grim's jammie pants ripped ( cheap store bought ones), anyways.... As I was sitting here sewing, I thought how lucky I am. Yep, lucky to be darning. I feel that way because I had the forthought to learn how to do it. I have the ability to put that knowledge into action. And that I have the tools at my disposal. It makes me know that know matter how good or bad things get there is still a basic knowledge of simple survival in me. Kewl, huh?

Grim and I will be going tomorrow to get the supplies to put up the fence and gate to keep the gaurd dog from using my garden as his personal potty! It is just 4 posts and wire fencing. I would so love to go and get a couple of chickens to toss in there but my neighbor would complain to the city, I'm sure! Since we will be at the big home improvement store I think I will get the lumber to make a couple raised boxes for my mom, a gallon of paint to get the dining room done, and the chair molding to keep all the scratches off the newly painted walls. Oh, and I need to look at a new fan for Mouthy's room.

Now I'm tired so I'm off to bed!
Yart

Wishful thinking

Yesterday I said Spring is in the air.... what I meant to say is that I've had enough of Winter and Spring can make an appearance any time now. We still have snow on the ground. Every time we think that it's gone, more shows up.... The time to rest is coming to a quick end in my book. I need to get out to the yard. I need to figure out what I'm going to do with the garden this year. Wether or not I'm going to keep the 4x4 boxes or make 3 12x4's  for right down the middle. Decisions, decisions. If we make the new boxes then the old ones are going to my mom's house. I am going to do a garden over there also.

Oh, speaking of the garden. I found non-gmo sugar beet seeds! So I bought a pound. I'm going to try my hand at sugar extraction this year. How kewl is that! Your suppose to get 1oz from every pound of beet. Each beet is suppose to weigh 3-5lbs. Pretty Kewl, huh! I'm going to start planting my seeds this week. I have all my little peat pots ready to go. Grim set up the grow lights for me. This year I might actually have plants to put out in the garden, instead of having to buy them.

Since we are eating healthier, I made an excutive decision. I bought doughnut pans and a whoopie pie pan. I figure that baked cake type doughnuts are way healthier then the store bought oil fried ones. We don't eat them often, but Grim has had a hankerin for them as of late and what's a gal to do. Make chocolate glazed. chocolate doughnuts! Even Picky monster loved them and she can't stand regular ones.

Well, I won't keep you any longer, since I'm just rambling any ways!

Gotta Run,
Yart

The saga continues

I got all the corn done... 21 quarts only 1 didn't seal and I didn't catch it soon enough so I had to toss it. I got 12 - 4oz & 3 - 8oz jars of vanilla pear butter. Again one didn't seal but I caught that one in time. So yesterday we enjoyed vanilla pear butter on waffles. Yummmmm! Since all the work was done I took a two day break. I enjoyed it greatly! But once again I am back at it. Grim and I went and purchased 2 more bushels of corn yesterday. We got it all shucked and cobbed this mornining. I am typing to you all from the kitchen. I have the laptop set up on a tv tray. LOL! So that I can keep an eye on the pressure gauge. It is just a humorous sight to behold. This should give us enough corn for the year. I'm hoping, keeping fingers crossed. It will be almost one quart a week. So what this means is that I am going to have to can green beans again. The last time I canned them they were mushy, they tasted fine. I will have to find out what to do.

The next big venture is going to be carrots and potatoes. They just don't last in the basement, so they need to be canned. Fun, fun, fun..... I will buy a 50 pound bag of carrots and 100 pounds of potatoes. I guess this is the year that I invest in a couple more really good peelers. I can already hear the crying about not wanting to help...... I know I shouldn't cry in front of the monsters but whats a mom to do.... LOL!

School starts back this coming Tuesday. We tried to get everyone to sleep early but it just didn't happen. I haven't been sleeping well, dreams bad ones & dreams about my dad. But at least I know why I was dreaming like this. I got a facebook message last night that my estranged grandfather had a heart attack last Thursday (when the dreams started) and they just got around to letting me know last night. I'm not sure what I would have done if they would have let me know right away. Just like I'm not sure what I am suppose to do with this information. You know you make decisions and then a life time goes by and someone else wants to come back from the dead (basically) and change everything. Sorry about that. I guess I just needed to see it in black and white for it to start making sense.

And now for something completely different..... I went out to the garden yesterday thinking that the garden was pretty much done and ready to be put to bed for the winter (except for the garlic that will be planted in October). I go over to the beefsteaks and they are just green none have turned for fear of Bunnicula. So I decided that I would pick all the green ones. Then I head over to the roma's. They haven't done sh** so far this season. Well, this cool weather is what they like. They have set flowers and got small greens ones everywhere. So instead of ripping them out I was out there tying them up so the damn rabbit didn't get anymore as they turn. What truely weird weather we are having. I think we did better with the garden last year in the cold and rainy instead of hot and humid of this year.

We are having a ham today for dinner. It is very cool and damp today. So before I get the potatoes and carrots I will be canning ham and bean soup for the first time. It should be good. But anyways, I really need to get the freezers cleaned out. Grim is suppose to go hunting in November. So I have to get off my butt and get it done.....AHHHHHH! LOL! Well, tons to do!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Been awhile

I hope everyone's summer is progressing nicely. We just got back from another short trip. We went to an Amish community that hosts a flea market and auction. The flea market was huge! But even with all the booths I was able to find a couple of deals. I am now the proud new owner of a #3 and #4 crocks. WooHoo!!!! I can make more sauerkraut this year as I just used up my last jars a few weeks ago. I can't wait!! I also found a wringer but I decided that I could wait and it is a good thing that I did. Since I have been home, a friend has contacted me and offered me the entire washer from his basement. I told him that I just wanted the wringer and he said he would get it off for me!!! Oh, and I almost forgot I found a glass wash board! Now I have the mop bucket and the wash board and the wringer. We will have clean clothes no matter what the circumstance.

I also drug the family to the animal auction. Oh my God! The piglets were so cute! And the little bit bigger ones looked like they would make nice hams.... LOL! I know it was funny to me too. I don't know when livestock started looking like food and not pets?!? I guess it goes with the territory of wanting to be closer to my food. Anyways, the pigs went for a very good price. We didn't get to see the cattle, it wasn't until way later in the day.

It was very hot while we were gone. So upon our arrival I found the first of the red tomatoes. There was a handful of grape, 1 Roma & 3 purple Cherokee ready to be picked. The cucumbers have powdery mildew, all the lettuce has bolted and the potatoes look like they need to be dug up. But on the bright side, there are baby watermelons, peppers and a ton of Swiss Chard.

We are planning on taking another trip next week. I know we are a going concern this year. But Band stuff starts up again at the end of this month and if we don't do something now then I don't know when we will have the opportunity. Band goes until the beginning of November.

I have been drying all of the mints. So far I have done chocolate, orange, pineapple & spearmint. I have lemon balm drying right now. The apple mint didn't do to well, so I didn't get any cuttings from it. I am hoping for a better year next year. I still need to dry out some oregano and horehound.

My room is almost ready to be painted. I just need to clean off the bookshelf and take the bed down. Then I can paint. I am going with a forest green for the walls and a cream for the trim. The bedding is a rust color. Hopefully, before the weekend is over the room will be done. Then next week Grim and I will be finishing up the DAMN kitchen.... The only thing we have to do is hang the doors and it will be complete.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Hot day

No pictures today. The past couple of days have been hot and humid and rainy. I don't remember having this many tornado warnings in June before... I know we use to have them in April when I was a kid. So far we have been in the basement a few times and the power has gone out. It has given me a new prospective. We use the basement as a sort of a family room. But there are somethings that I have wanted to do for awhile and have yet to implement. I have started to do the yearly clean and update the pantry. Two of the shelving units have been cleaned off and washed and put back in order. The monsters tend not to put things on the shelf right. I still need to get in the pantry and organize that, especially since canning season is right around the corner.

I got out in the garden today. I was able to get 2 beets, 3 peter peppers, 1 hot Hungarian, 1 head of bibb lettuce, handful of shell peas and a kohlrabi. The cucumbers, zucchini, and watermelon are flowering. I am happy as this is the first time I have really grown any of the 3. I tried last year but ended up with powdery mildew so the plants died. There are a ton of flowers on the tomatoes. I figure I should get my first red tomato by the middle of July.

I have been crocheting wash clothes. That is the only thing that I have felt like doing. Even reading is like a chore, my eyes get tired. I was able to read The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart. It was enjoyable as all of her books are. I need to get to the library as I have books to return. Plus I need to get the monsters set up for the summer reading program. That was suppose to be done last week...but I procrastinated.

Hopefully, next week I will get the wood and the hinges to finish off a project that we started a couple years ago. We built shelving units and need to box them in so that they become cabinets the cats can't get into. This will create storage that I desperately need. I have stuff up high so that cats won't pee on it. Once the cabinets are done then I can put all this stuff away!!!

Just found some water in a corner of the basement....

Gotta Run,
Yart

Happy Solstice!

The last couple of weeks have been so busy! But that is the way things go when school is getting finished. Well, it is official the monsters are out of school and they all passed to the next grade! We went on a small vacation to the 3rd largest bridge in the world. Mackinac Bridge! We had a great time but since it has been forever since we went camping, it has been decided to look into getting a camper. Grim and I are just too old and broken to sleep on the air mattresses. LOL! We went to all the mainland sites. The island will have to wait for the next trip. There just wasn't enough time to go everywhere.

Just to show you that I did make it to see Mary Jane Butters. Here is a picture of her holding the Michigan apron! I had a wonderful time and met a great bunch of ladies! Thank you Dandelion Farm Girls for making me feel so welcome!!!And I couldn't post without showing off the garden! This is what it looked like last week before we left. It has grown by leaps and bounds but I didn't take new pictures yet! Look at all the flowers on the tomato plant! I think this year I will weigh the produce as it comes in the house. It should be interesting, to say the least. Gotta Run,
Yart

Busy Week

It has been another very busy week. Grim and I went to the farmers market and got the rest of the plants to put in the ground. I will try again from seed next year! But I got peppers (hot Peter, ancho, habenero, hungairan and sweet green, red & yellow), beefsteak and grape tomatoes, eggplant (classic & little finger), a little more broccoli, a few more lettuces, some celery, pickeling cucumbers and bush cucumbers and dill. I also got anise to plant.

If your like me, then you never heard of peter peppers before. Since I got some to plant in the garden I thought that I should look up what type and what the growing instructions are. Plus, see if there are any recipes for them. And what do you know I found tons.

1. Naughty peppers by Alice B. Yeager
2. Peter Peppers
3. Pictures of Peter Peppers
4. How to Grow Peppers | Garden Guides
5. Great Resource | Hot Pepper Kingdom

And here is information on Anise. I know very little other then the licorice flavor.

1. Anise - Wikipedia
2. Botanical.com
3. Anise.org
4. What is Anise Extract
5. Anise Oil Use | eHow.com
6. The Herbal Resource

I am so happy that I waited for the stawberry that I took a picture of to fully ripen. When it was time to pick I discovered a total of 3. So Grim, Mouthy and I each got to enjoy a sun warmed strawberry just like Mother nature intended. The potatoes are growing hugely. By getting them in the ground earlier, they have had a better chance this year over last. I still have to plant the zucchini and the sugar baby watermelons. But before I do I need to get 2 more tires. I have no more room in the main garden so I have to expand out. Hopefully, this weekend I will get them planted. It is suppose to rain today and tomorrow. Then be nice on Sunday. Have to wait and see.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Amazement

This is probably the kewlest thing I have seen for Urban Gardeners! It is called window farming. "Window Farms are vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials." Quote taken directly from the Window Farms site, which you can go there by clicking here.
I found out about it by checking out Ashley English's blog Small Measure. The blog talking about it can be found here. I am just amazed at the ingenuity of this project. I have a square foot garden that most of you have seen pictures of, but this I am going to try. I have 3 windows that have southern exposure and are perfect for this. Plus, I will be able to grow greens for the bunny in the window in the kids room. I just love double duty items.

We will be picking up our newest addition after school today. I don't know who is more excited me or the monsters. We got a cage and bedding and food and a water bottle and food dish last night. Grim and the monsters set it all up. So I will have pictures very soon of Fluffy the Bunny! On a funny side note..... Grim and I went to Kroger last night. In the freezer section they are selling frozen rabbit for $5 a pound. Grim couldn't believe that there really is a market for rabbit meat and we can raise them to butcher and sell. So I will be getting meat rabbits when we get property. But, like I said before there are two types of animals here, pets and food. If it has a name then it is a pet and will not be eaten, so Fluffy is safe!

I would love to get out into my garden but it is so wet out there, I'm sure I would sink 6" into the mud. I have Roma's, pineapple and apple mint, oregano and 2 citronella scented geraniums to plant yet. I poked my head out the window yesterday in between the rain drops and what did I see the peas, pole beans and the bush beans are up. The kohlrabi and the broccoli seem to be looking ok. The lettuce looks a little water logged *smiles*, the strawberries will need to be cover soon as I don't want to share with the birds. Most of the sunflower seeds have come up but there are few bald spots that need to be re-seeded. My rhubarb has decided to flower. They are very pretty smelling flowers, but when I asked them at the nursery why it is flowering, no one could tell me. Then by the time I found on line that your suppose to pull those stalks clean out, I think it is too late. Once the rain stops I will see what I can do to salvage a summer crop.

That is about it for today.
Gotta Run,
Yart

I miss you all

I know I have missed so much. Mother Moon Congrats on the newest Grand!!! I love babies! Jenna, Congrats on the new place. How very exciting it must be!

But this past month has been super busy. Dealing with both insurance companies, work, the doctors, the disability claims people and he still hasn't seen the specialist yet. That doesn't happen until May 4th. All of the road rash has healed nicely. His shoulder is what is giving him problems right now.

I have busy in the garden every free moment. I found a source of free compost and so I have been using muscles that I didn't even know belonged in my body.... LOL! I got the grass cut in the back. I got and planted 2 blueberry bushes in pots. I know why pots? Good question! But the answer will have to wait for another day.... (I'm tricky that way....LOL!) I was able to find a 4 in 1 apple tree locally and it only cost me $29.99 no shipping. It has jonagold, fuji, braubear (sp?) and granny smith. We don't have room for trees but this will polinate itself. And there was this empty spot behind the garage where junk was piling up. Now no more junk and we have a production plant now! Yeah!!!! I built trellises for the beans and peas. I was able to get the dragon tounge, another type of bean and the peas in the ground on Tuesday. I only had a minor set back. I saw a spider right next to my head on the house and I went to squash him and I hit to hard. I dislocated my thumb.... I know you have to be thinking this is the most accident prone person. I really think I am. But it is all little inconviences. So I can be thankful that nothing major happens to me. With Grim not being able to use his left arm at all right now, we would be in a fix if I did something worse. So I am going to try and take it easy for the next couple of days. But that probably won't happen. LOL! Oh, my rhubarb is huge the crown has to be at least 8 inches across (planted last year) and my grapes have leaves and new growth (planted last year and they stayed sticks all season). I am still hoping to get bunnies this year. But that is a wait and see deal.

This weekend I have to get my butt in gear and get stuff out and washed for an upcoming yard sale. It will be the second weekend in May. I am hoping to sell off most of the junk.... I mean treasures.... LOL! Well, at least if I sell it I won't have to take the time to take and donate. But what ever is left I will do just that. I am feeling the need to downsize and get it done rather quickly. Nope I'm not nesting.... Ever feel that you have way to much stuff and it is keeping you from your full capabilities. That is how I am right now.

I put up a pully system for doing laundry out side. So far it is working. It is taking some getting use to though. The line moves when I don't want it too sometimes. And it is kind of droopy, I don't have the tension set right on it yet.

I have started clearing out my freezers. I know I should have joined the real food challenge last month. But I just didn't have it in me to do it. So now I am lagging behind. :oP But I am hoping to have both of them emptied of all the old stuff by June. I cooked up one of the turkey's on Sunday. We still have a ton left but it will be gone by the weekend. I have a ton of veggies to cook up also. I forgot how much swiss chard I froze.... and beets also. But that just shows how well the garden did last year.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Apples almost done! 2 of 2

Well, the last of the apples are cooking down right now. Yeah! Tomorrow they will be made into carmel apple butter. Then if I get the chance I will be getting a 1/2 bushel of Jonathon's. But then again I might be sick of apples by then.. LOL! Tomorrow I also plan on working on more sauerkraut. I got 4 really big heads for $2 at the farm market the other day. This batch should turn out as the basement is now on the cool side. I also need to move the pie pumpkins down so that they don't spoil. Oh, that reminds me, I have to find out what to do with the hubbard squash?!?

Grim and I got out to the garden today. We pulled all of the plants and cover all the beds with hay. Where the corn was planted, Grim layered in grass clippings before we put down the hay. The only thing out there right now is the strawberries, garlic and a couple of onions that I left in the ground. So we will have to wait for spring to see what if any of it survives. Then we took all of the garden waste to the recycling center. I didn't feel right about composting it as it had blight.

I used a muffin tin to make brownies, tonight. It turned out to be the best brownies ever. They were even and no cutting sticky misshaped pieces to deal with. For dinner we had hot dogs, leftover chili and baked potatoes. Every one is stuffed. Only a couple hot dogs left and no chili. I like when I really don't have to cook, but no food was wasted! Now the only thing that remains in the fridge to eat up is a few pieces of pizza from the other night. That should be gone for Lunch tomorrow!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Busy Weekend

I got a bushel of beefsteak and 1/2 a bushel of banana peppers. I went to a u pick that I didn't know was there until the other night. Good prices too. I got the peppers done 15 pints. I also purchased a 1/2 bushel of roma's at a farm stand. They were made into 20 - 1/2 pints of pizza sauce and I got 4 quarts of italian liquid canned up as well. I got through the first half of the McIntosh apples. 6 quarts of cinnamon applesauce are cooling as I type.The peels and cores from the apples were cooked down with water and then drained in cheesecloth. I don't know what to do with the liquid but the internet will help with that. Also got 2 acorn squash baked and frozen. Still have 2 more to do. Over the next week, on the agenda is, spaghetti sauce from the beefsteak tomatoes, apple pie filling, carmel apple butter, and plain applesauce. The 2 jumbo zucchini still need to be shredded and the sauerkraut still needs to be put in jars and processed.

I also snuck a peek at the garden today. I think that it really needs to be put to bed this week. I have a bag of grass clippings that needs to be placed in there and I'm sure the grass needs to be cut one more time before the snow flies.

I have been working on a knitted pair of slippers. The first yarn that I bought sucked. So I went to the yarn store in town and bought the most delightful yarn. Of course I can't remember and it's upstairs. I am 1/2 way done with the first slipper. DH picked out a color so that I can make him a pair too. I like being able to make wearables. I have come to a conclusion. I need to sell my afghans. I will be setting up an etsy account. Once I do I will post here if anyone is interested.
Tons to do.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Quick Update

I finally got the purple hardneck garlic in the ground. 33 cloves, I am hoping that they come up next year. So that is what I put into my fall garden, I also found a couple of onions that I missed. So in the garden they will stay until spring.

DH and I took a drive last night. First time we have gone out like that in awhile. I wanted to go out to this little run down place that sells onion sets in the spring. Well, low and behold they are now a U-Pick. We didn't have the time or the patience last night to pick but I will be going back before the season is over. We also found a house that was for sale. I called on it and it is way out of range but it has a 3 bedroom house with a natural fireplace, 3 car garage and a barn..... oh and 6 acres.... 6 acres can you imagine the farming dilemmas I could get myself into with that much land. So needless to say I went to bed last night praying to the credit fairy and the lotto gods.

My new mantra "Chickens & Goats & Bees, Oh my" I figure if I say it enough some will get tired of hearing it and grant me a farm... LOL! It doesn't hurt to try!

I have tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic cooking down on the stove right now. I finally found a food mill at the resale shop so I am going to puree it. Then put it in jars and can them. I will add salt and lemon juice to each jar to make sure there is enough acid, so I can water bath the jars.

Still have 2 jumbo zucchini to do some thing with. I think that I am just going to shred and freeze in recipe size bags. But that will have to wait till next week and so it might change. DH took me to one of the orchards around here. We got a bushel of McIntosh and a bushel of Wolf apples. This weekend I will be making apple sauce and apple pie filling. I get to use my clear jel! Yeah! I also have to can up the sauerkraut this weekend.

Well, now the tomato concoction is done and gone through the food mill. I am waiting for my canner to heat up.

Gotta Run,
Yart