May 5th 2020

The weather here has been crazy. We have been up to 80 then back down to 30. It makes working in the yard quite the task. We have been doing what we can when we can. Since we lost our faithful companion in the fall, I decided to turn the area nearest the back door into a cottage type garden. We weren't able to use that space before because he ran the fence line and would destroy anything planted there. I moved all the perennial flowers out from behind the garage. They are now in the cottage garden. I still need to amend the soil behind the garage. That is where I will be planting the 3 sisters. I have gem corn, runner beans and honeynut squash, I am so hoping they grow well. I have always wanted to do the 3 sisters. Now is my chance. We moved an old bed. The wood is from my original raised beds from like 10 years ago. This is the 3rd and final incarnation. I will be planting tomatoes, marigolds and chives in that bed. Since I wasn't able to get out and get wood during the height of the pandemic, I reused and made due. As you can see from the photo, there are a ton of projects in various stages of completion.

I planted peas, radishes, green onions, salad mix, arugula, spinach, and swiss chard direct sow. They are all coming up beautifully. Now if I can keep them alive during the freeze coming at the end of this week. We will see. Yesterday, I direct sowed red russian kale, rainbow mix carrots, honeynut squash, lil pumpkins, zucchini, acorn squash. All 3 squash have nasturtium planted with. These are all in pots. My soil isn't the best and I really don't have room at this time to plant in the ground. So pots it is.

I bought some starts, lemon verbena, 2 types of mint (pepper & spear), garden sage,  2 types of thyme (common & lemon), lemon grass and lemon balm. I got a doggie swimming pool and a ton of everbearing strawberry starts. I wasn't going to buy starts as my daughter got bare root berries and we planted them only to have the squirrel rip the poor little pot apart. The picture is fuzzy because I took it through the screen. He had already destroyed it so I just let him finish while I took pictures..... That's the way of the world I guess.

I was even able to get some crocheting done in the down time.

This is the mystic lanterns that I started over a year ago. All the pieces are done. And now all the strips are put together. Now, if I can find more time all the strips need to be sewn up and I will have yet another completed blanket.

Smile Loudly 

&

Live Blessed

Yart

April 2020

Let me start by wishing my other half a joyous 50th Birthday!!! It was yesterday and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! We were able to be outside in the yard. I got a few things setup for the warmer weather. The deck is cleaned off and all the warm weather furniture is out now. I planted cool weather plants. Radishes, green onions, peas, salad mix, spinach, arugula, & swiss chard. Then of course it rained, hailed and even snowed a bit last night! The joys of Spring!

We like most of you are in a state of quarantine. We are limiting our outings and if it is necessary I am the only one going into the store. We are getting out in the neighborhood and walking as much as his body will let us. I have been trying to keep busy with crocheting, starting seeds inside, cooking (400 times in the last 30 days), working in the yard.

I'm sorry I am jumping around in this post. It's just the way my brain is working today. Like I need to get it all down on paper before I forget.

I ordered seed potatoes, onions, 2 different honey berry bushes for the yard, also have 5 pepper plants coming as well.. I have a dwarf banana, orange, lemon, and lime coming for the house. We are super excited about these. I have roma's and black sea tomatoes started, Then I have red and Hungarian sweet started, corn, beans, peas, squash, pumpkins and lots more. The only reason I ordered the pepper plants was because the seed peppers still hadn't started to germinate in the house so I thought I was out of luck. So I ordered. Then a few days later I started to see sprouts. It's fine any extra I have I will share with family and friends.

I have also been trying to keep busy with my candle company.  It gives me the freedom to be available to my other half as he needs me. With the social distancing that is in place right now, sales have slowed. But I am not counting out coming back stronger when this is all over. If you interested in checking it out you can by going to My Penny Jar, I have over 40 scents of candles and melts!

Smile Loudly,

Yart

Over 2 years

Not sure where the time has gone!

I hopped on here the other day to read a few of the blogs that I use to read religiously,

Some are still here, while others like mine seem to have fallen into the land of obscurity!

My life, my world has been turned, twisted and basically fallen apart over the last 4 years.

Things are finally starting to sort themselves out!

My dearest Husband is now officially retired! That happened this past March. There has been a real learning curve to all this.

I started a soy wax candle company! I've been doing well with it. Selling at Farmer's Markets and Vintage Events. I'm in the process of getting a website / store up and running to do online sales. It has been fun learning how to do this and actually do it for myself. As some of you might remember I was part of the direct sales world for a few years. I much prefer the candles to that. If you want to see what I've been doing you can find me on facebook.com/mypennyjar

We were recently informed that our youngest won't be attending university once she graduates high school. She has decided to go into trade school. It's still a 5 year program. She will learn her trade but also get a business education as well. We are thrilled for her to make this jump as both of her sisters went to university and she is the one to break the mold!

I know there is so much more to say but for now, Smile Loudly!

Hugs!

Yart

We made it to December

Well, actually to December 6th!!! This is the longest we have ever been able to hold out on turning the furnace on.... We can afford heat. This is a challenge that I took part in years and years ago. And even though the original coordinator no longer does the challenge, we still do it. We have had some cold spells, the weather always warmed back up. This time, Winter is making a dramatic showing by the end of the week. At least that's what the weatherman says. Even if there is nothing new to see (snow) the temps have finally taken the plunge! Last night was down to 28 and tonight is suppose to be even lower. The daytime temps aren't going to come up enough during the day to warm the house so the heat goes on.

I will say this much, its set at 60 daytime temp. Its hot to us. We have been conditioned to live in a bit cooler temps and I'm roasting.... LOL! It won't last long till we acclimate. I have to go and get new batteries for the programmable thermostat. Then I can readjust what the temps should be.

Last year, when we shut it off we had it on 60. So that's how we will start this year off!

Here's to a short Winter and an early Spring!

Smile Loudly,

Yart

The Gales of November

This month is really just a continuation of last month. I know that makes very little sense. LOL! So here's the back story.....

My loved one has been able to return to a job at the same company. Not his job and certainly not for the same rate of pay! Not even what the job is suppose to pay but 10% less for the whole first year after he is done training.... so if he is in training for 6 months then it will be 10% less for a year and a half! Damnation!!!!! Bills still need to be paid and food still needs to be purchased!

But on a brighter note... I have been contacted to do a qualification test to do at home work. If I pass, then I can work from home at my own schedule!!! (*Edited* I got the job!!! Woohoo!) Oldest is now full time at her job. Which means benefits and a pay increase! Middle, has an interview at her job for a supervisors position. (*Edited* She got the promotion) And the youngest broke her roller skates! 

I was able to get a really good deal on chicken from Zaycon Fresh. Its antibiotic free and the best tasting chicken I have ever had. They are so big that 3 chicken breasts will feed 6 people 1 meal. If your interested in checking them out you can do so by going here: Zaycon Fresh

I have been getting at the sales. This week our main grocery store Kroger is having a buy 10 and get $5 off. Lots of really good deals. Pasta and Sauce are on the stock up list! I didn't put up any tomatoes or veg this year. I felt the last couple years I did that it didn't get used the way it should have so. I opted to not. I did do strawberries, blueberries, peaches, bananas, and pineapple.

I have been crocheting up a storm. Grim and I are hoping to go to a Viking Festival the end of February. So I've been making things to sell. Fingers crossed that they will. Its all yarn that I had and now its getting used up. That has an added bonus as its cleaning out where all this yarn has just been sitting taking up space.

And of course I was able to fit in a new shawl for myself. It was made with 2 Canon Cakes. The pattern is Lost in Time. I was lucky enough to have the yarn in my stash so it was a win win. No money out of our current pocket and I got a very nice and warm new shawl!

Since we have been spending so much time at home. One of the things we have been doing is binge watching Netflix. We have watched Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Dare Devil, Iron Fist & The Defenders. These are all Marvel Universe shows. We also watched Wynonna Earp. OMG.... This show is amazing. If you liked/loved Buffy give it a chance and watch... it is amazing!!! My opinion, not paid for by syfy or netflix (unless someone wants to send me a check for it! *Smiles* ) Mindhunter was also a very good series. It shows how the FBI started with the profiling system. I can't wait until they come out with the next season. We are now onto Stranger Things.... It is strange. Only have 2 more episodes to watch until the first season is over.

Smile Loudly,

Yart

Spending Time Else Where

I have to admit... I have been spending much of my time elsewhere. I post almost daily to instagram. I love to blog and write out my thoughts in great detail. But I also like that if I only have a moment or two, I can just post a photo and move on. 

With that being said.... Here are some of the photos from the past year.

Mind you this is only to the end of August!

Life looks so Lovely through the lens of a camera!

Until Next Time,

Smile Loudly!

Yart

Not much has changed

In the 8 months since I last posted. Not much has changed.

The Oldest Graduated from University!

My loved one is still hurt and not much seems to help.

I have taken a job out of the home. 

We have not been to our property in over a year. Heard the grass in hood high in a pickup truck! Damn!!

We are all learning to use our words and with that new skills are being learned and projects finished.

Should have some pictures soon.

Finished the Temperature Blanket..... Have almost 17 squares for the popcorn blanket done,,,. Finished a car seat baby blanket for my nephew. Of course I have tons of yarn and patterns and very little time.

The garden I planted this year did miserably. I watered quite a bit but to no end. The only thing that has been doing fabulous is the jalapenos. 

We picked strawberries and blueberries. Tried to find blackberries, since my canes only netted me about 3 cups. Still hoping to get peaches, fall raspberries, tomatoes, and of course apples.

Put up strawberry jam and syrup. Froze the blueberries and still trying to figure out if I have enough blackberries for jelly.

Need to clean up the yard for fall... not sure how much time I will have as the holiday season will pick up here in the next couple weeks. Causing my job to pick up.... Not complaining at all.... the more work the more money!

Hugs,

Yart