Just Rambling

Written by Sue, Tuesday, June 14, 2011                                                          Simply beautiful today, temps. 80's.
I usually wake up to the sound of these two guys telling us it is time to get up and that it is time  to come and feed them.

 but this morning there was this beautiful bird serenading me. I just lay there listening, and thinking of the goodness of God...... I  have found that birds sing no matter what circumstances, .. a great lesson for me.{smile}
We have finally gotten a break in the heat wave, just a perfect day so, today my best Bo and I went berry picking. He ate more than what he picked and out of my basket too. He thinks I didn't see him, but I did.... I used to have red pigtails, dh says my red hair was one reason he fell for me{ha ha}And Girls he still wears his cap to the side.Ahh! be still my heart.

Our cucumbers are ready and we had a good picking today, so making relish was on my to do list too. I really wanted to be outside in the garden, because with cooler weather I could have stayed out most of the day but when veggies get ready  they won't wait for you. ......  Every thing went well, I had twelve pints, wish I had a photo , but my camera is in the shop, we took it in to be repaired yesterday, and was told that it might be June 30th before it will be ready. boo! hoo!

However, I went out to the garden and told the cukes, and squash since they have been working so hard to take tomorrow off, ,.......as I was walking away I heard  snickering and laughing, {as if they are going to listen to me}

And speaking of yesterday, Mr P.and I did something we very seldom do, and that was to play hookie from the farm. You should have seen the look  the farm animals gave us as we left.{lol} No telling what mischief they got into that we haven't found out about yet.

While out, I went to one of my favorite shops, Hobby Lobby, and boy did I get a surprise there.. First thing first, they had 66% off of selected items and I was like a child in a candy store.I walked and walked up and down those aisles, until I saw a clerk eyeing me, I think she thought I was up to no good, what she didn't know was when you let someone out of the gate,  they usually don't know where to go or how to act. {LOL} Any how I got a few items and they were great finds. I will show you when my camera comes back. {I do miss my camera} So bear with me.

The next surprise was,...... Now Girls,  you are not going to believe this...they were putting out fall and Christmas decorations. That's right, would you believe it is June and they are already out. I was not unhappy at all, Fall is my favorite season, and Christmas is my favorite holiday, so you can imagine how this country gal was feeling. I think the word would be ECSTATIC!! I know! I know! you are thinking "what is wrong with that girl". Please don't  chide me, I didn't buy any holiday decorations, but I did do some browsing, and enjoyed it too! Who knows when I will get back? {big smile} I didn't realize that Hobby Lobby put their fall and Christmas out so early, did you? I must get to the city more often.{smile}....

Tomorrow I plan to be out in the flower garden and pick these. This photo was taken about a week ago, so you can imagine how luscious they are by now,I have been sneaking out there in the evenings and testing them {yummy smile}

Well, I guess this is all for tonight, sleep tight, with gentle thoughts.

Hugs,

Sue

Ecclesiastes 3:13; and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor---it is the gift of God.

Yesterday...

Written by Sue, Saturday  June 11, 2011                                                       Sunny, temps.are in high 90's with high humidity

     

I asked Lucy

 if she wanted to go to the garden and help gather squash, and she willing went.

We discovered this squash blossom with a visitor inside, he was either shading himself from this blistering sun, or enjoying some nectar, probably both.

I love to see how plants and their fruit evolve. Do you see how the squash has begun to develop from the blossom?

It is now mature enough to gather, all this happens within a few days, therefore we have to pick them every day, or they will become to large

Aren't they pretty?

Once washed I trim and slice, this is when my camera started acting up. It was so loud I jumped. I think it was in rebellion because lately I have been taking so many photos,{lol}

I didn't get to take photos of how I got these. The result of my camera misbehaving is blurred photos

The lens on my camera has gone  kaput. I guess I have over worked it,{lol} anyhoo it will be going to the shop , and I was so glad to find out that it has an extended warranty.WHEW! 

Today I will be making this...

And doing this..

 And some of this..

When day is done I will be soaking here, that is if I don't fall asleep before hand [Smile}....

Do you remember when we were children,and in the summertime we would want to play and stay outside way past dark to catch fireflies, or lay on the grass , look up and count stars, and always try and find the big and little dipper?  And all the other games we played! When we were finally forced to come in that it was then that we realized how tired we were, and  sometimes we would be dozing off while getting bathed by our mothers, I know I do!... 

Enjoy your day, and be blessed.

Until next time,

Sue

Psalms 18:1~ I will love You, O Lord my strength!

Sweating, but not to the "oldies"

Written by Sue, Thursday June 9, 2011                                                    high 90's, very hot and humid

I became interested in growing garlic many years ago, after learning of all of its health benefits, not to mention how much I enjoy using in my cooking.....

One day Mr P and I were visiting an older gentleman, he wanted to show us his herb garden, he had oodles of garlic growing and seeing my interest, pulled up some plants, gave them to me with instruction on how to plant them, as  they say "the rest is history." It just keeps multiplying, which I like.

I am very inquisitive when it comes to plants and am always trying new things. 

I was out in the garden last week and was amazed at all of the bees,... bumble bees,honey bees and others refreshing their taste buds with the nectar from the blossoms. We can learn so much from our friends{the bees).

We have  really been looking forward to gathering our garlic, and didn't know how this intense heat was affecting it. As you can see we have put painting, and repairing  our fence on hold until vegetable season is over.{grin}

Lucy is always there supervising our work, she is so inquisitive about what goes on here at the farm Did I mention how much we love,and adore her?And she knows it, I am thinking she is planning ways to test us, {Not really she is such a sweetheart, always so obedient and eager to please}

Inside this bulb are many cloves, this is known as Elephant Garlic

"Whew"this is to much like work, you guys finish while I supervise"

Mr P. tying the bundles, notice how wet his shirt is from perspiration, sweat, this comes from living in a very humid climate, high heat along with a moist atmosphere brings sweat. and it was still mid morning, we try to keep ourselves hydrated, of course lots and lots of iced tea.

Ready to hang in a cool, dark,place, believe it or not we found such a place.After a few weeks of drying I put the bulbs in a nylon stocking, and always have extra to share.

Until next time, 

Sue

A personal note to you dear Friends;

 If you notice I am posting more frequently  this week it is because I am inside more, being a little lazy cooling off, I am trying to journal more often {even if only once or twice a week}about our life here at the farm, and to put it in a personal book form at the end of the year, like so many of you have done.  I was so impressed with yours to the point of being envious {grin} Since our children live so far away,  I am hoping to be able to give them something that will go on for a long time. 

I know that each of you are like me so busy especially this time of year, and that your time is valuable too. I am always so humbled when someone takes the time to read the words I place here, and when you leave a comment I am blessed even more. And for this reason I try and make sure I reciprocate,{this is my personal choice} as I treasure your friendship as well as your thoughts. If I have ever not reciprocated a comment it was by sheer mistake. Once I post a new post I seldom go back to my older ones, and if someone was overlooked I so apologize.

I was thinking yesterday of how blogging has changed my life, in so many ways, I have connected with Ladies who have impacted my life so much, I truly admire your gifts, talents, love of God and families and treasure your friendship. Thank you for allowing me to visit in your homes and for taking the time to share your innermost thoughts and for allowing me to share mine too, and for all of your prayers, I count it a privilege to pray for you too.

Hugs,

Sue

John 15:12~"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Before and After

Written by Sue, Tuesday June 7, 2011                                                           extremely hot and humid 96 degrees
I thought I would write about something today besides canning veggies, though that is what I did yesterday,.... Hmmm! maybe tomorrow, at this time of year, my days are filled with gardening and preserving the fruits of our labor. There is so much joy in being able to plant, grow, harvest, and preserve you own food. more about that later ~lol~.....

Some weeks ago I thought these planters needed a face lift..

After a good cleaning, I put a coat of black paint on, when it was dry, to get the antique look, I took some white paint and softly brushed here and there

 I then planted these flower

While out walking today I decided to take a photo....don't pay any attention to the paint on the storm door, it seems someone around here (moi) didn't have a steady hand. This porch is always a work in progress, I am still working on the wreath for the door.~smile~ 

A little water, fertilizer, and love is all it takes, throw in some beautiful sunlight.

Cost for the plants and soil was 15 dollars for each planter. I think for such beauty this was a great deal.

Enjoy your day.

Update on Uncle joe.... Talk about returning to the scene of the crime, He stands at the gate where he and his family found freedom trying to figure out how to get the chains off.  He looks so innocent , but trust me the first chance...  he is out of here.

until next time,

Sue

I Corinthians~ 15:58~Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Round up time

Written by Sue, Monday, June 6, 2011                                                   Hot, humid, 96 degrees
Sunday was spent relaxing inside with air condition cooling. We are under a heat wave with very humid conditions. The only excitement today was the round-up of three foot loose and fancy free donkeys. 

This was right up Lucy's alley, she loves to be moving and she felt like she had the world by the tail, the horses in the other pasture didn't seem to mind  all the commotion. Just par for the course ~lol~

There is always one stubborn one in the bunch. Uncle Joe didn't want to go in the gate, and it took a little longer for him to decide he was  losing the battle. Years ago Dh would have had to saddle a horse, and round them up, but the ATV sure makes it easier, it took all of 30 minutes to get things back to normal.~smile~

When DH came in, I asked him how they got out, he said that one of the donkeys(uncle joe) lifted the lock on the gate, and that he had to tie it up. Desperate people donkeys do desperate things. ~grin~

 Animals always think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, and some of us humans too.

Until next time,

Sue