Who knows what Pajama Gardening is about?

Written by Sue, Monday, April 27, 2015 , beautiful spring day, sunny, cool, high 60's!

Pajama gardening is when, one (moi) wakes up and can hardly wait to go check her garden to see how many slugs have been captured and killed! I didn't even take the time for coffee. If left to themselves slugs can destroy your flowers and vegetables, every year the slugs and I go at it. I am a stickler for not using chemicals in the garden, just a personal choice! Beer or wine will do the job!!

Last evening was the first battle, guess who won? They only come out at night!

 Can someone say "Yucky"?

While checking the vegetable garden I found Colorado Potato Beetles having breakfast on our few potato bushes, picked them off, and let them join the slugs, I am still pajama gardening! ~Smile~

Since working two nights a week, and having so much rain, I haven't had a chance to do much gardening, so things are a little behind!

I turned and saw the weeds were beginning to take hold in my new garlic bed, "this will never do", I say!

 I kept thinking that I needed to go in and change but just kept plucking , sometimes I get a litle  carried away!

Now, that's completed! Have I ever mentioned that I love to pull weeds? I don't like weeds in the garden for sure, but I love to see them gone. ~smile~ I know you are probably wondering, "who is this woman?"

 The first strawberry, not yet ready, I was tempted to eat it anyway!

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Other News...

Last Saturday night I discovered the refrigerator was not cooling, lost everything in both compartments, my freezer was full! You might ask why I didn't discover this sooner! I have a perfect excuse, we were gone from the house for two days, leaving early in the  morning, returning late, (another story for another day, ~grin~) there was no need to go into the freezer, the only thing we used once was cream for coffee. I didn't have thermometers in there, but,  now I have two ordered, and will be checking every day no matter how tired I am. ~grin~

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I am happy to report it was only a switch that kept the compressor in check, it seems in my efforts to clean the coils, I pushed some insulation into the cooling fan, which hindered it from doing its job! So much for being a clean fanatic! The cost was doable, so glad it was fixable!

Sunday I worked on cleaning it for 3 1/2 hrs., when I finished, it looked almost new!

Spring brings forth new life here on the farm, 

This lady is ready any day now, the old gander is watching close by!

Are you a list maker, I am, this is what a typical day is for me. I really like this coil index card holder, I can flip back to see what was done and when, I always put the weather, Bible verse and sometimes personal notations! What doesn't get done today goes on the next day! I love coming in to check things off,just a fun thing to do.

Enjoy your day,

Blessings, 

Sue

~It's That Time Again~, Or Is It?

Written bu Sue, Thursday, April 16, 2015              rain showers, cool temps. 50's

I love halos especially on angels.~wink~ Canning citrus fruit has been on my to do list for sometime; since the season was soon ending I decided it was time, if I had known it was going to be this easy, I would have done it sooner. Next, I am going to try a combination of fruits. Ha ha

The first step is to wash, rinse,sterilize, the jars, lids, and caps,  

After peeling,

Perfection!

 take the pith,(that's the white strings you see.) They are bitter, this is the most time consuming of this process, but well worth the time. When I researched this on the internet, I found that companies use a chemical solution to remove the pith. I'd rather not do this, so I peel. ~smile~

All clean and ready to place in jars.

Prepare a light syrup, 2 cups sugar, 6 cups water, mix, you could make it sweeter, I choose the light syrup, bring to a boil! At the same time I am bringing the lids and caps to a boil, turn burner off.

 Pack clementines in sterilized jars, I will either sterilize my jars in my oven on 200 degrees, or use the dishwasher, it depends on how many jars I have, this time I used my oven.

add syrup,

 stir to get air bubbles out, wipe rims, place lids and caps on,process in boiling water bath for 10 mins. time starts when the water starts back to boiling.

Voila', my own  mandarin oranges, ready for salads, desserts, including mandarin orange cake!

 Does this mean, that my food preserving for 2015 has started? ~smile~Na, just a little side stepping here.~wink~ This time of the year I would rather be outside in my garden!

Personal note*

I dearly love blogging, and have met and made some wonderful friends, as I was looking back over my previous posts, I could hardly believe the few times I have written and posted, after all this is suppose to be a journal of my life! Life situations happen and one has to prioritize, as most of you can relate!
Thank you Dear Friends who visit and or comment; a heartfelt "Thank You"!

Love,

Sue

Who says nothing exciting happens here at the farm.

Written by Sue, Monday, April, 13, 2015    beautiful,sunny, warm, 80's

On the phone talking with my Mom, this morning, door bell rings, might not be unusual for you, but it is for me especially when our gate is locked. I glanced out the window and saw a young man in uniform. I greet him he explains his situation, he had to land his helicopter in the pasture. I asked how I might help, he wanted to know if they could land another helicopter and bring a jeep for repair work. I said for them to do whatever they needed to get it fixed, I also asked if I could take some photos!He invited me to go see the helicopter and  take photos.

I found Rain inspecting the helicopter, and was so surprised because she is so skittish, she just took everything in stride.

This was such a thrill for me, I got to meet some wonderful young men, and to thank them for their service to our country, how my DH and I pray for all of our military men and women each day,they all were so thankful,polite and wanting to make sure they weren't doing any harm to the pasture.
I've never known Rain to be so nosy, (I guess she is like her owners,grin) she got even closer!

 Help is on the way!

 Picking up the two officers who were on the first flight.

I found it so amazing that a third helicopter was continually circling  the other helicopters,kind of like a mother hen. ~smile~ once the two officers were on board and gone, it left.

It took a couple of hours for the helicopter to be repaired and then....

 up up and away

 off into the wild blue yonder.

"good by dear soldiers" may the Lord bless and keep you in His loving arms!

I felt so bad that I had no goodies prepared to give them, as I had sent all the cookies home with three sailor boys yesterday,Here is Mr P. with grandson Will and two of his friends,  they came for the weekend to camp out, and relax in the back field. We don't bother them as we know they need time to unwind, and get away. I always try and have some goodies for them to take home.
Have you thanked or hugged a military person lately?

 A personal note*
I have so much respect for our men and women and their families who sacrifice so much so that I can continue to enjoy the freedoms, that I now have. Sad to say that so much of our blessings and freedoms are leaving due to wrong decisions being made by our leaders. I urge everyone to please continue to pray for our nation, our military personal, and our leaders!!

This morning in my devotion, Isaiah 6~ I was reading of how Isaiah went to the temple when his friend King Uzziah had died, while there he saw the majestic glory of God manifested in a powerful way. He repented, his guilt was taken away, his sin atoned, and was given a new commission, He received a fresh vision.

So many times I find my self fretting over situations, in my personal life as well as in the state of our country, (to which I dearly love) and the world. I am reminded that God is still in charge, and that things are always changing, but one thing for sure, God Almighty remains the same, he never wavers. Just as Isaiah found and received a "fresh vision",  So I am asking for one too!

Much love to all, 

Sue