WIP(#14) - Done and Almost Done

They say time flies when you're having fun, so I guess I must be having a blast.  Actually, I think I am.  I love this time of year.  The weather is great.  The yard is bright and green and vibrant.  And there is always something to do.

I put the sewing machine away for a while, but not before finishing a few projects.  The gray fleece jacket turned out fairly well.  I had gotten partway through sewing it, then put it aside to work on the baby quilt.  And then it took me a while to get back to it.  Somehow I had convinced myself that the remaining sewing that I had to do on it was going to be difficult.  You know how long it took me to finish it?  Twenty minutes.  I don't know why I do that to myself.  Make something seem harder than it actually is.  Weird.

The fun project was the baby quilt below.  Once I figured out what I wanted to do and found just the right fabrics, it came together rather nicely.  The teddy bear print is a Boyd's Bear print and is just as sweet as can be.  I sent it off to the mom-to-be about a month ago, hopefully long before baby arrives.

The current in progress project is, of course, mulching the gardens.  This year I only had four yards delivered instead of the usual five.  I started it with great gusto and then got side-tracked.  As of yesterday, though, I probably have less than a yard of it to go.

Working in the gardens, weeding and mulching, has been therapeutic.  I don't deal with "stupid" very well, and lately I have been encountering a lot of it, both at work and on the roads.  I suppose the good  Lord is trying to teach me patience or some other profound lesson, but I'm having none of it.  Yanking weeks lets me work out my frustrations!

"Only" four yards

Mulched - Done on the left, Almost Done on the right!

AMDG

Jump Start (3): A List-less Summer (aka Draft Folder cleanup)

Draft folder clean up.  We all have those unfinished posts that hide out in our draft folder, on scrap pieces of paper, or in Word documents.  Finish one up, now.

I think I have about twenty partially started posts in my draft folder and who knows how many on scraps of paper.  I think I needed to finish this one, to remind myself of warmer seasons.  Yesterday's high actually made it into double digits, 11 degrees, unlike what it is going to be like later in the week.  Brrr!

The past few years we have created a Sand Pail list for the summer.  The list was just a bunch of ideas of fun things to do.  Some of the things included trying out a new winery or brewery, going to a concert or the county fair or the local parade. 

We didn't create that list this summer.  It didn't matter.  Actually, maybe it was better.  I didn't have that feeling like I needed to cross one more thing off a list.  I didn't have to keep track of what, if anything, we were doing for fun.

We did all sorts of good stuff - a few concerts, a new, local winery, and even a baseball game.  But it felt a little more laid back, less scheduled.

One day during my summer week off from work, we started out for Amish country.  In the first five minutes of what was going to be several hours on the road, we met every incapable, bad, dangerous driver that there could possibly be.  We decided the aggravation wasn't worth it and turned around. 

We stopped at local garden center to pick up some plants for the front yard.  After that we headed to a local farmer's stand where they also sell outdoor furniture.  We picked out a couple of Adirondack chairs.  Best purchase, ever.

They are a great place to rest after gardening or to have an adult beverage after work.  Where we have them, under a tree on the hill, is perfect for watching the world, and all sorts of birds, go by.  There's a great breeze that is pleasantly cool on a hot summer day.  It's a great place to decide which concert or winery we want to visit.

Who needs a list?  We've got chairs!

AMDG

WIP(#9) - Getting Sauced

Let the canning begin!

Yes, it's that time of year.  The tomatoes are coming fast and furious and wait for no one.  This weekend we picked, cleaned, roasted and canned over 120 tomatoes.  It is what I would call a good start.

I've been waiting for this.  We used the last of the previous year's tomatoes in the spring and I cannot bring myself to use store bought spaghetti sauce.  It's a lot of work, but so worth it.  There is something about home grown, home canned sauce that can't be beat.

Our scarecrow has done a good job watching over the garden.  His job is not done just yet!

AMDG

WIP(#8) - Garden Goodies

The man standing in his own kitchen-garden, with fairyland opening at the gate, 

is the man with large ideas.

― G.K. Chesterton, Heretics

The gardens and yard have been a joy this year.  It may have taken us a dozen or so years to figure out what it takes to keep it up, but we learned.  Slowly.  It's been fun to wander out, pick a spot, and futz.  There are any number of jobs that need to be done.  I've spent more than a few evenings recently watering and weeding and deadheading spent blooms.  

Last night the Hummingbirds weren't too happy as I tended to the area around the butterfly bush. They buzzed my head trying to shoo me away.  That made me want to stay even more, to be near this flurry of flying energy.  What a treat!

We are beginning to see the fruits of our labor, literally.  Tomatoes and peppers are ripening and are ready for picking.  They are as pretty as they are delicious.

Taking care of the gardens, and fairlyland, has truly been a labor of love!

AMDG

Photo Blogging Challenge (July 2017) - Perspective - Timothy

Tim once again had great pictures for this month's theme.  Here is his guest post.
 

A peach and herb covered chop with a garden-fresh cucumber and potato salad lies awaiting my attention.  I took the photo to taunt my brother-in-law who is a devotee of my lovely bride’s culinary skills.  Point of view: “Git in my belly!”  

This next shot is from the perspective of our scare-crow looking over the vegetable garden.  The term “scare-crow” is a bit of a misnomer, though.  We have pictures of birds from the size of wrens to hawks sitting contemptuously on his hat.

We have been trying to simplify the gardening process over the years.  This season Donna suggested the use of annual rye-grass as a weed block and end of season cover-crop.  Awesomeness ensued!  A tenth of an acre of corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots are progressing wonderfully.  Fifteen minutes of mowing beats hours of weeding.    

This is my point of view of the garden.  Love that annual rye-grass and the subsequent saved time for more important activities.  

I missed the different lenses and cameras challenge last month.  I intended to connect the Canon 7D to my 6” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.  So, this month I took a shot of the waxing gibbous moon with that same set-up.  The terminator line where day meets night often offers some interesting features.  Here is an unique profile perspective of a lunar crater.  The upper-left corner of the shot shows the curled edge of the debris from impact which formed the rim.   

These two fawns recently visited and seemed to have different points of view on which way to head for a tasty snack before the next feeding time with mom. 

To see more, visit A 'lil Hoohaa

 

AMDG

Have a Nice Trip

We decided to have an Independence Day party this year.  And, you know how it it.  There's always one more "project" that will make everything just perfect.  I decided that my never-ending-but-it's-going-to-be-finished-this-summer landscaping project that I thought was done still needed a little something something.

I bought a new clay pot and and bunch of coleus.  Since the the supplies I needed were in the garage, I put the pot together there.  Six plants and a bunch of dirt later, it was looking pretty good.  It just needed some mulch.  I always mulch my outdoor pots as it helps keep them moist.  It also keeps the dirt from splashing out during rainstorms or waterings.

Instead of bringing the mulch to the pot, I decided to carry the pot to the wheelbarrow full of mulch on the other side of the garage.  I had to walk out past the cars and then go back in.  Big mistake.

The garage floor is maybe an inch higher than the driveway, if that.  I've walked in and out of the garage hundreds, if not thousands of times.  I didn't do so well this time.

Have a nice trip!

Do you know how many things you think of in that time between tripping and hitting the ground?  A lot.

I hope this pot doesn't break.

I don't have time to go to the hospital if I get hurt, there's too much to do for the party.

Don't hit your face and break any teeth!  (That's my mom in my head.  She broke her front two teeth as a teenager when she fell roller skating.)

I hope the bruises don't show.  

Ugg, I'm going to have to redo this pot.

Did the plants fall out?

That's the snow blower there, don't land on it and break it.

There were more things I thought of in those two seconds.  Really.

The good news is that I wasn't badly hurt.  I had a few aches and pains and a bruised ego.

The better news is that the pot didn't break!

See you next fall!

AMDG

Lost and Found

When I was digging out the last shrub of my never-ending-but-it's-going-to-be-finished-this-summer landscaping project, the shovel hit something that clunked unlike any of the roots that I was aiming for.  A couple more jabs and I pulled out a white plastic something coated in dirt and mud.

After I wiped off the muck, I discovered that St. Joseph has been right outside our front door for the last thirteen years!

Over the last few years we have developed a special devotion to this saint.  He is our "go to" guy for all sorts of prayers and petitions.  Every morning, Himself and I pray the following prayer:

St. Joseph, 

you provided for those who were 

given to your care in this life.  

Intercede on our behalf, 

so we may receive the grace we need 

to provide for those whom 

are given to our care, 

whether for a moment or for a lifetime.  

Amen.

Now I understand.  He's been standing guard all this time.

I cleaned him up and found a better home for him than the dirt in which he was buried.  He now resides in the flower pot just outside the front door.  If you visit, don't forget to say hello!

AMDG

WIP (#6) - Bushes and Birds

WIPs lately have moved from inside to out.  Over the last couple of years I have been redoing the landscaping in the front of the house.  Shrubs that were supposed to be slow growing and small (2-3 feet) grew well past six and seven feet.

I started cutting down and digging out the last of the Gold Thread Cypress and Yews.  I still have a few more to do, but a mama Robin and a mama Cardinal also have their own WIPs in two of the bushes!  Thankfully Himself found the well hidden Robin's nest before I chopped that bush, ironically called a Bird's Nest Blue Spruce.

Robin's nest

Mama Cardinal 

AMDG

Photo Blogging Challenge (April 2017) - Color

When I saw this month's theme, Color, I loved it immediately.  I knew right away what I wanted to shoot, all the spring flowers and plants.  But, when we got blasted earlier in the month, I wondered if there was going to be anything left.  Not to worry.  We had a lot of damage to trees and shrubs from the storm, but the plants made it through unscathed.

We have Narcissus in a couple of gardens.  These, in the grass garden, are still doing well.

The Redbud tree on the front lawn is the best it has ever been.  I think it has got to be my favorite of all the spring flowering trees.

These tulips survived the deer, who thought a couple other plants in this garden made a tasty meal. They were drooping in yesterday's long rain.

One of my WIPs this spring is re-landscaping the front of the house.  Our new Japanese Lace Leaf Maple was delivered on Friday.  Now it just needs to dry up so I can plant it.

Just after we moved into our house thirteen years ago, Mom gave Himself  a small clump of flowers from her garden that he liked, Myosotis.  What started out as a small plant only about two inches in diameter, has now spread all over the yard.  The garden where it was first planted glows in blue this time of year.  The common name of this plant, Forget-Me-Nots, is appropriate today.  This would have been Mom's 76th birthday.  

To see more, visit A 'lil Hoohaa

AMDG

First Photo: January 2016

When I started posting my "First Photos" back in January of 2014 I wasn't sure I would stick to it.  After all, I'm pretty good with coming up with some new idea for a regular post and then having it slowly, or not so slowly, fade into the background.

But, not only did I stick with it, I have managed to do so for two years.  Yeah me!  There is something about seeing how the same view changes month after month but yet is still the same that intrigues me. 

These last two years I chose trees to photograph.  In 2014 it was a Linden Tree in our backyard and in 2015 it was a stand of trees in what we call the boulder garden in our front yard.  There wasn't always a significant change in the photos from month to month.

This year I decided to document my flower garden behind the house.  Yes, there's still a tree in the picture, but it isn't the focus.  This garden was designed to change throughout the growing season, so hopefully it will yield some interesting pictures.  If nothing more, this may force me to actually mulch it this year!


AMDG

It's Been Decided

The votes are all in and it was unanimous.  We have a Pumchini!


Pumchini  "Family Picture"

Beside the bread, we have had pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin/squash soup.  Both were "Good Eats" as Alton Brown would say.

Now if only I could patent it and sell it for loads of money.  I'd be one happy gardener!

AMDG

Poll: A Squash By Any Other Name

We had a number of "volunteer" plants pop up in the vegetable garden this year.  Most were easily identifiable - pumpkins, acorn squash, tomatoes.

But then, there was the mystery plant.  It grew in the spot where the zucchini lived and died last year.  I must be the only person who cannot grow zucchini.

The first fruit off of it looked like a fat yellow squash.  And then these started appearing.  They look like long, really fat zucchini, but have the orange coloring of pumpkins.

Apparently, it's not all that unusual for zucchini, pumpkins and squash to cross pollinate and  become something new.  So, in the spirit of scientific discovery, this "thing" needs a name.  We've come up with two: a Zückin or a Pumchini.

But a squash by any other name still tastes as sweet!  I made this bread (minus the nutmeg) and the recipe is definitely a keeper.

Zückin or a Pumchini?  I know which one I like.  What would you call it?


AMDG

TToT (7) - All Things Summer

- one -

The rain finally abated and we have had some beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous weather.  I'm loving all of it (can't you tell?), even the ninety degree days.

- two -

My flower garden is looking just how I had envisioned - abundant color and blooms throughout the season. 

- three -

I have been making sun tea frequently - good and good for you!

- four -

We are located partway up a hill with trees above us, so we don't often seen the sunset.  The other day, though, the sky was spectacular.  The picture doesn't do it justice.

 

- five -

Tomatoes are finally ripening.  The picture below was taken a couple of days ago.  That slightly red one is history. 

- six -

We started harvesting broccoli this week.  The four plants have produced nice heads.  I forgot just how good homegrown is until we had it for dinner the other night.  Yum!

- seven -

We had a great pumpkin patch last year, producing over two dozen fruit.  This year, the plants I started in the house aren't doing all that well - as in dead or almost dead.  I planted them a couple of weeks later than I would have liked.  But, I have been saved by the "volunteers" that are growing in the compost pile.  At last count we've seen at least ten pumpkins on the vines.

- eight -

A couple of years ago I tried growing acorn squash and had no luck.  One plant died and the other produced no squash.  Same with zucchini (and who can't grow that?). We have several volunteer plants that are growing quite well this year.  Apparently, I shouldn't even try, just let nature decide what squashes we'll have! 

- nine -

The neighbors had their annual summer shindig complete with fireworks last night.  The put on quite a show - it was spectacular!

- ten -

The weather finally cooperated for the Friday night concert this week.  It was a Bon Jovi cover band.  While I didn't know a single song they played while we were there, people watching was a hoot.  

Check out more goodness at  A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) Wall.

AMDG

Oh Deer!

I never get tired of seeing deer in the yard.  I don't even mind sharing the mulberries and apples that they glean from our two trees.  But, stay out of the veggie garden, please! 

I have a row that I planted the front half with lima beans and the back half with wax beans.  I now have just wax beans and a bunch of lima bean stems.   Apparently deer prefer lima beans over wax beans.  Really??

AMDG

Tale of a pumkin or "fun with food"

We have tried to grow pumpkins in gardens past but were never very successful.  That is all changing this year.  Our little patch has at least twenty of these lovlies ripening at the moment.  When we were checking them the other day we found one with a bad spot. We picked it so it would not rot on the vine.

As we were walking back to the house Himself accidentally put his thumb through the bad spot.  Being goofy, he stuck his empty beer bottle in the hole.  I decided that it needed a face so Himself obliged me and drew this for me.

 

I later cut out the bad stuff and roasted what was left of the pumpkin.  I made a couple of pies that we took to Dad's on Monday.  Yum!

 

Sometimes you just got to play with your food!

 



AMDG