tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62056215450636674022024-03-19T07:40:48.997-04:00Maple Hill 101 daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.comBlogger2024125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-27004819913554346182024-03-15T05:08:00.001-04:002024-03-15T05:08:00.143-04:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUj0QKqmcwYco_1tZvp2-7KfruUAqlPWUqaprabajHs2M6Xdi_oU94VTBkffQomJ9SwG2D-e0-ehnbUI4B_TtycFLKL8-JPdQdvfbQ4AN_qzOGbr2qY7dvEbc3Mmx1JpsS58U0OiJelYEZ8wfbhjc0_qaZ8Lbpmze4t_HYvrHy7YYbs64ZtxXqIgszhpU/s4032/IMG_1228.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUj0QKqmcwYco_1tZvp2-7KfruUAqlPWUqaprabajHs2M6Xdi_oU94VTBkffQomJ9SwG2D-e0-ehnbUI4B_TtycFLKL8-JPdQdvfbQ4AN_qzOGbr2qY7dvEbc3Mmx1JpsS58U0OiJelYEZ8wfbhjc0_qaZ8Lbpmze4t_HYvrHy7YYbs64ZtxXqIgszhpU/w300-h400/IMG_1228.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We’re expanding our flock this season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When Omlet came out with this larger coop,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we knew we needed more living space for our girls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The other thought was that it would mean</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">only one coop to clean for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How exciting it was to find these awaiting me </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">when I arrived home one afternoon.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh09ZIQHIILGK1spbLvQxcUyIO9YQf52sBTnyB-1hZmUWrvUrsnq2GPPp3-Vse4BdE84FrsnzIGDB5lh_txUTI81gyXK_9M4ETI22yPRl6lIIJQLlD7chO_tUPVytf2PEFD51zToV5jL3n4IA2auqX0WRMbD09bxoNwq_ty3SBv-CYBqfvbJroE3Mt2CNF/s4032/IMG_1254.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh09ZIQHIILGK1spbLvQxcUyIO9YQf52sBTnyB-1hZmUWrvUrsnq2GPPp3-Vse4BdE84FrsnzIGDB5lh_txUTI81gyXK_9M4ETI22yPRl6lIIJQLlD7chO_tUPVytf2PEFD51zToV5jL3n4IA2auqX0WRMbD09bxoNwq_ty3SBv-CYBqfvbJroE3Mt2CNF/w300-h400/IMG_1254.JPEG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Omlet gives you everything you need!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnOSOvt-SSlcpAWU2eMzy-CrqaTy_OUD04r69uMf4wiafOsg3qImb7jtWIpHp_HUVvbVHOjZYB3X3R-Q2yoK2zMazoC17aLUzm-Ch6bhbGjob460qwCnfmLurP6wRp5iApdGkSnQFo9qL9DKixOKGdtTvRLhWf6RNm_XpHeKd2Mfonjrbp5nEe4s0FRn3M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnOSOvt-SSlcpAWU2eMzy-CrqaTy_OUD04r69uMf4wiafOsg3qImb7jtWIpHp_HUVvbVHOjZYB3X3R-Q2yoK2zMazoC17aLUzm-Ch6bhbGjob460qwCnfmLurP6wRp5iApdGkSnQFo9qL9DKixOKGdtTvRLhWf6RNm_XpHeKd2Mfonjrbp5nEe4s0FRn3M=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Omlet coops come with great, easy-to-follow instructions,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and there are videos found online if needed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K and I had this assembled in a couple of hours.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2OAjHOwrC-nYCykCLLv_BTt47rkZkRjYsjbg_NBnwRBrUI80DhkDbVwrtBtf-mcl-in3YkITkIKSIQqVgGOnseYqekUXT-WBPRgcn7zEIp9BIFabGaJKcDy3duCKeNPKnqEuVt_8Aeg1ZOvIpPGBu6Dtc3nwtIWRJRMfeCqbgJ-z8OoDVtqd-IHYqzjL/s4032/IMG_1268.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2OAjHOwrC-nYCykCLLv_BTt47rkZkRjYsjbg_NBnwRBrUI80DhkDbVwrtBtf-mcl-in3YkITkIKSIQqVgGOnseYqekUXT-WBPRgcn7zEIp9BIFabGaJKcDy3duCKeNPKnqEuVt_8Aeg1ZOvIpPGBu6Dtc3nwtIWRJRMfeCqbgJ-z8OoDVtqd-IHYqzjL/w400-h300/IMG_1268.JPEG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The improvements, like the new ramp,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">should make life even better for the chooks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">There are so many wonderful </span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">features about this coop</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that I really love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">like the new separated nesting boxes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which allow hens more privacy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">the larger size, and the enhanced security doors.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is worth the high price tag,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">because we’ll never need to buy another coop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I don't endorse many products, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but I believe in Omlet products so much,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that I became an ambassador.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5vS6zq3udipefC3OKwknt7HOXA7D0-NEm6p0YjI-sJoIWQENP5p8vMv1PcR_dpPG5VVKpsUT0lqn7wDd98xZ1zqZTUPTYZzb7moXTNbAoCFuXH_TvLDmlc2ZFTR6n1IDxqAFSFe1cStVFOWwvJwuDZW4sj_5233DsPFe85oK0SxF3LFQo2DlyWxxr_uW/s4032/IMG_1214.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5vS6zq3udipefC3OKwknt7HOXA7D0-NEm6p0YjI-sJoIWQENP5p8vMv1PcR_dpPG5VVKpsUT0lqn7wDd98xZ1zqZTUPTYZzb7moXTNbAoCFuXH_TvLDmlc2ZFTR6n1IDxqAFSFe1cStVFOWwvJwuDZW4sj_5233DsPFe85oK0SxF3LFQo2DlyWxxr_uW/w300-h400/IMG_1214.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The second improvement we made for the chooks,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">was replacing our janky fencing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with a new enclosed run.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnKa0t9Yn_3RFF6ITW9fqEG5QEwmbDRk-q15G6qgakjhJvogM8qFRl9Ka1ncxt47x7yVocvBh0OhqPUC5JqIh92QmMrOinsNh9wsSWBsXw9l3NXz0R1CsgrQAuTdeLAm6jb6Igs-ff-TRA1PM1wUP54EuTsUNmjKxlFIHOYVBk3DHYI2_sPnBAdxwjn01/s4032/IMG_1208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnKa0t9Yn_3RFF6ITW9fqEG5QEwmbDRk-q15G6qgakjhJvogM8qFRl9Ka1ncxt47x7yVocvBh0OhqPUC5JqIh92QmMrOinsNh9wsSWBsXw9l3NXz0R1CsgrQAuTdeLAm6jb6Igs-ff-TRA1PM1wUP54EuTsUNmjKxlFIHOYVBk3DHYI2_sPnBAdxwjn01/w300-h400/IMG_1208.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another diy project,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K and I tackled this job in steps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The frame came with chicken wire,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but we wanted a sturdier material for the surrounding cage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This 1x1 inch welded wire did the trick.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also found stainless steel tie wraps </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to connect the wire to the frame.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg-TihlMOLQE0ZV8KWrhSeh80nXFC9_XpYNVIB3BIyRHFjH3tgxFyZqKReZoXZclVQG6AeuIowd9NOHK9u-eKVvm_AuFQlL22cX6IaXER2HPkA85p8izy0zg9ly-ZD8XhY4TNYfkGfAnsRLL_cHOH4alSq-HIoP2PBP3_JbJyuf2UNR4eNKMQ5zS9rM1x/s4032/IMG_1241.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg-TihlMOLQE0ZV8KWrhSeh80nXFC9_XpYNVIB3BIyRHFjH3tgxFyZqKReZoXZclVQG6AeuIowd9NOHK9u-eKVvm_AuFQlL22cX6IaXER2HPkA85p8izy0zg9ly-ZD8XhY4TNYfkGfAnsRLL_cHOH4alSq-HIoP2PBP3_JbJyuf2UNR4eNKMQ5zS9rM1x/w480-h640/IMG_1241.JPEG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It took us about 6 hours over a few days, as weather permitted,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to get the structure up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We love the more streamlined look,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the chooks are getting used to their new digs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It makes me feel better</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">knowing that the hawks that live in our neighborhood,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">will have to go elsewhere for their lunch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The buffet is closed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b-GLxFsC2F80Js8GRlIWrgHt11SQMTeU7vaqzQ7fZukgcbxnTKk8MRHiiLhno7ci74PGuvnezvEOsfelMAfNX9aFPp3pEYSTdI45t4c2ZNGT2UEGgZFO-JreIRBJtaXuPknJ6MKrDpPrMTZd47ZcutflaOIGVK2E92_tx0rUFS2SoylXxXWGKVDoUfKs/s4032/IMG_1289.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b-GLxFsC2F80Js8GRlIWrgHt11SQMTeU7vaqzQ7fZukgcbxnTKk8MRHiiLhno7ci74PGuvnezvEOsfelMAfNX9aFPp3pEYSTdI45t4c2ZNGT2UEGgZFO-JreIRBJtaXuPknJ6MKrDpPrMTZd47ZcutflaOIGVK2E92_tx0rUFS2SoylXxXWGKVDoUfKs/w400-h300/IMG_1289.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Remember I said that one of the reasons</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I wanted a bigger coop was so that I would have </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">only 1 to clean?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well, that didn't really work out,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">because Betty, our barred rock,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">still has issues with her balance,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and I don't think she'd be able to use the ramp.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She is also mercilessly picked on by three of the girls,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so we have her and Queenie living in style</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">on the other side of the big run.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This will get some updates as well,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we just haven't gotten to them yet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For now, they seem content in their Omlet Go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWCK1iW6P24eD6VvHp96c9WDz2w0GibRSx1OiTESGSJ29TiRwy_XMcfQI6n-RpM81wMz31RDPPVzSQAgkeDttvySHlrJsQ6JVv6NNjQO_XJ3s0fH73Y_ep6yioOcOVQFr3gqDirb1ch2r7GqWF8kb08yMz3rSa6KtLShVKlC9ty8hy-GpZbR9RXAc7bKn/s4032/IMG_1287.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWCK1iW6P24eD6VvHp96c9WDz2w0GibRSx1OiTESGSJ29TiRwy_XMcfQI6n-RpM81wMz31RDPPVzSQAgkeDttvySHlrJsQ6JVv6NNjQO_XJ3s0fH73Y_ep6yioOcOVQFr3gqDirb1ch2r7GqWF8kb08yMz3rSa6KtLShVKlC9ty8hy-GpZbR9RXAc7bKn/w300-h400/IMG_1287.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K installed this automatic door to the run,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so that the chooks can free range at least once a day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have it set to open for an hour in the afternoon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The bonus is that we now have a working camera out there,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so that we can check on them from inside the house.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaumCIYO4dQ9DwgHIqvhdeHTM7tB3Zm3p_2hdPgoJe548BQ_lWQC2ht4uOAHFbv8UXUpBHv_kebVOEEFaDAPHpDlS9dhMPMtyCZGvWDaEm0ZLuITeEIzrTgMGN-O4GClg6WOY1DhhiHV-5Hy4-J12E1cjuB6kG5PnTh7nqIIfGK73g7ryXiZw-tY4P83fk/s4032/IMG_1288.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaumCIYO4dQ9DwgHIqvhdeHTM7tB3Zm3p_2hdPgoJe548BQ_lWQC2ht4uOAHFbv8UXUpBHv_kebVOEEFaDAPHpDlS9dhMPMtyCZGvWDaEm0ZLuITeEIzrTgMGN-O4GClg6WOY1DhhiHV-5Hy4-J12E1cjuB6kG5PnTh7nqIIfGK73g7ryXiZw-tY4P83fk/w480-h640/IMG_1288.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Overall, we're happy with the added security,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and although we've only had one predator attack (a dog)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in the three years we've been chicken tending,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">these additional measures should give this chicken momma</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">a lot of peace of mind.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What’s new on your homestead?</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dDxKMcdTtFYuqGBjLglXywWkXU5dzwgw0va1hN_OUdYHvXga-29Nkwv5pR81oArOE9wxtkCIfNZ-5R4Bfc5AmMuHm1URj4MzDEGQVmbOT614fkxZuxiOZA2Rw-8Iy92LoSHmg2cSl_W65AQf83rAIR64ttO5TAlJjSOc8kpIePsp6JqQeVuakdCCxiq-/s4032/IMG_1272.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dDxKMcdTtFYuqGBjLglXywWkXU5dzwgw0va1hN_OUdYHvXga-29Nkwv5pR81oArOE9wxtkCIfNZ-5R4Bfc5AmMuHm1URj4MzDEGQVmbOT614fkxZuxiOZA2Rw-8Iy92LoSHmg2cSl_W65AQf83rAIR64ttO5TAlJjSOc8kpIePsp6JqQeVuakdCCxiq-/w480-h640/IMG_1272.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-72764784145624836482024-03-08T05:05:00.045-05:002024-03-08T05:05:00.134-05:00Homestead Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDSA2R1JKwkrKIqNjR1MCEllsnzbsWPNPi9ooDzwOwUib-QXx5kCHL-8bC2HVN6a-MDMn2DCTEaBg01r_VwVlp-yyP2KXD06bOjG5nLkiz9e4lHofCWE-G48rByh3HnjGbs1KPdGQ-YHbCSNPDCFtimKdKfz9_p1f_6RTqYx_FDtgc5_Xig7mN7t1vAPD/s4032/IMG_1194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDSA2R1JKwkrKIqNjR1MCEllsnzbsWPNPi9ooDzwOwUib-QXx5kCHL-8bC2HVN6a-MDMn2DCTEaBg01r_VwVlp-yyP2KXD06bOjG5nLkiz9e4lHofCWE-G48rByh3HnjGbs1KPdGQ-YHbCSNPDCFtimKdKfz9_p1f_6RTqYx_FDtgc5_Xig7mN7t1vAPD/w300-h400/IMG_1194.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big changes are happening on our homestead,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as signs of spring emerge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These sweet lil’ crocus blooms are a sure predictor</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of the changes ahead.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QSBX-9W5f0LTeGwI02i3mh63vXMOOP6WE6Fmy3fU5DP9kG9SwplDDGGWYdegh0vmNj7_XR7P7ErxnO8Vv0VcE2j9M7Bx4zO1A_sjXx0qyybH4KiofVdmey9c-DavTfcfkReCA5y9sgJeJjGprjlkGyvyD9nUnahqYsz3TemakdAaWv1qeKeNcGNYXtOa/s4032/IMG_1174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QSBX-9W5f0LTeGwI02i3mh63vXMOOP6WE6Fmy3fU5DP9kG9SwplDDGGWYdegh0vmNj7_XR7P7ErxnO8Vv0VcE2j9M7Bx4zO1A_sjXx0qyybH4KiofVdmey9c-DavTfcfkReCA5y9sgJeJjGprjlkGyvyD9nUnahqYsz3TemakdAaWv1qeKeNcGNYXtOa/w480-h640/IMG_1174.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The winter sowing continues to give us ample opportunity </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to celebrate the abundance in the garden.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpWmgv8OZefK8uuRnzQgvaXbaxbLqJgIiraSl1wI1y5BlV_WVTuJZYXfjnNxm58569CfhsBYPnmQYSTfg9vCO7sism9BA_y0R3UJ6vi87Y5hIGRL7Lsy4Jm7JXdPOjqkYryvX596F1bFiEakMvI82LETT0oOzPuTJAnCGQL3f8O-6Ya3RloacOw5Gn6j9/s4032/IMG_1176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpWmgv8OZefK8uuRnzQgvaXbaxbLqJgIiraSl1wI1y5BlV_WVTuJZYXfjnNxm58569CfhsBYPnmQYSTfg9vCO7sism9BA_y0R3UJ6vi87Y5hIGRL7Lsy4Jm7JXdPOjqkYryvX596F1bFiEakMvI82LETT0oOzPuTJAnCGQL3f8O-6Ya3RloacOw5Gn6j9/w300-h400/IMG_1176.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These lettuce starts were ready for more space,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so they were transplanted into small (repurposed) pots.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The roots were fairly strong,</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuJzomxxgSXzkM2587xn7h6hYIZVcnHZzOIuMHfVEFMcVYc1pEFu9Ij_lmHrvtiuDl4h0Vt1KUrxRcT6Ic_y8k6Y4j-vPDLYUgoIETHHFd2jrNZmp3Fe_5QpmtWINJfvHVQueAGI7dqV_WWHz1PxUmEuXsRMJBvbQ0amKQBU6FTlFXZFYWPID8ilm1Bzf/s4032/IMG_1177.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuJzomxxgSXzkM2587xn7h6hYIZVcnHZzOIuMHfVEFMcVYc1pEFu9Ij_lmHrvtiuDl4h0Vt1KUrxRcT6Ic_y8k6Y4j-vPDLYUgoIETHHFd2jrNZmp3Fe_5QpmtWINJfvHVQueAGI7dqV_WWHz1PxUmEuXsRMJBvbQ0amKQBU6FTlFXZFYWPID8ilm1Bzf/w300-h400/IMG_1177.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so they were planted in a light potting soil,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">mixed with vermiculite and perlite.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkHm59TCHNE0_LViYfwUqzeOK9FdUNJuwvPVpqxu_X2hUM38vOmD3Z0tWA_944D0G30u42ik2StUtSH2B3rQ2p0EG8XIewe8a6UiIQINLxPGrgQbAM4DpnHcLL8jbcmC7hPYtlnRYV7wXWlhzrBWkwkPlYQVN7r8qCEwIlkflv9b49lPEOVuy9VkHpYTP/s4032/IMG_1182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkHm59TCHNE0_LViYfwUqzeOK9FdUNJuwvPVpqxu_X2hUM38vOmD3Z0tWA_944D0G30u42ik2StUtSH2B3rQ2p0EG8XIewe8a6UiIQINLxPGrgQbAM4DpnHcLL8jbcmC7hPYtlnRYV7wXWlhzrBWkwkPlYQVN7r8qCEwIlkflv9b49lPEOVuy9VkHpYTP/w640-h480/IMG_1182.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As you can see, we have no shortage of transplants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This batch includes chamomile, kale, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">leeks, and lettuces.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">More starts will be transferred this weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREURijfjM7lmpuzugT1DUvrdmWyP5nm2tpdN7juhnusP_8hNgTCsRky_CwZkRuqhA7-w37X4DF5UfCEsNNl4Iuk5M6asS-kCUxWKM4uWUHdwSmrUFRrtNwejCJcz6Cv7f38ynBkkAr34iuAijowb2_zZTBGMl0aW0el7ouWze498plLmrIKkIG_PW0WQq/s4032/IMG_1245.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREURijfjM7lmpuzugT1DUvrdmWyP5nm2tpdN7juhnusP_8hNgTCsRky_CwZkRuqhA7-w37X4DF5UfCEsNNl4Iuk5M6asS-kCUxWKM4uWUHdwSmrUFRrtNwejCJcz6Cv7f38ynBkkAr34iuAijowb2_zZTBGMl0aW0el7ouWze498plLmrIKkIG_PW0WQq/s320/IMG_1245.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The sweet potato slips are starting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to take off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A bit of light from this east facing window</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and topping off the water in the can</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is all that is required.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Several cans line the windowsill.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguDp49LbiysRcGMoYqihBGp2u3APXzWOxWeMcIhEvcK9vJfBQ-OU2sZwPR1OhHJxXJXY3RTog2BZQjPlz2mWYuqvvs4_8dPIzsn0UKS9BMYqoA0NKrKlHGufVJoqEqUgFvuj5jmEajUfe4Q4VAXQ9QhSflAb_cagzeCLjYzpiOPVuo1U1QC01ybz0ZeiwD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguDp49LbiysRcGMoYqihBGp2u3APXzWOxWeMcIhEvcK9vJfBQ-OU2sZwPR1OhHJxXJXY3RTog2BZQjPlz2mWYuqvvs4_8dPIzsn0UKS9BMYqoA0NKrKlHGufVJoqEqUgFvuj5jmEajUfe4Q4VAXQ9QhSflAb_cagzeCLjYzpiOPVuo1U1QC01ybz0ZeiwD=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Two new Birdie beds are being added to the garden this season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">although their final placement is not yet secure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They've been assembled, so they will soon be ready to grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These are the first tall beds I’m trying.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The bottom 2/3 will be filled with logs,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">branches, twigs and leaves, before the soil is added.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbJbUybgYYEuxhjxfi7ADHzXo4xBrCPR4QUKlTctE8clYD4mzjKzJq2BVJ5Zb5eykuq4nqO2rVYx-XoznHcsTRcbnRoNB2-t_PH2SVyhqnx7JC4vWjpV4AO2USzdp8bi0tx99tisVA5UeAFwAOwHy16qeEHq2gZsJAjTnktZkGDF4zLf9Hqy9mWyVrWTw/s4032/IMG_1259.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbJbUybgYYEuxhjxfi7ADHzXo4xBrCPR4QUKlTctE8clYD4mzjKzJq2BVJ5Zb5eykuq4nqO2rVYx-XoznHcsTRcbnRoNB2-t_PH2SVyhqnx7JC4vWjpV4AO2USzdp8bi0tx99tisVA5UeAFwAOwHy16qeEHq2gZsJAjTnktZkGDF4zLf9Hqy9mWyVrWTw/w300-h400/IMG_1259.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The potatoes we planted in cages a few weeks ago</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">are finally sprouting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We used some spuds from last fall's harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We will be adding hardware cloth underneath the potato cages, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as well as under beds and plantings, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">due to a recently discovered pesky problem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2K_nTEIpwQZuUdU6AhpI4BkfeIlV16yGQEQv4euweMbfmEjmAkCRGcE7lRWsR3L_5d45e6-nP3TWhOAqhvGC_lpnJ5i5KfI-JQUxIKsh2Xly6msjLTf7eMB5szVZyvNlo1FKssH8CuR-LQe6Vf2vOIpf-P9JHsBFBWN-jdKP5YKm0plwB8jjSZd0Vmi-/s4032/IMG_1232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2K_nTEIpwQZuUdU6AhpI4BkfeIlV16yGQEQv4euweMbfmEjmAkCRGcE7lRWsR3L_5d45e6-nP3TWhOAqhvGC_lpnJ5i5KfI-JQUxIKsh2Xly6msjLTf7eMB5szVZyvNlo1FKssH8CuR-LQe6Vf2vOIpf-P9JHsBFBWN-jdKP5YKm0plwB8jjSZd0Vmi-/w300-h400/IMG_1232.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRk9xJNeaFBNAo0sj68QQn-rhobtBbaNlO_Slgk4F8h7teEeokSMp6rQ-gkZJVSgx3rQcBVaG-MCV-fyC_CkX4WJyEKgYYCsONW0ZCBjgyHKlwfxV0WBkPCAZtsdfLGE44XdrndV5zzd1wF_qo4ocJHx3irEYy1E8ck_l8GOGZRXU1eLMg6wnRLt02AEb/s4032/IMG_1234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRk9xJNeaFBNAo0sj68QQn-rhobtBbaNlO_Slgk4F8h7teEeokSMp6rQ-gkZJVSgx3rQcBVaG-MCV-fyC_CkX4WJyEKgYYCsONW0ZCBjgyHKlwfxV0WBkPCAZtsdfLGE44XdrndV5zzd1wF_qo4ocJHx3irEYy1E8ck_l8GOGZRXU1eLMg6wnRLt02AEb/w300-h400/IMG_1234.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I’m fairly certain these are vole holes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are covering most of the area around our drain field.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We’ve had a few holes from time to time,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but it looks like they are moving in!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Still researching organic ways to discourage them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but we’re starting with garlic or coffee grounds in the holes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The scent is supposed to repel them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We’ll see.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qyy2cZIqR0NO2dXsYKvbOZODvHG0l_fEFR_g8ulK2GuciudcseFWxUoBBmhyphenhyphenknOiBBom-4gWt4UL2UYXgUM68M0piLGx0Eqwh95ySMu-XUIjrEH5Tu6lAlEL6XamR8nFyy4FYYqQ6LDgC1yAYPjp4II4X0J1uo0WcKTcE-4R3Pcs2pPo0ROv0i1zBdB/s4032/IMG_1258.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qyy2cZIqR0NO2dXsYKvbOZODvHG0l_fEFR_g8ulK2GuciudcseFWxUoBBmhyphenhyphenknOiBBom-4gWt4UL2UYXgUM68M0piLGx0Eqwh95ySMu-XUIjrEH5Tu6lAlEL6XamR8nFyy4FYYqQ6LDgC1yAYPjp4II4X0J1uo0WcKTcE-4R3Pcs2pPo0ROv0i1zBdB/w300-h400/IMG_1258.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Last week, two elderberry trees got moved.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They had been on the northeast side of the property,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and were leaning to reach the sun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hopefully, they’ll enjoy their new spot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwzhg4aKTS2_TLd_Bv7ebZlVonBAjtKgIqb1Mair1zz_ntgnzPyNmuJyyaCNQBbeKzebXPSPCqV6ck0gX6Qe7DCRdApLSuw08tf2_z0z2-XwooHSB8JR64iGnFMMtvbXsL4c-csD2aKVPv3g-2aGZixo1vCoLpL0Kb7svhoTD5x60Kho0oP-WqIRCtXnQ6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwzhg4aKTS2_TLd_Bv7ebZlVonBAjtKgIqb1Mair1zz_ntgnzPyNmuJyyaCNQBbeKzebXPSPCqV6ck0gX6Qe7DCRdApLSuw08tf2_z0z2-XwooHSB8JR64iGnFMMtvbXsL4c-csD2aKVPv3g-2aGZixo1vCoLpL0Kb7svhoTD5x60Kho0oP-WqIRCtXnQ6=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We sowed alyssum seeds as a border</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">all along the front flower bed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and I noticed yesterday that they are emerging.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thank you rain!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nasturtiums were also placed here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrghjircbn2FUVSK974dQjpF0NccHZXjUICq_VVYaN96rG1H53X4_85wSoFqZRu1XBwvK3Ds05ni8fe65Y16jICnOYXvZ4nYuvOyKlZ2b3Uwoa-WEK-Aa5JwiIf3jZ2ixUhjo33DCfhF3hUGT6VvPpjnPOi_HboIAp_viQw1UH8fsNaKMXsYhXlyBPp-e/s4032/IMG_1142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrghjircbn2FUVSK974dQjpF0NccHZXjUICq_VVYaN96rG1H53X4_85wSoFqZRu1XBwvK3Ds05ni8fe65Y16jICnOYXvZ4nYuvOyKlZ2b3Uwoa-WEK-Aa5JwiIf3jZ2ixUhjo33DCfhF3hUGT6VvPpjnPOi_HboIAp_viQw1UH8fsNaKMXsYhXlyBPp-e/w300-h400/IMG_1142.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The freshly harvested broccoli has been relished.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The side shoots are so tender and barely need steaming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MgghpfDcEBwF0vIiRUAFNsIxW4qj3Ipl_wto3uVlMqON1_42SePe81GwN-MH1cJUWMx3idYnAzxso4lLwEFgh9TmjMLBdzHhK52PcAdoqyspfx07sXKGf3kaizL49lkUGmlDoBpgKL1rPiv3h6IPa2unXQ-WbPsWVzUumFjpFZnOc7pyXOzOPY_iX4lf/s4032/IMG_1184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MgghpfDcEBwF0vIiRUAFNsIxW4qj3Ipl_wto3uVlMqON1_42SePe81GwN-MH1cJUWMx3idYnAzxso4lLwEFgh9TmjMLBdzHhK52PcAdoqyspfx07sXKGf3kaizL49lkUGmlDoBpgKL1rPiv3h6IPa2unXQ-WbPsWVzUumFjpFZnOc7pyXOzOPY_iX4lf/w480-h640/IMG_1184.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Daffodils are popping up all over the neighborhood,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">including in our pollinator bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I also see tulips coming up,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the candytuft just rocks on!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNZ4PyEScN8q5ObjU-G-_N98LiMqpP6zcj5RX-EUoZWE25q8Q7k0V5_tt52J0TGWq_49sqI7gARMDurVTSRjOh5OZ2NozrIrREqNyO0wD5GY6Hbr6BeB967SiihPwmTVJWnQdynzhsQiNWprdvCc4q2SYkFBiyWbfEfquXxcCng2V_xNNWwbCxN1kPi3Z/s4032/IMG_1185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNZ4PyEScN8q5ObjU-G-_N98LiMqpP6zcj5RX-EUoZWE25q8Q7k0V5_tt52J0TGWq_49sqI7gARMDurVTSRjOh5OZ2NozrIrREqNyO0wD5GY6Hbr6BeB967SiihPwmTVJWnQdynzhsQiNWprdvCc4q2SYkFBiyWbfEfquXxcCng2V_xNNWwbCxN1kPi3Z/w300-h400/IMG_1185.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnAXYWhnMIoIUNdDXJEUqkPZ-AfC7EgZ5u_e7GiXJEFrmxOOrxRtN1iVBKO3eBKUkpAC6B_s-dQDsmPZzdRM-32ApG1pVEi3rMoX8gW_axs_ZwlZ1kS_VlXRS5b5r63842tM_BuPxb_gNplob8uqTPcFFqMLRTSS_5cVZ6Fx8gD5Ibo5bC_97wQmTcYYy/s4032/IMG_1219.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnAXYWhnMIoIUNdDXJEUqkPZ-AfC7EgZ5u_e7GiXJEFrmxOOrxRtN1iVBKO3eBKUkpAC6B_s-dQDsmPZzdRM-32ApG1pVEi3rMoX8gW_axs_ZwlZ1kS_VlXRS5b5r63842tM_BuPxb_gNplob8uqTPcFFqMLRTSS_5cVZ6Fx8gD5Ibo5bC_97wQmTcYYy/w300-h400/IMG_1219.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The other morning,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K noticed this squirrel on the back deck.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is consuming a camellia flower.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Who knew?</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DD13liW9AmwNI8xqRrTEDQrkbq3iRrXuQBU_6872MlZqFjqC3MIiUcl_7tlnKcRvBzcZJ9alA_6yYcxNGKBI4igN80gG2zoOp8ZR4b1IemUcjW7UsCuryUbTsDzln82UXuV2CASSJvkBwfMRblolHMNnuM4Lp1Rhabr_qg3bnMCJcDTtPy2RAcfFL4RD/s4032/IMG_1221.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DD13liW9AmwNI8xqRrTEDQrkbq3iRrXuQBU_6872MlZqFjqC3MIiUcl_7tlnKcRvBzcZJ9alA_6yYcxNGKBI4igN80gG2zoOp8ZR4b1IemUcjW7UsCuryUbTsDzln82UXuV2CASSJvkBwfMRblolHMNnuM4Lp1Rhabr_qg3bnMCJcDTtPy2RAcfFL4RD/w300-h400/IMG_1221.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A friend recently wanted to make room </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in her gorgeous garden for some new plants,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and asked me if I wanted her hydrangeas.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Uh...yeah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They've been living in our landscape for</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">nearly a month now,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the new growth has started!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm so excited, because when I lived in Florida,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I always envied folks who had these plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Further south, they don't grow well</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">because there is not enough cold through the winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a blessing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mrYsE7CfVZrGS0hBEsR0MbDVoPh_u-S8NQu31TCa7cadls9BETW00S0DRpLDeuJtga7liBmwkv3_H-X1gpaQGi_HsxUEz-qhmWP7JEJUDDWMm0AmAY17ULB7fVutwU3GBTvO1nwh15M5nlq6PtDmqvdVQJ7EEKQHV2Ex6XXLAZBl9elRZnNmwPSTQc76/s4032/IMG_1172.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mrYsE7CfVZrGS0hBEsR0MbDVoPh_u-S8NQu31TCa7cadls9BETW00S0DRpLDeuJtga7liBmwkv3_H-X1gpaQGi_HsxUEz-qhmWP7JEJUDDWMm0AmAY17ULB7fVutwU3GBTvO1nwh15M5nlq6PtDmqvdVQJ7EEKQHV2Ex6XXLAZBl9elRZnNmwPSTQc76/w300-h400/IMG_1172.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A batch of vanilla was put together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was overdo,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as I try to make it at the start of the new year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s so simple,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the bonus is that I was able to add the vanilla bean trimmings </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to the basket of my percolator.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It adds a mellow flavor to my morning Joe.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlm3_W8YoZnJBoUBylEg5rKghtRQqyZSuMomJM-UA08dRbPmB2FBa1zXjVfUaMPAFa7dyMgaKs6VVzwNkUgZkpn1sM1Vj_A7arO44DTaNp9EdfjzVFReqNiB6XHyx4klcK7ADpPXdGs3kqUwts16Z-4bYd3bQTvrmqVIE_MYG5dRVaiA3rKnmiAvwWJ8g/s4032/IMG_1235.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlm3_W8YoZnJBoUBylEg5rKghtRQqyZSuMomJM-UA08dRbPmB2FBa1zXjVfUaMPAFa7dyMgaKs6VVzwNkUgZkpn1sM1Vj_A7arO44DTaNp9EdfjzVFReqNiB6XHyx4klcK7ADpPXdGs3kqUwts16Z-4bYd3bQTvrmqVIE_MYG5dRVaiA3rKnmiAvwWJ8g/w300-h400/IMG_1235.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are other new developments to report,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but I think those will have to wait for another post.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Wishing you peace and prosperity on your homestead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-62402966228809573992024-02-23T05:07:00.002-05:002024-02-23T05:55:49.407-05:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX_CaHp6PneZsh9NizWET7Rle1mtE-3cpPznCu0mcs81KLEhrJaDRbZpvdyrP9v8omsl0y5tu_8Kbl02qmvjogthk4zxWM2peLMZR-jbysgYt1XsKr3rsvVImchFN_7PS4jEkOEQiPQtQxyz9rPz98-LuXeRkvL5i-cTZv2wW51Z-2cqXYy9k6pkdS31r/s4032/IMG_1120.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheX_CaHp6PneZsh9NizWET7Rle1mtE-3cpPznCu0mcs81KLEhrJaDRbZpvdyrP9v8omsl0y5tu_8Kbl02qmvjogthk4zxWM2peLMZR-jbysgYt1XsKr3rsvVImchFN_7PS4jEkOEQiPQtQxyz9rPz98-LuXeRkvL5i-cTZv2wW51Z-2cqXYy9k6pkdS31r/w480-h640/IMG_1120.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Greetings to you from Maple Hill 101!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have a few things to share this week</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">about our homestead activities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This little winter vignette has brought me so much comfort,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with the delicate white lights and the cheery bear on the card.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Several times a day I'll find myself just smiling</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">when I catch a glimpse of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LyOKcmxLZYyoXr7vj5MKP9yc0vMNa6QEJ5-4iiemDfSi0PA3hmBcilw5YAfTtIxyX2NmoY8gf8xKzCRgPSfmTTTOuKZncpXdNcAc-wPx6FyHXe1pQpjAlMYciaqxhHvDZGEKRhu7rCE1tQyABltZH-cBMhqfgarSp14FFgu_a5AlWckX9qfBB5ne1XPk/s4032/IMG_1098.JPG"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LyOKcmxLZYyoXr7vj5MKP9yc0vMNa6QEJ5-4iiemDfSi0PA3hmBcilw5YAfTtIxyX2NmoY8gf8xKzCRgPSfmTTTOuKZncpXdNcAc-wPx6FyHXe1pQpjAlMYciaqxhHvDZGEKRhu7rCE1tQyABltZH-cBMhqfgarSp14FFgu_a5AlWckX9qfBB5ne1XPk/w400-h300/IMG_1098.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Winter sowing continues, as spring inches closer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have had some success with chamomile, dill, kale, leek, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">lettuce, onions and dianthus germinating well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The beans, parsley and thyme have not done well,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but will be resown in the next week or so.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqaux34DIjPifBiALUq89z9ea1aZbI6Ujjjtz8sCnUKVQtQhy8b2xtnxVt3x5VEmlgCoOQVPNxa3BHtGOefxFiU7kIcTnJErhlcziFjw7qPlpBcgAbca6GxQi4luBak8Ru-_BD79_M2FsKXXQ-K3lE1D3ewovz2zwAYGL3Rdc-ouQuarq5R5TfORn_kl6/s4032/IMG_1105.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqaux34DIjPifBiALUq89z9ea1aZbI6Ujjjtz8sCnUKVQtQhy8b2xtnxVt3x5VEmlgCoOQVPNxa3BHtGOefxFiU7kIcTnJErhlcziFjw7qPlpBcgAbca6GxQi4luBak8Ru-_BD79_M2FsKXXQ-K3lE1D3ewovz2zwAYGL3Rdc-ouQuarq5R5TfORn_kl6/w300-h400/IMG_1105.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">lots of lettuce!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0labCDyJuRWONVSMZF7DFz9YLqOwK9hYP383lDD_jgZElJ5i0xTZVm_wKLoKBpMUTGBfByvtDTp0aA-VNTvKnbUb1oPEB258iwZxUxbr9HhrqAQijWsQdwwl6mF3kMAYFIu1PXlqOcIl_gKum0q-jHx4D1EZ0dBJSMLWzow3gWklxY5qKMsY6sDCz8lb/s4032/IMG_1124.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0labCDyJuRWONVSMZF7DFz9YLqOwK9hYP383lDD_jgZElJ5i0xTZVm_wKLoKBpMUTGBfByvtDTp0aA-VNTvKnbUb1oPEB258iwZxUxbr9HhrqAQijWsQdwwl6mF3kMAYFIu1PXlqOcIl_gKum0q-jHx4D1EZ0dBJSMLWzow3gWklxY5qKMsY6sDCz8lb/w300-h400/IMG_1124.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A large bin of broccoli shoots was harvested</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and will no doubt be enjoyed all weekend.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEjr9Fm8VZUJ-w3UP5miR6RR-SRbcrm3rbyYmj1mRowKH7URO5DvqEuFJvtVLhv4MjgQ4UtVLOitg7R29AAwCKIItcQ311GwLE_wl0XAThZlTTVeeL4lRKkMGH1GH0B9Fl0XbVKQxZDN8XkHpSrr0K-TnpwTJJ6gx1NObRfwPRtnU6sCv01myiyjxdpvK/s4032/IMG_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEjr9Fm8VZUJ-w3UP5miR6RR-SRbcrm3rbyYmj1mRowKH7URO5DvqEuFJvtVLhv4MjgQ4UtVLOitg7R29AAwCKIItcQ311GwLE_wl0XAThZlTTVeeL4lRKkMGH1GH0B9Fl0XbVKQxZDN8XkHpSrr0K-TnpwTJJ6gx1NObRfwPRtnU6sCv01myiyjxdpvK/w300-h400/IMG_1125.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cabbage is finally started to head.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I can't wait to sample this homegrown newbie!</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Ln5qzo-Kt4Ah7clmp6Mtyhg_rgdoj870Zr6eJVz21y2w_6oZMDsDXir7mpRD0A0sGoZdRRqq4R1s8RpOY9-Gh-FdRN6IeAiUQxVCrD4S5fj7N5VISC0zOUZfyoIZDdPp0lRXurWhfENsfnrxqdONDY4ml8FkiDTVU5dUiKpYhej7sBha3IOHR9ys6H1/s4032/IMG_1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9Ln5qzo-Kt4Ah7clmp6Mtyhg_rgdoj870Zr6eJVz21y2w_6oZMDsDXir7mpRD0A0sGoZdRRqq4R1s8RpOY9-Gh-FdRN6IeAiUQxVCrD4S5fj7N5VISC0zOUZfyoIZDdPp0lRXurWhfENsfnrxqdONDY4ml8FkiDTVU5dUiKpYhej7sBha3IOHR9ys6H1/w300-h400/IMG_1121.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These chives decided to come back to life</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">after looking mighty bad most of the winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bring on the potato salad!</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0NEQfHSOFyxi-r66VtbXVlGseOIGH0q87gMiLIVse6TNds-Tf8LXcC1NQAnP2FofVY4TC5z0xGBuYV8pe-nZ-YEdzcMW2oc8k3DRfNZVTp2OnDeD8_x-Lqup6TSzw-ETT_o1vu_DHIDSvh2nV_POCVAlmjFlo1mRxat8BhQAfRQYIwF2ikQijAwRvaZP/s4032/IMG_1116.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0NEQfHSOFyxi-r66VtbXVlGseOIGH0q87gMiLIVse6TNds-Tf8LXcC1NQAnP2FofVY4TC5z0xGBuYV8pe-nZ-YEdzcMW2oc8k3DRfNZVTp2OnDeD8_x-Lqup6TSzw-ETT_o1vu_DHIDSvh2nV_POCVAlmjFlo1mRxat8BhQAfRQYIwF2ikQijAwRvaZP/w480-h640/IMG_1116.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The sweet potato slips have been started.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa9CZoKUB2NOrontcLSVdLOoF-hNlHCy9ePu_HMkOTugRJyD0PYDgKm46gRc2fJUHjqAep52Z0265YQ7xgvsbPFtPtwvh1NSZL1NJ8_WC1NF8FgKfhI4xvZygABhZkrtnz8GDOul8UnC4xmS0bocJroXqRWzOZgCYFln2M6m1xytMjNF8UeCVGoCnhnkF/s4032/IMG_1117.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa9CZoKUB2NOrontcLSVdLOoF-hNlHCy9ePu_HMkOTugRJyD0PYDgKm46gRc2fJUHjqAep52Z0265YQ7xgvsbPFtPtwvh1NSZL1NJ8_WC1NF8FgKfhI4xvZygABhZkrtnz8GDOul8UnC4xmS0bocJroXqRWzOZgCYFln2M6m1xytMjNF8UeCVGoCnhnkF/w300-h400/IMG_1117.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These were homegrown sweet potatoes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that were saved from our fall harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Matchsticks were used in place of toothpicks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(we don't buy those) to suspend the spuds in the cans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In a few weeks, we should have slips!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m0eyVwBT87xV4WGUCvn2A-yfQ7gnV-dbsWkQxM4Yvdzxg3Hs7-T5ZG4zLVSBHlsWKNrceHJme2WgLpXioNbLK9rNOELI-ok3s0pow3F4LE0sgiOxcavyU8thKrS33TYImAp6acs9EKPoVgKyxE35O_Sfb4JfmrOeMJkwWb1Q4UNpwbsXkZgH89camkhK/s4032/IMG_1060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m0eyVwBT87xV4WGUCvn2A-yfQ7gnV-dbsWkQxM4Yvdzxg3Hs7-T5ZG4zLVSBHlsWKNrceHJme2WgLpXioNbLK9rNOELI-ok3s0pow3F4LE0sgiOxcavyU8thKrS33TYImAp6acs9EKPoVgKyxE35O_Sfb4JfmrOeMJkwWb1Q4UNpwbsXkZgH89camkhK/w300-h400/IMG_1060.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Last time I mentioned this heritage flour</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">from Sunrise Flour Mill in Minnesota.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A friend recommended it to me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as she knows I have issues with gluten sensitivity.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEM9ElYrECF03tasN3QX8SxQb3FnZ6Cl7byywp1PGYeHbNiHXoh46xk2htF3l4fRnyww2Vab-fs0zxwpijxkce85JuRsbidDh3FcW2PcaZOn_htbe9VZKA2R0kjDNRsV1fddoSsMC_RUkFMNQxXgHrknIslPqUlk_7or-t_VURDkfwv2gdRvmAGmCPh9t/s4032/IMG_1086.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEM9ElYrECF03tasN3QX8SxQb3FnZ6Cl7byywp1PGYeHbNiHXoh46xk2htF3l4fRnyww2Vab-fs0zxwpijxkce85JuRsbidDh3FcW2PcaZOn_htbe9VZKA2R0kjDNRsV1fddoSsMC_RUkFMNQxXgHrknIslPqUlk_7or-t_VURDkfwv2gdRvmAGmCPh9t/w300-h400/IMG_1086.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm happy to report that not only was the bread de-lish,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">there was absolutely no reaction to my skin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">after devouring the entire loaf myself!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yeah!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Dinner rolls or challah bread will be tried next.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxOhr0bIv_c8PnYw1PNQ_8aP9pgLkCm3IuDKJgkQ6pjwcHk5znIg6xXeZbUPKEcVIF-Cp9oyxT_KEAWKwo6Vy9zNLD4Bdpz97QAOFIeBXc0ni1CH0ft1ho-W-15n671madJKFG1neMFXjfP-1X1-7JTy7XBIHrA9yZJi5mPNiGF2lMFZ4-x2APfCR3qos/s4032/IMG_1112.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxOhr0bIv_c8PnYw1PNQ_8aP9pgLkCm3IuDKJgkQ6pjwcHk5znIg6xXeZbUPKEcVIF-Cp9oyxT_KEAWKwo6Vy9zNLD4Bdpz97QAOFIeBXc0ni1CH0ft1ho-W-15n671madJKFG1neMFXjfP-1X1-7JTy7XBIHrA9yZJi5mPNiGF2lMFZ4-x2APfCR3qos/w300-h400/IMG_1112.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The new chook run has been started.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It came in one ginormous box that weighed a ton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fortunately, the assembly was fairly easy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">especially since Big K was there to help.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5cz2lwa8nxoKIOFHHhsmkG-xCkagBPXCBf1ppVCu8d26DZSP21yZXv46xIeS5SlXd2NcJ0cRc2OabYQ1iUqurfLG-M3JFZdinu8mJ8LxoMkFO-tgxuqTTjk4bi8E1N7o6Le28gFOzVZyss1yEDuemRVc1IjEiDZAuBn-PEJAjzPuPEdwsNEbLYnWvaPa/s4032/IMG_1119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5cz2lwa8nxoKIOFHHhsmkG-xCkagBPXCBf1ppVCu8d26DZSP21yZXv46xIeS5SlXd2NcJ0cRc2OabYQ1iUqurfLG-M3JFZdinu8mJ8LxoMkFO-tgxuqTTjk4bi8E1N7o6Le28gFOzVZyss1yEDuemRVc1IjEiDZAuBn-PEJAjzPuPEdwsNEbLYnWvaPa/w640-h480/IMG_1119.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are awaiting the hardware cloth to be delivered,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so that we can finish it up. The outer fence will be taken down,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and used underneath the perimeter of the new run,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to act as a predator deterrent.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We'll also have some sort of stone all along the outside</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to keep trouble makers at bay.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We hope to complete the build by next weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This will allow me to commence working on the new design</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of the garden, which is to the left of the run.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Things need to be rearranged, but the run has to be finished first. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfY_VEb_14ycDnDjmpCrW1411bRZJhMpgJiawoS4H6tOLjxroW-u2pWVi3hKMYwCMc5pyO3e7rdynBdigNZnBlKWJuUwh-bTxbVBvQX_ktETU9u5xaziC6VFGf6YpUxopjxqM36bpHFnJPdohTAwrBMxqcDCQHQypwRItY3jhYvvLwdBn1fBMpRIY00CJ/s4032/IMG_9698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfY_VEb_14ycDnDjmpCrW1411bRZJhMpgJiawoS4H6tOLjxroW-u2pWVi3hKMYwCMc5pyO3e7rdynBdigNZnBlKWJuUwh-bTxbVBvQX_ktETU9u5xaziC6VFGf6YpUxopjxqM36bpHFnJPdohTAwrBMxqcDCQHQypwRItY3jhYvvLwdBn1fBMpRIY00CJ/w480-h640/IMG_9698.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We lost our beloved Ruby last week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She was such a sweet and gentle soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We think the culprit was <a href="https://rurallivingtoday.com/backyard-chickens-roosters/water-belly-in-chickens/">water belly</a>,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of which I knew very little.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, it is a condition that has no cure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We miss you dearly, sweet girl,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but know that we'll see you again someday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I hope you'll share what's happening on your homestead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-51747919359886268392024-02-20T05:01:00.010-05:002024-02-20T05:01:00.137-05:00A Twist on Gratitude<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3dsYe726816ZWpCzCuXwrDCgYqdioHphguCc_ikepeeSYyhlt65RcGSTmsu3nqpYmtcvEN1H-Iwovutjydrpoj6Sr6rlNzmFVQjiAhRzGrMl97SRbjn1XE6dSMaUc3t--o-mLoh9wxglDmXxPxv7CrPtRSD2XDoyVs_nM4z-0xeBQ9482Rrj1su9BJAmz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3dsYe726816ZWpCzCuXwrDCgYqdioHphguCc_ikepeeSYyhlt65RcGSTmsu3nqpYmtcvEN1H-Iwovutjydrpoj6Sr6rlNzmFVQjiAhRzGrMl97SRbjn1XE6dSMaUc3t--o-mLoh9wxglDmXxPxv7CrPtRSD2XDoyVs_nM4z-0xeBQ9482Rrj1su9BJAmz=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Every...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">step forward,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">joyful sprouted seedling,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">morning of stillness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">noontime church bell ringing clearly,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">soothing cup of tea,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>IS</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> A</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> GIFT.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Your</i> turn...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-76752932126799740332024-02-09T05:07:00.009-05:002024-02-09T05:07:00.135-05:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1mR9-E4gdylyb8EfAm5OCFp5oKl1A4wgaIpILkVl03Gi4rb5G1BuBDI0tI29IS1d8UI43k9J3YSG9xL-XZ8EwMC1YL9OTHZbOTypWP7_L9e2SM6hRfAlXT-dE7PMhvNT2QjUeVpYNrTCJeFF2sc9dckmrhVi0OhmBeDORiZph2x4fBaMbJmKQVIVr1YA/s4032/IMG_1048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1mR9-E4gdylyb8EfAm5OCFp5oKl1A4wgaIpILkVl03Gi4rb5G1BuBDI0tI29IS1d8UI43k9J3YSG9xL-XZ8EwMC1YL9OTHZbOTypWP7_L9e2SM6hRfAlXT-dE7PMhvNT2QjUeVpYNrTCJeFF2sc9dckmrhVi0OhmBeDORiZph2x4fBaMbJmKQVIVr1YA/w480-h640/IMG_1048.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Winter sowing is under way!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As you can see, the butter crunch lettuce is coming up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s amazing to me how well this method works.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When the seeds are ready, they germinate,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and since they are already outside,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">there is no need for hardening off the plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Read more about Winter Sowing <i><a href="https://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com/2024/01/winter-sowing-method.html">here</a></i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxHcYArR11ITCquGlda2mQmiCkB6RlVxP72kVOSlT-0i7Reqrpse6Q6IqvCZAicKkm4ZSe-zFlJJdvgbPw-gT6mL4k5Te1-9H3nxcNnFEFHW8COv7384WOjTE_w9aHBbhm9gU2Dufev27xyEvwfWHd2kP2wJ4yjpNpsBFaNfhQQpnjsstxc_Ge-ib7s57/s4032/IMG_1067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxHcYArR11ITCquGlda2mQmiCkB6RlVxP72kVOSlT-0i7Reqrpse6Q6IqvCZAicKkm4ZSe-zFlJJdvgbPw-gT6mL4k5Te1-9H3nxcNnFEFHW8COv7384WOjTE_w9aHBbhm9gU2Dufev27xyEvwfWHd2kP2wJ4yjpNpsBFaNfhQQpnjsstxc_Ge-ib7s57/w300-h400/IMG_1067.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These potatoes had been saved from our last harvest </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and placed in a paper sack in my closet for safe keeping.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As you may be able to tell, they want to grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Far be it for me to stand in the way!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK-mOa7OZF9NLv-41Wp10VAL3vSaq45UxSJ8CV9BuHd9CRAzrAhuGzD8wCDm5nE-27WScG8htaxsUU68vynxiivhOqw-tzUr-Yb3csSUFerneFWxaSz8lr7tSaXUfAhAi0zeyUkPn_aVHhEOfwp37JpbOFySBck_KyGBbT6MMyDPcXm_vAqvVUQGsYo6R/s4032/IMG_1066.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgK-mOa7OZF9NLv-41Wp10VAL3vSaq45UxSJ8CV9BuHd9CRAzrAhuGzD8wCDm5nE-27WScG8htaxsUU68vynxiivhOqw-tzUr-Yb3csSUFerneFWxaSz8lr7tSaXUfAhAi0zeyUkPn_aVHhEOfwp37JpbOFySBck_KyGBbT6MMyDPcXm_vAqvVUQGsYo6R/w300-h400/IMG_1066.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Three planting rings were created using chicken wire.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These rings had been used a couple of years ago for growing potatoes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I decided to use this method again,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">since these needed to be planted quickly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another batch of spuds will be planted in a few weeks</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">using the Ruth Stout method of growing in straw.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL7Zs7m26wh4yRDbsASBR-h841P0PcELYu5uRjg04rvkBj0J4uc8ynkfU2zPGXqm5EW3i0kEQNOHQUfBOjZsfF2ewW1v5l6MWsXlV4lo2zetENPM-7_UYT7jq9FqREQ8CjpAhXVt06-J8CmN0D-L6URMXoxL4kmiuvTkcOWdSU1cCWtVdBp3YIN1r3xw1/s4032/IMG_1070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL7Zs7m26wh4yRDbsASBR-h841P0PcELYu5uRjg04rvkBj0J4uc8ynkfU2zPGXqm5EW3i0kEQNOHQUfBOjZsfF2ewW1v5l6MWsXlV4lo2zetENPM-7_UYT7jq9FqREQ8CjpAhXVt06-J8CmN0D-L6URMXoxL4kmiuvTkcOWdSU1cCWtVdBp3YIN1r3xw1/w300-h400/IMG_1070.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A few buckets of homemade compost</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">await behind the shed for use later in the season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s wonderful having a space for all of the garden materials.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXAkh0Mg2RqpaVcs7Zs2crNYAaX9kyWZXpyXxk_dM6J1fegbLasFowXW637EZ_iJrfVfekCWk4jUUKD-NjIkmITscNx6iPIon-ht9I2N5dht6DfvRgFf1V7Ath3yxzx1ydCgUAZfRCtjN8ljvF3aUC4RUDqg2od5rMItbfjWA1U2Gv5-FuKWO0lM9M2ke/s4032/IMG_1042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXAkh0Mg2RqpaVcs7Zs2crNYAaX9kyWZXpyXxk_dM6J1fegbLasFowXW637EZ_iJrfVfekCWk4jUUKD-NjIkmITscNx6iPIon-ht9I2N5dht6DfvRgFf1V7Ath3yxzx1ydCgUAZfRCtjN8ljvF3aUC4RUDqg2od5rMItbfjWA1U2Gv5-FuKWO0lM9M2ke/w480-h640/IMG_1042.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This handy-dandy sled helps me get loads delivered,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">while saving my back from heavy lifting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A piece of baling twine was strung through two holes drilled into the end of this bin,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which was given to me by a neighbor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A scrap section of old hose makes a great handle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This simple tool gets used all the time,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and makes moving things around so much easier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I am reluctant to ask for help,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so this little set up works well for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UtlUY26PwL6ANSaMBgbC0Xjw_9T1H8Oj0a_2cc0bjBeBr6CC0JFM7NV3yOBjeoN6evEFxYN1vjSiu6yEJwbNuGrDNHxD4ljESfEJFMbivUxKdubR-HJsRnEmZbmW2lV9UlRfl3UA7ITnhc5yF5Su2Q7X9BDHxkxUyqlSpnjwhG73mYknsjwLHBJmNqb9/s4032/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UtlUY26PwL6ANSaMBgbC0Xjw_9T1H8Oj0a_2cc0bjBeBr6CC0JFM7NV3yOBjeoN6evEFxYN1vjSiu6yEJwbNuGrDNHxD4ljESfEJFMbivUxKdubR-HJsRnEmZbmW2lV9UlRfl3UA7ITnhc5yF5Su2Q7X9BDHxkxUyqlSpnjwhG73mYknsjwLHBJmNqb9/w400-h300/IMG_1078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The (repurposed) bags filled with shredded leaves</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">finally made it to the back of the property.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the fall, we used our backpack shredder</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to tidy up both our yard, and our neighbors'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It seems there were more dropped leaves </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">than usual last year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Did you experience that as well?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The bounty will be used in the garden as mulch,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to keep the soil covered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT6KcN26X4BQyZbUUPU4jZ6zipYYFqVZMzkeo_pQotV958W4q6zsKRAdA60ccpUYoWLI1LV9hdPUFla0xprj7cYAnZMO-WPS3_nd04S3-F5ukRtjYLlyJgeDkAgRp1RDRBtK8C0Yj3DZWQnifCo5qNIZSZdwYAproqJ82JxbuWsR4lTrA9XXaNjyIqw8x/s4032/IMG_1041.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT6KcN26X4BQyZbUUPU4jZ6zipYYFqVZMzkeo_pQotV958W4q6zsKRAdA60ccpUYoWLI1LV9hdPUFla0xprj7cYAnZMO-WPS3_nd04S3-F5ukRtjYLlyJgeDkAgRp1RDRBtK8C0Yj3DZWQnifCo5qNIZSZdwYAproqJ82JxbuWsR4lTrA9XXaNjyIqw8x/w300-h400/IMG_1041.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s early February, but the daffodils are already showing signs of awakening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Several neighbors have actual blooms already.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Unless we get blasted with a late freeze,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We should be having an early colorful spring!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFAEKMbHqxp3TYyBDnDL9hckao-9_24eaQKnNcVtUBbY65GmG7EyRQjY1XRJVkXTKwtjUoVOjIfO3MyVYLJkCludXWtFdixVJVjxJsvkgISUy3KpYS3wYhF2kMQIQ8R_aVtTe2-wDAdwCx2rC4hnjUCeKbUIxcySJfoswC1rJfXLkFkHzq-0hvvYodeZ0/s4032/IMG_1043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFAEKMbHqxp3TYyBDnDL9hckao-9_24eaQKnNcVtUBbY65GmG7EyRQjY1XRJVkXTKwtjUoVOjIfO3MyVYLJkCludXWtFdixVJVjxJsvkgISUy3KpYS3wYhF2kMQIQ8R_aVtTe2-wDAdwCx2rC4hnjUCeKbUIxcySJfoswC1rJfXLkFkHzq-0hvvYodeZ0/w300-h400/IMG_1043.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sedums have become one of my favorite plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are coming back after a somewhat fickle winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The constant shift in temperatures didn’t seem to affect them one bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I see a few more in my future.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFTT6uEJIl3rqyGGAFUEtaHFvm4re4HWxZFdjGY3ypBFI3D2MlAXoNhhCKbPi3aM5eR9zAhiZizqZwx69S-Ys2b_Ii5MnYEZ7X-OxEoDob4ZQ-3OYLewjVODn7mqt17r2nYzD1TVOdR7m1eQa8iwO8JwbOgLxy54FaGz7PwrZs1ynz3ASM7BdIkASKxob/s4032/IMG_1053.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFTT6uEJIl3rqyGGAFUEtaHFvm4re4HWxZFdjGY3ypBFI3D2MlAXoNhhCKbPi3aM5eR9zAhiZizqZwx69S-Ys2b_Ii5MnYEZ7X-OxEoDob4ZQ-3OYLewjVODn7mqt17r2nYzD1TVOdR7m1eQa8iwO8JwbOgLxy54FaGz7PwrZs1ynz3ASM7BdIkASKxob/w300-h400/IMG_1053.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Chilly temperatures kept me inside one morning last week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so I took the opportunity to clean and sharpen my favorite pruners.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These get used almost daily, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and it was worth the trouble to dismantle them and give them a thorough scrub.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1u5hJTuz1A">Here’s</a></i> a video on the process.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM19JN8lsNs3_frDKfl2LSRNhsgH3yuWnmBeVH1N8PHpwPnH7sz8m8VLnGiX90ORVl5FBAiX6f2rETYXGs1uoV50AdIDr84WmGvmR4CnIMmHzCG5Tif1LIKZe4k7KmHri5jg4stCAW2x4aRVxSY5O2pVIsnRGIYUePhcOyU4YNFhyphenhyphenmWhcupU9T9oasDoV/s4032/IMG_1047.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM19JN8lsNs3_frDKfl2LSRNhsgH3yuWnmBeVH1N8PHpwPnH7sz8m8VLnGiX90ORVl5FBAiX6f2rETYXGs1uoV50AdIDr84WmGvmR4CnIMmHzCG5Tif1LIKZe4k7KmHri5jg4stCAW2x4aRVxSY5O2pVIsnRGIYUePhcOyU4YNFhyphenhyphenmWhcupU9T9oasDoV/w300-h400/IMG_1047.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On most rainy days, you’ll find me in the kitchen baking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I’m not sure what it is about the inclement weather,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but it encourages me to create comforting foods.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These gf pecan sandies got tweaked by the addition of chocolate chips.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My favorite chocolate brand, Hu, is the cleanest sweet treat I’ve found.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Read more <i><a href="https://hukitchen.com/">here</a>.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uVRD3iPI5O2b7trWkOGNQ9WEZmH1PPrhttFgCVHg1bephI3QzoEKfG02DsnIGuNR9TdHUfA6H1Za4x4hQzFmVZCOaQn4q-d05Z5ygpMegA7JETArmlSxHXFXDqVS9baFDxMVPPYg4ipwPg8mOI-TLkJtg5jToeiigcJG4ubhN-99WORPtOAbYUx1rUVX/s4032/IMG_1072.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uVRD3iPI5O2b7trWkOGNQ9WEZmH1PPrhttFgCVHg1bephI3QzoEKfG02DsnIGuNR9TdHUfA6H1Za4x4hQzFmVZCOaQn4q-d05Z5ygpMegA7JETArmlSxHXFXDqVS9baFDxMVPPYg4ipwPg8mOI-TLkJtg5jToeiigcJG4ubhN-99WORPtOAbYUx1rUVX/w300-h400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The same sugar free chips were used in these</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">pumpkin muffins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I usually make these in the fall,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but somehow didn’t get around to it last season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ah well, my tummy is none the wiser.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can find both of these recipes underneath my header</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">listed as “Scratch Recipes “ or “Allergy-Friendly Recipes “.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(The pumpkin muffin recipe was made gluten free</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">by subbing out the white flour with a combination of oat and almond flours.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZNOrrqD1fXAcF6wQPRPtJPVChMDWPgvI42KItCscM3GRuM2gpAIzyl-mD0_VVOU3M86KxGhqlRQ7PVjHKSj-JueWwdxX6euUIjHx33Z7J-FJpZcElp4GWq-kFY9h1Uowq5NKFqlmt-RPpPyMmtYe44foD4flPN2feAUIXuIR389vCBhtXNwnWHhhcvmN/s4032/IMG_1060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZNOrrqD1fXAcF6wQPRPtJPVChMDWPgvI42KItCscM3GRuM2gpAIzyl-mD0_VVOU3M86KxGhqlRQ7PVjHKSj-JueWwdxX6euUIjHx33Z7J-FJpZcElp4GWq-kFY9h1Uowq5NKFqlmt-RPpPyMmtYe44foD4flPN2feAUIXuIR389vCBhtXNwnWHhhcvmN/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A friend shared with me this milled flour,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">made from ancient grains.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've learned over the past year or so,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that my eczema is aggravated by gluten,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so I've mostly avoided it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The transition to gf products has not been diffiicult,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as I've been cooking and baking that way for years for my boy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>This flour</i> is tolerated by some who have a </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">gluten sensitivity, so I thought I would give it a go.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This upcoming rainy weekend may find me baking homemade bread to enjoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fingers crossed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What's happening on your homestead?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-64461890808586255832024-01-26T05:04:00.017-05:002024-01-26T07:46:39.466-05:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCVCfOUKY46NNWhGRwENMtXFb-pDEL1XMBrxEKAzdoJSAfSUtaTl2IQ9fzfU-fkpY7xc-VxufUVySE1cnYLuDixZsTBDkhFz_rXPG7sLev-NUtOWIuMQJQs9UdOUM0jlAIOiyPTTK-r4pQYq5u6GaG7YyS_fCJEgGk7RfSZ8EGIWStPPrzUYjXSZeUJsQ/s4032/IMG_1025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCVCfOUKY46NNWhGRwENMtXFb-pDEL1XMBrxEKAzdoJSAfSUtaTl2IQ9fzfU-fkpY7xc-VxufUVySE1cnYLuDixZsTBDkhFz_rXPG7sLev-NUtOWIuMQJQs9UdOUM0jlAIOiyPTTK-r4pQYq5u6GaG7YyS_fCJEgGk7RfSZ8EGIWStPPrzUYjXSZeUJsQ/w300-h400/IMG_1025.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We're experiencing a true (for us) winter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">here in the Piedmont of North Carolina, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">minus the snow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We've been living here for just over 7 years,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and this is the coldest temperature we have had thus far.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thankfully, the extreme chilliness only lasted for a few days,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and our averages are again ranging in the 40's to 60's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So grateful for our toasty fireplace!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WRdtinU2ktrD8v7HVbja2un_FosnQTOhtmbkvWRpTF5-FGrbbiSx16OvQhuIs40Pmk0dpxn0mT-H-SiLIH5X_KSR5g3CqNH2eCfFvL59xN7gL2D2vFV4RF1rm4c13uRFbeMxtdCNo5hcLhFK54nOpB4qPRcgoYupl_SXePkhPo9wjGhCYCz8UwoHMGRV/s4032/IMG_1011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WRdtinU2ktrD8v7HVbja2un_FosnQTOhtmbkvWRpTF5-FGrbbiSx16OvQhuIs40Pmk0dpxn0mT-H-SiLIH5X_KSR5g3CqNH2eCfFvL59xN7gL2D2vFV4RF1rm4c13uRFbeMxtdCNo5hcLhFK54nOpB4qPRcgoYupl_SXePkhPo9wjGhCYCz8UwoHMGRV/w400-h300/IMG_1011.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Most of the brassicas did well with an extra layer of protection.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The additional row cover saved most of the broccoli,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">kale, and even lettuce plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cauliflower was not so fortunate.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The leaves can still be shared with the chooks.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkL4yBnouxvvo1p0UTt6qZ1dOErmrE0SOUjeKfQkdkkraJnadp49GB6O0Ejdr9skSyaz3YXja_erhVpkPTxnTVczLnb3JugzEI1nkm8RegnoJxFlGiuFL_2hv5j_GZ61feL6KxhrU9TYvs-MYiz_bB0XUaVjpLw1FwjU9D2cmuvjPqRuyfe3y7wayUyZe/s4032/IMG_1013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkL4yBnouxvvo1p0UTt6qZ1dOErmrE0SOUjeKfQkdkkraJnadp49GB6O0Ejdr9skSyaz3YXja_erhVpkPTxnTVczLnb3JugzEI1nkm8RegnoJxFlGiuFL_2hv5j_GZ61feL6KxhrU9TYvs-MYiz_bB0XUaVjpLw1FwjU9D2cmuvjPqRuyfe3y7wayUyZe/s320/IMG_1013.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A few of the broccoli heads were harvested before the coldest weather,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">even though they were not full-sized.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh, my, they didn't disappoint.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was the tastiest broccoli I think I've ever eaten.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The remaining crops will offer side shoots for future picking.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12RvH_9GGwiM8_Gu5SGpPDkUgTHdPdQtApNksF9t4O_eiff_CXG1ClRBjQOMq3qmww6cIuHqLuTJwxGmWBkrblbdYHJ5cQR_DINHhwk369qJ3oR7TV3y9X1vhVOCZbwg-DQRIcEbCUG8rSHpANEiarNmWCiBdpOlTRYFtcyJMlt9wFVxq62VXF9-nzOE0/s4032/IMG_1035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12RvH_9GGwiM8_Gu5SGpPDkUgTHdPdQtApNksF9t4O_eiff_CXG1ClRBjQOMq3qmww6cIuHqLuTJwxGmWBkrblbdYHJ5cQR_DINHhwk369qJ3oR7TV3y9X1vhVOCZbwg-DQRIcEbCUG8rSHpANEiarNmWCiBdpOlTRYFtcyJMlt9wFVxq62VXF9-nzOE0/w300-h400/IMG_1035.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Winter sowing has begun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Time spent indoors allowed me to work on</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">the crops I want to grow for this spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The focus for this season is on crops I eat regularly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The basics are carrots, kale, onions, potatoes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and a handful of herbs.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ja8xovJDjHn5HGHlsQcJh-3VisXCuBt_keBjyd9-keiD-vhDT0HZbE9HzAJ0nSM3GK3FIVMQPMPKmED_k1YG1_Pfz0FZy0cTpzjJ9w_Aio7Hb_lMmeRmqxc9j0_WkhWVAelvj447M9-mM8NMErKN5QP9VrRAuNmbGxr82ovIgJt2csX_KNrB9BPUtGNj/s4032/IMG_1036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ja8xovJDjHn5HGHlsQcJh-3VisXCuBt_keBjyd9-keiD-vhDT0HZbE9HzAJ0nSM3GK3FIVMQPMPKmED_k1YG1_Pfz0FZy0cTpzjJ9w_Aio7Hb_lMmeRmqxc9j0_WkhWVAelvj447M9-mM8NMErKN5QP9VrRAuNmbGxr82ovIgJt2csX_KNrB9BPUtGNj/w400-h300/IMG_1036.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Several containers were sown using the winter sowing method.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can read about that <i><a href="http://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com/2024/01/winter-sowing-method.html">here</a>.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The bins remain outside placed in the asparagus bed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and will be watered only when necessary.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fortunately, we've had a long stretch of rain visit the garden,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so these should be quite content.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As the weather allows, more seeds will be started.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtT6EzgICzkbSeKwum8LoW_CAK1HEDzYj5OO6yAvFhlid1oetBCR1FERqX9y-rTS97854l73jIoZK-z7pqHJV5kaXlFPS6X2Blz5Yw-v4wn6RSDPSLKa7LWul1WXSr5pii4YXEbwg71PLQ85GYTDQpnQt4ayGHtosjvEybt5f3Mnx9PVdp9EOnHVj_8YE/s4032/IMG_1001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtT6EzgICzkbSeKwum8LoW_CAK1HEDzYj5OO6yAvFhlid1oetBCR1FERqX9y-rTS97854l73jIoZK-z7pqHJV5kaXlFPS6X2Blz5Yw-v4wn6RSDPSLKa7LWul1WXSr5pii4YXEbwg71PLQ85GYTDQpnQt4ayGHtosjvEybt5f3Mnx9PVdp9EOnHVj_8YE/w300-h400/IMG_1001.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Betty actually spent some time inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We used our closet-sized room </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">off the master bathroom to nurse her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She has been limping for a while,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">although I can find no sign of problems with her feet or legs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She stayed warm, dry and bully-free for a week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She's walking better and is back outside.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZ5u7eYxwIpEZjXf73mmkJCzxC7MBnhcBw8VTF-fGE5D5aB6ygaLVikyMqsMEQBkpILo70lCgViHd0-8jbcf3dT5vosQquY-Z2xDQdYhkUmLzYZJ93bJPcBVKqd910U_N64Q5EINAXttf0iIviUjj_3vQgy2ebULVSXqJBkyn1rfv2mgZHrFe2HOZ6gM/s4032/IMG_0993.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGZ5u7eYxwIpEZjXf73mmkJCzxC7MBnhcBw8VTF-fGE5D5aB6ygaLVikyMqsMEQBkpILo70lCgViHd0-8jbcf3dT5vosQquY-Z2xDQdYhkUmLzYZJ93bJPcBVKqd910U_N64Q5EINAXttf0iIviUjj_3vQgy2ebULVSXqJBkyn1rfv2mgZHrFe2HOZ6gM/w300-h400/IMG_0993.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Several of the mailboxes in our cul-de-sac have been destroyed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For some reason, over the course of a week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">someone found it necessary to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">knock them over, run into them or</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">somehow make them unusable.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We ended up replacing the post with a metal one</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and replaced the box on top.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFrZoQlEnrxOTRTl-3OMrE09sAv3TAb_zvs8vQrHFMFWW60nGmzTXsMHpsPHZpP3lajkxlYWfD6uH5xZHmJ2CboT2D8FY73tUYoUX74hXLvviraP_mmaxaUOJzurvHhMNdZIVFkStNwev8ZeOW-MLWHdl41nsKQ5_HXnGkvRdNegzxdM3FoAeIiNzIcrF/s4032/IMG_1007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFrZoQlEnrxOTRTl-3OMrE09sAv3TAb_zvs8vQrHFMFWW60nGmzTXsMHpsPHZpP3lajkxlYWfD6uH5xZHmJ2CboT2D8FY73tUYoUX74hXLvviraP_mmaxaUOJzurvHhMNdZIVFkStNwev8ZeOW-MLWHdl41nsKQ5_HXnGkvRdNegzxdM3FoAeIiNzIcrF/s320/IMG_1007.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These were originally purchased at the library bookshop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I am looking for a local "free library",</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(the kind where folks can give and take books)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so that they can be donated.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With the book banning going on these days,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">it makes it a bit more difficult to find the right spot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hopefully, others will get to enjoy these.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4vFnXXM2XS2UrDxT3uJvlg3e0rgQgImmZaAeKnxX_IKihTt-kRIgUKDrYQuldWQ3EYrevI36Jv1K0EeNTMZbtzSE3LQFmii_ZO-ncS1u2WMdTancqPvtMiAaMZLpWhbK9v3x44DG2boZ8K_3BEF79FFzDmCqv_8BXIqqEAt2L7veerBJ_-Hne9stDjqb/s4032/IMG_1008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4vFnXXM2XS2UrDxT3uJvlg3e0rgQgImmZaAeKnxX_IKihTt-kRIgUKDrYQuldWQ3EYrevI36Jv1K0EeNTMZbtzSE3LQFmii_ZO-ncS1u2WMdTancqPvtMiAaMZLpWhbK9v3x44DG2boZ8K_3BEF79FFzDmCqv_8BXIqqEAt2L7veerBJ_-Hne9stDjqb/w480-h640/IMG_1008.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The blueberries are waking up!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I spied buds on the branches about a week ago,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and despite the neglect over the summer,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(I didn't water them much),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and their poor placement in the garden,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they still keep working toward a harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCzL3aVyFo8YxWxEzRSGbsZ_DUMUmBjZtqO9IwoH8PgKc1u5Qr4JC0S92gYJSRG6gfx2Y-MJgjh2dPO1AVQTUBsL4dZuDDyUrTQY6c2HXkqbPaw24gkDu4rV3kt4RGRvoN0p3TctKRFagm2OmsHwywnfmg1hq8ApZRPIqYNKJn9VVzWMIJNGLvh1vt8z-/s4032/IMG_1033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCzL3aVyFo8YxWxEzRSGbsZ_DUMUmBjZtqO9IwoH8PgKc1u5Qr4JC0S92gYJSRG6gfx2Y-MJgjh2dPO1AVQTUBsL4dZuDDyUrTQY6c2HXkqbPaw24gkDu4rV3kt4RGRvoN0p3TctKRFagm2OmsHwywnfmg1hq8ApZRPIqYNKJn9VVzWMIJNGLvh1vt8z-/w400-h300/IMG_1033.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A few of the blueberry crops were stretching to reach the sun,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so the pots have been moved to the outside of the chook run.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm hoping they will get a better distribution of sunshine here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The plan was to put them in the ground this year</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and hope for the best. I have thus far not had a great harvest from the plants,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but I am still tweaking the soil to get the right balance of acidity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe the proximity to the chooks and their fertilizer will help.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvthfc6n-AqcqkVcOx_eDmpmka2FKn1M3KnFHk1VfzIDdBl1qWCRnXZWVDyU-FT533nRSvIxGa2oT2xAOH0UYxsMJLr-AafUfckaWujwvzhn0vrPTUahMt51FAql_nLWTEtPnEf2hz1IsFnMGHo-tFX5m1AON14o52K5dqRtNYJdNBHp513F66ckAt7l5/s4032/IMG_1012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvthfc6n-AqcqkVcOx_eDmpmka2FKn1M3KnFHk1VfzIDdBl1qWCRnXZWVDyU-FT533nRSvIxGa2oT2xAOH0UYxsMJLr-AafUfckaWujwvzhn0vrPTUahMt51FAql_nLWTEtPnEf2hz1IsFnMGHo-tFX5m1AON14o52K5dqRtNYJdNBHp513F66ckAt7l5/w400-h300/IMG_1012.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cold is part of winter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and we are so glad to be living with the seasons.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It does require me to alter my day-to-day a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One thing I enjoy doing in the heat of summer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and in the cold of winter is jigsaw puzzles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Almost done with this beauty!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I usually go for a 1-mile walk through the neighborhood</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">at least four days a week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">With the rain and cold, that's not possible,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so I have found a great resource for walking inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's called "Walk at Home", and it can be found on YouTube.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Each day I can pick from a number of videos to complete my walk for the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In fact, I've been enjoying them so much,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that I have increased my walk inside to 2 miles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you need an alternative or just want to get started</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">taking better care of yourself,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">this is an easy way to do something for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Even better, have family or friends join in!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here's the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVl6ZdslZz2Zj-34bMJFPbg"><i>link</i></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What's happening on your homestead?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-12778367312173555222024-01-19T05:02:00.006-05:002024-01-20T19:31:45.037-05:00Winter Sowing Method<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie3vmmOl5pLJ5mjl1YV7zuWZqOMlFZoajdCxdxoFYkGqxOLQpy4Yo4siSXgOMcLniBPFaT-fkRDwCVRHBsUj3jN2SO55jJW07yu1WDuuc6S4xv3FAZ7p5xG7fLVoxvK_t56aPp7ka3Nh6EHntEljjNj10QWrGu0MtsuxX-6GAtID4-vxByGBQCFcKcz9gu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie3vmmOl5pLJ5mjl1YV7zuWZqOMlFZoajdCxdxoFYkGqxOLQpy4Yo4siSXgOMcLniBPFaT-fkRDwCVRHBsUj3jN2SO55jJW07yu1WDuuc6S4xv3FAZ7p5xG7fLVoxvK_t56aPp7ka3Nh6EHntEljjNj10QWrGu0MtsuxX-6GAtID4-vxByGBQCFcKcz9gu=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What does the gardener do after the flurry of holiday activities is over and the long wait until spring planting begins? What if you have no room for indoor grow lights or outdoor space for a greenhouse? Have no fear, winter sowing will help you scratch that itch to get busy playing in the dirt. It is a simple way to get a headstart on the spring garden and one of the easiest methods of seed starting.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Materials needed:</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Any clear (or light-colored) plastic container with a lid</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">-(Juice or milk jugs, kale or salad clamshell containers, etc.)</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Compost or potting soil of your choice</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seeds</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Drill, scissors, or nail & hammer (for drilling holes)</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Garden marker</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Water or spray bottle</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Winter sowing begins with preparing the containers used for growing. Drainage holes need to be made in the bottom of the container, but also in the top of the container to allow rain or snow to keep the soil moist. Since the containers are kept outside all winter, they are able to drink up any precipitation. This also allows the gardener to water without removing the lid, should supplemental moisture be needed. Keeping the interior as warm and humid as possible is vital.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg23ouqvUJU3OgkvHVZ2TZd-jizg1uKCnyQh5L59zP4SfW7mcKlKrnup2hOBtDS63DK6Z0_g3hPSsBDZSNccY6Tpf2EWo0PgkgLA0cAWAG4jUGESk2Nph8_6JA4pJpkIATUqktRi6mLjkKQr6X0PKBoVJdMnHqFdz477pyy5iGabQl-HifRJL-30e9BHm7k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg23ouqvUJU3OgkvHVZ2TZd-jizg1uKCnyQh5L59zP4SfW7mcKlKrnup2hOBtDS63DK6Z0_g3hPSsBDZSNccY6Tpf2EWo0PgkgLA0cAWAG4jUGESk2Nph8_6JA4pJpkIATUqktRi6mLjkKQr6X0PKBoVJdMnHqFdz477pyy5iGabQl-HifRJL-30e9BHm7k=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After ample holes are created, it is time to add 2-3 inches of your choice of soil. The vessels will hold the seedlings for just a short time, and so a small amount of soil should be adequate. Moisten the soil before adding the seeds.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Add the seeds of your choice to moistened soil, adding enough soil on top just to cover, without worrying too much about planting space. These seedlings will be transplanted into the larger garden within weeks, and can tolerate a bit of crowding in the winter sowing containers. The best types of seeds to use for this method of sowing are beets, broccoli, cabbage, greens (arugala, kale, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard), leeks, onions, and a whole host of flowers.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Again, moisten the soil, place the lid on the container, write the name of the crop on the outside of the container and place it somewhere out in the garden in a sunny spot. That's it! No need to baby the seedlings. Things will germinate when it is their time to do so. Watering is usually unnecessary, unless there is no precipitation for a long stretch. The humidity and warmth created inside the containers will help the seeds do what they do best at the right time.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKGE0lBrIuf518r3P0MfnoeW-qdkHS88Ns2MEDCYFwhJA2kRCKvT6bPjVszjclzUUHTer4Y_eVehoSLRWjtChlMiV45vtYpQDiayPd3N-jMBdQQKZ2VUhHTtMM1teuXLG5jWPiQ0metHVms768JO9zjSHEsB0NcTJLu-bKuJ51UEkGHZZJj0kbbAt8bYv2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKGE0lBrIuf518r3P0MfnoeW-qdkHS88Ns2MEDCYFwhJA2kRCKvT6bPjVszjclzUUHTer4Y_eVehoSLRWjtChlMiV45vtYpQDiayPd3N-jMBdQQKZ2VUhHTtMM1teuXLG5jWPiQ0metHVms768JO9zjSHEsB0NcTJLu-bKuJ51UEkGHZZJj0kbbAt8bYv2=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Once the seedlings germinate, they can be transplanted to garden beds, grow bags, 5-gallon buckets, or garden plots, whatever you grow your veggies in. You needn't wait until all of the seedlings come up, they can be transferred a few at a time, as long as the soil and ambiant temperatures are appropriate for the particular crop. Once they get transplanted, it won't be long until you start enjoying food from the garden.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The only crops that may not love this method are those that don't like to be moved, such as beans, carrots, peas or some fussier flowers like poppies or snapdragons.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some of the advantages of winter sowing:</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1. inexpensive</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2. eco-friendly</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3. fairly hands-off (after initial planting)</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4. no need to harden plants off</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5. space requirement is small</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">6. uses everyday items (that can be reused from year to year)</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">7. earlier transplanting means earlier harvests </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEBS7s6kzWPfnRuZ2N5o8fST2Jt2MYmgBAVA73SkDG68EW-G1SEbmmf0PudfiBKtfCcEzH7QclJJ2aROYwzRIpsB1LQXTfaYvlX40mRJzt-PSj_5tgstBwZyV7B7AEVAjhq6Hwp0FZ5C4BHqIAiWWw0k4fS0I-u0PXmSsFq8jXW-23tZJpVBuluHe4Jchp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEBS7s6kzWPfnRuZ2N5o8fST2Jt2MYmgBAVA73SkDG68EW-G1SEbmmf0PudfiBKtfCcEzH7QclJJ2aROYwzRIpsB1LQXTfaYvlX40mRJzt-PSj_5tgstBwZyV7B7AEVAjhq6Hwp0FZ5C4BHqIAiWWw0k4fS0I-u0PXmSsFq8jXW-23tZJpVBuluHe4Jchp=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I hope you'll give this method a try. </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's a very rewarding way to garden, especially when you are ready to </span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">get out there and plant!</span></div></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-78884148342835349022024-01-09T05:05:00.002-05:002024-01-09T10:42:22.939-05:00A Twist on Gratitude<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WlNpw7EFuIPx_TW_RtMDXWL78hd05rfdB5Is5ZW9pSAt1XmQ4c3EXpF4Xz1XVYICGP1_UJGcCQczelK6BFez70Jnq3YFytz66ZfvGqAZrHGUSuTa9VSS6scevILT60gOoHs-KqqMFKDsGCmGOBh2w57tn-bgIxA7L_-gt5XoGpQ2VyWRRGSTuoAS9Z1S/s4032/IMG_3850.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WlNpw7EFuIPx_TW_RtMDXWL78hd05rfdB5Is5ZW9pSAt1XmQ4c3EXpF4Xz1XVYICGP1_UJGcCQczelK6BFez70Jnq3YFytz66ZfvGqAZrHGUSuTa9VSS6scevILT60gOoHs-KqqMFKDsGCmGOBh2w57tn-bgIxA7L_-gt5XoGpQ2VyWRRGSTuoAS9Z1S/w480-h640/IMG_3850.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Every...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">effortless breath taken,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">warm, soothing shower,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">tasty morsel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">heartfelt connection made,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">reciprocated smile,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>IS</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> A</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> GIFT.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Your turn…</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-70739846745044889622024-01-05T05:05:00.011-05:002024-01-05T05:05:00.182-05:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzEMMQ-MJhlgwTRnWCiZSelzDv-hYN-SZt9NKUWRReitmSqv37S8lOnYRU8407VsHLlMauvpCZe9XjNEAEqFJ6cm8_qV-i61M62aK10uG0LOAvI1UGS1D9THqmBTnSDi9JswKIpC6urMkfDUi7i41kYJSUZp4hUWVRTQ9wD93XjBmIzLZvSieKKM3nYnD/s4032/IMG_0988.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzEMMQ-MJhlgwTRnWCiZSelzDv-hYN-SZt9NKUWRReitmSqv37S8lOnYRU8407VsHLlMauvpCZe9XjNEAEqFJ6cm8_qV-i61M62aK10uG0LOAvI1UGS1D9THqmBTnSDi9JswKIpC6urMkfDUi7i41kYJSUZp4hUWVRTQ9wD93XjBmIzLZvSieKKM3nYnD/w400-h300/IMG_0988.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Greetings!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I hope your year is off to a great start!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the past week, we've had over four inches of rain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">over 2 days, so the garden is quite content.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So is this gardener.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It gave me time to work on </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">another hobby, jigsaw puzzles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are a marvelous way to pass the time</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">during severe weather,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and it's one of the few things that I enjoy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which requires sitting down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy7WX68BlbCo573lYnjNvx_q7Hx8PB0layhvVUT0gy0dSi8rQ6cFy9n4R4GAqSk7eNj79nZmYAmPD08Vs4NvyicD0QPEPZ2UOBZRtEG6mrlqEneMXm3wkTCTi5iGnRU69b5Ne5Z-KAcf0wvgqNS1rxuL5e8J9UQ_cz0mhJnPp4XRfFgXkeazUMOomf7r-/s4032/IMG_0986.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy7WX68BlbCo573lYnjNvx_q7Hx8PB0layhvVUT0gy0dSi8rQ6cFy9n4R4GAqSk7eNj79nZmYAmPD08Vs4NvyicD0QPEPZ2UOBZRtEG6mrlqEneMXm3wkTCTi5iGnRU69b5Ne5Z-KAcf0wvgqNS1rxuL5e8J9UQ_cz0mhJnPp4XRfFgXkeazUMOomf7r-/w300-h400/IMG_0986.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A check on the brassica beds found them doing fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The broccoli and cauliflower seem cozy enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The added straw and row cover </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">no doubt keep them well insulated.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have had quite a few overnight freezing temps,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but the days have been sunny and mild, for the most part.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKa2PTjtqmmlYgqM2H5SHQtVz8Ua_TniKYAzW0ehE0LFMoRzGQTEABkzsJO0Rwbm1y5SWl8W4xBUixejqVWwR1rMODWyu2qkYweEPvOKNxGwRlmTZ0lc7_dOQxaiQd-OnZG6oDd0M4Jy4QNjhtYVEyZtEjkalduQmXLDY7cg0wAAOaeix0izjYOEuuhZ5i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKa2PTjtqmmlYgqM2H5SHQtVz8Ua_TniKYAzW0ehE0LFMoRzGQTEABkzsJO0Rwbm1y5SWl8W4xBUixejqVWwR1rMODWyu2qkYweEPvOKNxGwRlmTZ0lc7_dOQxaiQd-OnZG6oDd0M4Jy4QNjhtYVEyZtEjkalduQmXLDY7cg0wAAOaeix0izjYOEuuhZ5i=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />In fact, I see something yummy in my future!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So grateful to be able to grow broccoli here in the winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIhnl0BQhdAKcNonoI1SmyNBXdWpckB6cFYGyedCfz1J76bFdLFxAkKVj2A4cbfTJXQ6DHe_vCcCus734m-sY2PLmGv_zyqaRltmEn9jUDzYTxK4JqYY9Mb2iqatEC0dud1CAcU_5UqOZVQRCW3cVmLftSGT5f1mjjjJ8IAAs887qo0HzPhUZ3X9miRcF/s4032/IMG_0984.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIhnl0BQhdAKcNonoI1SmyNBXdWpckB6cFYGyedCfz1J76bFdLFxAkKVj2A4cbfTJXQ6DHe_vCcCus734m-sY2PLmGv_zyqaRltmEn9jUDzYTxK4JqYY9Mb2iqatEC0dud1CAcU_5UqOZVQRCW3cVmLftSGT5f1mjjjJ8IAAs887qo0HzPhUZ3X9miRcF/w300-h400/IMG_0984.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some of the lettuce that I had transplanted a couple of weeks ago</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">seems to be holding its own.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The kale (seen at the bottom of this shot), has been </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so slow to grow, and I'm not sure I'll get any harvest at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Time will tell.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAST5YLctV_LYUAa-FAsRV4FFP0Ndk9ajasCazTpd475bH5ayqf7Zdf2NfWizjr9ZWtpWfNmT2e09dia6_NgocEgdNGgjS8MkfEjjcAk9bRAKYASit5lDAgjeegyYds8bw9yDe00FcZbiYZ7Tyed_WMNTeSaHSkcLq-3qwGFGWR1pIslIOvGh8ZlGWLGVl/s4032/IMG_0985.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAST5YLctV_LYUAa-FAsRV4FFP0Ndk9ajasCazTpd475bH5ayqf7Zdf2NfWizjr9ZWtpWfNmT2e09dia6_NgocEgdNGgjS8MkfEjjcAk9bRAKYASit5lDAgjeegyYds8bw9yDe00FcZbiYZ7Tyed_WMNTeSaHSkcLq-3qwGFGWR1pIslIOvGh8ZlGWLGVl/w300-h400/IMG_0985.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The weather was so sweet this week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that I even transplanted the rest of the lettuce</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I had started using the winter sowing method.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Row cover was added after planting and a good helping</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of shredded leaves was settled on top.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajdkcZTYmQ_33KabwoJ-9l8wy9y90XvZ4Lyph4lqCha_BsfVibqVNB_7XralHogWBA9oK_QUbQJXSEskF2CtHKdxMx2FD2ia3L8ekvtBZdBIX5ms8vZ-al7CxTI06pkGwAXBM87z86a1hkwgLnfi0P3-GOAty6MpdWsohonGw8uoqv-jm3WvtHhLniRdz/s4032/IMG_0973.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajdkcZTYmQ_33KabwoJ-9l8wy9y90XvZ4Lyph4lqCha_BsfVibqVNB_7XralHogWBA9oK_QUbQJXSEskF2CtHKdxMx2FD2ia3L8ekvtBZdBIX5ms8vZ-al7CxTI06pkGwAXBM87z86a1hkwgLnfi0P3-GOAty6MpdWsohonGw8uoqv-jm3WvtHhLniRdz/w480-h640/IMG_0973.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Upon strolling around the property,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I couldn't help but notice that there are </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">a handful of plants growing right through the winter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with absolutely no regard for the temperatures.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This pansy display in our washtub</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">keeps blooming with no supplemental care.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's fantastic to have this pop of color!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah0VkC0T2ix2gkxyC7NbecPAUYj1of62r6zTC3ri70_vlw02hosfppokESe40gipfZNacpTNDCw_B7TRccVgD9tu1wqgeWTqrBTPbop1MPNSq1c7sNtTmiGHbpV0TorP6TzSgabnqDlpHLoG0I1DHOP2UdT-GJSeGLEMnV4gJEAc0f8qTix83cpaD2WZc/s4032/IMG_0972.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjah0VkC0T2ix2gkxyC7NbecPAUYj1of62r6zTC3ri70_vlw02hosfppokESe40gipfZNacpTNDCw_B7TRccVgD9tu1wqgeWTqrBTPbop1MPNSq1c7sNtTmiGHbpV0TorP6TzSgabnqDlpHLoG0I1DHOP2UdT-GJSeGLEMnV4gJEAc0f8qTix83cpaD2WZc/w400-h300/IMG_0972.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Although the candy tuft is not in bloom,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">it is still green and healthy looking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This plant has been in our pollinator box</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for two years, and I need to remember</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to add a lot more.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJQIYLe0YIT7mzBfcWGR_DvBBfYF2fkpKI2RGjqQhnogcl2eV3kfPJVVeq3sUTB6zsfIryCnxj8OGkiwqVEoP4nz4l5CLTNg-GvVJjd3XWQv-IGCym9nXy8RJHHQCu2RbmxXMVVprtih3veDoItf7bqpyuIepEKawTH4n-yQ-g5L0qSW_hvTppWiTQm8P/s4032/IMG_0979.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJQIYLe0YIT7mzBfcWGR_DvBBfYF2fkpKI2RGjqQhnogcl2eV3kfPJVVeq3sUTB6zsfIryCnxj8OGkiwqVEoP4nz4l5CLTNg-GvVJjd3XWQv-IGCym9nXy8RJHHQCu2RbmxXMVVprtih3veDoItf7bqpyuIepEKawTH4n-yQ-g5L0qSW_hvTppWiTQm8P/w400-h300/IMG_0979.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another brilliant burst of color</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">comes from this sedum,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">planted in a terra cotta planter and residing on the front porch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sedums have really become one of my favorite plants,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as they require very little from me.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyVW5Qjl7Sz1fT85frf3zNhdAf40Ppf9lE1u3Fp1rXmQwmwewTLBDhwyK18TcEsFgdjL_oObjvch5B2cYr48aOEFq4LclEs6KhhpXkDS0s3yi9wpVbPCAzZ3Th3xjyGWmLZLuwZkW4C5l5PW4gLdxytfxCKoqXehyphenhyphenNx_FZ6HIS5n6SZaVlgD188GkRt1i/s4032/IMG_0981.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyVW5Qjl7Sz1fT85frf3zNhdAf40Ppf9lE1u3Fp1rXmQwmwewTLBDhwyK18TcEsFgdjL_oObjvch5B2cYr48aOEFq4LclEs6KhhpXkDS0s3yi9wpVbPCAzZ3Th3xjyGWmLZLuwZkW4C5l5PW4gLdxytfxCKoqXehyphenhyphenNx_FZ6HIS5n6SZaVlgD188GkRt1i/w300-h400/IMG_0981.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another new-to-me plant this past year</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is the lamb's ear,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which forms a border on our front porch bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The texture is like velvet, which in itself </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is a great reason to grow it,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but just look at the soft, sapphire foliage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-16VOYbjrkPYESHWXuI-dteyPsl634x_qMpCyGVD-f1b1ZUxMccW7zIoC6JOa3DA1YruNpjNK84YgrHyqwPUdhEg_v0fJZdvCa5LzDb68FzO1sSRZ1PG4ooWHm5KHWaHEYzSnyBtbLJOsjdow3CtHM67L-w5TjnSNqHEypStNDYuNhSIzBAnOKi8SU_N/s4032/IMG_0975.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-16VOYbjrkPYESHWXuI-dteyPsl634x_qMpCyGVD-f1b1ZUxMccW7zIoC6JOa3DA1YruNpjNK84YgrHyqwPUdhEg_v0fJZdvCa5LzDb68FzO1sSRZ1PG4ooWHm5KHWaHEYzSnyBtbLJOsjdow3CtHM67L-w5TjnSNqHEypStNDYuNhSIzBAnOKi8SU_N/w300-h400/IMG_0975.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The yarrow doesn't miss a beat</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and has even blessed us with blooms!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is one of the flowers in my winter arrangements,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">when there is very little else blooming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a treat!</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6TxNBlU_z7PvsVa6LuubAC5Yh46cpIznjp0wYstj4D8lYFgq7q36BT3tqM8x7e6i0ZwJl5wd5f2JAWsZwyuJEAUej6Q5fzWenYXY-W0i-wG7ZOOHc70Ehpr_8fItd3uhnwzaG9pxEoktftQ0cNccgg5gRO-TUBaiczN7JdCAucNdARbTXorNhrkweHrI/s4032/IMG_0989.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6TxNBlU_z7PvsVa6LuubAC5Yh46cpIznjp0wYstj4D8lYFgq7q36BT3tqM8x7e6i0ZwJl5wd5f2JAWsZwyuJEAUej6Q5fzWenYXY-W0i-wG7ZOOHc70Ehpr_8fItd3uhnwzaG9pxEoktftQ0cNccgg5gRO-TUBaiczN7JdCAucNdARbTXorNhrkweHrI/w300-h400/IMG_0989.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You're looking at part of my New Year's meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I usually make a few appetizer-type things</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to nosh on throughout the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This year's menu included salmon patties</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and this vegan nacho dish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had some tortilla chips in the house,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and I simply added cooked lentils, vegan cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and some homemade tomato sauce.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">SO. GOOD.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGNe99-9jM4lagyqA3ift58op3c1KFysAOWV6yiQ-MR-GCHQ736LM_ZmstU15w1pLW98BpU532rq09ugWuUoUE9U4HRXIf-eYeTyzWQ9gPNc3onXKOfMLJ6gnjpLE-sMrBVZMwzfsJwMQ3lmUDausNII_cz7XmeC7FLp1rkcPLkKNUIpxxMYC5a5NGtIf/s4032/IMG_0967.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGNe99-9jM4lagyqA3ift58op3c1KFysAOWV6yiQ-MR-GCHQ736LM_ZmstU15w1pLW98BpU532rq09ugWuUoUE9U4HRXIf-eYeTyzWQ9gPNc3onXKOfMLJ6gnjpLE-sMrBVZMwzfsJwMQ3lmUDausNII_cz7XmeC7FLp1rkcPLkKNUIpxxMYC5a5NGtIf/w300-h400/IMG_0967.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These gluten-free rolls I made for the holidays</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">turned out well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My boy and I are both gluten-free now,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and it was just a little extra special having homemade rolls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are fashioned after the French brioche.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Gotta get the family history in there when you can!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They were readily devoured.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How's your year going so far?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-30518375803225661722024-01-01T05:12:00.001-05:002024-01-01T05:12:00.132-05:00Happy New Year!<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOf4vZTmb8W1CWvkW4HBd8EB4TSvG6Y5vBC365TF-ALJ3nBFybXwPNLD4YhDZ1KA2U7LF8JYArLiBNAnEM-M_annilAndYMeZrBW5h1S3tL21UsspdEH7AtzkD9wBu9kCDi5iOCIyfZ7kaAZnKGke_K0HwKr51bPq1oAEc30b0ouD1m-8J-X2Wgd5QIQc/s1936/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOf4vZTmb8W1CWvkW4HBd8EB4TSvG6Y5vBC365TF-ALJ3nBFybXwPNLD4YhDZ1KA2U7LF8JYArLiBNAnEM-M_annilAndYMeZrBW5h1S3tL21UsspdEH7AtzkD9wBu9kCDi5iOCIyfZ7kaAZnKGke_K0HwKr51bPq1oAEc30b0ouD1m-8J-X2Wgd5QIQc/w640-h640/IMG_0267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #101010; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 37px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"<i>A person who never made a mistake</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>never tried anything new.</i>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">~Albert Einstein</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here's to new beginnings!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings...daisy</span></div></div><p class="bq_fq_a" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p class="bq_fq_a" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-24953187440716628532023-12-22T05:06:00.004-05:002023-12-22T05:06:00.175-05:00Holiday Wishes<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-nRS8qpg3S3giHGiKj2ZbtxRnkSB9BtaSiDj1RdsLr-aXlXo1cOqX6gEE4etaDcKIXb324UQ4_kaiwMt88CoyXeTp2lDe0WZIQ2Cq2IIVxed8FSFJayRn_30rcNl99WkxWckLEkYg59ni5B8nz8CLjnsbF2DISnfTBP7HrsGHWMIEGyHGlMwrSA-78bk/s4032/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-nRS8qpg3S3giHGiKj2ZbtxRnkSB9BtaSiDj1RdsLr-aXlXo1cOqX6gEE4etaDcKIXb324UQ4_kaiwMt88CoyXeTp2lDe0WZIQ2Cq2IIVxed8FSFJayRn_30rcNl99WkxWckLEkYg59ni5B8nz8CLjnsbF2DISnfTBP7HrsGHWMIEGyHGlMwrSA-78bk/w480-h640/IMG_0950.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We wish you a Merry Christmas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and all good things in 2024!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings...daisy</span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-36180287386112792782023-12-15T05:04:00.015-05:002023-12-15T05:04:00.126-05:00Homestead Happenings<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTcdBt2HOqLJ6xg2njjM7ActUJdnnJC8qkQ8YSbamR4Lv1xBsgV_5qLuci_novpG-223-KxcJfAJLGZR8iCm1tkFx9T1NpT-XBZ5OCUCQIFWNFJftGv15lqhIHPgbRtocWMcCJhN4pX-tNhpDn9uIcw5swfGjzipsbIM8-HRFYsQwuS961qtnnjo2aHww/s4032/IMG_0936.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTcdBt2HOqLJ6xg2njjM7ActUJdnnJC8qkQ8YSbamR4Lv1xBsgV_5qLuci_novpG-223-KxcJfAJLGZR8iCm1tkFx9T1NpT-XBZ5OCUCQIFWNFJftGv15lqhIHPgbRtocWMcCJhN4pX-tNhpDn9uIcw5swfGjzipsbIM8-HRFYsQwuS961qtnnjo2aHww/w300-h400/IMG_0936.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The end of another week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the sunsets have been simply spectacular!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It looks as if the sky is on fire through the trees,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but not to worry, it is only Mother Nature showcasing one of Her many talents.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here are a few of the things that went on this week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_bEEeighMLO2Akx5d9vKn8qqqDBtjz5ntrLq6KWK-U2gU6m9ZftNMBPsgOMaUWaAs821yqhag1K0ziWSu_e4UYRold1oowMJVT6STdaIWPFUle8fdZIj0I408UiBHaxzE7JHrmJBf69PiuBzCyGk97wjunttKVTNddA_pu5h-XNcIt2_PdMR0W5JK3eF/s4032/IMG_0943.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_bEEeighMLO2Akx5d9vKn8qqqDBtjz5ntrLq6KWK-U2gU6m9ZftNMBPsgOMaUWaAs821yqhag1K0ziWSu_e4UYRold1oowMJVT6STdaIWPFUle8fdZIj0I408UiBHaxzE7JHrmJBf69PiuBzCyGk97wjunttKVTNddA_pu5h-XNcIt2_PdMR0W5JK3eF/w300-h400/IMG_0943.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The leaf collection and mulching are complete</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in both our yard and our neighbors'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our wonderful next-door neighbor allows us to use her </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">mower with attached bagger to clean up our yard,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and in return we take care of hers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Everyone wins!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have this massive leaf pile out by the garden,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and another two cubic yards in heavy duty bags.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think we're set for leaf mulch for a while!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kswfxp2zWe2YTsPtO363Az-oGLmggX8MRdqqEm5Q2tB3dNIGvYUEX_A1eY1scUhJHdLA_dshPHJttnFesrtTGGDc2ykhCHgf19wlWUC3CTc59TuMughPkWr4UEnl2ifj6JKjUV6dJUZTsorFOi8YvtdU0r4wJ2lemNGJ-CGm0U07KqAisVRFm5Sh1wWc/s4032/IMG_0922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kswfxp2zWe2YTsPtO363Az-oGLmggX8MRdqqEm5Q2tB3dNIGvYUEX_A1eY1scUhJHdLA_dshPHJttnFesrtTGGDc2ykhCHgf19wlWUC3CTc59TuMughPkWr4UEnl2ifj6JKjUV6dJUZTsorFOi8YvtdU0r4wJ2lemNGJ-CGm0U07KqAisVRFm5Sh1wWc/w300-h400/IMG_0922.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I finally got around to cleaning up the loofah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We ended up with about 20 usable loofahs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These will be listed on our local Next Door</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for anyone who can use them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Considering that I wasn't sure they would dry in time,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(we got cold weather earlier than expected),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm quite pleased with the harvest.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_7iyhzOdbTGDDkJ84ubUK-XQ5PP68BIPIvMuuw0_NTSLcKx3NhORMrudq-Uu6dBpBNLcZgN54bvyXBnjUAoYok_Tg9H8xdq9w4RP-pvOjYtEtnCXFTFmk-AcJXbUH58i9yTKXXQa_TfFTaAaRd1m0FuXqiNRwJw6Nd-aCqC_MFZ3zahT2S6IDcTdWfKu/s4032/IMG_0933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_7iyhzOdbTGDDkJ84ubUK-XQ5PP68BIPIvMuuw0_NTSLcKx3NhORMrudq-Uu6dBpBNLcZgN54bvyXBnjUAoYok_Tg9H8xdq9w4RP-pvOjYtEtnCXFTFmk-AcJXbUH58i9yTKXXQa_TfFTaAaRd1m0FuXqiNRwJw6Nd-aCqC_MFZ3zahT2S6IDcTdWfKu/w300-h400/IMG_0933.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the big projects we've been </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><strike>dragging our feet on</strike> pondering for months,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">was how to level our shed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K can fix just about anything,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but this lil' conundrum was a little out of his comfort zone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The floor inside had started to buckle,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and after calling a couple of shed companies,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">ended up with no one who would do the job.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until I asked our neighbor Joe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwF54h7CckaTnZMWWYKoX7cyInpuSDQic0Sn9pqVD3iLFOR_3m4XdPck5RWSCt8yMFeZiqieMS5o4-wxyT_-g2RphXI-7oaYLPsDvWjjZVrTDkHZpTM6DYGYlydHQpORqJXOCiUVZlE6G8o8N3-SgjduQT8oTPP0SGPPm425r7bN1aNnBrrwwcteMYFdiI/s4032/IMG_0934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwF54h7CckaTnZMWWYKoX7cyInpuSDQic0Sn9pqVD3iLFOR_3m4XdPck5RWSCt8yMFeZiqieMS5o4-wxyT_-g2RphXI-7oaYLPsDvWjjZVrTDkHZpTM6DYGYlydHQpORqJXOCiUVZlE6G8o8N3-SgjduQT8oTPP0SGPPm425r7bN1aNnBrrwwcteMYFdiI/w400-h300/IMG_0934.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Joe is an 80-something gentleman </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">who lives a block over and does all sorts of odd jobs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for folks in the neighborhood.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He cuts grass, chops wood, builds stuff,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">he's truly a talented guy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not only did he do a fabulous job of leveling the shed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">he would not take payment for it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We ended up dropping off a Lowe's gift card,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">knowing that he'll put it to good use.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Generous neighbors are such a blessing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYvlHS4Q48IAPqSwmGt9_cwCznCIk9eeCl_zDY0BF98du9-CRX1RWKz0l0486w5mQ-tR7I5bPz17nP7QvQ9-O1YsF-xSlni6GCx-PwOmfWUO-W7rfV83wRugBhD224GEUyIDPz1Pu2MhP9Brx4FoiHCnyaxX8bfpoZ7WsQmQRhH-kf-Gf6ttoFY8NaLNG/s4032/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYvlHS4Q48IAPqSwmGt9_cwCznCIk9eeCl_zDY0BF98du9-CRX1RWKz0l0486w5mQ-tR7I5bPz17nP7QvQ9-O1YsF-xSlni6GCx-PwOmfWUO-W7rfV83wRugBhD224GEUyIDPz1Pu2MhP9Brx4FoiHCnyaxX8bfpoZ7WsQmQRhH-kf-Gf6ttoFY8NaLNG/w300-h400/IMG_0947.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A couple of the raised beds have been dismantled,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to make room for our new Birdie's beds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The garden is being reconfigured,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and two of the beds need to be moved anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The soil from these beds will be added to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">the asparagus bed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as it has settled quite a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFubjOSdmn0FM1yRxd4kHCGOLPnjUoj996HD6oZq8OXBtP7CF-qI49GF3pbyAPL3VXKzb_gpImwnqPcuFH5sac03vMZur1nu5IfdcZo7MCAJLW-RFM7HkF3eqgMSwYh0cYnOd1NWNBbTTX2KmZ_Q3teugsnGotmBVBNPv9zAVpCT7X20TDvzaRvZ3WmY8F/s4032/IMG_0867.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFubjOSdmn0FM1yRxd4kHCGOLPnjUoj996HD6oZq8OXBtP7CF-qI49GF3pbyAPL3VXKzb_gpImwnqPcuFH5sac03vMZur1nu5IfdcZo7MCAJLW-RFM7HkF3eqgMSwYh0cYnOd1NWNBbTTX2KmZ_Q3teugsnGotmBVBNPv9zAVpCT7X20TDvzaRvZ3WmY8F/w300-h400/IMG_0867.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've been working on getting rid of things </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that I don't really need.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A couple of items were found that I didn't even realize I had.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One was this French newspaper,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which must have been with my mom's things.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our next-door neighbor is going to help me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with the translation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Someone suggested that perhaps the paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">held some information about a family member.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I don't really know what to do with this,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as I have no way to contact any of my mom's family in France,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">if they are even still around.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Suggestions?</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGZktsEV4AhDzWPSok71G8I_KRRrfxvxQuq3CcutnMcufSn3CjrRVa47-I_TX9piM7geWckwRzFXta9HdVKzr3UQinnjvPbcXPWyp8xcsjBj-_hgnPm4c1at6yE-akE1G4P5m7QO0ZbXhNX-Stp-yXjBakus0RhI5i1AFJsNW6VFT_6B6hZ8wyew71Oof/s4032/IMG_0868.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGZktsEV4AhDzWPSok71G8I_KRRrfxvxQuq3CcutnMcufSn3CjrRVa47-I_TX9piM7geWckwRzFXta9HdVKzr3UQinnjvPbcXPWyp8xcsjBj-_hgnPm4c1at6yE-akE1G4P5m7QO0ZbXhNX-Stp-yXjBakus0RhI5i1AFJsNW6VFT_6B6hZ8wyew71Oof/w400-h300/IMG_0868.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRqbr6zXMw7pfQ4SIMyPd143uAeqqLq5rYLlJVqKrLYxdijJ6l8xuIqCXDdKDz3vMcyv8WnbMX3ZJPBTGuRdbMUL-sXWyKihCcbUfVu8UVGSSJ01egb3_1WDKx4Crm0B4QG2d7RiBEB7I0YqiTcckij-9evuDHZjZGphcT9UgBTFedNpHOFELx6N0VmH0/s4032/IMG_0866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRqbr6zXMw7pfQ4SIMyPd143uAeqqLq5rYLlJVqKrLYxdijJ6l8xuIqCXDdKDz3vMcyv8WnbMX3ZJPBTGuRdbMUL-sXWyKihCcbUfVu8UVGSSJ01egb3_1WDKx4Crm0B4QG2d7RiBEB7I0YqiTcckij-9evuDHZjZGphcT9UgBTFedNpHOFELx6N0VmH0/w300-h400/IMG_0866.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here's the other item.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Remember these?</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9ul3FMZqVNeEXUf9W7YhE7AT2J_4wUUaEQF-N1dOej69p7z-2pp8SptsJE8E1Wckyc837dMzOX4W1JeygYEKBjdAggLIFbhRmU3qKhT5Gk-p9TqLt6y0raBQxYexco5VHUd2CUSH0r2mW4J-N588e3adoDuA_kOlD_Dr1DiN2tta4YMCo_T3hIqMAId_/s4032/IMG_0865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9ul3FMZqVNeEXUf9W7YhE7AT2J_4wUUaEQF-N1dOej69p7z-2pp8SptsJE8E1Wckyc837dMzOX4W1JeygYEKBjdAggLIFbhRmU3qKhT5Gk-p9TqLt6y0raBQxYexco5VHUd2CUSH0r2mW4J-N588e3adoDuA_kOlD_Dr1DiN2tta4YMCo_T3hIqMAId_/s320/IMG_0865.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here's the flip side.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Again, what to do with these random things?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I know that C will not be interested in them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so there's really no reason to save them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but I can't bring myself to just throw them out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not my style.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZPwXt5mdgCNr9G-2hxG1whgTS6rhvBdwpW8y6IQWkLESv3Uqxk9x1xL6-KE1cZ698rdMn3dU24h62_RoqniX-COJs5MiNYfQjC3uYmZNa1IUl3bcPWWsm2F3NUDltIRK4w8941NkX245ipWT3TtCFFDmEaTzv8HutAWbGNSgEmuAh_cwWrm-Xh1NC-o8/s4032/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZPwXt5mdgCNr9G-2hxG1whgTS6rhvBdwpW8y6IQWkLESv3Uqxk9x1xL6-KE1cZ698rdMn3dU24h62_RoqniX-COJs5MiNYfQjC3uYmZNa1IUl3bcPWWsm2F3NUDltIRK4w8941NkX245ipWT3TtCFFDmEaTzv8HutAWbGNSgEmuAh_cwWrm-Xh1NC-o8/w480-h640/IMG_0945.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The baking has commenced.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another year of sharing my mom's recipe for Madelienes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are a traditional French "cookie"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that my momma used to bake at Christmas time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They taste like miniature sponge cakes more than cookies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Unfortunately for me, I can't eat them because they contain gluten,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but I do enjoy making them for others,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">knowing that they've probably never had anything like them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNE8BEWeNmrLLYw5b2vU5g1jrUbSKbDuAMbaAPE4AQvuHTv1c8JCTZtj5hB1AKko5xBaUPGOpLBnJDdI_yMRQY6wh4f6GsVPf3hRC34VKCd_tIZ0qnkoH_J50RF6_zOTD5BORmNLjIGZFZpf1McEl36nI2iZlN3jp-T8uFZzfHXoBDeq5LJc_dXJ8oMau/s4032/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNE8BEWeNmrLLYw5b2vU5g1jrUbSKbDuAMbaAPE4AQvuHTv1c8JCTZtj5hB1AKko5xBaUPGOpLBnJDdI_yMRQY6wh4f6GsVPf3hRC34VKCd_tIZ0qnkoH_J50RF6_zOTD5BORmNLjIGZFZpf1McEl36nI2iZlN3jp-T8uFZzfHXoBDeq5LJc_dXJ8oMau/w400-h300/IMG_0949.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our indoor decorations are fairly simple.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We always decorate the mantel with our various holiday Lego sets.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's a fun activity for the whole family,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and it gives our home a unique, cheerful theme.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJB7R64FYU4zlDGsTFWoihH_d_aJDIbA7foGMS6BXWuOVfL8aKdxmXeQTjXUyKjuTijJOTfODekT_2l3rCLg-5xDaEgGVgxiB3BpcptTCHJ88i_2UCRiX3WQra4Hf9yoiCCuc-aKhY0cueCwUw3Pw7GMxSMIksw09rvonAj5nklSg6hq6-zmqJBugNt87/s4032/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJB7R64FYU4zlDGsTFWoihH_d_aJDIbA7foGMS6BXWuOVfL8aKdxmXeQTjXUyKjuTijJOTfODekT_2l3rCLg-5xDaEgGVgxiB3BpcptTCHJ88i_2UCRiX3WQra4Hf9yoiCCuc-aKhY0cueCwUw3Pw7GMxSMIksw09rvonAj5nklSg6hq6-zmqJBugNt87/w300-h400/IMG_0950.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hoping you are enjoying this holiday season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">however you celebrate!</span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-27284289843755960162023-12-12T05:06:00.001-05:002023-12-12T05:06:00.130-05:00Going Local-Cotton Ginning Days<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1saVoyqwebbSvw9j_lnJtOc4trK2BPbikB6T7ANdSBAOW9_cm6wIEPB5WtJS4hVRMCcWnhY24tFMCiQNQbmUEZK193Ga4Wi2OlZlIn-jdaRbvoBE34V2WnYysX9q3LGUQTAp7d8sxZjZ9rsqYCN_jf-pRKLmrL0z9H4SUmL2CDT96hiFWgeSTvEbfQSYH/s4032/IMG_0678%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1saVoyqwebbSvw9j_lnJtOc4trK2BPbikB6T7ANdSBAOW9_cm6wIEPB5WtJS4hVRMCcWnhY24tFMCiQNQbmUEZK193Ga4Wi2OlZlIn-jdaRbvoBE34V2WnYysX9q3LGUQTAp7d8sxZjZ9rsqYCN_jf-pRKLmrL0z9H4SUmL2CDT96hiFWgeSTvEbfQSYH/w300-h400/IMG_0678%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A couple of months ago,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we ventured out to a local event.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(I'm a little behind on posting this because of technical difficulties.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Cotton Ginning Days Festival was held</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in a nearby town and is an annual event.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Cotton is still one of the main crops grown here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in the Piedmont of North Carolina.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu/2020/09/cotton-the-fabric-of-our-state/">Here</a>'s a great article on cotton's importance in our state.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4xyo-4neYr5lymRX_YpBcFj0cCvgcoXvuW_pGg03hyphenhyphenRrLZG1kJZiAmNGHdnWeFEK_WeqR6DvKnzpfb9FERFideWjTD2WBi4b-KzYUlDrYbcJvVPfhxg56-ohM0pWjVzoE5289RSJdpsfOfWLRbs2TlX6bIRIWD9D_Pa-uLY_bKYTo-esqK3WdGf99c63/s4032/IMG_0672.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4xyo-4neYr5lymRX_YpBcFj0cCvgcoXvuW_pGg03hyphenhyphenRrLZG1kJZiAmNGHdnWeFEK_WeqR6DvKnzpfb9FERFideWjTD2WBi4b-KzYUlDrYbcJvVPfhxg56-ohM0pWjVzoE5289RSJdpsfOfWLRbs2TlX6bIRIWD9D_Pa-uLY_bKYTo-esqK3WdGf99c63/w400-h300/IMG_0672.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Cotton Ginning Days Festival is held on the 2nd weekend in October each year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This fair is a joint effort between the Gastonia Parks and Rec Department,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the Gaston Agriculture, Mechanical, & Textile Restoration Association (GAMTRA).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Rb-egptQx5S1DQUWpwVqXxQ0EvV1GtJvQxC0L2suMSzo81b3jtbfZPf4ATI7gZOwaknRAT9Mxqn4_r0ROWUPWwWihI8AYL70Ydqe5Rk7LaIYt-hjI3WVtLb-eqsSiUptvInXlEQt6593ppZ1Ye5FtXBrROlze5RX8Y_CPT6kb5i19vRKnJA3mR-yCXm/s4032/IMG_0674%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Rb-egptQx5S1DQUWpwVqXxQ0EvV1GtJvQxC0L2suMSzo81b3jtbfZPf4ATI7gZOwaknRAT9Mxqn4_r0ROWUPWwWihI8AYL70Ydqe5Rk7LaIYt-hjI3WVtLb-eqsSiUptvInXlEQt6593ppZ1Ye5FtXBrROlze5RX8Y_CPT6kb5i19vRKnJA3mR-yCXm/w300-h400/IMG_0674%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There were many antique machines on display.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are maintained by their owners</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and are kept in working order.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cb4Kt7XuMwWz4WD6TtbVYZgBHNE6-lvhZvx_ZQ7sU1tPL7qSNWrmq4cojyp5UBlDYZtywnjHpzFEfNbMk3hkkqVX8aJ9ILs5XnpDzUMapJQ78TCS7Cjuc9g95t-dJ0cyDkWEbYBSlBK3cR3MrX6n3pe087AIT7ClEbemzDVlm7UGMItEoDdAd3uWlijb/s4032/IMG_0682%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cb4Kt7XuMwWz4WD6TtbVYZgBHNE6-lvhZvx_ZQ7sU1tPL7qSNWrmq4cojyp5UBlDYZtywnjHpzFEfNbMk3hkkqVX8aJ9ILs5XnpDzUMapJQ78TCS7Cjuc9g95t-dJ0cyDkWEbYBSlBK3cR3MrX6n3pe087AIT7ClEbemzDVlm7UGMItEoDdAd3uWlijb/w640-h480/IMG_0682%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Old time skills are featured in some of the buildings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These two gentlemen were forging in the ironworks shed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This festival is a celebration of the way things were done in the 1900's.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx3DRrBl5FwUj022IEpVRr3F0UhRI-u65ZeBjf6We7sKmlqVz05Rpgdr2WAxvZXzYdkL8yX8zXEeErlDRsOAwJwhTE3YS94DFfKMj7Dh69qLLkSXo6SwVpJUiNN5_3jDkNLDcZpIDU5oyETpD0csOqmGmt-KaYGWgFMq24UqT5PO_t6sUF3MymOMXEjDr/s4032/IMG_0681%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx3DRrBl5FwUj022IEpVRr3F0UhRI-u65ZeBjf6We7sKmlqVz05Rpgdr2WAxvZXzYdkL8yX8zXEeErlDRsOAwJwhTE3YS94DFfKMj7Dh69qLLkSXo6SwVpJUiNN5_3jDkNLDcZpIDU5oyETpD0csOqmGmt-KaYGWgFMq24UqT5PO_t6sUF3MymOMXEjDr/w640-h480/IMG_0681%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A pioneer village is on display,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with original buildings.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw6HEcQ-NXBOOR4T18KV7L7lJbGsJqUHD0Aiapb7yfsUduv9sMz-cyM92Etaw_scgPhb5Qjhu7k80md5UbgxKltYZ58_m_PO586hfmUXHkQX9YXeqH_FFtuf4zRAviDkVSGgwm9ZKX5RY36LZKofpy1qw0m74NGmNkR1NW3NpmfKSm98vDFVlJ9EL4c2e/s4032/IMG_0679%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw6HEcQ-NXBOOR4T18KV7L7lJbGsJqUHD0Aiapb7yfsUduv9sMz-cyM92Etaw_scgPhb5Qjhu7k80md5UbgxKltYZ58_m_PO586hfmUXHkQX9YXeqH_FFtuf4zRAviDkVSGgwm9ZKX5RY36LZKofpy1qw0m74NGmNkR1NW3NpmfKSm98vDFVlJ9EL4c2e/w640-h480/IMG_0679%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZ4IC3Q3RLqUIpb85K7FQu4Czbf2sreVFUkaS0i_ndyf9LXTF-nsIacCx_gK8T9fF1PWJR2KyKYm84nyJVqOCJSIY6vhw17oJ6CkI8YWAEV25j5MsxBxNjion5Qfx0PkXqfhZtJFQ716gWYpd12c4SWtflgY89EU60m39aPiRYouRPjIRnR8Uf92_QjC/s4032/IMG_0675.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QZ4IC3Q3RLqUIpb85K7FQu4Czbf2sreVFUkaS0i_ndyf9LXTF-nsIacCx_gK8T9fF1PWJR2KyKYm84nyJVqOCJSIY6vhw17oJ6CkI8YWAEV25j5MsxBxNjion5Qfx0PkXqfhZtJFQ716gWYpd12c4SWtflgY89EU60m39aPiRYouRPjIRnR8Uf92_QjC/w640-h480/IMG_0675.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of course, no heritage festival would be complete</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">without tractors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These workhorses were the key to successful farming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are still admired by many,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but their only work now is showing off in the tractor parade.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmhyphenhyphenBg7PhQullPXZF0teg2PmNWUBYNfcD-YHdDbwlxgI8O6hZ4GSEX8Bj28l3xZAA33XN57-IG92TJC-cDj8SMYvauUrtjhiuMkRRP0HaSDH-OEaJSF48nucbvF2qNfZrrnxgpQhERaIHZRaCN3YneZF6_-y_htmKiRFfz3tLiP2wwZTyXG0AF9p8axpW/s4032/IMG_0617%20-%20Copy.JPG"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmhyphenhyphenBg7PhQullPXZF0teg2PmNWUBYNfcD-YHdDbwlxgI8O6hZ4GSEX8Bj28l3xZAA33XN57-IG92TJC-cDj8SMYvauUrtjhiuMkRRP0HaSDH-OEaJSF48nucbvF2qNfZrrnxgpQhERaIHZRaCN3YneZF6_-y_htmKiRFfz3tLiP2wwZTyXG0AF9p8axpW/w640-h480/IMG_0617%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of our favorite parts of the festival</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">was the flea market area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This so reminded us of our beloved </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Florida Flywheelers back in Central Florida,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that we visited several times a year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxwddhdg2gek9EaYNfThXTZ8HGRW7cHbWlOHJ6GQWmAgq3Jug-IDqU0d0oEkYNKMIa6c-N9R9YRhmNKiXSzb1mmUbiytxEhHVuMMvpLvl6pO8YCQrRVn-OU-8sloM0ewqAz1uY1jrGsPBZAUIoClYnfsdZqE-i8jLFjse6sl_-vViPHFEOKd6IQkxfbaN/s4032/IMG_0676%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxwddhdg2gek9EaYNfThXTZ8HGRW7cHbWlOHJ6GQWmAgq3Jug-IDqU0d0oEkYNKMIa6c-N9R9YRhmNKiXSzb1mmUbiytxEhHVuMMvpLvl6pO8YCQrRVn-OU-8sloM0ewqAz1uY1jrGsPBZAUIoClYnfsdZqE-i8jLFjse6sl_-vViPHFEOKd6IQkxfbaN/s320/IMG_0676%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Look at this handy cart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Wouldn't it be fun to ride around the neighborhood on this?</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXEmMCIDHiulALi0VBokzhfGHQO5IkLXuFB20btWypr1aX5azvSmF2u5zH33sKFBFu6ShZsO2ncX7tEsa87_bn1eZ6kVflbwsVwU53GRfdL5EntPYRN7fyo83ldwb4YzsfYPj7rYFClcfCAEdXuf-94kADSmnqdoZMp69ndXXx34zv3C9WzQ_HnDwhD5k/s4032/IMG_0645%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXEmMCIDHiulALi0VBokzhfGHQO5IkLXuFB20btWypr1aX5azvSmF2u5zH33sKFBFu6ShZsO2ncX7tEsa87_bn1eZ6kVflbwsVwU53GRfdL5EntPYRN7fyo83ldwb4YzsfYPj7rYFClcfCAEdXuf-94kADSmnqdoZMp69ndXXx34zv3C9WzQ_HnDwhD5k/w640-h480/IMG_0645%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And would you look at this sled?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was so tempted to get it,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">even though I'm fairly sure</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'd break something using it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowz-IO8r9skOw4kTX1UFevVnrohg9CyrIn-guMWjRCniq9J3UCI-U5O85zc0bU76IWWe_1w6_0M4vPcHoxwBMglANpGMVXMT-ANW2ZOrNtqfu3JZ5dDSZnYZwt6Fq3luf9PbH4DyHz2nFnu9Tr9kEMaA3sXjIZPMIWCv3BPQa1W5m4R48zmX7Vyq6rNQf/s4032/IMG_0685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowz-IO8r9skOw4kTX1UFevVnrohg9CyrIn-guMWjRCniq9J3UCI-U5O85zc0bU76IWWe_1w6_0M4vPcHoxwBMglANpGMVXMT-ANW2ZOrNtqfu3JZ5dDSZnYZwt6Fq3luf9PbH4DyHz2nFnu9Tr9kEMaA3sXjIZPMIWCv3BPQa1W5m4R48zmX7Vyq6rNQf/s320/IMG_0685.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The icing on the cake was this cute lil' coffee bar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a perfect way to spend the morning,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and a cup of joe made it even better.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is one festival we plan on revisiting next ye</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">ar.</span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-91059300419082994352023-12-01T05:01:00.002-05:002023-12-01T05:01:00.142-05:00Garden Friday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSVlwCAG-qN3j9TbCtp6Josp3Exs1YTY0BEY_kOBCmW6AVRthVzvbhuS8WbLhi0EkEVdRfuryvxNnywkggmjTzCw2MeAJ6KhyisukB6_5PPm0FYx_sHRh0PwMXfhl3C8aLTm_m5jKoz9ACmNgiv884mebK8eGwKuIzUUJ-lc5IQSCbm7u5e7VsDak_g6f/s4032/IMG_0844.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSVlwCAG-qN3j9TbCtp6Josp3Exs1YTY0BEY_kOBCmW6AVRthVzvbhuS8WbLhi0EkEVdRfuryvxNnywkggmjTzCw2MeAJ6KhyisukB6_5PPm0FYx_sHRh0PwMXfhl3C8aLTm_m5jKoz9ACmNgiv884mebK8eGwKuIzUUJ-lc5IQSCbm7u5e7VsDak_g6f/w480-h640/IMG_0844.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Welcome to Garden Friday!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This week's cold snap (17 degrees),</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">sure made it feel like winter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but the calendar says differently.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are still enjoying some color on the trees which keep their leaves.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sSMr6Gx3fj2K2zknh4SdoOXqQcTc02qgjeCp3NjI7Jxuyf1wGiq7ewgRIvkVVFkEZWM6f1jXTBuPBjIlPS67uRuqYq2Tib4kXggq6Z5LZ7jBZMdwVpfQEoD3f4q7njEP-xbIl-EGoGu0o7ZAnhiSKS8e3exDcFunfwbqHx3EWIOzyyNiAmq4JR_7tdYD/s4032/IMG_0861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sSMr6Gx3fj2K2zknh4SdoOXqQcTc02qgjeCp3NjI7Jxuyf1wGiq7ewgRIvkVVFkEZWM6f1jXTBuPBjIlPS67uRuqYq2Tib4kXggq6Z5LZ7jBZMdwVpfQEoD3f4q7njEP-xbIl-EGoGu0o7ZAnhiSKS8e3exDcFunfwbqHx3EWIOzyyNiAmq4JR_7tdYD/w640-h480/IMG_0861.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh yeah. It's leaf time around here!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It seems the trees have not yet completed their autumn shed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We still have so many leaves to mulch</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and I'm not complaining one bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All of these leaves are added to our leaf mulch pile</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and then used in garden beds to fortify the soil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Leaves are one of the best things that can be added</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to improve soil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The bonus is that they suppress weeds and insulate the soil as well,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which allows for earlier planting in the spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ekMF05Z6Y7LeWgD-S83aKjIIJ0jgEzh9qMtSJLo-_NcqXrFmbbC-Wey2wdm_me9oWzk34mfwHe_vtnbdmlYO8Tw4And1TK9bLLC5Czx_C5WswmTJNCv1ufxVdQJXpp7odbNtKVki9Cd0ZcAx_59LWvEpItkZa5I9Do6lQNbrdHbr3nt8i4hjLicmSfw/s4032/IMG_E0812.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ekMF05Z6Y7LeWgD-S83aKjIIJ0jgEzh9qMtSJLo-_NcqXrFmbbC-Wey2wdm_me9oWzk34mfwHe_vtnbdmlYO8Tw4And1TK9bLLC5Czx_C5WswmTJNCv1ufxVdQJXpp7odbNtKVki9Cd0ZcAx_59LWvEpItkZa5I9Do6lQNbrdHbr3nt8i4hjLicmSfw/w400-h300/IMG_E0812.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I reworked the sprouting screen for the chook run,</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMrYjEE6xQNJw9hCbnCLDg1GDOA0VQDiB_GIEqFcqKnhZdv3SneRj_yxJmdYklk70cQ_pZepCgOg62X1nILze1tFkNC56jQWAoyqUffGMlGBTjRhVezlFMG9-VEk4X4itkESCo6EUGu2Git0JFIai8kMPcE4RcxyhJvvCEgTE3aTGVI_NK1fbVuhw6dOf/s4032/IMG_0813.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMrYjEE6xQNJw9hCbnCLDg1GDOA0VQDiB_GIEqFcqKnhZdv3SneRj_yxJmdYklk70cQ_pZepCgOg62X1nILze1tFkNC56jQWAoyqUffGMlGBTjRhVezlFMG9-VEk4X4itkESCo6EUGu2Git0JFIai8kMPcE4RcxyhJvvCEgTE3aTGVI_NK1fbVuhw6dOf/w400-h300/IMG_0813.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">this time adding a few slats of pallet wood</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to raise it off of the ground.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This should make it easier for the seeds to germinate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">while keeping the scratching chooks at bay.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's just another way to provide food for them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and give them another actiivity in the run during the colder months.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi444K7hghxl0hDY2t8pEDvV6o3gV7aes7Yxv-Bq-bZy3bw6ILU0MTPP_TEQV4y8oSJKNQSSTn6shFTt7Q4mxqr5m2nDeQQm_0QQopC6VbOr3GJ8PRFKGQj6e-tm4jrjYTHYAvK_f8vxxn5pmm1tbIS1IX7SiG5pnEatrrvjz4ConUvj0oX1x04Wg2tue/s4032/IMG_0847.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi444K7hghxl0hDY2t8pEDvV6o3gV7aes7Yxv-Bq-bZy3bw6ILU0MTPP_TEQV4y8oSJKNQSSTn6shFTt7Q4mxqr5m2nDeQQm_0QQopC6VbOr3GJ8PRFKGQj6e-tm4jrjYTHYAvK_f8vxxn5pmm1tbIS1IX7SiG5pnEatrrvjz4ConUvj0oX1x04Wg2tue/w300-h400/IMG_0847.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Picking autumn/winter bouquets from what's growing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in our yard is a wonderful way to get outside</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and enjoy the milder days.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCxFkDuPOT30U-Aoy9mHsynfVhVbcqNvcZpC5W87ts_i525-RRUU-wbWi2OEw4xGrLtxS66b5Wr7ntavv29PEWYgZsNphWLuQhu2wRT-v9haRp30iP3XxO9X-HBLBqelFKgUJm0xWiEqMsBiyqgf3ESj2tQTUyhLiOkbgMSqxCauOEp4OftGLU-OdPT-t/s4032/IMG_0891.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCxFkDuPOT30U-Aoy9mHsynfVhVbcqNvcZpC5W87ts_i525-RRUU-wbWi2OEw4xGrLtxS66b5Wr7ntavv29PEWYgZsNphWLuQhu2wRT-v9haRp30iP3XxO9X-HBLBqelFKgUJm0xWiEqMsBiyqgf3ESj2tQTUyhLiOkbgMSqxCauOEp4OftGLU-OdPT-t/w300-h400/IMG_0891.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Unbelievably, this rudebekia bloomed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">even after we have had very little rain</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and freezing temperatures.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a bright spot in my day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyzJzl0IzLHczMX1T3WRhA-ax26CmcZhqc44Ctqnp5Qp5XYYg7ldbNEB7q5XAr4mKxfn1wYF-LqBzD3mm5Xfr6I6KP67kGWej6WW-fuXSsK7hVfobzWd3uOWFPsGLEEbdUPLazxoSnHaFAvenTwcCbEtP40XYwUstThp6vZFycddiXTkem_EG3uEqhtfS/s4032/IMG_0905.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyzJzl0IzLHczMX1T3WRhA-ax26CmcZhqc44Ctqnp5Qp5XYYg7ldbNEB7q5XAr4mKxfn1wYF-LqBzD3mm5Xfr6I6KP67kGWej6WW-fuXSsK7hVfobzWd3uOWFPsGLEEbdUPLazxoSnHaFAvenTwcCbEtP40XYwUstThp6vZFycddiXTkem_EG3uEqhtfS/w300-h400/IMG_0905.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thankfully, we still have some greens growing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">despite the several freezing overnight temperatures we've had.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here, a bed of Romaine is holding its own.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCTndzW1PWORl3h_3Qyz8hk77yD2fi2zXLfiii0QwTgS0QBEayYPqD3Sjja6vrRwqLUfbmuWPzV87pW2PGZ9PJQcqWgDumaTx7lk0_qiagkhyphenhyphenbyB0B_BPOxUUhFDtoLONxU_PP-Aqxc-pO6ZqRHkTWPyfeojp3pTauMdmHJ4KENmUsAZLY2Q8y1skN-hE/s4032/IMG_0906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCTndzW1PWORl3h_3Qyz8hk77yD2fi2zXLfiii0QwTgS0QBEayYPqD3Sjja6vrRwqLUfbmuWPzV87pW2PGZ9PJQcqWgDumaTx7lk0_qiagkhyphenhyphenbyB0B_BPOxUUhFDtoLONxU_PP-Aqxc-pO6ZqRHkTWPyfeojp3pTauMdmHJ4KENmUsAZLY2Q8y1skN-hE/w400-h300/IMG_0906.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The brassicas haven't missed a beat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These beds are nestled under a light covering,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and it seems to do the trick.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_UJHSdcNoMZjTuFNl3NoL_PfzPFbVcpQbX19QWA1JTySd3kX6Mk0pQykcXeAhFavBwxuHyoPPExLrk7yJWS8gTi6v-kfXwXnWRt07t6Xv9vRjLCi-jmLrLVZ-E1Ibvyl963p8ZrPxSo_8t-MjuEgvb59ldHPXUNnpwUAnOiZydovsxJN81HD0sxnStqd/s4032/IMG_0911.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_UJHSdcNoMZjTuFNl3NoL_PfzPFbVcpQbX19QWA1JTySd3kX6Mk0pQykcXeAhFavBwxuHyoPPExLrk7yJWS8gTi6v-kfXwXnWRt07t6Xv9vRjLCi-jmLrLVZ-E1Ibvyl963p8ZrPxSo_8t-MjuEgvb59ldHPXUNnpwUAnOiZydovsxJN81HD0sxnStqd/w300-h400/IMG_0911.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There remain plenty of lettuce seedlings,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">ready to transplant as the season progresses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Buttercrunch lettuce is one of my favorite varieties.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikzmXjp6Gi5Ex6PVbOnQn5_LwTNoIE1bXOgkB1IvQKrO0VXcQQR8vBgF7qvz1wQqI32gWd1qxgquskhhLvknbUweamGWVXIdRe79LYKTwSxE-kCu0uptA-rtyYeDUmSthAmOtQylQOiRqbLIaA8-eo2Kg9lQEyMtEKhyphenhyphen-ZpEnRVj4_nGa1n3oWLCh3imZ/s4032/IMG_0858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikzmXjp6Gi5Ex6PVbOnQn5_LwTNoIE1bXOgkB1IvQKrO0VXcQQR8vBgF7qvz1wQqI32gWd1qxgquskhhLvknbUweamGWVXIdRe79LYKTwSxE-kCu0uptA-rtyYeDUmSthAmOtQylQOiRqbLIaA8-eo2Kg9lQEyMtEKhyphenhyphen-ZpEnRVj4_nGa1n3oWLCh3imZ/w300-h400/IMG_0858.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On a recent thrifting trip,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I picked up this enamelware vessel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to house our kitchen scraps </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">before they go either to the chooks or the compost heap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's just the right size, and enamelware speaks to my inner pioneer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oF8oz2lZS_aR5ufvzt_svkHG7R-58etxWCw_NNAqOE8Q6q-hlOz7JK3WtZP4_jnHxMNdJxKZPw-Et9x8J9oIhdFJpn2DjYwDnCdHVmHxTdxzriB2yeD_hnvjFDU6mYrX3AyEwc3CORp6P0ZiY1dI5ou5dui9WyxRQFkXuH1WGfG1uwNafEdDmxhbiDp8/s4032/IMG_0913.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oF8oz2lZS_aR5ufvzt_svkHG7R-58etxWCw_NNAqOE8Q6q-hlOz7JK3WtZP4_jnHxMNdJxKZPw-Et9x8J9oIhdFJpn2DjYwDnCdHVmHxTdxzriB2yeD_hnvjFDU6mYrX3AyEwc3CORp6P0ZiY1dI5ou5dui9WyxRQFkXuH1WGfG1uwNafEdDmxhbiDp8/w640-h480/IMG_0913.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">At some point this winter season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I plan to add two new Birdies' beds to the garden landscape.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The company had a Black Friday sale,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so I was able to get a good deal on two of their beds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've been pleased with the round Birdies' bed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and I'm happy to support a company who does things well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Read more about the Birdies' <a href="https://birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/"><i>difference</i></a> here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgEkJRimuhzZgRU1l8CDykis2LQO9lXDUKbx-MgqrJ6_vRn5WC0hnH56GvND8uLcsgQkScHBBqrT15I3g4-1TUEneMtB5Hhwncq0Cjj1GgPducmtoo2jth5FLQwFA2sGiS-BDkfmygcMcK-bRtCVsai9s9hfyxVGe2B5thgvdelHWJi2oZpMZvx_hflrh/s4032/IMG_0856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgEkJRimuhzZgRU1l8CDykis2LQO9lXDUKbx-MgqrJ6_vRn5WC0hnH56GvND8uLcsgQkScHBBqrT15I3g4-1TUEneMtB5Hhwncq0Cjj1GgPducmtoo2jth5FLQwFA2sGiS-BDkfmygcMcK-bRtCVsai9s9hfyxVGe2B5thgvdelHWJi2oZpMZvx_hflrh/w640-h480/IMG_0856.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another treasure found at the same shop</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is this sweet concrete hen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She even came pre-dusted from a dirt bath!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I don't buy much these days,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but these rehomed items just make my heart feel good.</span></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKciHlkuC5xhDTZ8OxP9_gkGnAXDkFwTcwPx6zufJkKXnBEvBXBM3UI-sMN0a3FSeBWywuSmhAYIiEFeOlDTNRHdTpvqKxs6ceIaBKqp2sH_XVnQm_9vf9AahAtBGEEDI7eOYPDmPokLalVlWfv-dUVPFDXXeY-ruWxOXnZoDVonY96qTLsMAjLWWV90C/s4032/IMG_0892.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKciHlkuC5xhDTZ8OxP9_gkGnAXDkFwTcwPx6zufJkKXnBEvBXBM3UI-sMN0a3FSeBWywuSmhAYIiEFeOlDTNRHdTpvqKxs6ceIaBKqp2sH_XVnQm_9vf9AahAtBGEEDI7eOYPDmPokLalVlWfv-dUVPFDXXeY-ruWxOXnZoDVonY96qTLsMAjLWWV90C/w480-h640/IMG_0892.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fresh greens from the garden are still available to the chooks,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and Queenie is happy to partake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She seems to have fully recovered from whatever was bothering her</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">a few weeks ago, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but she is showing her age.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She is still keeping Betty company on the east end of the run,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and they seem to get along fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Neither of them lay anymore,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">they are just living out their lives in the best way we can provide.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'll be happy to have them for as long as they care to stick around.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a blessing they are to our lives.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hope this December first is going just the way you like it!</span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-53986838951413703692023-11-28T05:01:00.005-05:002023-11-28T05:01:00.143-05:00Mundy House Craft Show<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8KXqWKQ3SG1mF_PcSpseyftv0mLZKDU_uevGG0mHx8Nlbu6QkvvvFWDeeLW6oUMdbVPBvbdBomFjwBfsT8_1GNG69OCb_EpVnoCCfziXExV07uuV5XAUx7zukUuMafZv0AY3vBtNM9srF9uhCLuw8GD0oox3s4fznyG6IQLqwBgZvHxGtq3qavwx45v3/s4032/IMG_0889.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8KXqWKQ3SG1mF_PcSpseyftv0mLZKDU_uevGG0mHx8Nlbu6QkvvvFWDeeLW6oUMdbVPBvbdBomFjwBfsT8_1GNG69OCb_EpVnoCCfziXExV07uuV5XAUx7zukUuMafZv0AY3vBtNM9srF9uhCLuw8GD0oox3s4fznyG6IQLqwBgZvHxGtq3qavwx45v3/w640-h480/IMG_0889.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This weekend the weather was perfect for an indoor craft show.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One that we've been enjoying for a few years now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is the Christmas Market hosted by</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">the Community Garden Club of Eastern Lincoln County and</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The East Lincoln Historical Society.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The event is held at the historic Mundy House,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">which is a restored farmhouse from the 1800's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can read more about the house and garden <a href="https://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com/2017/05/going-local-mundy-house.html">here.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWx84xlN98F8w_TGdR-SsjoJbkXvStlJkuj3fr49RrX82fK_2ghirttq8yWjpLONrwJs_qokmU2EQeQfr3I1EI-DAhZsC65GY2WRDip24Qr2w1WRyiH093ELJZnaUaDkJt4em1lx7h_vqt4YbP8FvQ06CN9A2JdMaw47nLonHxZdV5prPY8NeMomLnSEea" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWx84xlN98F8w_TGdR-SsjoJbkXvStlJkuj3fr49RrX82fK_2ghirttq8yWjpLONrwJs_qokmU2EQeQfr3I1EI-DAhZsC65GY2WRDip24Qr2w1WRyiH093ELJZnaUaDkJt4em1lx7h_vqt4YbP8FvQ06CN9A2JdMaw47nLonHxZdV5prPY8NeMomLnSEea=w640-h480" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The fair offered a wonderful display of handcrafted items</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">from local artists.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This booth held delightful figurines and holiday decor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">by Squirrel's Nest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Joni Prew is the creator and she can be reached at</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">704-779-6263 or jprew@bellsouth.net.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmDXBwJHWJBPu_zqi5I6m54Mhyt47rS9fYtHSOv3i90JYDtGEq9fZqmkrBc2HDnYNEKEZC9u_K8qfq4SsYTT8AItHJgjW-WWZStykDeNO0lu9cZnteBUNTtxY8p2k69RadOLRwzo3qVRuc51e6WW_7C8Dr6gbFMXUnNLkbyY7siQJvqtv7HIIfAZBao9i/s4032/IMG_0879.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmDXBwJHWJBPu_zqi5I6m54Mhyt47rS9fYtHSOv3i90JYDtGEq9fZqmkrBc2HDnYNEKEZC9u_K8qfq4SsYTT8AItHJgjW-WWZStykDeNO0lu9cZnteBUNTtxY8p2k69RadOLRwzo3qVRuc51e6WW_7C8Dr6gbFMXUnNLkbyY7siQJvqtv7HIIfAZBao9i/w480-h640/IMG_0879.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These gorgeous hand painted silk scarves are a labor of love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nancy Zethof explained the process to me, and I was astounded</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">at the time commitment required to fashion these one of a kind scarves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Each masterpiece is oh-so soft and would enhance any outfit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you're looking for a truly custom gift idea,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">contact Nancy at 704-777-3617 or gmae3993@gmail.com.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iHzEp2T8oNe92J4BQ-trUkxLTWF0cIKU8d_s4fTj-Mt2WvBOliuHqR5PsK061t1Co5Rgg3GTkZZhXa1sjxBGFsNLLDljrqZPa3kzQaqc6-bQV-mns9pEv7U1k_ScuwBYpQYxHzdTIv_Ic7vrNjVjUEJ3hCHuugx8-05SuMdmO25jb4OuvRe-LE4wITC-/s4032/IMG_0882.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iHzEp2T8oNe92J4BQ-trUkxLTWF0cIKU8d_s4fTj-Mt2WvBOliuHqR5PsK061t1Co5Rgg3GTkZZhXa1sjxBGFsNLLDljrqZPa3kzQaqc6-bQV-mns9pEv7U1k_ScuwBYpQYxHzdTIv_Ic7vrNjVjUEJ3hCHuugx8-05SuMdmO25jb4OuvRe-LE4wITC-/w400-h300/IMG_0882.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bobbie Black has a wide selection of beautifully hand made pottery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Her creativity shines in every piece she creates.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Please feel free to visit her website <a href="https://bhblackpottery.com/about-us">here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You might find something you can't live without!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroACDG73O91amVjfUfIyI-4isyF9Rx7yqtzSMoB1-9TNVom-i5cHyU9ZHMfSTeP8q2I3Js1QnwXQ3-bjxlIWR9MB29F4GNe1VH1ywKysXa3RC32XCWwrolwdWhDn3jBZ-0KUisREx7_P4cViDwimW_o6B1g3sXn7vRWf0iw25szfW9FCab0Vt1-2M44Dq/s4032/IMG_0880.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroACDG73O91amVjfUfIyI-4isyF9Rx7yqtzSMoB1-9TNVom-i5cHyU9ZHMfSTeP8q2I3Js1QnwXQ3-bjxlIWR9MB29F4GNe1VH1ywKysXa3RC32XCWwrolwdWhDn3jBZ-0KUisREx7_P4cViDwimW_o6B1g3sXn7vRWf0iw25szfW9FCab0Vt1-2M44Dq/w480-h640/IMG_0880.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The best surprise of the morning awaited me at the next booth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Big K and I were admiring these festive items and noticed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that many of the components had been upcycled.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Right up our alley, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We came to find out that the gentleman responsible for these whimsical pieces,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is our straw provider.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He lives a few miles from our home and is a humble farmer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Who knew he had such an amazing gift for art?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mr. Emmet and Mrs. Poole can be reached at 704-735-1033.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp5aWFAymuocdfVwqIjWWwSuvC3UAnPQuFx0ojSJ3kke7guazD-MyAshW32JwLvWosbQf4R_1AKO9jxAl76nlfYO8HNBWcC9_lVK8jf6nCep2p4Ylop92GkK0_S5A53gvKSisS1qeWswSxCX3X0Z6vuY3j3SeL416OWnYDpv2aicocZvOSTUbX7aFKe8a/s4032/IMG_0888.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp5aWFAymuocdfVwqIjWWwSuvC3UAnPQuFx0ojSJ3kke7guazD-MyAshW32JwLvWosbQf4R_1AKO9jxAl76nlfYO8HNBWcC9_lVK8jf6nCep2p4Ylop92GkK0_S5A53gvKSisS1qeWswSxCX3X0Z6vuY3j3SeL416OWnYDpv2aicocZvOSTUbX7aFKe8a/w480-h640/IMG_0888.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UK840qlRcXTuWtVrdjGX-PXkMvB33xL4lmevWdozjK_jdUFgnWGszHsp-yPbjox145DXw06isN-ux6NTQ7kiGdkaKjgcGCurZNsI9yLz8ctJ1ci9uESHhfoc1qEuJU6yKQmeVfe7CSR8glVYuC9QvMMJ2wHD1_3MuoJS75EBaVuvZa6rSYulg4JOP_29/s4032/IMG_0886.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UK840qlRcXTuWtVrdjGX-PXkMvB33xL4lmevWdozjK_jdUFgnWGszHsp-yPbjox145DXw06isN-ux6NTQ7kiGdkaKjgcGCurZNsI9yLz8ctJ1ci9uESHhfoc1qEuJU6yKQmeVfe7CSR8glVYuC9QvMMJ2wHD1_3MuoJS75EBaVuvZa6rSYulg4JOP_29/w480-h640/IMG_0886.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another building on the property showcased holiday decor</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">fashioned by the volunteers from the garden club and historical society.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These items were constructed of mostly found articles on the property.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8ITKzA9xOuhg15xoTE_uY45mzOoJc5szPEANDr2IKgTi2wEO48icPA7r_eWiwdP_rj8hV0EqKTLarju7kMuGRNlZEzl8CN6R0ydJed7pvLCX6NAmNWXwviLP7-tN6ksfwUox01JLV3GYrgQdVyhUafcBq14q7pdiBco2kIeLQLGGKYkfnXSIPD5VRG9j/s4032/IMG_0885.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8ITKzA9xOuhg15xoTE_uY45mzOoJc5szPEANDr2IKgTi2wEO48icPA7r_eWiwdP_rj8hV0EqKTLarju7kMuGRNlZEzl8CN6R0ydJed7pvLCX6NAmNWXwviLP7-tN6ksfwUox01JLV3GYrgQdVyhUafcBq14q7pdiBco2kIeLQLGGKYkfnXSIPD5VRG9j/w480-h640/IMG_0885.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a wonderful way to spend a cold, autumn morning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">while supporting the local community.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is one of my favorite craft shows,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and there is always something sure to please.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Who doesn't love a handmade gift?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdvS39klmLtySM4C6J1kmx88QY0ELdXRDO8BR652Pbf3XfpjiFd5ZhrvOpa8XEg_FUZyuwrngYZTpoJtFfGe-1sFAhHRh5GvfEfk643uVZ_KQ6x06jgutUyPx7Ve36n_ND7MesGphqRs8SfdctX5UT6EPXFohxA6FG8qgkXgaX5NKSRtr7wm7LcUB9oaR/s4032/IMG_0887.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdvS39klmLtySM4C6J1kmx88QY0ELdXRDO8BR652Pbf3XfpjiFd5ZhrvOpa8XEg_FUZyuwrngYZTpoJtFfGe-1sFAhHRh5GvfEfk643uVZ_KQ6x06jgutUyPx7Ve36n_ND7MesGphqRs8SfdctX5UT6EPXFohxA6FG8qgkXgaX5NKSRtr7wm7LcUB9oaR/w480-h640/IMG_0887.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-80806200697174741022023-11-22T05:07:00.018-05:002023-11-22T20:46:38.509-05:00Thanksgiving Wishes<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLwMWSxBhuwVkbEyRYNOFc0QIsyzh3pp_UhpJD5yI1FGJ4kNxFlVi4FfT6JWpHqwgMYJiMjmtZubXOIKNNmlLRYK7yhywdeHfKjPCVLET0p8Gv-DPgttCV6kAgJjQqjuYEWJ22SjJkODtKTj9KvIBuOOFDuLvDIaedltsEoufN_L2odRhVtN-OpBR4oQV/s4032/2020-11-08_10-38-22_531.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLwMWSxBhuwVkbEyRYNOFc0QIsyzh3pp_UhpJD5yI1FGJ4kNxFlVi4FfT6JWpHqwgMYJiMjmtZubXOIKNNmlLRYK7yhywdeHfKjPCVLET0p8Gv-DPgttCV6kAgJjQqjuYEWJ22SjJkODtKTj9KvIBuOOFDuLvDIaedltsEoufN_L2odRhVtN-OpBR4oQV/w480-h640/2020-11-08_10-38-22_531.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">~Aesop</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "helvetica neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;" /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Blessings to you and yours!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-32354208000238552162023-11-17T05:03:00.013-05:002023-11-17T05:03:00.135-05:00Garden Friday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5fdNe803sub8PxeqASI99wCYw6x9oN9cZN102fgP1uherlatT0JmaBHm02JwNNM3LkBZ1_kr6E7NFtz3Qd6ipo7g5ccgMrFcOtRkP72UY9E1JJ59aTOUUHHnNEKLnR9eW6isOorwqq5pXRTzAjDSQFnKB1rX1PDyruSMpUs6GE70pY9QCho9kHaf6Qp/s4032/IMG_0787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK5fdNe803sub8PxeqASI99wCYw6x9oN9cZN102fgP1uherlatT0JmaBHm02JwNNM3LkBZ1_kr6E7NFtz3Qd6ipo7g5ccgMrFcOtRkP72UY9E1JJ59aTOUUHHnNEKLnR9eW6isOorwqq5pXRTzAjDSQFnKB1rX1PDyruSMpUs6GE70pY9QCho9kHaf6Qp/w480-h640/IMG_0787.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Welcome to Garden Friday!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our weather has been absolutely spectacular,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with daytime temperatures in the 60's and 70's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We're hoping for a bit of rain early next week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we sure could use it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have a burn ban in over 30 counties in NC,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and some folks are having trouble with wells being dry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think one of the reasons we've had such brilliant autumn color</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is because of the lack of precipitation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As much as I love the seasonal palette,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'd rather have the rain!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pwvdS1F4xjKGvs5jthNNR4_U7ltNKcIzSgXMyYIf3CXdwYy1zbRD5xTl2Qv3dCDRgIMA1d4U9gcTeRj9Cx9wisk2kKYiWcUOoedC15-8CFTJ-9_TBDgZTKhckD1QtBeFPJLh2JP-imB3gyit2CZSGeUfi62J7xrSVrk1KyrPW-UAEsrj_0yU-C7AbTlp/s4032/IMG_0801.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pwvdS1F4xjKGvs5jthNNR4_U7ltNKcIzSgXMyYIf3CXdwYy1zbRD5xTl2Qv3dCDRgIMA1d4U9gcTeRj9Cx9wisk2kKYiWcUOoedC15-8CFTJ-9_TBDgZTKhckD1QtBeFPJLh2JP-imB3gyit2CZSGeUfi62J7xrSVrk1KyrPW-UAEsrj_0yU-C7AbTlp/w400-h300/IMG_0801.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The garden has been bundled up for a while,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the brassicas have been safe from the coldest nights,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as well as wandering chooks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The pansies that grow in the washtub</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">add a bit of color to the landscape.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The raised beds will be rearranged this winter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">creating a more cohesive design (hopefully).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjtppAf49K_vf5QdthgNDh39i56TK0dIDrvFo1JpK76l6HFlMgKDmzsZV1xO5uliS3s7YlREJkT_6x85siF-91idYTsXsdsurotYsDEUtXIFa51sMHy9I28nZ-XAmZa0J3oZnqjS84fbIWbDtW8or6-algNCv1YHmNY_cvCSSo1fSNuZYk9oH_TTtLC1Y/s4032/IMG_E0800.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjtppAf49K_vf5QdthgNDh39i56TK0dIDrvFo1JpK76l6HFlMgKDmzsZV1xO5uliS3s7YlREJkT_6x85siF-91idYTsXsdsurotYsDEUtXIFa51sMHy9I28nZ-XAmZa0J3oZnqjS84fbIWbDtW8or6-algNCv1YHmNY_cvCSSo1fSNuZYk9oH_TTtLC1Y/s320/IMG_E0800.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After a Master Gardener session on propagation,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">cuttings were taken from Autumn Sedum</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for next spring's plant sale.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are trying a new technique</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to raise money for the Master Gardener program.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The members will be growing seedlings</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">or taking cuttings from their own gardens</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to sell at the event.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Also started a few weeks ago,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">were kale and lettuce seedlings using the winter sowing method.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some were recently transplanted to garden beds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">That'll keep me in greens for a few months.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL600a96neYPzCCC82oWhgrRJdmaJIzAVRFC-iN_0v515ulx7ktTVxs9FvgMUX0R1EImq9N2QX96YWowKsKL41-TsDn9vpBawNne6ngyUigRghUgkCdATTrkN5fwwBlkeXk18TKanZNdqrAJYylNKVkJmYSZVXwBeJTJR0pHsAfmUiUtuDOHLPpEQNN3p_/s4032/IMG_0782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL600a96neYPzCCC82oWhgrRJdmaJIzAVRFC-iN_0v515ulx7ktTVxs9FvgMUX0R1EImq9N2QX96YWowKsKL41-TsDn9vpBawNne6ngyUigRghUgkCdATTrkN5fwwBlkeXk18TKanZNdqrAJYylNKVkJmYSZVXwBeJTJR0pHsAfmUiUtuDOHLPpEQNN3p_/w300-h400/IMG_0782.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seeds continue to be saved.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is the seed pod from the black-eyed Susan vine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They were left to dry out on the stems before harvesting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbXnnB7ZOKjO8KKW6B2J1kInwf4RM_G50My2TsRmufygVUu3SVkHvXjLpjDx2A3uLmwbW8E28Hbo3MmYXRmXg1ssoeu2MJ90OFNb1Phoudx0geZjbEHV4_pslAXJNHjppLNqsp6kfntBbN4HmS60XG4prsmgJBlRsftvSxyG5XbCEsltSNFh3DwvIJGjd/s4032/IMG_0783.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbXnnB7ZOKjO8KKW6B2J1kInwf4RM_G50My2TsRmufygVUu3SVkHvXjLpjDx2A3uLmwbW8E28Hbo3MmYXRmXg1ssoeu2MJ90OFNb1Phoudx0geZjbEHV4_pslAXJNHjppLNqsp6kfntBbN4HmS60XG4prsmgJBlRsftvSxyG5XbCEsltSNFh3DwvIJGjd/w300-h400/IMG_0783.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Seeds will be one of the items for sale</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">at the fundraiser.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I enjoy this vine every summer,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and will continue to harvest seed to ensure</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that it's always in my garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9PJK6EYuBFbUnMLE4cGyEAX0eigOtbn93Lgy6CvwtA58jz9A8cxlbYopqrF5w6aBw0XRh4C7XkTTtd3zvuH3Q-mo0DmWpgPiay1AEOKuOwI_fkIOb5quZWF9XuXH1LMk6SgxUgHvT9AurYMl3jjlIm2dc9cZ1bRqrw4j3Ccxh_Scrl6EqSY_FypLR9-Z/s4032/IMG_0804.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9PJK6EYuBFbUnMLE4cGyEAX0eigOtbn93Lgy6CvwtA58jz9A8cxlbYopqrF5w6aBw0XRh4C7XkTTtd3zvuH3Q-mo0DmWpgPiay1AEOKuOwI_fkIOb5quZWF9XuXH1LMk6SgxUgHvT9AurYMl3jjlIm2dc9cZ1bRqrw4j3Ccxh_Scrl6EqSY_FypLR9-Z/w300-h400/IMG_0804.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some progress was made on the woodchip pile.</div><div style="text-align: center;">C helped me by driving the trailer behind</div><div style="text-align: center;">the lawnmower to move the chips where</div><div style="text-align: center;">they were needed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There should still be enough to spread</div><div style="text-align: center;">throughout the winter in order to establish </div><div style="text-align: center;">a few new planting areas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOTJAClOakblHeJ6ncPL7TmxbltLAkA3c4d-UlxGrggsSn2n52fyiAbIYm3O91E7sT9fvmLthd8CMZeyrPkqZKXfvEuOhc_hxfE1v-6UJkBvcGuqzAf61Pc_lT-VxbsJeSY63eafXnsrhwZ0RfKijP4QfO50vloH5r-unUL_DNYwJnvVXnB1IZl17dRY0/s4032/IMG_0802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOTJAClOakblHeJ6ncPL7TmxbltLAkA3c4d-UlxGrggsSn2n52fyiAbIYm3O91E7sT9fvmLthd8CMZeyrPkqZKXfvEuOhc_hxfE1v-6UJkBvcGuqzAf61Pc_lT-VxbsJeSY63eafXnsrhwZ0RfKijP4QfO50vloH5r-unUL_DNYwJnvVXnB1IZl17dRY0/w300-h400/IMG_0802.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thankfully, the lettuce that was purchased as seedlings</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is still coming in,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and we are able to enjoy their fresh, crisp leaves</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">right from the raised beds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Earlier this week, the asparagus was cut back</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> and I will be adding compost for next season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's always such a treat to be able to sample</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">fresh asparagus in the springtime.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FZ8oRgz4wE3Du5XuaErs-cVyzRGfACBbn0_Bdx8Okdgf_5Cx1lkvVtHu6GjsZahyh5l6vPc_mKiTnwCWnKXOQBYUCJGIcE3NLM-O4tPBav6gIh7wa__CayaXEhATvvS56noWvANnsKGp29bhFsTdFGtYbJy1ZPOn69ROmhWz1_LoLfn9AJvcBl-NbCG0/s4032/IMG_0816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FZ8oRgz4wE3Du5XuaErs-cVyzRGfACBbn0_Bdx8Okdgf_5Cx1lkvVtHu6GjsZahyh5l6vPc_mKiTnwCWnKXOQBYUCJGIcE3NLM-O4tPBav6gIh7wa__CayaXEhATvvS56noWvANnsKGp29bhFsTdFGtYbJy1ZPOn69ROmhWz1_LoLfn9AJvcBl-NbCG0/w640-h480/IMG_0816.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our mild autumn weather has given me the luxury</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of spending ample time in the garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What a blessing</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How's your autumn garden doing?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-43535709325435860232023-11-16T07:43:00.002-05:002023-11-16T07:43:20.045-05:00Birthday Wishes<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicorEtGC_l6-mgkKBUSmNWMVrzd-y7kkp7hlquiDsPh4OIhVgYhjlAIjRGYXZY1d7J3XsgTkLwOAOXAi0V4xjS1xRn7p91f9B8kf2LWiTsiYtXW95v5sDuLQAk5sSsLRB4I_edkn_5IeWVWsa4QPP9j0Ruj7nAnXrQ-jDWqHcmhhGWtzrXbdvMGRIn7LRd/s466/6-07%20Clown%20nose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicorEtGC_l6-mgkKBUSmNWMVrzd-y7kkp7hlquiDsPh4OIhVgYhjlAIjRGYXZY1d7J3XsgTkLwOAOXAi0V4xjS1xRn7p91f9B8kf2LWiTsiYtXW95v5sDuLQAk5sSsLRB4I_edkn_5IeWVWsa4QPP9j0Ruj7nAnXrQ-jDWqHcmhhGWtzrXbdvMGRIn7LRd/w480-h640/6-07%20Clown%20nose.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Boo!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You are loved more than you know!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Twenty-three years sure goes quickly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-78136528568229702552023-11-15T05:05:00.001-05:002023-11-15T05:05:00.139-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLE0OcyyhJTCsZUYAW1V1cd3y-XsVzbWa84TLTsKyW8HP72RCOBCLw5HI74G9njRwVPXST6EpMoKgcadd_o-CMzyJSly21HPxaKnNk4ExDOmde9FdhjaPaW9zGnXnOZvFQAnEClN1irGAPdtISlc8_DCI8dKxzc4e2aMOfWbD-ubbYkgaa8IolbJW6OsX/s4032/IMG_0807%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLE0OcyyhJTCsZUYAW1V1cd3y-XsVzbWa84TLTsKyW8HP72RCOBCLw5HI74G9njRwVPXST6EpMoKgcadd_o-CMzyJSly21HPxaKnNk4ExDOmde9FdhjaPaW9zGnXnOZvFQAnEClN1irGAPdtISlc8_DCI8dKxzc4e2aMOfWbD-ubbYkgaa8IolbJW6OsX/w480-h640/IMG_0807%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGbr6ThuxVraboCSlH2Ecb8kM0nCm887VNv8hQ4oDY2mKbZBLzar16J_X0y67juucWYWunMJZpCWOXJ9ISyWbNyjuOgbQPqo88gDM9-ab_9K4JATa7m6ql7FCnIcuZZR4v8yaw8GSsLic2J0zEqSUuuWw11Wtn5TrHliHhKnrUC8EX5Ty3Rgq74f2xy8G/s4032/IMG_0805%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGbr6ThuxVraboCSlH2Ecb8kM0nCm887VNv8hQ4oDY2mKbZBLzar16J_X0y67juucWYWunMJZpCWOXJ9ISyWbNyjuOgbQPqo88gDM9-ab_9K4JATa7m6ql7FCnIcuZZR4v8yaw8GSsLic2J0zEqSUuuWw11Wtn5TrHliHhKnrUC8EX5Ty3Rgq74f2xy8G/w480-h640/IMG_0805%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-28280631702371349062023-11-07T05:08:00.008-05:002023-11-07T05:08:00.138-05:00Going Local-The Bradford Market<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NoLkYfkHAkop8mw4cZaFe3R0ydZA5BRT4HB_PNI7lIdWRoHgeDbn3n4g6bXGdyFxUkSIoe4r0XN8PhjuAo2wiGaaZDWF8hy08Hjx3Jm5WiuYXwsuOeAO4Br5Q9vxMSFc_h_QpI9dys5brJvD1U3XXgSpood75-YP5HxI9-Alf33H6UF80N4cWs_w-cIP/s4032/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NoLkYfkHAkop8mw4cZaFe3R0ydZA5BRT4HB_PNI7lIdWRoHgeDbn3n4g6bXGdyFxUkSIoe4r0XN8PhjuAo2wiGaaZDWF8hy08Hjx3Jm5WiuYXwsuOeAO4Br5Q9vxMSFc_h_QpI9dys5brJvD1U3XXgSpood75-YP5HxI9-Alf33H6UF80N4cWs_w-cIP/w480-h640/IMG_0699.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">sister and I ventured to a new</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"off-the-beaten path" place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another friend had mentioned it in passing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but it sounded right up our alley,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">so we decided to visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It turned out to be only minutes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">from sister's home in Concord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.thebradfordmarket.com/">The Bradford Market</a> has been in business</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">for over 100 years.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They proudly carry only local products</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of the highest quality.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This includes homemade items from local artisans,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">farmers and small businesses.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtnBep5VXAWHI9ngA5-2_eWKGmI3B452-hws5j0lQEdRjeB-jFyClPYZeQTByx-3AYPSJhB-ArWc0synOvz11iI-DoGPhlFb4vAYRwb11IWaKQJ_n3D5sPiRa97XYY2Cl5X-wmLOdEqwnvoDbHXBDXAqWY7xSPiFDGbyNaLKh6qLQyrct9itbjJv4eO-o/s4032/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtnBep5VXAWHI9ngA5-2_eWKGmI3B452-hws5j0lQEdRjeB-jFyClPYZeQTByx-3AYPSJhB-ArWc0synOvz11iI-DoGPhlFb4vAYRwb11IWaKQJ_n3D5sPiRa97XYY2Cl5X-wmLOdEqwnvoDbHXBDXAqWY7xSPiFDGbyNaLKh6qLQyrct9itbjJv4eO-o/w400-h300/IMG_0693.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This building, which houses the bookstore,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is a cabin that surely must have seen many changes.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F3-QwWrwibokyvf3Bi7nJRASO4yE9vLOaqR2_e_WSIm_QulClxBu-dmYxTXc33Kfsg44QMavm_6wdW3pNdBc2BhB3LI2cmKG9KfYdkWjaA0LujzwfiSkU6WOtigq3zC0JFGB9KKRKrgzB3ZK8k5mKDx4sxhYFb-d448SkQD-X40pA_pSI9VPraRMBQTq/s4032/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F3-QwWrwibokyvf3Bi7nJRASO4yE9vLOaqR2_e_WSIm_QulClxBu-dmYxTXc33Kfsg44QMavm_6wdW3pNdBc2BhB3LI2cmKG9KfYdkWjaA0LujzwfiSkU6WOtigq3zC0JFGB9KKRKrgzB3ZK8k5mKDx4sxhYFb-d448SkQD-X40pA_pSI9VPraRMBQTq/w640-h480/IMG_0694.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Shelves of books,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">as well as locally made soaps, lotions and</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">other toiletry items were found</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in this quaint little lodge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On the day we visited,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">the weather was quite lovely,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but couldn't you just imagine a roaring fire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">warming customers as they perused titles?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqvaYw3CsD1prINXgjvtj9TlBbnf9tcMgJryMcgAvG383PrOYWWsxm1o2K-dI24p6g5ksdiaCkOxKpMbCHv9XsFmZE_3SOkgI9_S9dncZUEyk8sPSLyzFw410UcRQB2cXi7JH5aYsz6vot2Ma4VKUKb3M0aBdmJHKAM0m3krxM6Zds6pLu_vTzpzECSBA/s4032/IMG_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqvaYw3CsD1prINXgjvtj9TlBbnf9tcMgJryMcgAvG383PrOYWWsxm1o2K-dI24p6g5ksdiaCkOxKpMbCHv9XsFmZE_3SOkgI9_S9dncZUEyk8sPSLyzFw410UcRQB2cXi7JH5aYsz6vot2Ma4VKUKb3M0aBdmJHKAM0m3krxM6Zds6pLu_vTzpzECSBA/w400-h300/IMG_0696.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The grounds are also home to a beautiful</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">garden, where one can stroll,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">or enjoy a meal at one of the picnic tables.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A plan has been made to return when spring flowers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">will be bursting forth with fresh blossoms.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We picked up a few plants from the nursery section</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">of the market.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-v5aeVdYOS6INTAqdVCrg4z1U5_QMuEW5u7U-hmbM0ygcYJVxSYshmafNsGMAneYmRB3r6MrAHAHYj9cNPw4DIfFIUfWbGt9JMqHmxzpiMZG4etXYq-tgc_LW2Zm_2-ZqALbjAK7lODo5JH7Yut-opwGH0Hxj0FWTYC59RJLlPujzt5-xL-6XtuJrdTu/s4032/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-v5aeVdYOS6INTAqdVCrg4z1U5_QMuEW5u7U-hmbM0ygcYJVxSYshmafNsGMAneYmRB3r6MrAHAHYj9cNPw4DIfFIUfWbGt9JMqHmxzpiMZG4etXYq-tgc_LW2Zm_2-ZqALbjAK7lODo5JH7Yut-opwGH0Hxj0FWTYC59RJLlPujzt5-xL-6XtuJrdTu/w480-h640/IMG_0697.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There were so many unique items on display,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and sister and I both agree that we want</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to return again and again</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to support this local business.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The produce looked amazingly fresh </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and the bread and sweets had us drooling.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPksq_9sGwBvag__IILJPuXgMWq4Cm41HxFJQCf2nS1kUK3O8kUQ9lJPW8ld6GVLxZ_JYFXccJc-AK3wW4cz6nGdgxfqBcDWIh9-PW7A4Y_9Tv0hR-X3NaiI7Z8eyAbvVCi5YOaIDxKUskYVvjMARn-m3orjsmh8b9FbyMrDLxrwagTAGKQWhREJkdXxee/s4032/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPksq_9sGwBvag__IILJPuXgMWq4Cm41HxFJQCf2nS1kUK3O8kUQ9lJPW8ld6GVLxZ_JYFXccJc-AK3wW4cz6nGdgxfqBcDWIh9-PW7A4Y_9Tv0hR-X3NaiI7Z8eyAbvVCi5YOaIDxKUskYVvjMARn-m3orjsmh8b9FbyMrDLxrwagTAGKQWhREJkdXxee/w300-h400/IMG_0698.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another fabulous find</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">here in Central North Carolina.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was wonderful to be able to venture out again</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">after several years of restricted outings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And getting to spend the day with one of my favorite people,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">what a blessing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-87970417055953273322023-11-03T05:01:00.006-04:002023-11-03T05:01:00.139-04:00Garden Friday<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JefYixb7sxgWDT-F6BSPFroQh5V5lFG92CDYmsaMU3JwJad1YThyphenhyphen8Zdax1Saw_b620Rv1_7Pwl4eSQS_hakg7mBZDoY09bcB6seHWY9TEoNKWJo-5nBZV88NuqPFWt5m3lIfwTLri035WAX8O75fz8OxMZgJyfqDNv94GX-5J-8D8ywlDbc2GH9to7kK/s4032/IMG_0751.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JefYixb7sxgWDT-F6BSPFroQh5V5lFG92CDYmsaMU3JwJad1YThyphenhyphen8Zdax1Saw_b620Rv1_7Pwl4eSQS_hakg7mBZDoY09bcB6seHWY9TEoNKWJo-5nBZV88NuqPFWt5m3lIfwTLri035WAX8O75fz8OxMZgJyfqDNv94GX-5J-8D8ywlDbc2GH9to7kK/w480-h640/IMG_0751.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Welcome back to Garden Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The weather this week has traversed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">from summer to winter temperatures,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but by the weekend, things should settle down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our first wicked freeze happened on Wednesday night,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">with temps dipping down to 24 degrees.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir_rWF6xmUDyiJ4ex7FJtd-L0d109pjJBsFXspWQDl_qc0T5iyHSB9L3q1YRJbeQxi98eFM12awG__Sz95YYE4qpioEr-UqHkoCpJCx-BWTtysN2rGvM3YABD7Mab8jqcDR3V8qKtZ0qPdnXa_l3eKadO4I2P-JSqqNZXYY70n6Wzi_awipIPCUEODnNC/s4032/IMG_0757.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir_rWF6xmUDyiJ4ex7FJtd-L0d109pjJBsFXspWQDl_qc0T5iyHSB9L3q1YRJbeQxi98eFM12awG__Sz95YYE4qpioEr-UqHkoCpJCx-BWTtysN2rGvM3YABD7Mab8jqcDR3V8qKtZ0qPdnXa_l3eKadO4I2P-JSqqNZXYY70n6Wzi_awipIPCUEODnNC/w300-h400/IMG_0757.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Romaine lettuce has been looking delectable,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and here's hoping that the covers placed over the bed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">have saved them from any harm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The brassicas in two other beds should be fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhZCrBQqxHtDvaKLknOes1m3g1YSFNnNQaYpWfgwDG5730BOhBkIu6rhJnoFObFLc_Qy5AVkc-gkS6mudQ18eyf6pUWXIPm7p3ahTdGeL_xHmbFrkvAXo-yZhMH5BwkU-UAh0dDoSY6GW2W3QJrbgUCXk3iLclBXnG_V1KT29rKiiPaQxbQN2VUFJa8tW/s320/5wo5htof.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhZCrBQqxHtDvaKLknOes1m3g1YSFNnNQaYpWfgwDG5730BOhBkIu6rhJnoFObFLc_Qy5AVkc-gkS6mudQ18eyf6pUWXIPm7p3ahTdGeL_xHmbFrkvAXo-yZhMH5BwkU-UAh0dDoSY6GW2W3QJrbgUCXk3iLclBXnG_V1KT29rKiiPaQxbQN2VUFJa8tW/w300-h400/5wo5htof.png" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not sure if it's easy to see here,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">but the garlic has popped up in the grow bags.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is the first time I'm using this tool for this crop,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">although we have an entire 3X8 bed planted elsewhere with this staple.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivyrHO8-KEraU6d4abNkgwfSJ9oi7Akj5icL9PrBJhnLvuV7BA7zoGq7AuGgVSQmd8J3lTKSsZ5c2O3FJhRJIR_hqkpyqvS3EiHPL_MSuecv0zOLhHQOiu4DLhA6klZG8lc2mHree0r2EUeGH3mYW469E-GCeU6p9SPZeQCSXMRu6fYrv49Cf6-MxkyS_/s4032/IMG_0713.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivyrHO8-KEraU6d4abNkgwfSJ9oi7Akj5icL9PrBJhnLvuV7BA7zoGq7AuGgVSQmd8J3lTKSsZ5c2O3FJhRJIR_hqkpyqvS3EiHPL_MSuecv0zOLhHQOiu4DLhA6klZG8lc2mHree0r2EUeGH3mYW469E-GCeU6p9SPZeQCSXMRu6fYrv49Cf6-MxkyS_/w640-h480/IMG_0713.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">before</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Earlier this week,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">we did away with the center crepe myrtle in this bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The dogwood to the left and the other crepe myrtle</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">to the right will be much happier to have some space.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The center of the bed can be filled with perennials</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that love an abundance of sunshine.</span></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoY6khOKoW0WvGTVG3niX_1fGVEhExC_GRmolHCsTnWrc6q0VSUyFmURExjr7APnanIMvtiNU6DeSUmwnnF-zYBEEUW3KrDLgtx-IXF7vehVrhI-umVPM9WfkbOKga7GhKIUHKDDDt3UxnxfOovpU9G4DZztT-jWw9hljzgNPmF2ivFwWaFYtalRr55Yt/s4032/IMG_0714.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoY6khOKoW0WvGTVG3niX_1fGVEhExC_GRmolHCsTnWrc6q0VSUyFmURExjr7APnanIMvtiNU6DeSUmwnnF-zYBEEUW3KrDLgtx-IXF7vehVrhI-umVPM9WfkbOKga7GhKIUHKDDDt3UxnxfOovpU9G4DZztT-jWw9hljzgNPmF2ivFwWaFYtalRr55Yt/w640-h480/IMG_0714.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">after</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKhiYileDyNjNFgCbuphiaCS3GNPvACuQqjl1praTNK4BmAQ_d9ife9LaEPiOUHI3AMZ8nJvd4i2r95-1ZZ2h1cd7WkrMk5p1lKJ2R7Dy-aObskdXgBAs-h0GjFVLM5w7i28ZGCwrQ_thx35CcaZD9biuCVLE8fo0yO3RPHuW25NNJFtSTdev6m921kQn/s4032/IMG_0716%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKhiYileDyNjNFgCbuphiaCS3GNPvACuQqjl1praTNK4BmAQ_d9ife9LaEPiOUHI3AMZ8nJvd4i2r95-1ZZ2h1cd7WkrMk5p1lKJ2R7Dy-aObskdXgBAs-h0GjFVLM5w7i28ZGCwrQ_thx35CcaZD9biuCVLE8fo0yO3RPHuW25NNJFtSTdev6m921kQn/w300-h400/IMG_0716%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The rue that was planted just under this tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">has been left intact and is showing signs of growing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is one of the host plants for the</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">black swallowtail caterpillars.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6qiZ-ohYGsKuxKfEUGjnsZgwXigF50CmRh3VVGFLLJ4x2zJzeFLWYTsIBIk1-qwANMN37xVzQY2LEBD1f36zmKRwH9MjE4HjRHcp-PghnId16cTmRWp3lizsdsYE5uCxrN4j1MYJI0Kw1xpEn_2Y45gCSP-XhjGbks_SozOPhY99CA0Jy9Bclfi9-ko7/s4032/IMG_0759.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6qiZ-ohYGsKuxKfEUGjnsZgwXigF50CmRh3VVGFLLJ4x2zJzeFLWYTsIBIk1-qwANMN37xVzQY2LEBD1f36zmKRwH9MjE4HjRHcp-PghnId16cTmRWp3lizsdsYE5uCxrN4j1MYJI0Kw1xpEn_2Y45gCSP-XhjGbks_SozOPhY99CA0Jy9Bclfi9-ko7/w300-h400/IMG_0759.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This tower of black-eyed susan vine</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">will be history after the freeze yesterday morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ah well, it gave us many weeks of beauty</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and seed was saved for next year's blooms.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s0O932qpr3ZwmQgGe_d_P3fOQmIv_4kQXmqJo3EtyIWJtKGKluNScR575k9r4kGHPJqaWI-oRDE9_3JyVGqo6zCBCFpTwvyfDF_05u_yB0oWJ97dt4PSEY2uQVsyU0lz00LrMwmBz1c3XAcpXwy9hSk39BwAvOmwDeGu0UV6pjmjkMgvQA-aG7_uxRwT/s4032/IMG_0736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2s0O932qpr3ZwmQgGe_d_P3fOQmIv_4kQXmqJo3EtyIWJtKGKluNScR575k9r4kGHPJqaWI-oRDE9_3JyVGqo6zCBCFpTwvyfDF_05u_yB0oWJ97dt4PSEY2uQVsyU0lz00LrMwmBz1c3XAcpXwy9hSk39BwAvOmwDeGu0UV6pjmjkMgvQA-aG7_uxRwT/w300-h400/IMG_0736.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cotton fields are becoming engorged with</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">this miraculous crop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's just fascinating to me that we can grow the makings of the fabric</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that fills up so many rooms and closets in our homes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'm a thrift shopper,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and have focused on purchasing only natural fibers for my wardrobe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Cotton, linen and wool are always my first choices.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFF5MEf06Mz5UomoEsau7OhC6bmxiRXpnHiMxCV3xa46ZoKtqjeFZliU9AnDvTiOwHOJfVXL9o292AjlwGXAftLve71rIKQzAlse_hLPLQ6tOQ5kjvbYeMF8SXfXvSeqSuKl5DLezMz_0_uBsmA3sPx8Ca8M-M7FD92xUB2SiTWSAo20X8s4qxQopELSy/s4032/IMG_0722.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFF5MEf06Mz5UomoEsau7OhC6bmxiRXpnHiMxCV3xa46ZoKtqjeFZliU9AnDvTiOwHOJfVXL9o292AjlwGXAftLve71rIKQzAlse_hLPLQ6tOQ5kjvbYeMF8SXfXvSeqSuKl5DLezMz_0_uBsmA3sPx8Ca8M-M7FD92xUB2SiTWSAo20X8s4qxQopELSy/w640-h480/IMG_0722.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A little while back,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I entered a photo contest sponsored by our</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">local electric co-op.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of my pictures was chosen to be published</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in their monthly magazine,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and they paid me $25 to boot!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This month they are looking for shots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that capture the essence of North Carolina.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This is the photo I will most likely enter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The intention for me is</span><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> to connect with my subject,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">and hopefully bring joy to others.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I enjoy taking pictures and feel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">that it helps me engage more fully</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">in my surroundings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>(Well, I made it through my first post </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>with the new computer.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Thankfully, some of the issues I was having</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>with the blog have been resolved.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Bear with me as I get the hang of this thing.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><i>Me and technical tools don't always see eye to eye.)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hope your weekend</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is just how you like it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-60911760527241472172023-11-01T05:09:00.001-04:002023-11-01T05:09:00.137-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuDPYJG98IXkuEDH2BH20466h6TiFlFUEq9F1d7BdaNYMjx6S-hobRqgUEkSWs9RQJWCKjhdhC-IdljKDL4fJ73V-puWZi1Eh7sxLlcKX81ICcPdf7VFKjy8pfEZgs31WdYgXs7UPA9vO00iI1DoypLJn0oSn4B4O4OiNPVadWVaqc5H6mkoNLDDyC21I/s4032/IMG_0708%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuDPYJG98IXkuEDH2BH20466h6TiFlFUEq9F1d7BdaNYMjx6S-hobRqgUEkSWs9RQJWCKjhdhC-IdljKDL4fJ73V-puWZi1Eh7sxLlcKX81ICcPdf7VFKjy8pfEZgs31WdYgXs7UPA9vO00iI1DoypLJn0oSn4B4O4OiNPVadWVaqc5H6mkoNLDDyC21I/w300-h400/IMG_0708%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tvSW0V_WOjYS9W2tGYyEiDUOoADtWBjgfEG-qB_yDrS48SAUkD3C-KCFvZkJaxQjdx8fLUzkoDRTVUBHxpfGPuy9iSuzr4qVkNLqeOFjrIfwPKC9n2mFZMUd9SETQC7GmNuRitPaXQZLN6UOBPg81AQnEBgsNs53YYNsZ78wDoS4ennrOz4xy5YbkxyK/s4032/IMG_0707%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tvSW0V_WOjYS9W2tGYyEiDUOoADtWBjgfEG-qB_yDrS48SAUkD3C-KCFvZkJaxQjdx8fLUzkoDRTVUBHxpfGPuy9iSuzr4qVkNLqeOFjrIfwPKC9n2mFZMUd9SETQC7GmNuRitPaXQZLN6UOBPg81AQnEBgsNs53YYNsZ78wDoS4ennrOz4xy5YbkxyK/w400-h300/IMG_0707%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtEAqkc0o-berv3A-zUPvLlz4uL12Pb9_n0Mu17KvUb0ZJu3vwOdECGzDmFl0KSFHDvYxPIi4Nwu_VZPQgRf1rWohR8k4pB5501j-Mt9S_Uv63W_OxcPLB_6cZNU25rUlll4UShcfGJ-jKv6zuPeD6kbtGYMQYAPl2nCnkuJBp0YDJbxX8kUBfHKExvDA/s4032/IMG_0709%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtEAqkc0o-berv3A-zUPvLlz4uL12Pb9_n0Mu17KvUb0ZJu3vwOdECGzDmFl0KSFHDvYxPIi4Nwu_VZPQgRf1rWohR8k4pB5501j-Mt9S_Uv63W_OxcPLB_6cZNU25rUlll4UShcfGJ-jKv6zuPeD6kbtGYMQYAPl2nCnkuJBp0YDJbxX8kUBfHKExvDA/w300-h400/IMG_0709%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzG_il3EeegoT6-PWZlWpzncf07XS7R1uQN7XdKxwNBdlzxM0UwakSdDtFjgebjJ2H4WaT_qf1aMYiqp4XkpNP5JvyBo7_Z1Rh3Nzbp3YVuRwfzC5hxbMxrWvnv4nyMAYlBOOoUKMe7BsiDahqszeyrdYyJTvrntumPxkioCjiGEtpBASAfP1HemMxIg/s4032/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzG_il3EeegoT6-PWZlWpzncf07XS7R1uQN7XdKxwNBdlzxM0UwakSdDtFjgebjJ2H4WaT_qf1aMYiqp4XkpNP5JvyBo7_Z1Rh3Nzbp3YVuRwfzC5hxbMxrWvnv4nyMAYlBOOoUKMe7BsiDahqszeyrdYyJTvrntumPxkioCjiGEtpBASAfP1HemMxIg/w300-h400/IMG_0761.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pVr3PjaPgRxlczZAZWxIFYUREc1haMxEHqZAdqyqgoyo-qbfmBODdx2Dq3Synr_doPyBuQ_D8vcJfWatNE6K9b22wEmusMgwqwtwCUh-9p1bKgR2-z24es3ItBI25xWyCLBUam893-Z7OcB58smgVnYt7yNzghKt_HYGHm2p-4GhmzTw8MIacDMAK-5D/s4032/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pVr3PjaPgRxlczZAZWxIFYUREc1haMxEHqZAdqyqgoyo-qbfmBODdx2Dq3Synr_doPyBuQ_D8vcJfWatNE6K9b22wEmusMgwqwtwCUh-9p1bKgR2-z24es3ItBI25xWyCLBUam893-Z7OcB58smgVnYt7yNzghKt_HYGHm2p-4GhmzTw8MIacDMAK-5D/w300-h400/IMG_0748.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvSqIdyUJCk21htK5IsGRMwkUD0zpVT0v43QMLfI3uPQwOIMIJWkwQgW7U4xq9n2NZm6x6AUuVnrh1JUd4eyiYAxK7nUHqIh-85qxn5if83zS_eVZA78xOGbN5L0MOrXyRJdt4hVjmV9ZDtBZ51GBxOMw6SXk88Qn68x2q4eCEfY8BHnMo6LrKuYGt1I/s4032/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvSqIdyUJCk21htK5IsGRMwkUD0zpVT0v43QMLfI3uPQwOIMIJWkwQgW7U4xq9n2NZm6x6AUuVnrh1JUd4eyiYAxK7nUHqIh-85qxn5if83zS_eVZA78xOGbN5L0MOrXyRJdt4hVjmV9ZDtBZ51GBxOMw6SXk88Qn68x2q4eCEfY8BHnMo6LrKuYGt1I/w640-h480/IMG_0722.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-5180392005578525172023-10-27T05:03:00.004-04:002023-10-27T05:03:00.140-04:00Garden Friday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bbJgX7PeI3al-pUfmkStHVdnBZhK-SDN9j2AXK8nHNSRxTUnOlo93LwC1waoW5muHcc9a5t2kB45kmq5TtypJIWFYcF-n-xzmwd3IZSnzytdwytiQP6OShD8cv3rdSUc2qk5njoT7fOpdEfIRTDzbMEh0lClhX8xEOwfk-tpUiya5VVlhgJ-AoA7ySFp/s4032/IMG_0692.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bbJgX7PeI3al-pUfmkStHVdnBZhK-SDN9j2AXK8nHNSRxTUnOlo93LwC1waoW5muHcc9a5t2kB45kmq5TtypJIWFYcF-n-xzmwd3IZSnzytdwytiQP6OShD8cv3rdSUc2qk5njoT7fOpdEfIRTDzbMEh0lClhX8xEOwfk-tpUiya5VVlhgJ-AoA7ySFp/w480-h640/IMG_0692.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Autumn!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Welcome to Garden Friday,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">where we (occasionally) share what's happening on</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> our zone 7b Piedmont homestead.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Just popping in with an update,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">as I am still dealing with difficulties uploading my photos.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">A plan is in the works to acquire my own laptop,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">to see if that resolves the issues. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">If so, I hope to get back to weekly posts. </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOuk8HRPa9rTVjU2MpEQl2kyN59Jq_6C6k0vOKfgHZRrG7shpiFAgIXbtOMTGZV8aItsv1whe2dC1VHXCI-86o7CljUfy_8bdvmGOBpY9Qk_HnV1nhdW4QhALFDmVYlIDd3MTAfxvs68seg5DAvHEAwShqDHrM3lmq99fsXtcGAtT8qYsfoX11agsISpw/s4032/IMG_0601.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOuk8HRPa9rTVjU2MpEQl2kyN59Jq_6C6k0vOKfgHZRrG7shpiFAgIXbtOMTGZV8aItsv1whe2dC1VHXCI-86o7CljUfy_8bdvmGOBpY9Qk_HnV1nhdW4QhALFDmVYlIDd3MTAfxvs68seg5DAvHEAwShqDHrM3lmq99fsXtcGAtT8qYsfoX11agsISpw/w300-h400/IMG_0601.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The garlic has been planted for the season,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">although we haven't yet had any pop up.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">This bed has over 60 cloves planted,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">and two grow bags have another twenty or so. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I've never grown this crop in bags before,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">so it'll be interesting to see how they do.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Nearby, broccoli, cabbage and kale</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">seem to be enjoying our near-perfect fall weather.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jBAuX81omaqcSr1pG3PWl-3kBdPPDJODNrO6UNozGuIRSKSx2WnT70SssXKjNN6YbDzNry4IGaHhzkD0fhl_9kfcZiCer4weDx2f07-gvavdq5J4XSk_8gtfrfP-ZqAJQddzotMW7pRi-13WkAVIctosgoJIMoB5mCe2GV-4Hrz0oRL1aeyUD-2xBoCs/s4032/IMG_0612.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jBAuX81omaqcSr1pG3PWl-3kBdPPDJODNrO6UNozGuIRSKSx2WnT70SssXKjNN6YbDzNry4IGaHhzkD0fhl_9kfcZiCer4weDx2f07-gvavdq5J4XSk_8gtfrfP-ZqAJQddzotMW7pRi-13WkAVIctosgoJIMoB5mCe2GV-4Hrz0oRL1aeyUD-2xBoCs/w300-h400/IMG_0612.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">A couple of trays of Romaine lettuce</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">were picked up at the big box store</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">and they are doing well.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">This week, kale and lettuce were sown in containers,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">utilizing the <a href="https://joegardener.com/podcast/130-winter-sowing/"><i>winter sowing</i></a> method.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">This technique was used successfully last winter,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">but I wanted to try it at this time of the year,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">just to see if it would help hasten germination. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Our nights are cool,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">but we've been blessed with temperate, sunny days.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FHRFNo6wkEoJIZswFQmj52nvaDA75yqWSBEkPtf5WlMXcAB_6PFqNin0ytrK5rQbhxSpaK3ChGZ_Ba6rTXUUSBl7p_I88o8418bZKfoOBT-5KkialfKT6avG0kS0hLzbfydQX6iHEIVOEDNZeRJcqL43_ivzN71J4WWktgKktibfjxsP3IS2OJjMHoDg/s4032/IMG_0605.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FHRFNo6wkEoJIZswFQmj52nvaDA75yqWSBEkPtf5WlMXcAB_6PFqNin0ytrK5rQbhxSpaK3ChGZ_Ba6rTXUUSBl7p_I88o8418bZKfoOBT-5KkialfKT6avG0kS0hLzbfydQX6iHEIVOEDNZeRJcqL43_ivzN71J4WWktgKktibfjxsP3IS2OJjMHoDg/w640-h480/IMG_0605.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Our fall display is made up of several pumpkins,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">a straw bale, mums, pansies and a few violas. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I'm pleased with the results and enjoyed putting it together</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">in our pollinator bed, which would otherwise sit empty.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">I'll plan to do a winter presentation as well.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9C_lVknbkuCoqsU-QPT9IVS9wG_UJ2znqvZ8_HVToXr3JeOVeZNJPcrf-T7YoaQiIAmcVMSshX3Npthb31veH5oQNerWzLKzn9TEjiPKaesA96rHW7We8JkHkRbEKktD-oApxo1Ms6Yn6BG2Tf7b6a2XJ-UE1-HC3I0M2OBrEJP3tx1_-bHkI1HMSQF_/s4032/IMG_E0602.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9C_lVknbkuCoqsU-QPT9IVS9wG_UJ2znqvZ8_HVToXr3JeOVeZNJPcrf-T7YoaQiIAmcVMSshX3Npthb31veH5oQNerWzLKzn9TEjiPKaesA96rHW7We8JkHkRbEKktD-oApxo1Ms6Yn6BG2Tf7b6a2XJ-UE1-HC3I0M2OBrEJP3tx1_-bHkI1HMSQF_/w400-h300/IMG_E0602.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Forgotten bulbs were added to the pollinator bed before</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">beginning the autumnal display.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">This bed should be bursting in blooms come springtime.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsmm3Riv5lwUxFNIWV7iYFGCx38wHCWCzH9tLGDjwJqmjNMnWCQCN0At8ipAAr1u2vvUIr_5YUSXLjNZzn45dT0AdWQAkMKEKWlIMrDUCd0x2lnPBfFKMVUHdLaGf8S9-_wqcYx8gMax10r5BFjGjRnRlHe8RSQm-DbLkhp0gNgX0S5du3gHpGqmeiUmH/s4032/IMG_0705.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsmm3Riv5lwUxFNIWV7iYFGCx38wHCWCzH9tLGDjwJqmjNMnWCQCN0At8ipAAr1u2vvUIr_5YUSXLjNZzn45dT0AdWQAkMKEKWlIMrDUCd0x2lnPBfFKMVUHdLaGf8S9-_wqcYx8gMax10r5BFjGjRnRlHe8RSQm-DbLkhp0gNgX0S5du3gHpGqmeiUmH/w300-h400/IMG_0705.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The whole flock recently got the spa treatment</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">right in our front yard.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Having found lice nits on one of the girls,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">we wanted to ensure that no one else had an issue.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">They still have access to dust bathing,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">(which usually keeps parasites in check,) <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">but as we needed to check everyone for lice,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">we decided to employ the beautiful sunny weather</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">to get them squeaky clean and offer a bit of pampering.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQE8kIezqo8ZaeSn8QQhwWZt4ZH8ovlyWbuZlBdFmNVnJTWy28nlosrkT-eNv2j3ZOl3F7XQZosxPpWzR6pG9yZq0gESPXZHxVbjlEmP0VbN6slqIK2u3QqWLRKlVv0V-3VxayMcCoNXWKMqEXlqlH4Wg5OO6n1tC1fkXspiPaFYfhs2I34BqERAdSr7/s4032/IMG_0599.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQE8kIezqo8ZaeSn8QQhwWZt4ZH8ovlyWbuZlBdFmNVnJTWy28nlosrkT-eNv2j3ZOl3F7XQZosxPpWzR6pG9yZq0gESPXZHxVbjlEmP0VbN6slqIK2u3QqWLRKlVv0V-3VxayMcCoNXWKMqEXlqlH4Wg5OO6n1tC1fkXspiPaFYfhs2I34BqERAdSr7/w300-h400/IMG_0599.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /> Believe it or not,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Queenie is still hanging in there,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">and dare I say,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">seems improved.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Grateful for more time with her and her</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">elderly sisters.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Life is Better with Chickens!<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-48732768477760736912023-10-06T05:03:00.007-04:002023-10-09T07:39:38.621-04:00Garden Friday<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz8IhFvIh4KUJWQ9vX2WTdBNuyqmbgWh6G4yE7S0B6NdDJJ7iJJui7tpIjbWH0NmkXYvZa_A3uxZgwzPTDrp7TpDjBi8c4PTCT9u-QH1xgxpXial95bNhqAPdBAhabVEO5TqgcC7vOwqY8ue9P9QDYE4ydKmZsJTlw11F6Uwtz-Qo00mQr6c05micMT8p/s4032/IMG_0561.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz8IhFvIh4KUJWQ9vX2WTdBNuyqmbgWh6G4yE7S0B6NdDJJ7iJJui7tpIjbWH0NmkXYvZa_A3uxZgwzPTDrp7TpDjBi8c4PTCT9u-QH1xgxpXial95bNhqAPdBAhabVEO5TqgcC7vOwqY8ue9P9QDYE4ydKmZsJTlw11F6Uwtz-Qo00mQr6c05micMT8p/w480-h640/IMG_0561.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Welcome to Garden Friday.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Isn't this cactus zinnia amazing? </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">They are one of my favorite summer blooms. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">*(<i>Just wanted to let y'all know that I may not be posting much,</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">as I am having major difficulties </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">uploading pictures onto the computer,</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Updates have been done,</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and it takes much longer to upload.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Honestly, why can't things be left alone?</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>I am not skilled in these types of areas,</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>and don't have the desire or patience to learn.</i>)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Csp8MJyKeucbHYSTjIlcnRAMAtJXp51foqNb97_CQJtOS8mduEEKhztBulB83cfsJarKTK8xk7CwDS29M4OdAW8gUoOS5jV-GhydH5sXwozA2TcQSG6fvHqlOrDrghOTmBA1UlGBhT_Qm5zsMSVHXuRx4NjDGcSKsc94MJoG09bRXUSAxVz7IVWhHgP/s4032/IMG_0547.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Csp8MJyKeucbHYSTjIlcnRAMAtJXp51foqNb97_CQJtOS8mduEEKhztBulB83cfsJarKTK8xk7CwDS29M4OdAW8gUoOS5jV-GhydH5sXwozA2TcQSG6fvHqlOrDrghOTmBA1UlGBhT_Qm5zsMSVHXuRx4NjDGcSKsc94MJoG09bRXUSAxVz7IVWhHgP/w400-h300/IMG_0547.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">We were gifted with a load of wood chips last week,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">as one of our neighbors was having tree work done.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Some has been spread in the chook run,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and the bulk of it will be used to refresh the garden walkways</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and a few new areas that are being cardboarded.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HHGtcZ7F2ClX6VVS-4Fj_m6mNia20Zl-z1t_zdCsnEgFcpbZBZt8Mc0Td-wZIlEWrqpS-D_JfJclGbHksU-2aR50A7sR0fTBqUYYB_xQ7v62IHurQXhJROpOInoSFzL5qkIrGdLgbIUd5Nu-ocxRnSD2z2g0XORBK9rZxqlQufTrS7-CZkdXKMGnhJ-E/s4032/IMG_0556.JPG" style="color: #783f04; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HHGtcZ7F2ClX6VVS-4Fj_m6mNia20Zl-z1t_zdCsnEgFcpbZBZt8Mc0Td-wZIlEWrqpS-D_JfJclGbHksU-2aR50A7sR0fTBqUYYB_xQ7v62IHurQXhJROpOInoSFzL5qkIrGdLgbIUd5Nu-ocxRnSD2z2g0XORBK9rZxqlQufTrS7-CZkdXKMGnhJ-E/w300-h400/IMG_0556.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">We also bit the bullet and ordered a yard of compost</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">for the garden beds.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I'm not sure I'll do this again,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">as I've recently learned about a much more affordable option.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvB-EFkrJ-eoYZyDr7Uw4wVdoWJGSixZ4eG6SRl5Orul-5N3g67xF2hRa5LyvIGq2QhCLj3A08n9nkib8YPk-mrGOoOEsnRvyMX8VnLrEybOEH7t9Sh8lh-nmxsN3LTozeSc4WGnox6BwbE_Ib8U99cBrQ5MYtWhTrsYFDX0wh0Vz8RAVEgB-ld7GmG0x/s4032/IMG_0566.JPG" style="color: #783f04; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvB-EFkrJ-eoYZyDr7Uw4wVdoWJGSixZ4eG6SRl5Orul-5N3g67xF2hRa5LyvIGq2QhCLj3A08n9nkib8YPk-mrGOoOEsnRvyMX8VnLrEybOEH7t9Sh8lh-nmxsN3LTozeSc4WGnox6BwbE_Ib8U99cBrQ5MYtWhTrsYFDX0wh0Vz8RAVEgB-ld7GmG0x/w300-h400/IMG_0566.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Our old compost bin, (which the previous owners left here),</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">was given to our neighbors.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">We purchased a new, smaller version.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The idea is to create mini-compost piles in different areas,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">which makes it a bit more manageable for me.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">This one has ventilation all around, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">a lid that closes, and a trap door on the front bottom</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">to help make it easier to collect the finished compost. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WqgKGenMUbztR5SwVeoeuAxwjHKqb1fgoX9L1lZBlqZC5toNMKt0bz1SdKgIYLYq8gTGWPAQHVluSJECyYj0RQcpaQQaYEY1lgS-6vzAoHxga3rtxNh4p-8FuYTfFC13RC2-K1nOkD_x1-ZZLPxLTEpajnMWP5ppyIR9hLXSkEU30oud_XkKjrl21Pt6/s4032/IMG_0593.JPG" style="color: #783f04; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WqgKGenMUbztR5SwVeoeuAxwjHKqb1fgoX9L1lZBlqZC5toNMKt0bz1SdKgIYLYq8gTGWPAQHVluSJECyYj0RQcpaQQaYEY1lgS-6vzAoHxga3rtxNh4p-8FuYTfFC13RC2-K1nOkD_x1-ZZLPxLTEpajnMWP5ppyIR9hLXSkEU30oud_XkKjrl21Pt6/w640-h480/IMG_0593.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Queenie is slowing down,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and although I can find nothing ailing her,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">she may not be with us much longer.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">She is the dominant hen in our flock,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">so it's tough to see her acting differently. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">We don't know how old she is,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">but we will watch her carefully</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and try to make her as comfortable as possible.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">We've lost two chooks in the past month,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and it is so heart wrenching every time.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FWygjVqgT5NWXHZ1G9Aq2Rmlf-uOUfUe3TMpAHWplem6PFrxxfwUjFu7nIPoh5ItTOrhnpcDcFWl86hKBVk0MBZQrNfOvtlokcwwbTLsRDXHIpnY-Oc-a4Ha7tghVNYz-57QwQtVOZUmXWReoFbo7apEd5gsC2HzQz22Reb4iDJGcgi7bNxkwi6M4nPP/s4032/IMG_0551.JPG" style="color: #783f04; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FWygjVqgT5NWXHZ1G9Aq2Rmlf-uOUfUe3TMpAHWplem6PFrxxfwUjFu7nIPoh5ItTOrhnpcDcFWl86hKBVk0MBZQrNfOvtlokcwwbTLsRDXHIpnY-Oc-a4Ha7tghVNYz-57QwQtVOZUmXWReoFbo7apEd5gsC2HzQz22Reb4iDJGcgi7bNxkwi6M4nPP/w480-h640/IMG_0551.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /> With the cooler weather here to stay,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">it's been a pleasure working outside.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The flower beds are getting tweaked </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">and seeds are still being saved,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">while the cool weather crops slowly grow.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I hope I can continue to post at least once a month,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;">but my tolerance for technical mysteries is limited.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your garden is still blessing you well. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Thank you for the comments below.</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, now I can't reply to the comments,</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>but rest assured, I appreciate your contributions.</i>) </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6205621545063667402.post-5277161538279521722023-09-22T05:05:00.002-04:002023-09-22T05:05:00.147-04:00Garden Friday<div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrXlGIiMG-YNTBF2W5BfzHCNQNW44JpIwkvwI6gijtCSlmyuNV753lkdlNMXl7dm7nRQrGvwT8fHSG3mlQa_0LAWsaIQ40Rm0mPbgLfU-kECjX9Ec0tg1C52oomcAbYgUeXNVJIWKdT12SEk01JXi0mwr5bxXGuZyVWZBnNhaQST9TqV5aPIQGlTzwKyG/s4032/IMG_0447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrXlGIiMG-YNTBF2W5BfzHCNQNW44JpIwkvwI6gijtCSlmyuNV753lkdlNMXl7dm7nRQrGvwT8fHSG3mlQa_0LAWsaIQ40Rm0mPbgLfU-kECjX9Ec0tg1C52oomcAbYgUeXNVJIWKdT12SEk01JXi0mwr5bxXGuZyVWZBnNhaQST9TqV5aPIQGlTzwKyG/w480-h640/IMG_0447.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Welcome to Garden Friday!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Autumn is finally here,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">and you'll find no one more excited about that than yours truly.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Fall is such a great time to be in the garden,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">whether it's sowing cool weather crops or picking what nature has provided to enjoy inside.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYL1t3WWgYq5YoLfdIU4TeYc72etFMNTwWSN2t36U9YOX9lsanWj_EWzffOVz6QHP0Ahlgs4U9nIXszt8yXYwmdeWWgK0g71k9ARnLKG92TrFz3GAJWXPArYiLo-PvjwbblIpmGW0IocHdsr7gNsPHYYLP5A_JxLh7Av9H5RIB9dVIznyr46ylwXoVJ_G/s4032/IMG_0488.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYL1t3WWgYq5YoLfdIU4TeYc72etFMNTwWSN2t36U9YOX9lsanWj_EWzffOVz6QHP0Ahlgs4U9nIXszt8yXYwmdeWWgK0g71k9ARnLKG92TrFz3GAJWXPArYiLo-PvjwbblIpmGW0IocHdsr7gNsPHYYLP5A_JxLh7Av9H5RIB9dVIznyr46ylwXoVJ_G/w400-h300/IMG_0488.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Sweet potatoes were harvested this week.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">We got 14.5 pounds, which isn't bad, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">considering we planted only one small bed.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhBkMAFhwGznuQbGPxj9ZU79glXZWuJxEXadq9mSxy22RLTwLZRund5tpwaIXgaqtzLnd9iS5UEZk7iOscMZ4-A6nTFKjEknmLhoZh-41BfkPsdKIcPulBMOGDWVpcr7pe6a7sZHwJ7Bj68CktLE54g4d0o4ejM6PuDnqhOYgDJNArBG3qv5DtBS452tO/s4032/IMG_0486.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhBkMAFhwGznuQbGPxj9ZU79glXZWuJxEXadq9mSxy22RLTwLZRund5tpwaIXgaqtzLnd9iS5UEZk7iOscMZ4-A6nTFKjEknmLhoZh-41BfkPsdKIcPulBMOGDWVpcr7pe6a7sZHwJ7Bj68CktLE54g4d0o4ejM6PuDnqhOYgDJNArBG3qv5DtBS452tO/w300-h400/IMG_0486.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The tubers in this crop were smaller than in past years,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">and they seemed to grow more in clusters, instead of individually.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The slips were started in February,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">so this was a long process from seed to table.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTMk5wh46KrTJHDUacnmvse4SyB5EwPp34dJvv5UQEl2_G8Wb1hezeqtJFIpSN3ZU-PAK4EJH9FhB7M6eQdYFvV8846ToMizMZB7s-Lo6CZa3XrhOwtGso49-hKe2eRowoDlwXEtVSYJERH5HMdzWhuRcXY_xm8j0xKHvkM94GKVVn7FiP7Bu-uio3TLa/s4032/IMG_0490.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTMk5wh46KrTJHDUacnmvse4SyB5EwPp34dJvv5UQEl2_G8Wb1hezeqtJFIpSN3ZU-PAK4EJH9FhB7M6eQdYFvV8846ToMizMZB7s-Lo6CZa3XrhOwtGso49-hKe2eRowoDlwXEtVSYJERH5HMdzWhuRcXY_xm8j0xKHvkM94GKVVn7FiP7Bu-uio3TLa/w640-h480/IMG_0490.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">They will cure in the garage for two weeks before being sampled.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">We're using a hitch-haul and the bifold door that I use to use at the Market. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX18ZyLmjznVtUbIQLHHtixZaOo4Rwfm6TbQNiBGvCxRcgBt7djecjDpuv5At6Dvs8aQfsD6riXTmEgEK9WtxSkVO9KIpxJ2R3I5hePpBLForrCksXMSgqBmW6Jzr8aTF8ykRvoz5Db5H5LpEUsfd9RFSdBU30ATvWzTRwKNQtrYr7fW8UXV6Usr3vVk-/s4032/IMG_0483.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX18ZyLmjznVtUbIQLHHtixZaOo4Rwfm6TbQNiBGvCxRcgBt7djecjDpuv5At6Dvs8aQfsD6riXTmEgEK9WtxSkVO9KIpxJ2R3I5hePpBLForrCksXMSgqBmW6Jzr8aTF8ykRvoz5Db5H5LpEUsfd9RFSdBU30ATvWzTRwKNQtrYr7fW8UXV6Usr3vVk-/w300-h400/IMG_0483.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNfW_2-vGFWpAB4oqSIJw5E2oKRKD9VCTl_WP33ePlL0NGB7qHRjTb4TagBJTHiXuOmllwVHywyOSMCEy0Dx5zymIR1w5KmWdGRKebAsaEdhNXsnn12j9xozwEFDIhwUK49jyfkTy60JiXIR6up1CJaoyehBErSUYft80VbqVQFc5obL3rgqEw5nh-h2o/s4032/IMG_0396.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNfW_2-vGFWpAB4oqSIJw5E2oKRKD9VCTl_WP33ePlL0NGB7qHRjTb4TagBJTHiXuOmllwVHywyOSMCEy0Dx5zymIR1w5KmWdGRKebAsaEdhNXsnn12j9xozwEFDIhwUK49jyfkTy60JiXIR6up1CJaoyehBErSUYft80VbqVQFc5obL3rgqEw5nh-h2o/w640-h480/IMG_0396.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Some time was spent earlier in the season on planting the front flower beds.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">I've added quite a few things and seeded many zinnias.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">In fact, they grew so big,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">that the evergreens and grasses behind them are well hidden. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnrFC61GK8WjmImxdjOkGVRADkZ7eP1M1G5JGE1hOwECzZvOVWJSrUsEJu31hPb27rJCCTMHkxSYAuuAwKa4tDXEDoM-gYQCtGzlovUE5_wLLUnlQ93A3TfXHRA7lyB7eD2JhNd2tMJaDRz3vjddt096W55OuB_xLJDScsS5JilN1wA56ppBWYMPC6tTZ/s4032/IMG_0398.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnrFC61GK8WjmImxdjOkGVRADkZ7eP1M1G5JGE1hOwECzZvOVWJSrUsEJu31hPb27rJCCTMHkxSYAuuAwKa4tDXEDoM-gYQCtGzlovUE5_wLLUnlQ93A3TfXHRA7lyB7eD2JhNd2tMJaDRz3vjddt096W55OuB_xLJDScsS5JilN1wA56ppBWYMPC6tTZ/w400-h300/IMG_0398.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigipfAmgKuvgJuW4Dj9nial7Gmeus4GVi6DHqhDe5rkjc53GjYdISkryk94RreEC9pb2JerqUafdJpFgsk2tDpVavd2PC0nty11m5Y45wDx0CJZr2JXmhTvhIijMq9LGZoP4RVENPgyBs2YylC342tBbvIxDMga9hcxhk26b3ZIvNrIlVwNXlnm6Ys9ogi/s4032/IMG_0443.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigipfAmgKuvgJuW4Dj9nial7Gmeus4GVi6DHqhDe5rkjc53GjYdISkryk94RreEC9pb2JerqUafdJpFgsk2tDpVavd2PC0nty11m5Y45wDx0CJZr2JXmhTvhIijMq9LGZoP4RVENPgyBs2YylC342tBbvIxDMga9hcxhk26b3ZIvNrIlVwNXlnm6Ys9ogi/w400-h300/IMG_0443.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Every morning when I open up my curtain,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">I look down into this beautiful display of flowers and busy pollinators.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">I even noticed a goldfinch eating bugs off of the milkweed!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3-YtXOV62SJEFIhLu5xiffBISsBBQNAXJvILKSZvSRdVCsi_P9R5w2EGxFksp2h-Sf6RoPaJgxrjvOPhKFPrWshLzTCyjnCnKiIIhu8c6pm_si_Dd0f_j_Qt-D3dd874ykRQCUJ0dR0fi0u8f66DrYogZaO7mFKxGsq5pBfI14u9U5Hoa5-cn5gTA1CR/s4032/IMG_0442.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3-YtXOV62SJEFIhLu5xiffBISsBBQNAXJvILKSZvSRdVCsi_P9R5w2EGxFksp2h-Sf6RoPaJgxrjvOPhKFPrWshLzTCyjnCnKiIIhu8c6pm_si_Dd0f_j_Qt-D3dd874ykRQCUJ0dR0fi0u8f66DrYogZaO7mFKxGsq5pBfI14u9U5Hoa5-cn5gTA1CR/w480-h640/IMG_0442.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The zinnias just went wild with the rainfall we got.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">They are filling in the front bed so wonderfully. <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgp6K4LHfUdfxcxlm030IwAuwaDKoXpaIUhT_sMnJcBXZvDOXddgTgw-a-0InbYae_aOuobnD7dy8c3KsCSsMs4oGk65lxHi8anMbOxXZz5PW7DprOnLk5JA4fXNymsY2E5k0tjSzTDsalOsDZXNQyNPLNpc_lUZ2exMfG3E1iFRcDQdApTnI4imS1aGu/s4032/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgp6K4LHfUdfxcxlm030IwAuwaDKoXpaIUhT_sMnJcBXZvDOXddgTgw-a-0InbYae_aOuobnD7dy8c3KsCSsMs4oGk65lxHi8anMbOxXZz5PW7DprOnLk5JA4fXNymsY2E5k0tjSzTDsalOsDZXNQyNPLNpc_lUZ2exMfG3E1iFRcDQdApTnI4imS1aGu/w400-h300/IMG_0524.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Seed saving continues,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">with flower seeds and dried beans making their way into our stash for next season.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">It's a tranquil and fastidious task</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">that can be savored with the anticipation of future harvest.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWhM0-_iTLLzhl8EN-SOhapwmHqPJp6NSq097o0fqC34NraSajVuH1jHFqj7LSEtzpJxQK3bNmCXxQwuwSMaew_2_-5gAlEvnOlVHqhA_zEnHp4piWI26AAMVsQM39Ih59au73yj4UBHH8egHPFGPhDWzasUU5ZO_5v90vyqEmiPsEg_gEt3gqe-9cena/s4032/IMG_0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWhM0-_iTLLzhl8EN-SOhapwmHqPJp6NSq097o0fqC34NraSajVuH1jHFqj7LSEtzpJxQK3bNmCXxQwuwSMaew_2_-5gAlEvnOlVHqhA_zEnHp4piWI26AAMVsQM39Ih59au73yj4UBHH8egHPFGPhDWzasUU5ZO_5v90vyqEmiPsEg_gEt3gqe-9cena/s320/IMG_0521.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The Seminole pumpkin has grown outside of its bed.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">It's still too early to know if fruit will show itself,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">but we'll leave it be for now.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTDp1NpghEhW9LSC3-AXmsHmDldp55rpWNPyodoXq_btzYgPLr2BRh8j7yKHPZ3rn1P4G89lkcO4W1g__2HhPicnAZv9I-Zg-G0v9bCZq0HqN9R6tXrL3ISh0KwJ_7PtDwPGqyzKr4undkKu1pkEw7ZjOu6EF8ebfhMTAXeGAeZ4mlUebsHOfIc4ZdYOr/s4032/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTDp1NpghEhW9LSC3-AXmsHmDldp55rpWNPyodoXq_btzYgPLr2BRh8j7yKHPZ3rn1P4G89lkcO4W1g__2HhPicnAZv9I-Zg-G0v9bCZq0HqN9R6tXrL3ISh0KwJ_7PtDwPGqyzKr4undkKu1pkEw7ZjOu6EF8ebfhMTAXeGAeZ4mlUebsHOfIc4ZdYOr/w300-h400/IMG_0522.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_CRZkZHduTik5TPojVeS0AlcTgAtKBTB4MoOLWo9zR-tvj7L2LNfJRgug7np85lU_mouqggTi8pTe9PYbzZAzcKs83bb5ubHx5hM482QWsTvZU2bQ6XmKVd6A9_jU5bRK1OlY27uIAhTWanW098KtQLaShwCzGjLKWUEbk3wBaLKLylZRg31_xrpPmXV/s4032/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_CRZkZHduTik5TPojVeS0AlcTgAtKBTB4MoOLWo9zR-tvj7L2LNfJRgug7np85lU_mouqggTi8pTe9PYbzZAzcKs83bb5ubHx5hM482QWsTvZU2bQ6XmKVd6A9_jU5bRK1OlY27uIAhTWanW098KtQLaShwCzGjLKWUEbk3wBaLKLylZRg31_xrpPmXV/w300-h400/IMG_0519.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">The Piggot peas have started producing,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">and I'm curious to learn more about them.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">This is a new crop for me,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">but so far, they have been easy to grow.<br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">We're even getting some late-planted cucumbers coming up.<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VXs_cji3Sx9qCZ17Cajbiq2K6kFkQY1eDy_Fm04TBGvvEPPDRDY6QZmUB2lHqmwRB9P72q6GWDBzIx6bNergODvMYuXZVxrMOEkIhf_sUER-UgDzUj6TuWW6QS6lQJK8yjLhDXszO5kHoOeNYqWzkNF8g8mRliOx7TQhVgiJwtXooh6Y1GExAUwWtrUM/s4032/IMG_0513.JPG" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VXs_cji3Sx9qCZ17Cajbiq2K6kFkQY1eDy_Fm04TBGvvEPPDRDY6QZmUB2lHqmwRB9P72q6GWDBzIx6bNergODvMYuXZVxrMOEkIhf_sUER-UgDzUj6TuWW6QS6lQJK8yjLhDXszO5kHoOeNYqWzkNF8g8mRliOx7TQhVgiJwtXooh6Y1GExAUwWtrUM/w480-h640/IMG_0513.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">We've got visitors, folks!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">Although we were not blessed with Monarch caterpillars this year,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">a few black swallowtails were spied on the Rue.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">This no-fuss plant is one of the host plants for this species.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;">What wonders have the fall season brought you?<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: georgia;"> <br /></span></span></div>daisy ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com13