Maple Hill Hop 5

Welcome to the Maple Hill Hop.

Feel free to share what's going on outside your door!

We've had some gorgeous days lately.

We always await autumn with open hearts.

The square-foot bed is filling in.

We've got green beans, eggplant, beets, lettuce, 

snap peas and newly-sown carrots growing here.

I added the morning glory vines to add some color to the grid.

You know what this means?

Soon we'll have sugar snap peas to munch on!

Hot dog!

These holes were noticed yesterday.

Guess I'll have to root around to find out what's making them.

 Each day a handful of green beans is harvested with pride.

Not sure what happened to this little guy.

On one of our morning checks, it was just drooping like this and the leaves were discolored.

It was fertilized anyway on the weekend,

so we'll see if it perks up.

Lettuce needs to be resown,

so that a steady supply is available.

This is a Bibb variety, and I'm looking forward to the first bite!

 

 Zinnias still add some color near the blue plumbego.

 

French marigold

butterfly vine

The saltbush in the backyard is LOADED with bees.

They are just starting to flower.

 

It's amazing to stand under them and listen to the buzzing.

star jasmine

 With an overcast day and mild temperatures,

yesterday was a great day for a bit of maintenance.

I love having more time outside tweaking the garden.

 

Here's hoping you have something wonderful

waiting right outside your door!

Let's HOP!

Shared at:

Farm School-Fall Series Week Seven

We're back on track with Farm School.

What a lovely day we had.

With temps in the 70's and the humidity down,

it was the perfect day to be outside.

We live for days like this.

Our tasks began with the tomato patch.

pre-tuck

We needed to do what Faye & Lynn call the "tomato tuck".

The objective is to tuck the limbs behind the baling twine

which adds support to the plant

while making it easier to navigate between the rows.

post-tuck

Oh my.

Faye's keen eye spotted this guy.

It's a tomato horn worm and he is most certainly not welcome in the tomato patch.

It is actually the larvae of the sphinx moth.

Grow yer own, dude!

Fortunately, he didn't get to these yet.

The plants are loaded with fruit.

It won't be long before we're enjoying these juicy tidbits.

(If we can keep the worms away.) 

These eggplant were ready to be caged.

It tends to be windy up here on the hill,

so the cages are instrumental in nurturing a sturdy plant.

Another luscious jewel to look forward to.

All the radishes were harvested.

These little gems only take a few weeks to fully mature.

They are one of the smaller crops grown here,

but they sure pack a punch!

Spicy like you wouldn't believe. 

The dill is having a good time filling out in this pot.

We did a bit of "tucking" in "Peaville" as well.

The Simpson Elite lettuce is going gangbusters!

Some of this made it home with me today.

The datil peppers are growing strong.

These babies are perfect for those who need a little heat,
(okay, a LOT of heat). 

Another great learning session today at Farm School.

I feel so blessed to be able to witness the garden coming into another season.

With every seasonal change, there are different obstacles, new approaches,

and a myriad of welcome experiences.

My time here has allowed me to become a more confident gardener.

I've been given a lifelong gift 

for which I am immensely grateful.

You can read how Farm School started here.

Sale on the Hill! (part two)

Yesterday we told you about the 39-mile yard sale
taking place tomorrow along Scenic Highway in Lake Wales.

 We wanted to share with you some of the vintage items that our friends

Faye & Lynn are selling as well. 

These items did not make it into the yard sale inventory

and are looking for just the right owner.

Check out some of these amazing vintage items:

 This item has already been sold,

but I just had to share it with you.

It's a military camping stove,

complete with everything needed for a GI to make a hot meal out in the field.

 This rare auto cook kit is from the 30's.
Made in America, it was to be used by motorists 
exploring the open roads so that they could cook meals on their travels.

It's only been started once, but most likely never used to actually cook anything.

The condition is unbelievable.

They even have the original shipping box that it came in!

Check the date-1932.

This fantastic commercial juicer from Sunkist

is the type that used to be used in drug store soda fountains.

It juices lemons, limes, oranges, even grapefruits.

It's all stainless steel and in perfect working order.

Couldn't you just picture this old fryer in someone's retro kitchen?
It's a complete set and in pristine condition.
~Update:  This item has been sold.~

This 1953 American-made beauty is in working order.

Isn't this multiple sharpener a hoot?

It was made in the good ole USA in the 1960's.

It can sharpen pencils, knives and scissors.

These 1975 Ball zinc canning lids are new in the box and have never been used.

They have  porcelain liners and come 12 to a box.

~This item has been sold.~

Another great USA-made product.

This set of Lefton Luncheon plates with cups is from the 60's.

This china is hand painted and numbered.

It's in perfect condition.

This original Coca-cola advertisement is not a print.

It is an actual ad on the back page of a regional newsletter.

Did you notice the price of a bottle of pop back then?

Anyone who collects Coca-cola memorabilia would be thrilled with this 1948 item.

For those into handmade pottery,

this I M Mead jar would fit the bill.

This Ohio artist's work dates back to the late 1800's.

Here's a piece of history.
This Limited Collection of digitally mastered Beatles' albums is new in the box.
The albums have never been played.

Some of their best work is beautifully encased in this box set.

Any Beatle fan would love to own this collection.

As you can tell,

these folks only do quality.

If you'd like further information on any of these items,

just email me at

naturegurl1111@gmail.com

Hope you find some treasures you can't live without!