Sunflower Eggshells

Lisa, over at Fresh Eggs Daily, 
posted something a while back
that I thought was a great idea.

Plant sunflowers in eggshells.
We've been using all kinds of unconventional containers 
for seeds as of late.
But then, we usually prefer to go against the grain.

You can find the story here:

Sunflower Sunday


 

 What a wonderful tradition to continue year after year.
You can be sure we'll be doing this each and every season. 

Pay Attention

12 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life 
(or someone else's)

*When driving, leave the radio turned off 
and the windows rolled down.
You'll notice things you haven't before.

*Park further from your destination and enjoy the walk.
Just a few extra steps can add up to a real difference.

*Close your eyes when you brush your teeth.
You'll do a better job!

*Use your own pen when filling out forms.

*Bring your own reading material to appointments. 
These two will keep you healthier, 
as you are not sharing materials (and germs) with others.

*Leave unneeded coupons on the shelf at the grocery store.
The next person to purchase the product 
will get a wonderful surprise!

*Add the year to the first ten checks at the beginning of the new year.
By the time you use the tenth check, 
you'll be used to writing the new year's date.

*When making new entries to a phone book, 
write the name in ink,

the address and phone numbers in pencil.
Hopefully, you'll keep your friends, 
even if their address or phone number changes.

*Bring shopping carts back into the store for someone else.
You'll save someone an extra trip back to their vehicle and 
store employees won't have to take the time to round up carts.

*Leave a note in dry erase marker 
on your child's (or spouse's) bathroom mirror.
Start their day with a smile and a good feeling inside.

*Donate the leftover balance on a gift card to the next person in line.
Maybe they can get something they weren't expecting.

*Say a quiet prayer to every school bus, fire truck, 
police car and ambulance you encounter.
Something as simple as, "God bless and keep you" 
will keep the good stuff moving.
   
*Leave one dollar bills in children's books at the library.
Reading really pays off-in more ways than one!

These are all small things,
but can add up to improving your life
(and maybe someone else's).



"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift."
-Pierre Corneille

Tuesday Tidings-Planting in Earnest

It's been a busy planting time here lately.
Farm School has been motivating me to see 
just how much we can grow here 
on our lil' patch of dirt.
And with mild temps, 
it's difficult for me to keep myself 
from wandering outdoors to find new projects.

My friend farmer Lynn would be proud of me,
keeping track of my gardening practices on a regular basis.



They did!

These carrot seeds weren't from our recent order,
but I thought I'd give 'em a go.

I planted a dozen or so in this patch.

Only a few came up.

When I checked the package,

I realized the seeds were a bit old.

So I tested them for viability

by placing them on damp paper towels for about a week.

It was a no go.

Instead of buying more carrot seeds,

I just decided to move on...

Some peas were reseeded on the bamboo trellis.

The beets I seeded recently are starting to come up.
These are a new crop for us.

So exciting!

Then I went to town with the white eggplant,

and a more traditional variety,

leeks,

striped beets,

and San Marzano tomatoes for making gravy.

Some of the pea plants are doing well
while others, not so much.
So I reseeded them in the square foot bed.

Although this variety doesn't need staking,
I planted them right with the other type seeded earlier in the season.



And, speaking of peas,
I have an announcement to make!
(Insert trumpet music here.)

We've got peas!!!
What. A. Rush.

We use a lot of dried beans in our recipes,
so I wanted to give these a go.
They were seeded around our tripod teepee.

Here's the square-foot bed where we're experimenting 
with new crops and varieties.

Berries ready for the snackin'.

These sweet peas were chosen to add to the blue garden out front.

We've had a few visitors lately...

some good, some I'm not quite sure.

The sage is coming back.

I love the texture as well as the shade of this easy grower.

The society garlic is in full bloom
and it is identifiable by its pungent scent.

Bulbine ready to bloom...

 

and on its way.

Adore this heat-lover.

The lantana has been attracting lots of butterflies and bees.

The morning glories are such a welcome sight
each day by the back door.

Lillies started opening up this weekend.

This is growing in the back bed,
but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.

The peanuts are starting to make their way around the border.

Johnny Jump-Ups grown from saved seed.

We have quite a few peace lily plants inside and out.

Reusing old containers brings out the whimsy 
of our gardening efforts.

I hope that spring has graced your homestead
so that you can create your dream garden
 be it with veggies, an orchard, ornamentals
or anything your heart desires.

Go forth and plant!