Friday Fotos

 

 

Welcome to Friday Fotos!

During the lull in the gardening season,

we'll be sharing random photographs from around the homestead.

This seasonal flag is one of a few recently purchased for our mailbox  bed.

I'm not one to buy new for the most part,

but I found a terrific company that makes quality flags

and I will share that with you soon.

 

We've been enjoying cooler temperatures for the last few weeks,

and when possible, I've been getting a few outside chores done.

My self-imposed cutoff for working outdoors is 45 degrees,

but anything above that is fair game.

Last week, the skies looked gloomy,

but it was the perfect time to embrace winter's offerings.

 

There is an area in the back of our house that is moderately wooded.

Our sweet neighbor behind us allows me to pretty much

do whatever I want back there.

We have plans to someday create a secret garden in this spot

for her grandchild to enjoy.

On this day, though, 

the task was simply to gather branches for chipping.

This gardener can never have enough wood chips!

There are still plenty more to collect,

but I am pacing myself.

 

Some of the recipients of the chipping work are the chooks.

Their coop run gets quite mucky when the weather is damp,

so I decided to add some wood chips to see if it helps with drainage.

Our rooster, Gandalf, has been acting peculiar of late.

He has been making himself at home in the nesting boxes

sometimes during the day.

This is new behavior, as they've been in this coop for 6 months.

So far, I can't figure out what his motivation is.

Any ideas out there?

 

One of the hens, Houdini,

has figured out how to fly to the top of the coop,

so that frisky Gandalf can't get to her.

More power to ya, girl!

I'm not sure if it's the lack of light or the cold,

but we're only getting one egg about every other day.

They all seem healthy and bright-eyed,

so I'm hoping it's just a seasonal thing.

Look at this handy trick I learned this week from a friend!

It's a way to wind up an extension cord

which makes it easier to carry,

as well as easier to unwind.

Some of our drop cords are somewhat heavy,

and this gets the job done quite handily.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

I don't stray far from home too often, but

I was able to find a new harvest basket at one of the shops

in town.

This should come in handy, as it is quite a bit larger

than the previous container I used.

Before you know it,

we'll be harvesting all sorts of fresh goodies!

 

The easiest renovation project we've done

was to replace these old registers in the whole house.

We have been wanting to do it for the last couple of years,

but couldn't find a style we both liked.

While at Lowe's this week, we decided to look again 

to see if there was anything new.

Voila!

These little changes make a big difference.

2018

 

As I write this, 

snow is forecasted overnight.

Here's hoping our mailbox looks like this tomorrow 

upon waking.

Enjoy your weekend, whatever the weather!

 

It's a Fresh, New Year!

 

 

The mantra for 2020 was:

 

Go Forth.

Do Good.

 

It worked so well to keep me focused on the big picture,

that it will continue to be the song in my head this year.

 

There are always new goals,

as I am task oriented

and feel good when things are crossed off the weekly to-do list.

With so much extra time at home last year,

several garden projects were completed.

There weren't as many opportunities to volunteer

or get out into the community,

but that was a necessary element of the madness that was our reality.

 

The biggest goal for this year is my desire to do more for others.

I'm calling it The Kindness Project.

I've made myself a goal to do at least

one random act of kindness a month.

I've already started, 

but haven't yet figured out how best to share it

to keep myself accountable,

without seeming like I am seeking out praise for the endeavor.

Here's a helpful link if you are interested in joining me.

 

For the foreseeable future,

Garden Friday posts will be suspended,

as there is not much to report.

Colder temperatures have slowed growing,

although you won't hear any complaints from me.

This is the first year since we've been here,

that winter has decided to stick around for a while,

and I am enjoying every minute of it.

Chores consist mostly of leaf shredding,

wood chipping 

and peeking underneath the row covers for signs of life.

 

So, without the garden updates to share,

Friday Fotos will give a snippet of what's happening around our homestead.

 

Hoping that 2021 treats you well

and that you are able to move forward

toward your own goals.

Be Blissed!

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 Here's hoping that the trail ahead

leads you to your destiny!

Blessings to you and yours in the New Year.

God bless us, everyone.

~daisy

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

May your day be blissed!

~daisy and crew

 

hoping for snow!

Garden Friday

 

Our homestead

Welcome to Garden Friday!

The blog has been fairly quiet

because there just isn't that much to share!

We really don't go anywhere these days,

and even most of the garden chores have slowed down.

It's been a fabulous fall

with just enough work to keep me hummin'.

 

The row covers are still working their magic.

We've had consistent temperatures in the 30's and 40's

for a good while and everything tucked underneath

has been just fine.

Things aren't growing a whole lot,

but that's expected when temperatures get this low

and the sunshine is somewhat scarce.

The carrots and leek are enjoying their protection,

but would most likely be okay left to their own devices.

I sowed some lettuce, leek and spinach last week,

not knowing if it will be warm enough to germinate.

What a wonderful surprise it will be

if it actually pops up!

 

The garden is still crankin' out the lettuce!

A couple of times a week I'll go pick a big handful

and it makes me smile to see that it barely needs rinsing because it's so clean.

The under layer of shredded leaves keeps the soil off of it.

My favorite variety is still green oakleaf,

but having ordered next season's seeds,

that may change come spring.

 

 

The Walla-Walla onions have made some progress.

This bed is uncovered and doing just fine.

I keep picturing those bulbous onions being pulled up

and ready for a turn in the iron skillet.

 

I ended up pulling all the snap peas out

and giving them to the chooks.

I never did get a pod from them,

but sampled the shoots on several occasions.

I will give them another go in the early spring

to see if I can grow some peas to snack on.

 

Some time is spent each week shredding leaves

and chipping up small twigs and branches.

Some of the leaves have been raked up

to surround the trees on the property.

The idea is to provide warmth and nutrients to the soil underneath.

I'd like to add more bulbs around these areas

and taking care of the soil can only improve their chances.

 

It feels like winter has come a little early this year,

but you won't hear me complain one bit.

After living for years in Florida where winter showed up

for only a few days and then it was right back to heat and humidity,

these cool (even cold) days just feel right.

Still hoping for snow before spring comes,

as I have not lost the love for its magical spell.

Praying that you and yours are safe-n-sound.