Pleasant Prairie Farm

Garden rewards

2010-04-18T15:23:00.000-07:00

Although I have taken on a full time job...........which I love...............and by the end of my shift I have found myself exhausted at times...............

I have still managed to stay on top of my gardening and to get the things taken care of that I need to do in it. This weekend I was able to harvest the radishes I had planted! They are a little smaller than the ones I buy in town, but they taste wonderful!
These radish seeds came from Hometown seeds, in a survival package they sent to me. I have to say that these seeds are wonderful! They all sprouted when the instructions on them have said they would and the plants seem very healthy. This weekend I planted the last of the packages. I planted Kentucky Wonder Beans and Sweet Corn. I planted squash, zucchini, tomato, pepper and cucumber last week in containers in the greenhouse. The cucumbers have already sprouted and I will transplant them to the garden in about a couple of weeks or so. I have never had much luck with corn. In the early stages of the plant, the large moths that live in this area , lay their eggs inside of the stalks. The larvae, when hatched, them eat on the new corn. What the worms do not get, the birds destroy. So I am anxious to see how this turns out this year. All together, I have been very pleased with this seed company. They send such a great amount in the packages, that I still have so much seed left for future planting, and it looks like I might have a wonderful harvest from their seeds.

2010-04-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

All around me, in the area where I live, there are fresh plowed fields..........in wait..............for cotton or grain to be planted. I love to see how these fields seem to stretch on.....forever.
Here in my little "farm" my garden is taking off with new sprouts of beets, cabbage, radishes, onion, carrots, peas, and spinach..........and a few more things on the way.

Inside the green house the pumpkin seeds I have planted have all begun to sprout.
I plan to plant these plants in late May.

I planted two different types of pumpkin this year and several varieties of decorative gourds.
I love to grow pumpkins and gourds. Their leaves are big and beautiful and it's exciting to see how big a pumpkin might get to be. I have made an announcement to all family and friends that I will live to be 105 and will be selling my pumpkins in a little stand by the road.........along with apples...........from my some day orchard............
It's the best kind of dream ever...............to me.

Wildflowers of the Prairie

2010-04-08T18:31:00.001-07:00

I cook at a small diner from 6:30 in the morning until 2:00 in the day. After work, I still have enough day time left to enjoy walking with Sophie, (my dog) and my life's sweetie, my husband. Last week, we went looking for meteorites, (didn't find any), but found some pretty rocks instead. Today, we walked the grounds and discovered that the Blue Bonnets I planted last fall have started coming up and blooming. There are several wildflowers that naturally grow here on the prairie farm grounds.........Indian Blanket , Ox-eyed Daisy, and Prairie Aster, to just name a few. However, Blue Bonnet has not been growing on these grounds..................the reason I planted seed last fall. Farther along in South Texas, Blue Bonnet covers fields and acres............a blue ocean of petals to be seen far and wide. Many Texas artists paint pictures of this beautiful sight. Hopefully, the Blue Bonnets I have planted will go to seed and start multiplying in the same way. I would love to see a photo of my farm, surrounded by a field of Blue Bonnets.

Happy Easter Dear Blogging Friends!

2010-04-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Making it all work

2010-03-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Just have to turn the television off..............so much trouble in the news today.

I look over to the large stack of bills waiting for my attention................not right now.

I head out with Sophie for a long walk and a quiet talk with God..................He listens.

I have plants sprouting in the garden, plants in the greenhouse waiting to be planted, projects needing to be stitched and finished, and animals needing attention..................and now............

a job opportunity............I was offered..........I accepted...........I was given..................

now if I can just make it all work together...............

Walking Along

2010-03-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

I took a walk with my husband today, through the grounds and along the field road. We spend a great time looking for rocks during these walks. It is amazing just how pretty and colorful rocks are! Walking back on the road that leads home, a strong fragrance could be smelt in the air.................almost like honey. It was coming from the bush in the above photo. One thing I have not yet done, but plan on doing, is to research and learn the names of the different native plants that grow here on the grounds. There are so many, and each one has a different blossom or berry on them. This is the time of year that each one shows off it's prettiest dress.

My Day

2010-03-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

From the early morning.............
Throughout the day.................

and to the setting of the sun..................life here on the farm is ...........

pleasant!

2010-03-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

It doesn't look like much now, but underneath all of this blank, still earth, are dozens of tiny seeds, laid carefully in rows.................waiting for the moisture and sun to bring them to life. I spent much of the day planting the seeds that Hometown Seeds sent to me. Only the early spring seeds, such as spinach, beets, carrots and such. Late spring planting will come later and I will be planting corn, tomatoes, squash and my favorite..................pumpkins! I still have a rodent running loose in my greenhouse.............so planting in there is halted until my rodent termination process is successful.

2010-03-13T15:38:00.001-08:00

Where did this day go? It seems like I just got up.............

and now the late afternoon sun is filling the room with it's soft gold tones, through the window.This has been such a busy day. I got a lot of things taken care of that needed my attention. There was a mouse in my greenhouse! That is what has eaten my young sprouts down. I quickly remedied this situation.............no pictures.............too graphic.............and I moved a lot of my plants out of the greenhouse..........such as the 30+ aloe vera..........and put them in a protected sunny area.Now I have empty shelves and plenty of room in the greenhouse to sprout the flowers and plants I want to grow. I just hope Old Lady Winter doesn't pull a trick on me and send one more cold blast of snow.
I cleaned out the pond............the goldfish have grown so much since summer..........and I scooped up this little creature............It's good to see life in the pond. Now I can see the goldfish and the frog due to the clean clear water. Tonight, Daylight Savings time kicks in and we are to spring forward one hour. This will make the days a little longer and I can get much more done.............I hope.

From The Earth

2010-03-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

Although the days are dusty with high gusts of wind and the nights are still pretty chilly, all over the grounds of the farm, life is bursting forth. My asparagus bed is full of heads breaking the ground and the onion tops are full and bright green.

Inside the greenhouse.......the cabbage I planted has sprouted..........however....out of 10 plants.......this is the only one remaining. They were there one day.............gone the next.............because something is in the greenhouse, eating the sprouts.............it might also be in the soil. Such a disappointment! I have done some research and it is suggested that I "bake" my soil in the oven to sterilize it. This I will be doing this weekend. I might also have a mouse in the greenhouse.............one is inside of my son's car.........parked not very far away from the greenhouse. I am determined to find out the source........no matter what it takes.

Farmstead

2010-03-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

old house in Sarahsville, OH
Not too much to post about this week..............as this is a time of waiting..............waiting to plant..........waiting for the harsh wind and dirt to stop blowing............waiting for the sprouts in the greenhouse to poke their heads above the soil.
Every time I see photos of old houses........like the one above.........my heart feels a tug. I wonder if I ever get this place turned into the farm that I long for.............will it all end up like this poor old lady? I have to say...........I am the only one in this household who really wants to see something prosper out of these grounds. Not that everyone else is uncaring...........not at all............it's just.......... they have other dreams.............other things to do with their mind and hands. The thought of staying in this area and taking over...........is the last thing they would ever want to do. As I look at this wonderful old house.............I wonder who kept the household going...............how many children banged the screen door, what was planted on the grounds...............what prayers were spoken within those walls. What made them leave it behind and why hasn't someone come to rescue it?......................I wonder.................

Close The Gate!

2010-03-04T08:57:00.001-08:00

While my back was turned, and I was busy in my work, the latch to the gate of the chicken yard came loose(I didn't hook it right) and Gideon saw his chance and got out to stretch his legs. This was only a few minutes before I spotted him, but as some of you know............only a few minutes can be devastating in a garden when a chicken is loose. I don't know how he managed to get out without the others following him, but I was grateful that he was the only one to chase. But he looks so pretty in the middle of the stock flower.........it was sad to put him back into his yard. I used to let all of my chickens have free run around the grounds...........but this soon brought ruined flower beds, predators and death to the farm, so for their own safety..........and my sanity.............they are kept in their yard.
Maybe one day, when I don't care about what grows anymore........I might let them have free run again, but I have a feeling I will always want to grow flowers and keep chickens until I am 109..............at least!

Computer Woes

2010-03-01T08:01:00.001-08:00

Hi, everyone......thank you for all of your sweet comments. Just want you to know that I will be absent for a bit..........my computer has died..........the funeral will be quick and swift, but the recovery will be slow.........so until a new computer enters my life and fulfills my blogging destiny.......I will be thinking of all of you...................maybe by then, I will have more to talk about than chickens, gardening and Sophie...........but of course, they will still be the topic bouncing around. So happy blogging days ahead to all of you and I can't wait to be back here again! blessings,Kathleen

Being Happy In Any Circumstances

2010-02-26T11:34:00.000-08:00

Annabelle is one of the oldest ducks here on the farm. She is from the first batch that I brought out here over 8 years ago. Because the drakes are too aggressive with her, I have her separated during the day so that she can enjoy walking the grounds and swimming in her pool.

Her pool sprung a leak. I poured out the water and had to remove it to place some adhesive on it and to allow it to dry. This did not bother Annabelle at all. As you can see, she is just as happy in a mud puddle. As I walked upon this scene, it made me think of Paul in the Bible when he stated that he had learned to be happy no matter what his circumstance might be............

"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need."Philippians 4:11-12

I have to say...............before we lived here..............we lived in a small house.............in a horrible gang and drug ridden neighborhood.................yet, even at that time, I was content...............a little scared...............but content. I worked the small ground and watched things sprout and bloom.............I raised 3 little ones and we had the sweetest times there. Now I look at my life.............more ground to work.......... my nest is just about empty(this is somewhat sad for me).........but I am content...........and grateful.

Snowy Day and Blossoms

2010-02-24T10:51:00.001-08:00

Another snow came along and snowed for a good part of the day. Just for a while, I sat out in the frozen stillness of the front porch and watched the big flakes fall. My gardens are ready for planting..........but on days like this...........I spend much of the time designing, planning, and stitching. My "site" is ready for me to start selling my handmades "on line", but no matter how long I stitch.........it takes forever to get enough things accumulated to sell.
In no time, the sun came out and the snow quickly melted. Even in these frozen temperatures, the stock flower produces it's fragrant blossoms in the vibrant color of purple. This is such a strong, hardy plant. It stays green all year long. It grows up to 2 ft. with wood like stalks and can tolerate the Texas heat and drought. I have just transplanted a little over 80 of these young plants in a solid role to serve as a natural fence along my flower garden. So far, some of these plants have lived here on the grounds for 2 years.

Gardening Regions

2010-02-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

I spent a big part of my day researching zones and regions for Texas, and the seeds I received, and whether or not they could be planted during our long spring and summer seasons. I was surprised to find out that I can now plant the beets, cabbage( will sprout these indoors first), carrots, Swiss chard, spinach, and radishes between now and March.............and then plant them again at fall time. The radishes I can actually hold off until later, if I want. I have not planted much of these types of vegetables, so I am learning a lot........ just from accepting these seeds. I have also changed the plans on where I am going to plant the root vegetables. The ground of garden spaces I have worked over during the years is so much deeper and softer, than the new space I have just tilled........... a much better place for carrots to develop, as well as beets and radishes. So I will just go along and find the right spots as the time approaches for each vegetable seed to be planted and hope that I am successful. It is freezing today......with a chance of snow. I am planning on planting in a couple of weeks.

Early Planting

2010-02-19T11:14:00.001-08:00

This week, I spent much of my time finding the perfect spot

for a new garden space. I have my original garden spaces that I used last year, and really was not planning on planting too much more than what I have planted in the past. However, in the mail today, came a large batch of seeds. Some vegetables, like corn, tomato, squash and peppers, I have grown before, but other vegetables such as beets, Swiss chard and cabbage, I have never tried.
I tilled up a fairly good size area, and there is still plenty untouched area if I decide I need more planting room. I usually wait until Good Friday to do my planting, however, with the cabbage, onion, Swiss chard and beets, I am going to be planting by the first week of March. Some seed I will be starting in the greenhouse and then planting after they sprout and harden off. I am really doing this garden as part of a test to see how some of my composted soil does compared to the regular existing soil. I also plan to start my pumpkin seeds soon, as I really like planting the plants instead of the seed right into the ground. By the time May comes, I should have sturdy will rooted plants. I still need to put up a surrounding fence to keep out the rabbits and I also worry about the harsh winds that I know will soon begin to blow.

New In The Nests

2010-02-16T06:21:00.000-08:00

From all of the heavy rain and snow, the hen house has become extremely dirty. I usually always fill the nests with fresh hay.............which in no time winds up scratched out of the boxes and onto the hen house floor. In no time the nest boxes are bare.

This weekend, I tried something new.............although I have to say, I was a little hesitant to try it. And I have to admit...........it was on sale and extremely cheap......................wood shavings. Upon opening the bag, I was surprised to find the shavings very soft and not splintery as I thought they would be. I filled the nests boxes and put some underneath them on the floor..............a place where some of the hens like to make a nest.
By the time I had the partial bag put away in storage and came back to the hen house, Clara Bell had already made herself comfortable. So far the nest boxes are still full and the chickens have left the shavings alone. They are not interested in trying to eat it either...........which was one worry I had had. I have noticed that in other stores, this type of bedding is more expensive than the hay I buy. But I won't mind paying a little extra if this lasts longer.

There's always a way!

2010-02-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

Talking with different people about selling my potted plants from my greenhouse, led me to the realization that one cannot sell growing plants without a LICENSE.

Not even in front of one's own home. One can sell produce from any thing they grow, just not the living plant itself. After some research and a few phone calls, the most effective call placed to Austin, Texas, I hold in my hand the application for the license to sell my potted plants! There are different class license with different fees. I fall under a class 2, where I can sell out of my greenhouse and from my home. The fee is $110.00 a year. I got the license application just by calling the state Department of Agriculture and a very informative person, emailed the required documents to me to print off. Now my only obstacle is I don't have near enough potted plants sprouted to make up for the license fee and I don't have yet enough customers to purchase them. I want to at least double my money to make up for the fee. So, this license application will go rest in my file and I will set out to work on planting, sprouting, and getting word out about my plants.

My goal...........to have this accomplished by next year................time will tell. But I am glad in all of this that there is always a way to make something work!

Timing And Experience

2010-02-06T08:06:00.001-08:00

Last night was the first Farmer's Market meeting. I was asked to bring my embroidery work to show to everyone. So with a bag full of my work and my dreams ..........of being this little farm..........in my mind.........I found myself in a small group of the friendliest folk. They loved my work, my ideas of selling it, along with flowers and pumpkins I hope to sell as well, ...........yet in the middle of it all...........I realized, how really unprepared I am.

I have only small gardens, no tractor, acres of unworked land, and big...................dreams.

These seasoned farmers were talking about their tractors, their acres of worked, plowed land and of all of the produce they will have every Saturday and Tuesday from July through October.

My embroidery takes weeks to months to finish,................. my garden only produces enough (if I were lucky) to sell one good sell. I am thinking of keeping my embroidery to sell "on line" and my flowers and pumpkins, the small batch there will be........to local small stores...............for right now...........until I really get things going in bigger ways. I have until July to give this a lot of thought. Only time and experience will tell.

In The Quiet Of The Woods

2010-02-02T09:57:00.001-08:00

Even though at this time of year, the woods that surround the farm are still, bare, and quiet,..............it's one of my favorite times to walk around and explore the secrets it is hiding among it's thorns and brush. I have to say, also, that the woods are one of my favorite things about where I live. It would not be the same to live out in the open with nothing but cotton fields to look across.The moss and fungus that exists on some of the trees is such an interesting thing to look at. Some times it is soft like velvet and deep green, sometimes it is a jade color and rubbery. I know that one day when I grow too old to live this far out, and I have to choose to live in a cubicle in town............I will look back on these days when I was free to roam and explore.

The Good, The Bad, The Slippery

2010-01-28T11:24:00.001-08:00

I awoke to the splattering sounds of rain, and the first thought that came to my mind was............

" Good rain,.... Oh, this will certainly make the bluebonnets sprout!"..............

then as my mind caught up in the process of waking, my next thought...........

"oh no............ bad rain............I have to drive into town today............the roads will be flooded."

When it rains hard..........the roads turn into lakes.

I had to be in town............and so I drove...... as the rain pounded harder and the windshield wipers fought furiously against it. And in an instant, the car started to feel as if it were floating, the trac/control light came on, and the windshield iced up............................sleet............. slippery sleet.............I don't drive in sleet...........but turning back was just as far to drive as going onward..............so onward I went, at a snail's pace.
But in all things, the good, the bad, the slippery, I still see the beauty in it all. Sleet has always looked like glass beads to me. Shiny.........sparkley.........
Now I'm home..............
.................home..............
I love that word.

Greenhouse Potting

2010-01-26T22:51:00.001-08:00

The wind and dirt took the past couple of days off and I was able to get outside to work.

I dug up several shoots of the heirloom Jasmine and potted them into containers. These will leaf out by July, and I hope to sell them with other plants at the market. I have had this Jasmine for many years and it has grown out so well. This particular Jasmine can't be ordered from nurseries any longer...............at least that is what I have been told. I was advised to find an abandoned home or foundation where this still grows and dig it up, if I wanted any. I was able to do just that. A remaining foundation was about to be dug up and plowed over for a new parking lot.............I was able to get the Jasmine and am so glad I did.
In the greenhouse, the containers of Daffodils are sprouting!
I love these cheery yellow flowers!

On the fence post by my potting table, curious Salem is close by to offer his help. Snow and ice are supposed to be on the way, so I hope to get a little more outside work done before it hits. There is so much to be done yet.

Dusty Winds

2010-01-24T07:49:00.001-08:00

For the past week, the early mornings have greeted me...........

looking like this...........

A wonderful welcome to the new day. A promising day of ground to dig in and things to sprout.
However, by noon, the days have turned to this...........
Dark orange skies and choking dust blowing from the strong gusts of the west Texas wind. With half of the cotton fields blowing over the farm. I didn't get the chance to work outside much this week. Just to feed and water the outside animals, was a process of hanging onto my jacket as the wind blew against me, and feeding and watering in a rush to get back inside..........
away from the charging tumbleweeds and the sting of the dirt. But living in Texas all of my life.......it's what I am used to and considered as a "normal day" during this time of year all the way to summer.

Life's Tap

2010-01-21T05:21:00.000-08:00

Although I live the major part of my life in solitude and peace, where I can just shut the world's problems off with one touch of a button on the remote...............

life still has a way of giving me a sharp tap on the shoulder. This week has been full of such taps. The death of a close friend's spouse...............one who has been out to share our holidays, meals, and once in a while happenings............never to return to stop by and to say hello...........

the death of marriage among distant family members............

changing family times and memories.........

the word of death soon to come to a dear aunt...........who, for the longest time, has had the tiring battle of cancer..............

making me to stop and realize how fragile life and happiness is.........

and then there is the tap...............

of new babies being born...............grandchildren coming into the lives of friends............

the tap of hope and new memories to be made.

New Day Dawning

2010-01-18T06:58:00.001-08:00

This is the image on my wall every morning..........the promise of a new day shining through the lace curtains. I have gotten to love this image more and more. Nelly, the tiller, got a good going over, and is now up and running, now I can break up the garden spaces. The stock flower and Italian Jasmine are budding and starting to show their first blooms among the grounds; it's time to separate and transfer the young plants to another space, and the onions from last fall have poked their heads through in the garden. My gardening season is beginning. I have my stash of accumulated material laid out and ready to cut........I am beginning to make the quilt I have so long been wanting to start...............

I have many plans and much work to do this week. My canvas is sitting blank and ready!

Annabelle

2010-01-14T06:12:00.001-08:00

The first week I moved here and walked the grounds, my first thought was.......I, at last, can get ducks and chickens! Annabelle, is one of the first fowl that has been here since that time 8 years ago. I brought her home,a tiny bit of soft yellow fluff, with two tiny orange feet......along with two other little ducks. As the years have passed.......there has been many new broods of chickens hatched out here and purchased, along with other small amounts of ducks. Time and predators have taken a toll on the barnyard..... dwindling down the group, but somehow, Annebelle has survived it all. She has two drakes to keep her company.....and I am thinking about a new "box of quackers" to get in the spring. Annabelle has been the one to teach me every thing there is to know about ducks. What they like, what they don't like. I am amazed at how resilient ducks are. When the rain is pounding down and the chickens run for cover, the ducks are out in it all, splashing and running their bills into the mud, having a party. When the pools are frozen over and the water is icy, the ducks jump on top of the ice, breaking into the freezing water and plunging underneath. I am not sure how much longer Annabelle will be with me. I keep the drakes separated from her during the day, because they are just too rough and she doesn't get the chance to eat or relax in the pool. She gets with them at night only. She limps now as she waddles about, but she still loves to do the "duck things" that she has always done. Out of all of the ducks I will raise through this journey, it will be Annabelle that will remain in my memory.

Waiting On The Man

2010-01-11T05:09:00.001-08:00

We have had below freezing weather for the whole past week.......leaving the water faucets, the pond, the barn yard water, and the ground solidly frozen.

vintage tools from previous grandparents

........

This weekend, to my delight, the temperature got up into the 50's!

I haul out Nelly.........the tiller..........and just about wore my arm out trying to get her to start.

No matter what I did, and no matter how much I tried,

no motor starting.

I had to put her away, and I have to wait to get her looked at. It's at times like these, that I really appreciate man's progress in creating wonderful machines to get the hard work done. When I had lived in town, with no Nelly, I spent a week forking up the front yard with a fork much like the one pictured above. Then Nelly arrived, and I got soft and lazy. Out here, with as much as I want to plant and watch over, there is no way I could ever get it forked over. This weekend, the man with the "Midas " touch, the man who can just look at something not working, and it instantly starts working, the man who always bales me out of my impossible projects..................my husband...........will be off from work.........and save the day!...........and my farm dream!..................what would I be without him?????

Just A Thought For The Weekend

2010-01-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

" She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27

Grass

2010-01-03T06:40:00.001-08:00

Last night's heavy fog left us a thick coat of ice stuck on the brush, trees, and grounds, here at the farm. A good time for picture taking. Sophie has gotten so used to the things I do, that at the moment she sees me grabbing my camera,she knows that it is a sure unspoken statement that we are going for a short walk.

Now my complaint..........grass.

I spent the last part of yesterday afternoon, until sundown, clearing the flower/asparagus bed that surrounds my greenhouse fence. The small area that my greenhouse sits on was once made and used as a small garden by the folks who previously lived here. I used it for that same purpose, and then for flowers for the first couple of years I was here as well, even placing a chicken wire fence around the posts to keep varmints out. Now the greenhouse takes up half of it and I have room for my potting table and to grow some things if I wish to do so. The asparagus was here when I moved in and has done very well in production. In the rest of the bed, I plant flowers of one kind or another. No matter how hard I work to cut and clear, grass always comes back and grows the thickest I have ever seen! You know, it's funny, where I want grass to grow, and no matter how much I water and take care of it,.......it doesn't grow like the pictures in the magazines show.........and where I don't want grass to grow, and spend all of my time and strength to dig it out..........it grows supremely well! Isn't there a Murphey's Law about grass somewhere?? I am sure there is!

Reading Tools

2010-01-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

I have gotten all of my garden books out and have been going through them, making notes on the things I want to try and reading notes that I posted inside of them of things that have worked over the past years. One book I have followed for more than a dozen years is a very old book whose print was last in 1935. It was given to me by a neighbor. It holds such good and common sense advice and everything I have tried in it, has proven to be worthy of it's print. The grounds around the farm have been too muddy to work in since the last snows, but with the sun shining the past 2 days, I may be able to get out and work tomorrow. I have new garden spaces to till as well as the old ones. I need to check on the grape vines as well. I am also planning on starting the work of sprouting seed for plants to place in the greenhouse and to hopefully sell at the farmers market.

Toto.........I don't think we're in Texas anymore

2009-12-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

Or at least that's how it feels......

In the early morning, heading out with my faithful Sophie, to take care of the chickens and ducks, I opened the door........................

snow........beautiful, white, quiet and still, falling.......

Texas only gets snow ONCE a year......if we even get that at all. We have now gotten it 3 times since Thanksgiving.

I quickly awaken from my daze to remember that I have a whole load of clothes hanging out on the line. My dryer just recently took vacation and the last batch of clothes were not dry last night. Hanging out over night, I was sure they would be dry by mid morning.

As I sit here, with damp clothing hanging over every chair in the house, I am enjoying the view from my window. With no wind, the outside temperature is tolerable with a coat on, so I am going out to sit in my favorite spot on the front porch, with steaming coffee in hand, just to enjoy the solitude.

A New Canvas

2009-12-27T14:36:00.000-08:00

The year is almost over. This past year has been a good learning chapter for me. I have made a few mistakes and have learned a little more along the way. With the recent snows, the grounds are easier to work with. I have tilled the large zinnia garden space for next year's flowers. Stock flower and Italian Jasmine are growing well where I planted them for a natural fence. I am hoping to have a good harvest of flowers to sell in July's farmer's market. I still have new gardens to break up and to get ready. Great blank canvases to work with!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-17T11:51:00.001-08:00

Whether far away,

Whether very near,

Merry Christmas to you,

And a joyous New Year!

Have a blessed Christmas!

Pond Life

2009-12-16T13:56:00.000-08:00

Warm weather and sunny clear days have once again come to the farm. I took advantage of the warm day and cleaned out the pond. So much dirt and leaves have fallen in since the arrival of fall.

I am amazed at how large the goldfish have gotten. These fish were only an inch long when they were purchased at a pet store 2 years ago. They were the little 25 cent fish.
Now they are bigger than my hand and have the most brilliant color. The bullfrog has left the pond, burying himself somewhere to weather out the cold winter months ahead. The fish have slowed down in their eating and swimming. Although the pond gets a layer of ice on top in the early morning, the fish are still swimming underneath it. By 10:00 AM, the ice has melted away. My goal for the pond is to find some water lilies this coming spring to add for beauty and shade.

Sprouting Pine Trees

2009-12-14T05:05:00.000-08:00

I learned how to spout pine trees from a little elderly man at a local flea market a few years ago.

He explained what I needed to do, then gave me a bag of pine cone seed. I did as he said and was successful. However, something, (probably a mouse) got into the greenhouse where I kept them for the winter, and ate them down. One more lesson learned the hard way.
I have since sealed the greenhouse, and for the winter season, it is sealed in plastic and has a heater. Since the strong winds blew the other day, I gathered the fallen pine cones and extracted the seed. I plan to sprout these out and once again, see how they will do in the greenhouse. I am hoping to grow the trees big enough to sell later on.

Sourdough Bread

2009-12-10T04:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the day that my sourdough starter was ready to make bread with. I have to say I was delighted when the dough rose and I formed it into rolls. They had a pleasant sourdough taste. Now my goal is to keep this starter growing all year long. I am definitely putting this recipe into the family cookbook that I am making!

Weather

2009-12-08T13:38:00.001-08:00

An ice storm hit late last night,

and by morning, everything was wearing a thick coat of ice, the barnyard was a skating rink for the chickens and ducks. But so typical to the Texas weather I know, it was soon melted by noon.
Taking it's place about an hour later was 60 mph winds and thick dirt from the fields.The roar of the wind is so loud and it is beating up the house. Where the temperature was freezing, it is now warm. This kind of dirt chokes out plants and blinds anyone who is trying to drive. I have to say this is not my favorite type of weather.

Farmer's Market

2009-12-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

I tracked down the person who gets the local farmer's market up and going in a town about 30 miles away from where I live. I got the much needed information I was seeking and am pleased to find that I can sell my hand embroidery and other hand made items I make there, as well as my baked goods. This way, when I don't have flowers or produce, I will still have something to sell. I have all of these months to get things made, up until July. So on these cold winter days, I will be inside designing and stitching.

Composting

2009-12-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

The dirt in this area is made up with clay and sand, when there are not rocks. One thing I am really working on is trying to make better soil in the garden areas.

I have a wonderful book by Jerry Baker. In one section, he talks about composting. I have been following what is described in the book. What my chickens do not eat, gets tossed out into the compost pile, such as banana and potato peels, onion skins, grass clippings , leaves, tea and coffee grounds, and egg shells. I have been composting for much of the year and I can already see the good results.

This year I planted a large zinnia garden. I love zinnias for their beauty and easiness to grow. I plan to use much of the compost in next year's zinnia gardens. I had such a wonderful harvest of beautiful blooms this year. I also have a good quantity of seed. I plan to grow several large zinnia gardens this next spring...with the hopes of selling the flowers at the local farmer's market and to local florists. The farmer's market will be a new thing for me to try as well.

Snow

2009-12-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

A light blanket of snow fell on the farm in the early morning hours. The woods and surrounding grounds are still and quiet. However the sun is dancing across the frozen earth and the snow will be gone by noon. Snow does not last even a day in Texas.

From The Hen House

2009-12-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from delivering eggs to a customer.

Even though the weather has turned rigid and freezing,

the nest boxes are full. Usually the hens stop laying through the cold spells and don't start back up till early spring. I have a young group of hens that I just got this past Mother's day. They are the ones who are hard at work. I have just sold 3 dozen eggs today. This customer takes what she doesn't use and sells them at her work place. Which is a great help to me.

Rose, one of my older hens, is occupying her favorite nest box. No eggs from her, but she's making the younger hens competitive. Doesn't she look proud of herself?

Sourdough Starter

2009-12-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

I made a sourdough bread starter this morning, using a recipe from one of my favorite magazines. I love homemade breads, especially sourdough. I have seen many folks on TV work with their sourdough starters that they have had for years. I am going to give this a try. With winter coming on and the house being a little chilly, I am concerned whether this culture will stay alive and produce sourdough as the recipe states. Just one of those "trial and errors" that I am hoping to learn from. Hopefully, by this time next week, I will have a loaf of bread baking in the oven.