Weary

I am sooooo weary of empty words and false promises.   It used to be common practice to wash out the mouth with soap of a child  caught telling a lie or saying a bad word. If that policy was applied today, to adults as well as children, I’ll bet a large portion of our politicians would appear to be foaming at the mouth! It might even “clean up” Washington. You think??

Seriously, the more I hear on the news, the more I wonder what happened to honesty and integrity. What happened to honor and respect? Where are the heroes?  Are there any “good guys” left?  I am weary of the rhetoric. Just saying….

 

 

March 26, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Tomatoes

Germination of my heirloom tomatoes seeds is fantastic! (almost 100%) Today, I will transplant the young tomato plants into larger pots.  By the time I am ready to plant them in the main garden, they will have developed large root balls. This is necessary to pull up the nutrients needed to  produce big, beautiful, tomatoes.  If they were left in the smaller pots, the roots would become crowned and tangled.  This can cause the plants to wilt and die. Roots need space to grow. Plants need a good root system to produce the best harvest.

All this is a bit labor intensive. It takes time to do it right. In the end, it is worth the effort. I can’t wait for the first tomato fresh from the garden!

 

 

 

March 26, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Garden

Garlic

I was checking around in the main garden and was happy to see the little garlic shoots coming up. We planted over 1000 plants and it looks like we have almost 100% germination on the cloves.  When it matures, we will sell a lot of it for seed garlic. ( August)

Last year, I had garlic bulbs the size of my fist!

March 23, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Garden

Quiche

What’s for dinner is solved. I just came in with a dozen eggs from the hen house. My basket also contains fresh oregano, chives, parsley and basil leaves from the green house.  Tonight, we will have an Onion Quiche. With the eggs, herbs, and onions, I will mix in cheddar cheese and a little Swiss cheese. The refrigerator holds some fresh mushrooms that need to be used up, so they will go in too.

My Quiche will be baked in a home made pie crust. Bob will be a happy camper. A few years ago there was a book entitled”Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche”.

Not so. My real man eats Quiche and loves it! Later on, when the asparagus comes up, we will have asparagus Quiche. After that, Zucchini Quiche . After that, potato Quiche. As long as my hens are laying, the Quiche will happen!!

March 22, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Kitchen

Spring

At our house, you can tell it is Spring when the Great Pyrenees start to shed. The yard is full of white fur.The baby bunnies are hopping around the hutch. The chives are coming up. The mud is wet and thick. The winter coats are put away. The mud boots are lined up on the porch. The hens are sitting on eggs. The birds start singing early in the morning. The mulch is off the garlic plants. The sheep are fat and pregnant. The Van is really dirty. The “honey do” list is longer than usual. The long johns are put away. The flannel sheets have been replaced with cotton sheets. The comforters have been washed and put away. The green house is full of plants. The seeds for the main garden have been sorted. The roosters are crowing all day long. The air smells like rain.

Expectation for a new season is bubbling up inside. The wonder of new life blesses me. I have lived a long time, in many places. Country is the best! Smile!!!

March 21, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations, Garden, Great Pyrs, Herds and Flocks

Pussy Willows

Years ago, I planted two tiny Pussy Willow bushes. They couldn’t have been over 12 inches tall. This morning, I filled two vases with beautiful, fuzzy Pussy Willows. The small bushes have grown and grown, some more. They have to be at least 15 feet tall.

There is a scripture that says” despise not small beginnings”.

It was good to be reminded of that this morning.

March 20, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Garden

Relax and Enjoy

The laundry is done, the plants are watered, and dinner is cooking on the stove. My E mails are answered and phone calls have been made. Now, it is my time. I am going for a long walk with one of the Great Pyrenees, listen to the birds sing, and watch the Canadian geese fly over in “V” formation.

I have learned that it is not necessary to be busy all the time. The world will not end if I don’t  get all the “stuff” done.  Smile!

March 19, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Reading

The table beside my favorite chair is piled high with books. It always seems that I am reading several at a time, depending on the mood of the moment.  Bob got me two new books last week. I am half way into “Strengthen Yourself In The Lord” by Bill Johnson.  In the times we live in, it is important to know how to do just that.  Bill spells it out. It is good.

The other new book is “Eat Greens”.  Barbara Scott-Goodman and Liz Trovate have done a good job with this one. I grow green things in my garden, Swiss chard, Collard greens, Kale etc.  Greens things are super easy to grow and full of nutrients. All that said, they have to taste good for your family to want to eat them. This book has great ideas for easy ways to make delicious green things.

Another book in the pile is “Thailand the Beautiful Cookbook.” We like Thai restaurants. The closest one is two hours away. So, I am doing it at home. We eat my Thai concoctions about three times a week. Yum!

Jordan Rubin’s book “The Makers Diet” is in the stack of books. I am rereading it . Then there is ” Herbs for Healthy Living” by Dr. Ute Kunkele. I like Herbs and grow new types every year.

The book that lives on the table all the time is The Holy Bible.  It has all the answers for everything and is my favorite—the best of the best.

 

 

March 17, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Food Shelf and Green House

Today is a good day. This morning, I volunteered at the local Food Shelf.  I got to give a Bible to a little boy who did not have one. This afternoon, I will work in my green house. I will mist all the baby plants.   Does it get any better than that?

 

March 16, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations, Garden

Moving

The plants from under the the  grow lights in the basement are moving out to the little green house.  It is a process that will take several weeks to complete. The first wave went out yesterday. Perennial herbs were the first to go.  The Garlic Chives, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Lemon Balm, and St. John’s Wort are enjoying the sunshine and warmth. Next came the green things, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, Kale, and Swiss Chard.  It was fun to pick a salad for dinner and add the fresh herbs.

The  Calico Kitty loves the green house. She camps out on an old pillow and watches me work.  There is a feeling  of serenity that fills my green house.  Maybe the plants know that I really enjoy what I am doing.

March 15, 2012 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Garden