11/21/20 Saturday – Prayin' for Nuts

Lunchtime.

11/20/20 Friday – Rocky Climb

Hang on Pretty Lady.

11/19/20 Thursday – Looking Up

View from the orchard looking up through the trees.

11/18/20 Wednesday – Rest Peacefully

I will miss you.

My younger brother passed away today.

Why does death feel so painful to those who are left behind. Why? Why does it have to hurt? Shouldn't we rejoice? Shouldn't we be happy? They've gone to a much better place. A happier place. A painless place. A loving place. A forgiving place. A place with God. Shouldn't we be happy? I am. I'm happy for them. Yes, I am. But I'm not happy about it. Not. At. All.

I am now the only child left born from my mother's womb. My older brother passed away over 10 years ago. That was a rough road for me. And let me tell you, time does not heal all things. I still miss him, terribly. Now I miss my younger brother too. Both of my brothers had long term health problems and here I sit fit as a fiddle. Seems unfair. Feels lonely. Hurts. To not have them physically here on earth so I can hear their voice, see them smile, and feel their hugs is...well, it's friggin' sad. Even in distance, it gave me a sense of comfort knowing they were just a phone call away. And it made me happy to receive a random call or text message from them now and again. I never took that for granted and counted that blessing many times. They were physically there to reach out to. To share life with. Laugh with.

Now they don't converse. But. I talk to them anyway. When I pray. When I am in solitude. When I think of them. When I look up to Heaven. Hell, I'm the Crazy Lettuce Lady that talks to dead people while she works in her garden!

Gosh I sure miss you guys.

11/17/20 Tuesday – Window Wonder

11/16/20 Monday – Farm Alarm

Guinea fowl. They make such a racket.

11/15/20 Sunday – Northeast

Turkey are heading to bed.

11/14/20 Saturday – Bright Side

South side sunshine.

11/13/20 Friday – Gobblers

Talkin' Turkey

11/12/20 Thursday – Belgian

Order up! Chicken and waffles. Come 'n get 'em!

11/11/20 Wednesday – Bacon Butts

These two were in hog Heaven rollin' in the mud.

11/10/20 Tuesday – Maa Maa

We're just two old goats.

11/09/20 Monday – Ready, Set, Go!

Here's to a great week! Let's do this thing.

11/08/20 Sunday – Rest

I'm already starting to miss all the beautiful flowers.

11/07/20 Saturday – Saddle Up

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Bee.

11/06/20 Friday – Last Batch

This is the last of the jalapenos that I harvested. Pickled. Pretty. And headed to the pantry.

11/05/20 Thursday – Spice it Up

When the seasons change from summer to fall and the temperatures drop, I like to add a lil' heat to my meals. As in spicy, hot, flames, fire. I grow jalapenos every year in the garden and this year I pickled them. They turned out delicious, pack a punch, and bring burritos to the next level. Mmmm mmm good!

11/04/20 Wednesday – A Beauty

The winds are getting cold and the last of the pretty flowers are nearly all spent. It's always both a relief and a lil' sad when I realize we are done with the garden for another season. I think one favorite fruit that I harvested from the garden this year was this here Big Bertha. She's new this year and she did not disappoint. The flavor profile includes subtle hints of a sweet red or yellow bell pepper but she has her own uniqueness too her as well. She gets sweeter and sweeter as she grows and ripens from green to red. This is the only one that had the chance to fully mature because I could not resist from harvesting them early, which is o.k. The younger ones are still big and sweet but they are green and not this beautiful red color. I will most likely plant more and harvest at different stages next year. Win-win.

11/03/20 Tuesday – First Freeze

We had the first hard freeze last night so I relocated all my porch plants next to the house. Left to right: Orange Mint, Catnip, Lemon Balm, Oregano, Snow In Summer, Rosemary, Parsley, Thyme, another Oregano, Merigolds, and Tarragon. Most of these herbs will overwinter here and do just fine. I'll cover them with landscape cloth if and when the temperatures dip into single digits at the peak of winter. I enjoyed adding many new herbs this year. Some I will take cuttings from and start new plants next year. Some of the herbs I can live without and will not be planting them again after these get moved to the garden in the spring. The fragrance of them all have been very therapeutic and just down right intoxicating. I've enjoyed that part of them and will enjoy a lot of them in tea this coming winter.

11/02/20 Monday – Put to Rest

The garden was officially put to rest yesterday. I pulled all the pepper plants after harvesting a few jalapenos, Giant Marconi, and Big Berthas. The garden was relatively free from any major problems this year, unlike in previous years. And there were a few changes made. Sunflowers were new to the garden. I direct sowed three different types: Roy, Mammoth, and Mexican. The Mexican sunflower was my favorite. It produced tons of heads and bloomed for the longest time. The Roy was a runner up. As you can see here it has the most beautiful Red, Orange, and Yellow petals (hense the name I gave them). The Mammoth was the monarch of the garden but I think I will pass on them next year. They are a stately sunflower because of their height and size but once the head blooms it immediately droops down and faces southeast most of the time, so I really didn't get to enjoy them as much as I thought I would. All in all, the sunflowers were a hit. Loved 'em!

11/01/20 Sunday – Lazy Day

Sunday's are our day off. They are a day to be spent reflecting on accomplishments, taking time away from the farm duties, go on a date, or simply being lazy all day long. I don't do lazy very well. I hate lazy. Lazy sucks. So if I don't separate myself from the farm, I end up working. I try not to but I'm not the type of person who can sit around on my ass all day doing nothing but surf the Internet and eat bon-bons while the boobtube is streaming rediculous soap-operas, political debates, or exaggerated negative news. Nope. I Like Productivity. Life goes by too fast. I don't want to look back and see nothing but a pile of chocolate wrappers and empty bags of chips on the floor next to my recliner and have rolls of unnecessary fat all over my body, much less an unhealthy lifestyle. The idea of that doesn't sit well with me at all. Besides, I don't care much for television...or chocolate. Busy hands are happy hands. But balance requires taking a day off, so I do try my best to do so. At least keep it a simple day.

10/31/20 Saturday – Fuzzy Wuzzy

It's starting to get colder outside which leads me to indoor winter projects. And I'll share those with you as they are tackled, but first I have yet to put the garden to rest. Almost done. I still have a few pepper plants left but I will pull those out soon. Even the last of the zinnias are feeling the colder temperatures and calling it quits.

10/30/20 Friday – Contemplating

Thoughts run deep. Shit too. Good thing my Xtratufs are good boots. Gardening continues to be my go-to for zen.

10/29/20 Thursday – Air Dry

Spread your wings.

10/28/20 Wednesday – Lettuce Please

Still trying to satisfy that Mexican food craving. Heh

10/27/20 Tuesday – Ooh Ooh Eee Eee Aah

No monkey business here. Just banana bread.

10/26/20 Monday – Touch Me Not

Impatiens seed pods explode when you touch them releasing the seed from within.

10/25/20 Sunday – Not Cho Nachos

Nothing like homemade nachos complimented with homemade refried beans made with homemade chicken stock. Plus there's always the homemade salsa made from organic ingredients straight from my own garden. And let's not forget those organic giant jalapenos that I grew, pickled, and canned. It doesn't get any better than this.

10/24/20 Saturday – Mexican Crave

Chipotle Chicken Tostada with homemade organic salsa. Mmmm mmm mmmmmmmm Good!

10/23/20 Friday – Neighborly

My neighbor is an ass. He's a sweet ass. A friendly ass. He loves it when I feed him apples.

10/22/20 Thursday – Pillow Talk

If you are having troubles sleeping because of an uncomfortable pillow or a pillow that gets too hot, get some of this. Trust me. It works! Organic cotton and pillow case with a zipper and low thread count. You will be amazed. I ordered my quality organic cotton from Organic Cotton Plus. They didn't disappoint.

10/21/20 Wednesday – Autumn

The colors of fall are really starting to show. Today we went for a hike on the trail next to a crop of soy beans that goes on and on for miles.

10/20/20 Tuesday – Bells

Bringin' in the bells. Still. This might be my last harvest of them. This year two new pepper varieties were introduced into the garden. The Giant Marconi and the Big Bertha. Both outstanding performers and the flavors are beyond magical. Especially the Big Bertha. She's easier to stuff too. Both roast up beautifully.

10/19/20 Monday – Juniperus Virginiana

They look like berries, don't they. They're not. These are actually seed cones on a female Eastern Red Cedar. In the third year the cones reach peak maturity and turn blue. The male trees only have little brown cones. These trees are commonly referred to as Junipers because they are in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Pretty tree.

10/18/20 Sunday – Feathered Friends

Knock Knock. Who's There? Turkey, at my front door.

10/17/20 Saturday – Cozy Corner

October is my favorite month in the south. Autumn colors, cooler temperatures, and rest by the fire lit pellet stove. A time for reflection.

10/16/20 Friday – Shower me with Bells

Peppers are still coming in and so is the change in weather. Colder temperatures will soon put the pepper plants to an end. Until then I am thankful for the last of the Giant Marconi, Big Bertha, Jalapeno, and Bell peppers that are trickling in.

10/15/20 Thursday – Sow the Seeds

It's a sowin' seeds kinda day. Winter wheat.

07/16/20 Thursday – Periwinkle

Pretty Poppy.

07/14/20 Tuesday – No Passing

In the country where we live...this is common. I kinda like it. Makes me smile.

07/13/20 Monday – In Good Company

See that happy couple in the picture? They're good people. I've always enjoyed the elders. Even when I was younger, I gathered with the older folk just to listen to them talk, rather than hang with the kids my age. Older people are wise. They're kind. They're helpful. These two are salt of the earth and a couple of really great friends. The kind of friends that are hard to come by. Blessed.

07/11/20 Saturday – Into the Night

Changes are in the horizon.

06/14/20 Sunday – Pickin' Peas

Sure is nice to have help harvesting peas this year. Wouldn't want it any other way.

06/13/20 Saturday – Feed Me

Giggling with the Goats.

06/12/20 Friday – Farm School

Learnin' all about bailin' hay.

06/11/20 Thursday – Gatlinburg

In Awe.

06/10/20 Wednesday – Sweet Retreat

Rocking chairs and red raspberries; two things that my grandson just loves. Adorable.

06/09/20 Tuesday – The Harvest

We harvested the Early Alaska peas so today is it all about shuckin' the peas and making new memories.

06/08/20 Monday – Wonderworks

When things seems like they are upside down, it's time to go to the upside down house! Let's go!

06/07/20 Sunday – In The Calm

My grandson taking his time to just soak it all in. Sweet.

06/06/20 Saturday – Grandma's lil' Helper

Last Thursday we picked up some strawberries and my grandson is all about scissors, guns, and knives at this stage of his life. So, as expected, he wanted to remove the cap and chop the strawberries for me. He did an excellent job and still has ten fingers ta boot. Success!

06/05/20 Friday – Garden Blessings

They're growing fast! My grandson and the peas.

06/04/20 Thursday – Wide Eyed

Yep.

06/03/20 Wednesday – Zoology

Zoo time with these two monkeys.

06/02/20 Tuesday – Cinnaboys

It doesn't get any sweeter than this.

06/01/20 Monday – Color Me Happy

Today we learned about Scotch tape. How to hold it. How to cut it. How to use it. All 1,599.84 feet of it. That's how we roll 'round here. Bonus: Grandma gets new frig art. And window art... And door art... And...

05/31/20 Sunday – Firefly

There is light in the dark. Sometimes it's a small light, but it is light nonetheless. Look for the light even if it's as tiny as the light that's attached to a bug's heinie.

05/30/20 Saturday – Inspriation

While exploring an historical town miles from where we live, we discovered inspriation rocks. These are rocks that are hidden throughout the town and if you find one you will also find that the rock is painted with an inspiration. Hope, love, gratitude. Something to make you smile about. My grandson found many of these rocks and he was in awe of them.

05/29/20 Friday – Tickles

Moments are better with laughter.

05/28/20 Thursday – Cut, Cut, Cut

Preserving rhubarb for future strawberry-rhubarb jam that I will make this coming winter. My grandson doesn't know it yet, but he will get some of grandma's jam and I will tell him that he made that jam a lil' sweeter because he helped me cut up the rhubarb. Memories.

05/27/20 Wednesday – Gluten Network

Sometimes things gotta get really messy before something really good rises from it.

05/26/20 Tuesday – Grooming

They don't know it but they're grooming more than just the grass. They're grooming each other.

05/25/20 Monday – Buddies

There's a special bond between a son and his father. I'm proud of this one.

05/24/20 Sunday – Stay with Me My Memory

When my oldest son was the same age as my grandson is now, he made his own peanut butter and jelly sandwich while holding this same toddler knife. It was his knife. And he was proud of it. He respected it. He learned from it. It's a safe knife made especially for children to help them gain hand-and-eye coordination and learn simple food related skills like spreading peanut butter and jelly on bread and then cutting the sandwich in half before taking a bite of it. My son is now a grown man with a family of his own, but I held onto this knife knowing that one day I'd have a grandson to hold this knife while we made PB&Js together. The memories that stuck in my head, like peanut butter, spread across the bread with every swipe of the knife. And new memories, as sweet as jelly, were made as my grandson and I made PB&Js together. I'll hold onto these memories for as long as I've held onto this knife. Cherished forever. Ya...I know. It's just a knife. It's just a PB&J, you might say. But these are great memories. Special memories. Loving memories. Because it's all about the hands that hold the knife, the skills that are gained with the knife, the PB&J that was made with the knife, and who was with you to share the sweetness. Simple really.

05/23/20 Saturday – It's Simple

Butterfly Kisses and Buttercups. Beautiful things can happen in the midst of ugly if you look close enough.

05/22/20 Friday – Garden Graces

Sometimes more than just the garden needs tending to.

04/10/20 Friday – Awakening

She grows with me.

04/09/20 Thursday – Butter My Biscuit

Nothing like homemade mile high biscuits with homemade strawberry-ruhbarb jam. Lip lickin' good!

04/07/20 Tuesday – Time for Tea

I thought I'd try some new herbs this year. Orange Mint, Mexican Tarragon, Lemon Balm, and Chamomile. I also picked up some Hot Banana Peppers, Rutgers, and Brandywine plants. I'm excited for the variety of new herbs and plan to dry them to use in winter tea.

02/09/20 Thursday – Melted

...And just like that, the snow is gone.

02/08/20 Wednesday – Fluffy White

I don't mind a grey sky when it snows. I think snow is so beautiful.

02/02/20 Sunday – Seed Saver

I like to try growing at least one or two new things in the garden each year. Through social media you can find groups of gardeners who do seed saving exchanges. Today I received a lovely package of seeds with a handful of different bean varieties. Yep, beans. Call me Jack. They sound like they'd be fun to try and beans are a common pantry staple in this farmhouse. So beanstalk, here we grow.

01/26/20 Sunday – Bag It

I was feelin' crafty. Had a couple of empty burlap rice bags. Made decorative pillows out of them. Upcycle. Can't beat that.

01/21/20 Tuesday – Simple Dish

On the lighter side, shrimp with pasta drizzled with a light seafood sauce. Delicious!

01/17/20 Friday – Amber Glows

Peaceful evening.

01/10/20 Friday – Miracle

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Well in this case, there is light at the end of the master bathroom, in the closet. A CLOSET! Finally I have a closet with shelves and rods to keep our clothes, like normal people do. I've been living out of boxes and bins since we left Alaska in 2013. Seven years later and I can finally unpack my clothes and hang them up. Once my husband decided to build it it only took him three days to complete this project. If I had known that I'd have to wait years and years before putting my clothes away, I would have had the contractor build it from the get go. Seriously. A closet! Mindblowing. And Thankful.

01/04/20 Saturday – Migration

Birds of many species migrate through our area every year. They often land in our fields and work the grubs and bugs, doing what birds do. Some species rest in the trees along the fencerow and sing their pretty lil' songs. Some species swoosh in and are gone before you know it. I look forward to the migrations every year and consider bird watching a joy. There's a lot to learn from them.

01/03/20 Friday – Overcast

Grey sky is hard. A good fire quiets my mind.

01/02/20 Thursday – Glow

There is a quiet in the light.

01/01/20 Wednesday – Chapter Seven

This better be a damn good year. Happy New Year to You. Make it a good one!