Spring

Spring has been really wet here. Our garden is coming up nicely, but it has been so wet we can't get in it to weed. Hopefully this evening we can get it to do some tilling since this makes the 2nd day without rain. I still have plants from the mark down deal I got a Lowe's that need planting (hopefully this week-end).

The potatoes in the barrels are starting to die back. I hope that is because they have made lots of potatoes, however I haven't been able to scratch any out yet. I am thinking of making the wooden bins for next year. You can remove some of the boards from the bottom and have access to the potatoes. You can't really do that with a barrel.

I have one tomato on a plant that I planted in a container. The container is a wine barrel ( a whole one). It came with an insert made of styrofoam and lined with a plastic liner so you could use it to ice down sodas. I took out the plastic liner and poked a few holes in the bottom for drainage planted 2 different kinds of basil, onions and a tomato in the middle. Greg came along behind me and planted 2 more tomatoes. I know there isn't room for 3 tomatoes so I think I will try to transplant 2 of them. The rest of the tomatoes are blooming and look really healthy.

The squash and zucchini are looking good and so are the peas and beans. I am going to try to plant some lettuce in the flower bed on the shady side of the porch. It's too shady there for most flowers, I do have a couple planted there, but I thought that since the summer is turning out so hot maybe some lettuce and radishes in the flower bed would be a good idea.

I have really become more and more intent on growing food. I have two huge flower pots that I usually plant with flowers to go one either side of the front steps, this weekend I am going to plant some peppers & lettuce and maybe even a cabbage or a couple of radishes in them. Vegetable plants are pretty, too. They offer different shades of green and peppers can have lots of color to add to a pot.

Our vacation is just around the corner. We will be going to Georgia for the 4th of July weekend and then Daniel, Larissa and Dixie will follow us home and spend the rest of that week with us. We are planning a couple of day trips, one to Natural Bridge, and one to an orchard. We are also planning to spend at least one evening catching lightening bugs and one evening on the back of the farm watching stars. I am also sure that lots of time will be spent in the pool.

My sister and husband will coming for a visit next week and we are looking forward to that. On the 26th we are having people over from church for a cookout. We are suddenly getting really busy, that's what usually happens in the summer and then it's over so quickly you wonder where the summer went.

I hope you enjoy your summer.
Mae

Very Upsetting

Please follow this link to read a very upsetting story about a farmer who has come under attack by the FDA for selling milk. Kendra's article makes me very angry that our government thinks it has the power and the right to determine what we consume. If they succeed in putting this farmer out of business they can do the same to any farmer. If you live in Missouri you really want to take notice.

http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2010/06/bechard-family-farm-under-attack/

I don't know about you but I think I am still capable of making a decision about what I want to serve my family and I don't know why the government thinks fresh milk is so terrible. People have been drinking it for years.

I want get into it any more, Kendra has done a wonderful job on her post. Please read it.

Mae

What's Been Going On?

A lot. Last weekend we had a missionary stay with us. We knew him when he was a little kid back in Jacksonville. Our new church is looking for missionaries to support and since he just started his deputation, we invited him to come to our church. We enjoyed his company.

Monday April and Pete came over and we were actually able to get in the pool. The water has been so nice for this early in the year. We got a little sunburned, but that is getting better.

We grilled flank steaks on the grill and Greg made his famous home fries and corn on the cob on the grill. We cooked the whole meal on the grill and then ate it outside. The weather has really been great! Most people here think it's hot, but I LIKE it!

Our garden is pretty much planted. I still need to get some squash planted. It turned out I didn't have any seeds. I'll try to pick some up this weekend and get them planted.

The potatoes in the barrels are getting huge. I have stopped adding soil to the barrels. Last night I dug down to see if I could find any potatoes, but didn't find any yet.

Daniel called me last night to learn how to make blackberry jelly. They have been picking them in Florida and they should be making jelly today. I hope it turns out well for them. Our blackberries are coming on nicely. We even have a few that have turned red.

There is a tomato blight spreading through Northern Kentucky so I need to get copper to put on them. It is a very bad blight and seems to kill the plant within just a couple of days. Ours still look healthy, but I don't want to lose them.

I pray you have a good productive or lazy weekend. Whichever you'd like. I'd personally like a little of both.

Mae