SIMPLY AMAZING!!!

Have been trying to compose this BLOG for quite some time, computer has been more than 'uncooperative'! Picture this----the picture I have been trying to download for quite sometime because it just amazes me!! A picture of a 'bunch of radishes'---YES---harvested in the middle of October!!! Dinner of last night included from the garden: lettuce; radishes; carrots; spinach; tomatoes; onions---all fresh cause we have NOT had that killer frost YET! Of course, it will soon be here, probably this week. But it just amazes me that we are sooooo enjoying the freshness of radishes and lettuces in the middle of October---a FIRST!!!
OHHH---my computer sucks, have had sooo many problems with it as of late--if this gets beyond my little 'computer world' it truly will be a miracle!!! Will harvest as much as I can tomorrow----that will probably be it----------what a wonderful gardening year!!!

WRINKLES W-ROOL!!!

Thank you Granddaughter (K) and your Husband (T) for the inspiration!!! Been 'planning' to string up a clothesline for several years, just didn't get around to it---always easier to toss clothes in the dryer and fluff, fluff, fluff!!! Came back from that wonderful visit in AZ and put up the clothesline the next day and have been using it (almost) every day! Will be anxious to get next months electric bill to actually get a visual on the $$$$ it may save. Gotta save something! I am one of those persons that re-start the dryer and fluff at least 14 times per load always thinking I will get back to hang up the wrinkle-free garments!!! Have decided that if the clothes can come off the clothesline with wrinkles, then, when I NEED to use the dryer, the clothes can come out of the dryer with wrinkles----NO MORE 14 FLUFFs! Besides---am thinking ---if one's eyes are 'zeroing' in on the wrinkles on my clothes----just maybe---they won't notice those 'OTHER' wrinkles!!!!!!!!!!!

LOTSA FREEZIN', CANNIN' JAMMIN' GOIN ON--ALMOST TIME TO RELAX!

Been a pretty busy month! WONDERFUL flying trip to AZ. with daughter to meet and spend time with the new ggson, his Mom and Dad! Wonderful time---great flights, great hospitality, soooooo enjoyed the visit! What a 'cutie patooootie'! How fortunate are you, little Oli, to have the parents you have??? You shall do well, you will always have so much 'family support!' Isn't that what life is about!!! HUGs and KISSIs little Oli, miss you---miss your Mom and Dad---see ya soon!!!

Back home------things are growing,' hoppin,' and a snappin'----garden doing wonderful, much better than expected after the slow start with the cool spring. Been freezing, canning and jammin' everyday since I got back from AZ.!!! That's what this time of year is all about----BUT---it is also the best time of year to clean flower beds, divide plants, plant bulbs and all those great outdoor things, NOT being stuck in the kitchen preparing the 'harvest' that was started in the spring and in need of attention NOW that will be sooooooooo enjoyed this winter!!! Has to be done, will be done, and when it's ALL DONE-----then Mason, you need to scoot over and let me curl up to you and RELAX!!!

SECOND BEST IS REALLY GOOD---BUT BEST IS 'BEST'!!!

Have been working on this blog (in my mind) since August 13 -- was not able to actually put it in words, will try to make that happen this evening---First of all---August 13---My Granddaughters Birthday---The first one to make me a Gma, that alone, makes you special in my heart and always will be! Fast forward to August 15---my Special Granddaughter and her Very Special Husband made me a GGma!!! WOW! My Cup Runneth Over!!! To my #1 GGson, Oli---WELCOME!!! Can't wait to meet you soon! Fast backwards----to August 13---My beloved Goat Family went to a new home. Let it be known that the home they had here was only the second best home for them, the home they went to is truly the BEST home for them!!! They have so many goat friends, pasture to run and 'frolick,' people that care so much for their animals and I am so happy and thankful that my precious goat family got to go from second BEST to the BEST!!! It would have not been any other way!!! Love the world of goats!!! Most of us, over the years, have always thought of goats as 'stinky,' 'eating tin cans,' 'jumping on hoods of old wrecked cars' (or maybe even the new Lexus in the driveway!). Soooooooo undeserving!!! They are very personable, very entertaining, very lovable, sometimes too much! (not stinky)--I do not have a goat at this time, I DO plan on not going the rest of my life without goats as my pals!! Thank you, you know who, for giving my precious goat family a loving and caring home! Believe me when I say---I do not worry about them and I know they are in the BEST HOME!!! There is a saying that 'A woman wears her tears like jewelry.' This Gma (oopps) GGma wears no jewlery---she does, often shed tears, usually for the love of animals... Wonderful time I had when Grandson (N) came to visit - had a great time!!! Looking forward to the next visit---in the meantime-----------wonder what I did with that box of tissues----

INTRODUCING MY NEW BLACKBERRY AND ITS APP...

YEA!!! My new Blackberry and it's App has finally arrived!!! Been checking on those blackberries for about a week now and was quite surprised this morning to find some 'ripe - n- ready'! Had to get geared up for the 'picking of the blackberries'. This included: long sleeved shirt, even though it's 90 degrees, big, long stick, to hold back the unruly stickers so I can get in as far as possible cause the really big, beautiful blackberries are always just out of reach; hard hat--for the obvious reason! Cell phone--in case I fall into the brambles--and, of course, my trustry side kicks---2 Bassett Hounds, 3 Great Pyrs. and a couple of HUGE HOGS!!! Great cheerleaders, they are??? These Blackberries are NOT the cutsie, compact, no thorny plants of 'today's' gardens-----these are the EVIL, WICKED, RIP YOUR FACE AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO PIECES, 30 foot high plants of yesteryear---ya know, those ones that you can't ever get rid of??? Glad to see they are starting to ripe, will make Blackberry picking part of the morning routine chores, will get what I can without risking life and limb, the birds can have the rest!!! The new Blackberry 'Apps' are those gorgeous PURPLE JALAPENOS that are just coming on! Am thinking there will soon be a 'JAM' session---may even throw the APPS into the mix and spice it up a bit! That Blackberry Cobbler is smelling pretty darn good---may have to check it out!!! By the way------I LOVE my Palm Pre Plus Smart Phone!!!

LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS!!!

Leaders don't create more followers, they create more leaders!!!

Tom Peters...

THE KRAUT IS IN THE CROCK!!!

GOSH----Been awhile---must have been busy round here, of course it has! Those beautiful heads of cabbage that 'where' in the garden, (remember------ only pots., cabbage and onions where doing well), most of those cabbage heads got chopped up and put in the crock with salt, put in a cool place and in about 4 weeks, or so, will become SAUERKRAUT!!! Got smart this year and took everything outside under a shade tree and let the cabbage FLY, as we chopped. Didn't have to worry about it flying around the kitchen!!! Then, when we where done, just took the hose and hosed everything down!!! QUICK -N- EASY!---------Looks like we may have around 10 lbs. and there's more cabbage heads out yonder! Did get to harvest 1 red tomato, sliced it on a bed of home-grown lettuce, topped it with a slice of home-made goat cheese that was dipped in eggs (farm-fresh, of course) panko bread crumbs (store bought) fried; drizzled with some special dressing---can't even remember what else was served for dinner! Can't wait for the next ripe tomato----probably won't have one until the kraut is done!!!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES??? I DO!!!

Actually--- started this blog last night, never did get it finished, had to go rescue a little turkey poult that could not find her way to the 'protected area.' Soooooo-----am starting over! One recent evening, as we where sitting on the front porch watching the lightening show, listening to the sound of the thunder, then checking to make sure all creatures where in their protected areas, we noticed that Snow (muscovy duck hen) and her 4 babies where on the other side of the canal and had no intention of being locked in for the evening. HEY-----if you're a DUCK---would you rather be 'locked in' or 'hanging out on the canal bank???' Snow and her ducklings did NOT come home the next day! Very devistating, did not BLOG it cause I try to stay away from the 'doom and gloom.' Yesterday afternoon, after being gone for 11 days, Snow and 2 of her ducklings came home!!!!!!! OMG!!! We where soooooo thrilled!! Where had they been? What have they been through? How far away from home did they go? Can only speculate as to what happened to the other 2 ducklings, but what a MIRACLE that Snow and 2 ducklings found their way home!!! They have been locked up all last night and all today and will be tonight. I realize, the door must be opened in the morning, and they must be allowed to do what comes 'NATURAL' for them---but I truely do believe having them back, for however long, is a TRUE MIRACLE!!! The picture of the lavender has nothing to do with the story, it is Lavender Season and the BEEZ are loving the lavender---hmmmmm---lavender honey??? HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Grandson N!!! Hope you had a wonderful day!!! May we all--------always believe in MIRACLES!!!

LET THE HARVEST BEGIN----

Not a real big 'harvest' at this time, but it is nice to be able to go out and 'harvest' a few things---been 'harvesting' lettuce, spring onions, radishes--- now, the second WAVE is coming on! A few raspberries here, some oregano there, a little bit of sage --- and --- Thank You, President O. for bringing up the 'TIME TO EAT YOUR PEAS' subject cause that reminded me I needed to harvest my peas and get them in the freezer------all done!!! Can't believe I am still planting seeds, transplanting stubborn veggies that haven't done well in the spot they have been in---BUT---BY GOLLY---after planting more beans---they are coming up like crazeeee---ABOUT DAMN TIME!!! Cabbage is almost ready to harvest---onions and pots. looking really good---am thinking this year we will take what we get and be thankful for it!!! PLEEZE------- may one of those 3 green Heirloom Toms. ripen overnight, and be ready to pluck and consume tomorrow-------probably NOT!!! (can't wait for the first ripe tom.) NOW--------------there's a BLOG to anticapate!!!

I COOK FOR THE DOGS---WE EAT THE LEFTOVERS!!!

4th of July weekend---I fixed a big, beeeuteeful, succulent ham, next to the last ham in the freezer. Thawed it out, stuck it on the baking pan--NO--cutsie cloves poked into the ham for decoration---NO brown sugar crusties spread over it for flavor, NO pineapple juices or slices for decoration---NOT even any Salt and Pepper!!! Possibly theeeeeeeeee most 'carefree' ham I have ever stuck in the oven, and believe me, that's all I did was STICK IT IN THE OVEN!!! It occurred to me that I am 'COOKING FOR MY DOGS AND WE GET THE LEFTOVERS!!! No seasonings go on anything that the dogs may eventually eat!!! They really really eat GRAND!!! Am thinking about fixing a Heritage Turkey for the weekend, am thinking about dousing it with FRESH SAGE, BUTTER, GARLIC, ONIONS, LOTSA SALT AND PEPPA---------Anything else I may rangle up from the Herb Garden---looking for FLAVOR, FLAVOR and MORE FLAVOR!!! HEY DOGS----How about some PEDIGREE out of a can??? ------------------ (at least for 1 meal)!!!

CUTER THAN CUTE!!!

As promised------pictures of the 'cuter than cute' Nubian baby goats!!! Seem to all be doing very well. Mom, for the first time as a Mom, seems to be taking it all in stride! Kuddos---to you Mom, Babe!!! Fun, Fun, Fun!! OK---let's see---as of now, we have baby goats, baby turkey poults, baby silkie chicks, baby ducks, baby goslings (geese)!!! Thank Heaven---dogs and cats have been to see our Vet (Best Friend)!

Wonderful time with a couple of grandsons---enjoyed every moment!!! Miss you, boyzzzzzz---come visit again, soon!

Planted more pole green beans today, 3rd time (charm?) if not, last time I'm planting and the local produce stand will become my 'NEW BEST FRIEND'!!!

DO I REALLY LOOK LIKE A G'MA OF FOUR???

Just look at me, Avalon, the best milk goat in the whole world!!! Do I really look like I could be a G'ma of 4??? My daughter, Babe---gave birth on 6/30/2011 exactly on her due date, to 4 precious little kids. Two boys, two girls, no problems---she was a trooper (just like her Mom--- must have taught her well!!). All healthy, jumpin' around and feeling friskeeeee! Am sure the person that is typing this will post some really really cute pictures of my grandkids, shortly!!! OH-------- by the way------I am DUE any day now, usually deliver 2---NOT even looking to break my daughters record, 1 would be just fine!!! (or so I am told)!!!

CRAZEEE SISTER AND A 3-BEAN SALAD!!!

A while back, I had an excited msg. on my voice mail from my Sister!! IMMEDIATELY --called her back to see 'what the heck' was going on! She told me she had jumped out of an airplane!!! After about (what seemed like a 10 minute pause on my end) I had to ask the obvious question-----"ON PURPOSE???" Come to find out, this has been a 'life long' dream of hers!!! I say she is CRAZEEEE---but---Sis, gotta hand it to you----accomplished something you have been passionate about your whole life!!! My 'straw' hat is off to you, KID!!! I can't even get up the courage to pick up an onion laying off the side of the road that fell off the onion truck!!! Keep on fullfilling those dreams (no matter how crazeee it makes me!!). ---------- Some peoples gardens really grow great this time of year--am thinking my garden is 'shrinking'! Potatoes, onions and cabbage are doing GREAT! Tizzzzzzz a good thing I have a weeeee bit of the Irish in me - cause it doesn't look like there will be a lot of other things! Have replanted several things (several times)! Did find 3 beans that are growing pretty darn good! At least I can make a 3-Bean Salad!!! What does a 3-Bean Salad have to do with my Crazeee Sister??? Absolutely NOTHING!!! I don't even know if she likes 3-Bean Salad----------but then, I didn't know she wanted to jump out of an airplane!!! ps: didn't Crazeee Sister promise me some photos???

SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME CATCHING UP TO DO!!!

Realize I have some major catching up to do and will do without the picture of the KATSUP bottle (this time)! So am just going to rush through with the

'what the HELL had been going on' as fast as I can!!! Left off with the planting of tom. plants (prior to the wonderful lady next door)... Tom. plants?---ended up planting 18 tom. plants. Was informed that evening that 5 of my recently planted tom. plants where 'DESTROYED' by 'cute little doves'!!! Doves are supposed to 'cooooooooo and just look cute!' NOT DESTROY!!!! I sat on the kitchen floor and cried---Gus dropped his favorite chew toy in my lap, I cried harder!!! Decided to give the destroyed toms. a chance to come back to life, did NOT happen, so replanted and just MOVED ON!!! Things have been happening: Graduation for #4 (N) grandson! Honour Society!! My 'cup runneth over'------how proud are we??? Pretty obvious that he does NOT take after his G'ma! #5 grandson (A) was climbing a tree, fell out, major surgery, cast! Screwed up his summer!!! (possibly---more like his G'ma!). Lotsa babies: turkeys, goslings, duckies, chickies! Some garden things are doing great---pots., onions, cabbage--other things are struggling (the important things) like Heirloom Toms.!!! Shower for granddaughter, major hightlight! Little 'O' is doing great!!! The picture is that of a 'bee swarm'! Sometimes, for whatever reason, bees just decide to move on----that's what these guys did! Pretty sure they are some of our bees, have had 'other' bees end up here and retrieved them! Hopefully--these guys will land someplace where there is a home and are not destroyed!!! While trying to retrieve this swarm---------I actually got stung, once------on the forehead-------I have noticed since the sting that there are NO wrinkles on my forehead!!! Perhaps---------a little 'sting' in various other wrinkled places would fill in nicely and I could knock a few years off this weathered, aged face without going 'under the knife' (not that I would)---just a little 'sting' here and there (as opposed to a tuck here and there!!!!!!) No botox needed!!!...Will be monitoring that!!!

YOU WILL BE MISSED---

Sharing this beautiful Rose because it was the contact picture on my cell phone of a dear, sweet lady that 'was called home' this week. My dear friend, my dear neighbor... Not that she was a 'friend of flowers' cause when she received flowers for all those wonderful 'flower holidays' she would enjoy them for a while and then have me retrieve them and give them a home and hopefully a life! They came to my flower beds and will be enjoyed for, hopefully, many years! What can I say about my dear neighbor/friend??? She would have been 92 years in August of this year! Peacefully, met her maker as she sat in her chair, watching her favorite news station----------Her mind was totally intact---I can think of many challenging conversations we had on many various topics---especially POLITICS!!!!!!! OMG! We where not even on the same page--but it was always a 'Great Debate' heated controversy, then "Love ya---talk later"! Her mind was there, her body was pooped. If you know an elderly person----talk to them, pick their brain, they know so much about history cause they have LIVED it! They love to TALK, you need to LISTEN----do NOT let this wonderful opportunity pass you by--YOU will benefit! I Love you, I Miss you! Thank you for every moment we have shared! XOXOXO!!!

WELCOME BACK OH BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN CHAIN TREES!!!

It has probably been about 3 years since we have enjoyed the beautiful Golden Chain blooms. Early bloomer, so it usually freezes just as the blooms come on----OR----if it actually gets to bloom---the wind will blow the blooms away. Gpa took this picture while it was in it's full glory! Both trees are simply gorgeous this year and we are really enjoying them!! Wonderful Middle School Graduation, Dear Grandson!!! It was a great, though hectic, time!! Got the enjoyable opportunity of visiting with friends, family and aquaintances that I have not seen for many years. The topic of conversation was pretty much the same----------"How did these kids grow up sooo fast??" Hang onto your hats young graduates----The wonderful world of 'LIFE' is going to FLASH by----make EVERY SINGLE MOMENT COUNT!!! Keep in touch with your friends and family. The Golden Chain of friendship is a strong and blessed tie, binding kindred hearts together as the years go (flying) by (Helen Steiner Rice). OH-------------and by the way------Golden Chain trees are for gazing upon and enjoying-------don't eat a Golden Chain Tree, they are poisonous!!!

SOMETIMES---GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND!!!

Yeah---sometimes good help really is hard to find!!! Yesterday---planted 15 Heirloom Tomatoes--- that requires 15 holes, dug about a foot deep, filled with lotsa water, backfilled with 'good' dirt, tomato plopped into its new home, more water and ready to do what a good tomato will do---- According to my calculations---15 tom. plants, each hole dug approx. a FOOT deep---am thinking if I dug one hole for all the digging I did, it would have been one hole 15 feet deep! Maybe that's why I am finding a few sore muscles today! Gotta love my helper, Gus! Sometimes the 'really good help' does not need to be there for 'hands on'----they just need to be there for 'MORAL SUPPORT'! Gotta Love Gus!! He's a really good moral supporter (I think)!!! (he must have supported too hard??)...

WE LOVE OUR MOMMY AND THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT!

Been just a tad bit busy around here lately! Have had hatchings of DUCKS, CHIX, TURKEYS and all the TRAUMA that goes with----Little Buff Silkie Chix in the upper pix.---Her Mom decided she would rather set on more eggs than be a Mom, scooped little Silkie Chix up and brought her inside. The stuffed dog became her Mom and worked out great, little Silkie Chix slept under her just as she would do her real Mom, BUT---not wanting her to be alone---along came a Turkey Poult that was just hatched today and she became the step-sibling of the Silkie Chix with the 'Pretend Mom!' Seems to be working out just fine, am sure we will be adding to the 'normal, disfunctional family' and all will be well! OK-----------gotta toss in some other 'goingsONs.' Baby shower for granddaughter----awsome!!! Great visit with her! Wonderful time!!! Planted peas are up, sweet peas are in, harvesting the salad greens from the LATTICE GARDEN! Some toms. planted, more will go in the ground tomorrow! It's rained, the wind has blown, it hasn't froze and there are pears, peaches, apples, almonds and golden chains coming on. All have frozen the past years. Am thinking the upcoming weekend is going to be very buzeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

OK---OK!!!

OK--OK!!! Put the straw hat away!!! Better get out the umbrellas and a BOAT!!!

KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT!!

The first memories I have of my Paternal Grandmother was working along side her in her garden, somewhere around the age of 3-4 (ish). (yes, yes, long, long ago!) She always wore a BIG straw hat. She always wore that BIG straw hat when she was out in the boat fishing, as the lady LOVED to fish!!! Her garden, as I remember it, was the most beeeeeutiful garden in the whole world! Grandmother's garden actually was surrounded by a white picket fence! SERIOUSLY!!! A garden with a WHITE PICKET FENCE! It just doesn't get any better than that!!! As I recall--------I don't even think there where any weeds in Grandmother's garden!!! (gotta love those memories)! She was always 'working' in her garden, I was always making the most gorgeous mud pies under one of her apple trees! In those days, a lady never exposed her skin to the sun, those gals where so smart! All you red-headed, fair-skinned offspring of mine------------PLEEZ, PLEEZ put a hat on your head when you are outside!!!! Master D.----when you are golfing, put on the hat, Mrs. K. ---when you are gardening, put on the hat, etc. etc. to the rest of U's!!! What is it you need to keep under your hat, you ask???? WELLL---your HEAD, of course!!! Whatever became of my Grandmother with the big straw hat? I look at her every morning in the mirror. I have become that G'ma-----------A message to Edna------'May I follow your footsteps down that garden path and inspire others as you did me, dear Lady.' The best accessories a farm gal/guy can have-----a good straw hat, a good pair of work gloves, and some packets of seeds!!! Life is good!