Sorry to be away so long

Hi All,

Sorry to be away so long, still having computer problems. I am using to old standby so cannot share pictures, etc.

So, things are perking along here, nothing exciting, also nothing bad. My garden has it's ups and downs, lots of peas to harvest and freeze. The strawberries were a dissapointment, too much rain and cold I guess. I have planted more herbs and look forward to harvest and drying those.

Jim worked all weekend framing in part of a stall which will become the chicken coop. Did I mention I bought some chickens?? I got a variety pack, can't remember all the names but they lay brown eggs and two of them lay Easter eggs. I have taken some pictures and as soon as I have my computer up and running I will share them with you.

I have been planting more roses to replace the ones lost over the winter, very pleased with most of the new ones. Lots of flowers have come up, coneflowers and others whose name I do not remember. Hollyhocks are also sprung up all over the place, they are so pretty. I also found out that they come in yellow and some other colors so will have to order some of those also.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer, lots of fun and love.

See you soon.

July, Already!!

Seems as if this year is off and running much too fast. Like trying to catch the gold ring on the merry go round, I am constantly grabbing at this and that.

Not sure why, but I have many strawberries that spoiled. The plants look healthy so will have to see if I have done something wrong. I still have picked about 5 pounds so will make jam in the next few days. The peas look pretty good and taste good also, the spinach is large enough so can pick leaves for salad. Looks as if all the onions I put in are doing well, waiting for the garlic to show it self. Have cabbage, beets and peppers doing well also. This is fun, not the weeds, but the end results.

Our weather has been all over the place, from cool to hot and now back to cool, it was in the 60's most of the day. Weather man says will be warmer by weekend. Some of the new roses I planted are blooming. I think this pink one looks like porcelain, it goes from the darker pink to light with very pale edges.

My pots of flowers are looking pretty good also, if I do say so myself!

My friend Ellen gave me this gourd so I hung it in the mulberry tree. Did not expect it to be anything other then a decoration, but someone moved in. I was picking some ripe mulberries and suddenly something zips past my nose and this very tiny bird is giving me heck. I think it is a Wren. I will see if I can catch a picture of it. One of them was sitting in the tree later in the day, just singing away.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 4th and for our friends in Canada, Happy Canada Day.

The Best laid plans, etc. etc. etc

My big adventure is rescheduled. Jim worked so hard to make it happen, but Murphy worked harder. Jim had replaced chewed water lines, dropped the fuel tank (a rather nasty hard job) replaced the defective regulator and thought things were good to go. He had discovered that the water heater was leaking and ordered a new tank. It took forever to arrive and when Jim went to install it he discovered that it was not the right tank and was defective. In trying to contact the company we bought it from I discovered a long list of complaints against this company, bummer. So I said no problem I can make do without hot water, just as long as the toilet flushes I am good to go. He hooked up the water and oh no, leaks! Lines had cracked and fittings broken so off he goes to buy parts. Fixes all that, but by this time it is late afternoon on Sunday and we were supposed to have already been there. I could not see being this tired and then driving for 6 hours. I sent off emails and made phone calls to let the school know I would be arriving on Tuesday, not Monday.

Monday we are up bright and early doing last minute things, loading more items and getting ready. Jim has my car up on a trailer we had borrowed and hooked to the back of the motor home. In hooking up the lights he finds that the trailer lights do not work, while he is trying to trace the problem I find a message on the phone. The school has called, "Sorry you could not make the class, you may have a refund or reschedule". What, no, what is going on? I keep calling and only get voice mail, finally at 1:30 I reach a live person. I ask, did you get my messages? No, the phones have been crazy and she had not checked email. The upshot of all this is that they did not think we were going to arrive, it is now late in afternoon again. Talk to Jim, decide to reschedule. Call campground, call school and will now go to September master course. I have come to the conclusion that the cosmos did not want me to leave at this time.

The upside of all this is that my car has a new drive shaft and all the lights and signals work. She is 25 years old and still runs great, my fun little car. I bought new glasses to replace the ones Molly chewed up. The motor home is in much better shape and I now have the bug to do some redecorating, it is an 88 so could use some spiffing up. The downside is that I now have to drag all the stuff back inside, I think I had enough stuff for 6 people. I was not sure what to bring for clothes, what would the weather be like, how dressy or casual. So, I kinda took a little of everything. All the closets are full, as are the drawers. I even bought a new peace lily , love plants. All in all not a huge emergence, I just feel bad that Jim worked so hard for me and then it did not work out.

So back to working in the garden, the strawberries are huge this year and so many of them. My other veggies are doing well and I am planning an herb garden. I have planted several more roses and other flowers. Jim is helping me with my different projects, such a good guy. He brought me some yellow yarrow to add to the pink I already have. I am slowly lining the drive way banks with different plants so I will not have to mow. The peonies really put on a show, and the scent is so nice. I was also happy to have my iris finally bloom, they have the greatest scent also.

The Iris and the peonies were given to me several years ago, the peony a baby from a very old bush. The iris also are an old strain, I have carefully brought them with us through all the moves.

So my friends that is my latest saga, best to you all.

Onions in my purse and Lady Bugs in the fridge

What a hectic time it is around here, so many things to plan and get done. Ever notice how it seems as if we have all the time in the world and then suddenly the deadline is here?? That is kinda where I am right now.

The onion was in my purse because I put it there when I was working at share, that is the food program that provides low cost items. I try to volunteer there as often as possible, and support this great program. I stuck the onion in my purse as it was trying to roll away, of course I then forgot I put it there. Later that week I am in the store and looking for something and there is the onion.

The Lady bugs were in the fridge cooling off, and I forgot there were there. Good thing the instructions say they can stay there for up to two weeks. I released them into the garden a couple of nights ago. I had ordered them as pest control, we have lots of the Asian lady bugs but I wanted the old fashioned kind. Hopefully they will like our yard and stay.

Let's see, what else, oh I now know I do not like MRIs. I flunked my first one and had to go back and try again with drugs. Received a hint from one lady, close your eyes before they slide you in. The second time I did that and also had a cloth over my eyes, along with the drugs, ear phones and my panic button and lots of talking to myself I made it through. Will find out results next week. Amazing the things we find out about ourselves, I kinda figure I can bluff my way through most anything, not that. The poor guy slid me in, I kind of looked around and informed him I did not think I could do this and to get me out! Whoa, not a good feeling.

This coming week is going to be crazy, next Saturday is the wedding reception for 150. Doing the cakes, sandwiches, potato salad, macc salad and fruit and veg trays. Then Sunday I leave in the Motor Home for outside Chicago for my classes. Not sure if I will have computer access or not.

So my friends, I hope you are all well and happy. I wish you a wonderful rest of June and I will get back to Blog land as soon as possible. Hopefully the classes will give me many new ideas and skills and by the end of summer my shop will be together and ready to go.

Best to you all, Barbara

Monday a new week to explore

Good Morning, it is 48 degrees at 9 a.m. and supposed to get to 69, that would be nice. It is sunny out which always starts my day on a good note. Both sons called yesterday which was a very up part of my day. What was not good was the news from my youngest son, he has swine flu and was in the hospital. Not one phone call to let me know, upsetting. Reality says what could I do being over 1200 miles away. He did not sound good on the phone, said they had him and others in special quarantined area. Assures me he will be fine. Sure hope so, no matter how old they are we want to take care of them.

I had the goats out in the grove yesterday and took a video, thought it might give an idea of what we are working on. It was a pretty day, but chilly and a stiff breeze. They have such a good time out there. Hope you enjoy it.
Going out in a bit to tackle the mowing, yard is starting to look like a field. I wish you a sunny day with gentle breezes and no stress.

Happy Mother's Day

One of my Mother's Day presents was the arrival of the Baltimore Orioles and the Hummingbird. I saw the Oriole yesterday so quickly cut up an orange and put it out and filled the first feeder I could find. As you can see the Oriole did not seem to mind that it was for the hummingbirds. Then I read in my new Bird's and Bloom magazine that they might not be able to drink well from the hummingbird feeders. Today I dug out the one for the orioles and filled it and put it out. At first they looked at it as if not sure it was something they wanted to use. I had moved the hummers feeder and while looking out spotted another visitor. The first

Hummingbird of the season. I was surprised to see it as we have been so chilly, sure was glad I had put feeders out. I think we made it into the mid 50's today.

Jim did not make it home, but called to wish me happy day. It was sunny and not too windy. I worked in the garden some and sorta hung out doing a little of this and that. Not a bad day.

While walking the dogs early this morning, think 5:30 we spotted a hawk and listened to the birds. So nice and quiet at that time of the morning. Also discovered that more of my tulips had opened. They are from a mixed bag I bought, supposed to be pink and purple. Not what I wanted , but pretty all the same. The "pink" ones are white and also a coral color.

I do like the different varieties, interesting.

Hope everyone enjoyed their day.

Best to you, Barbara

One of the reasons for grey hair

This is one of the reason for much
of my grey hair. My oldest son, Erick and his toy. He races in Washington State, mostly for fun.

He has done all the work on his bike, he just posted some more pictures of more work he is doing. His new place has a garage so now he is all set.