tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4535849501885373632024-03-14T08:04:37.099-07:00My Life In A Little Red Farm HouseThoughts, observations, and ramblings on life, love, family, cooking, events, artistic projects and adventures in and around our little red farm house.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-73924714709395696482012-09-19T14:06:00.000-07:002012-09-19T14:13:48.852-07:00Fall in the Alleghenies<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(...taken from 9-16-12 journal entry...) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been quite too long dear diary that I take pen to hand and jot words of thought. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today we decided to come to the mountains to winterize. It seems as though it was not too long ago that we were dusting webs of spiders and opening the doors after a long winters stillness. Spring flowers showing glistens of sunlight off their pedals...pinks, purples, blue hugging close to the ground amist soft blotches of green moss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After walking across the rivers edge, taking note of the century old maple that has shown its age countless times with worn sponged branches falling in each wind has finally snapped off falling into younger trees along the waters edge, snapping them as well...part laying in the shallows of the river edge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thoughts pass through me of planting flowers in the hollows now of this massive trunk to cascade over its bark through the summer. Made a mental note of that for next spring. A bit of color draping over its sides with whispers of new life in that deadened tree. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am sitting at this summers ashes at the fire heaped with weathered ashes and bits of marshmallow sticks...there is a fuzzy worm crawling next to me on a stump, thoughts of mooshing it cross my mind as it now has taken new direction and is crawling a bit too close to me...instead I flicked it quite a distance away with a nearby branch. They don't creep me out until they are on me. Wooly worms don't bother me, it's all the other fuzzy species. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Allegheny River is very low and the island shows up more distinctly, high with grass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The chipmunks and squirrels are rooting through the moss looking for grubs and already storing the hickory, walnuts and acorns. I have been waiting all afternoon to either hear or see the eagles and as if right on cue, there they are...calling out for feeding time. We were privileged this summer to watch a young fledgling in the water at the edge of the island across from the yards edge. How mighty and awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is a short visit here to flush out the water pipes and add winterizing fluids. I've already packed up items to take home to keep from freezing, so as to have "free time" to just wander around the yard exploring fall posies, new seedlings to carry through fall and winter for spring surprises. The walnut trees were hit hard this year with numerous tent worms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Moms grape vine that has been growing umpteen years up the ash tree is now towering over the top of the limbs, blushing with color as fall brushes by. A chipmunk just ran by me chirping as he passes, perhaps this is his stump I am sitting on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Pileated Woodpecker continues to peck huge holes in the cherry tree at the edge of the yard. As I retreat up the bank, I see some humongous wooly worms, fattened for the onset of winter? What does it mean when they are solid black?</span>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-59838598816547851352012-03-30T01:10:00.003-07:002012-03-30T01:34:16.282-07:00Sunflower Power<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-SNV4ZH_a4ZlM5XbXCsMfL6xNQ5ZiKaMbKE7pcj0qTnMKjSI8qOIUfdtvp0jevvT7msmV0U4M0SUOnzS-UrIKylel5CMBDeuG1glx4oqSvzYAaVo5ZR0hWiQP4JJUGYFXFzNc2TOOXY/s1600/sunflower+power%252C+dee+2011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725600294408782018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-SNV4ZH_a4ZlM5XbXCsMfL6xNQ5ZiKaMbKE7pcj0qTnMKjSI8qOIUfdtvp0jevvT7msmV0U4M0SUOnzS-UrIKylel5CMBDeuG1glx4oqSvzYAaVo5ZR0hWiQP4JJUGYFXFzNc2TOOXY/s320/sunflower+power%252C+dee+2011.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIXxgs5DuAgef4qdD1BVTjiF_L2razWouz6rG4Mnz0sZfWK_nHPpT9_kmv9ZeRCBNDpfjHmT7B6exmOAd6jUzulYyyj-p0wnR1O0GV8KqtD2BjjuMPnKPH-VLRVtU1Mb0yE3n2sMT7Kg/s1600/sunflower+power%252C+grampa+LaBonte%252C+1977.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725600287766754770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIXxgs5DuAgef4qdD1BVTjiF_L2razWouz6rG4Mnz0sZfWK_nHPpT9_kmv9ZeRCBNDpfjHmT7B6exmOAd6jUzulYyyj-p0wnR1O0GV8KqtD2BjjuMPnKPH-VLRVtU1Mb0yE3n2sMT7Kg/s320/sunflower+power%252C+grampa+LaBonte%252C+1977.jpg" /></a><br />I have been sorting seeds these last weeks, getting several planted in small containers under fluorescent lamps. Today as I sorted through sunflower seeds, I was surprised and delighted as to how many I have collected through the years. Thinking this summer it will be awesome to have various colors and sizes throughout the property.<br /><br />I plan to plant Russian, Mammoth Edible Pod, Mammoth Gray, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bicolored</span> Mix Evening Sun, Magic Roundabout(the pedals are bright orange near the center and yellow tips), <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Goldfinger</span>, Italian White, Velvet Queen (a chestnut red blossom), Summertime Mix (a wonderful mix, some with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">bicolors</span>, reds, rust, orange, some with mixed colors).<br /><br />As I was going through old photos recently, I happened upon a picture of my grandfather, Napoleon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">LaBonte</span>. A very proud man, with an awesome garden everyday of his life. Here he is about 84 years old. He had the greenest thumb in all of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spalding</span>, MI. In his younger days he grew acres of berries to sell to the local grocers and to the towns people to can.<br /><br />This is me with a volunteer Mammoth from my bird feeder, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nurtured</span> it all through the summer. The seed head measured out about 18 inches across. I used the dead stalk through the winter months to hang homemade suet cakes on for the birds. I finally worked it out of the ground a couple weeks ago. It was still pretty solid in the ground, pretty heavy as well. I felt like a pole vaulter carrying it while Ed snapped my picture holding it. I tried to load a picture here, somehow there was a glitch that kept it from loading.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-29196409280829063622012-02-23T23:50:00.003-08:002012-02-24T00:14:47.167-08:00Winter Behind The Barn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRSlwRkpgKoUtrQyK9H1j9Opj3mHh7Ngxg52PQ7JRU33efLAwJbM9us_UvJ3h_BOMoUpfJVwXPcBbQhx3BBjmfirGDGr4pAGprNCdtp1pXeONYTK91PWr89c-AfPfwfb0eMps9IV5bpc/s1600/back+tree+n+barn+scene.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712612284258084594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRSlwRkpgKoUtrQyK9H1j9Opj3mHh7Ngxg52PQ7JRU33efLAwJbM9us_UvJ3h_BOMoUpfJVwXPcBbQhx3BBjmfirGDGr4pAGprNCdtp1pXeONYTK91PWr89c-AfPfwfb0eMps9IV5bpc/s320/back+tree+n+barn+scene.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-49353315259630376452012-02-23T23:21:00.002-08:002012-02-23T23:50:29.515-08:00February<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCm4tuHtKQ86rv7s2P84JpvkbRYMwuLFcUfoa86ZhDQzTy14zvi2R9xlHgKmhCU3eeeMRfM0BygWmhcnaA-t8V8nYwVWjv_Fb3-D0filnI8cyAt0neEPBCj1-C_qolUcwjKvOwJlYhfw/s1600/icicles+in+february.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712606141567986402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCm4tuHtKQ86rv7s2P84JpvkbRYMwuLFcUfoa86ZhDQzTy14zvi2R9xlHgKmhCU3eeeMRfM0BygWmhcnaA-t8V8nYwVWjv_Fb3-D0filnI8cyAt0neEPBCj1-C_qolUcwjKvOwJlYhfw/s320/icicles+in+february.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>February is soon to come to a close. The weather temps this year have been like a roller coaster. Highs nearing 50 and lows in the 20's. Sunshine one day, snow and bleakness the next. Warm enough for rains, cold enough to freeze.</div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-68727942602360782272012-02-08T22:39:00.000-08:002012-02-09T14:02:33.248-08:00Where's That Purple Russian...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAUGVPy-oR2A0EsWLWCcI5FJ3-CLOxufecVm_3A6wZCgS6Zr2SUNW9DPu-IIVcKeM34Mqbp7-UWPZ9hlrmFOz5v6PgftI8yWk9q0wVYQn694E94sYavbctbioTbYAX1AL2rJHRR2Y80/s1600/garden+layout+2011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 247px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707032633858745586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iAUGVPy-oR2A0EsWLWCcI5FJ3-CLOxufecVm_3A6wZCgS6Zr2SUNW9DPu-IIVcKeM34Mqbp7-UWPZ9hlrmFOz5v6PgftI8yWk9q0wVYQn694E94sYavbctbioTbYAX1AL2rJHRR2Y80/s320/garden+layout+2011.jpg" /></a> Several summers ago I started making a garden chart. Though our thoughts were, as we planted, that we surely would remember what was in each roll and where. Wouldn't we?<br /><br /><br /><div>I marked all the plants individually with each, their own p<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opsicle</span> stick, dated, named. Tucked nicely near each plant. We marked each roll end with different sized sticks..painted some with permanent <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">markered</span> stakes. Each pepper, each tomato roll.. marked..good to go..not!!</div><br /><br /><div>Little did we anticipate rain...wind...sun...would slowly cause well meaning marked sticks to fade.. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hmm</span>, "was that the Black Crimson or the Black Krim? is this where we put the Purple Russian? Oh is that the Abe Lincoln or the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stupice</span>?"<br /></div><br /><div>"I don't know"..were three over-used words that summer.</div><br /><br /><div>I take paper, pencil or pen, ruler out with me each time I transplant my plants in the garden, or spread seeds. This paper gets pretty dirty by the time I get done each time. I have one good plotted garden chart indoors, so each time I plant even if just one thing, it gets charted to the good paper that day. When I go out again, I take another scrap of paper and repeat as before.</div><br /><br /><div>As the garden grows, I make notes, what did well, what didn't. What I may leave off next growing season, etc. </div><br /><br /><div>Our biggest mystery in the garden last season began with Ed running lines for me at the far end of the garden. I couldn't plant my squash or pickling cucumbers early on, as we were having lots of rain, at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">in-opertune</span> times. He thought we should try something different and not make our usual hills, he had seen where you could squeeze more in without <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">hilling</span>, perhaps we would get a bigger yield. I wasn't so sure I wanted to do it that way, I liked making the mounds especially for pickles. So it was no hills this time.</div><br /><br /><div>Ed had my lines nice and taunt, with seeds in hand, I was out to finish up plantings for that area. I kept a watchful eye anxious to see the seeds sprout. We had had quite a monsoon pour down not long after I pushed seed into the ground. Days passed...weeks....He'd ask, "are you sure you planted those seeds or just thought you planted them" .... well with all this rain...I thought maybe they got misplaced with all the water that ran through the garden..</div><br /><br /><div>As we lingered one evening where plants should be, I said, "I just don't understand it..I planted them here, to the right of the string, like I always do".. I think Ed's face turned a few shades at that moment.... he had tilled the rolls not long after I planted, because there were no hills to be seen, he rototilled my seeded areas...the rains washed away all evidence of his footprints... we both agreed..hills from then on!!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-7058305333309927182012-02-08T21:58:00.000-08:002012-02-08T22:38:58.680-08:00you can do it...journal entry: 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn5tQz8s8LgrN7tHDbiOknF0wjp5ZrH3iYgDx9lSWzUxss6EjQaY9EwGJyV4kVU_TejBJ-m6JiMe4CZrE7AVjtauG1rCKVHtQf8ws2leMspsjglk1Q4Ag1mV_k4bNPFMrn7NmhOHR030/s1600/seedlings+hardening+2011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 308px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707012922202982274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn5tQz8s8LgrN7tHDbiOknF0wjp5ZrH3iYgDx9lSWzUxss6EjQaY9EwGJyV4kVU_TejBJ-m6JiMe4CZrE7AVjtauG1rCKVHtQf8ws2leMspsjglk1Q4Ag1mV_k4bNPFMrn7NmhOHR030/s320/seedlings+hardening+2011.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I transferred all my plants from the inside grow lights to my little portable greenhouse outside. It was a tough go for several weeks, as when I started my seeds I was at the end of my seed starting soil from a local greenhouse. Being March when I began I was unaware that I could of just called and they would of gladly sold me the soil I needed. Instead I picked up a random bag at a nearby store. How careless of me. I nurtured my heirloom seeds for so many years, and chose a random soil to start their journey in this time?</div><br /><br /><div>I had 18 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and 12 heirloom varieties of peppers...several varieties of basil, fennell, cabbage, cilantro, stevia, parsley, borage... they struggled to grow, with transplanting it was total shock to their already tender roots.</div><br /><br /><div>I called finally first part of June for my favorite soil mix from Hoffman's Greenhouse. Instead of adding more shock I just mounded the perfect mix around the tops of the pots, so the nutrients could soak into the soil with each watering. I had gotten restless and impatient, so out of character for me, and had pulled quite a few of both tomatoes and pepper plants out as they looked like they were dying off...leaves were turning limp and color change..they just needed more time.</div><br /><br /><div>Each time I'd walk by my little house of struggling plants, I'd say "you can do it...".. soon, with the warmth of the sun smiling down on and embracing all my greens, they started growing all over inside the greenhouse..up into the eve, hanging out reaching for the sun rays..soon it looked like a little jungle in there.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-61839059307472544402012-02-01T00:07:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:35:22.786-08:00F o R t Y y E a R s<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr6krZL74biQbZ-V0y_Wm_yqw0f3i7y7KwT1nwFvmafQJeZ5XDbq9cFtFjdggCAVYOLRam1jGmTtN09KKuwJkyxPL5XXOY4rN8TCGOLWep4X4Hm_KB-7emUGaFwG5A1-koGsg_1V3UiQ/s1600/me+Ruth+Diane++pre-40th+class+reunion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704081599753337826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr6krZL74biQbZ-V0y_Wm_yqw0f3i7y7KwT1nwFvmafQJeZ5XDbq9cFtFjdggCAVYOLRam1jGmTtN09KKuwJkyxPL5XXOY4rN8TCGOLWep4X4Hm_KB-7emUGaFwG5A1-koGsg_1V3UiQ/s400/me+Ruth+Diane++pre-40th+class+reunion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKLXYvnqhd8oJuFXoY_rQobiy-vOh2pkUDcVZwwiutYqMW_dq1gQbAtHZxsKRyH1daRcX9E10il30yZUYNxygduVSNMUXRE0rWsUNhSkobqYTN7WQ_lFFKgVCW6H0sjJN9cXN3ibfSHg/s1600/Bonnie+Diane+Ruth+me+40th+reunion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704081247246000402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKLXYvnqhd8oJuFXoY_rQobiy-vOh2pkUDcVZwwiutYqMW_dq1gQbAtHZxsKRyH1daRcX9E10il30yZUYNxygduVSNMUXRE0rWsUNhSkobqYTN7WQ_lFFKgVCW6H0sjJN9cXN3ibfSHg/s400/Bonnie+Diane+Ruth+me+40th+reunion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq817jcaQ8_Z8jC81vSSMTC2njLfvX-bEu_5zy7ChowcJcYujFaeoiCtO7bQhhkFDVihbM78ok8XWHqJQS8gcTxIlFjmgdjwM6SMKzwwuXDBf545WUbBDZgm10uyuBkpdanxsI1tc6Y0/s1600/classmates+from+elementary-high+school+40th+reunion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704080884555421378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq817jcaQ8_Z8jC81vSSMTC2njLfvX-bEu_5zy7ChowcJcYujFaeoiCtO7bQhhkFDVihbM78ok8XWHqJQS8gcTxIlFjmgdjwM6SMKzwwuXDBf545WUbBDZgm10uyuBkpdanxsI1tc6Y0/s400/classmates+from+elementary-high+school+40th+reunion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g62uQjuRSU5GTkaIFtFK4llkhvESKuejmwMskTmwXQ-drGQTogiZYqRMgzOv25rNjlDMkv9FXsvLFjyj8YFhEt0viYEwLzx_zDOsg9Bir1yAGUJlMvgTFm1V7XJBR1XLEFmCAcMHfXE/s1600/Ed+and+I+at+40th+class+reunion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704080114862445682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g62uQjuRSU5GTkaIFtFK4llkhvESKuejmwMskTmwXQ-drGQTogiZYqRMgzOv25rNjlDMkv9FXsvLFjyj8YFhEt0viYEwLzx_zDOsg9Bir1yAGUJlMvgTFm1V7XJBR1XLEFmCAcMHfXE/s400/Ed+and+I+at+40th+class+reunion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Saying 40 years out loud sounds like forever.</div><br /><br /><div>It has been 40 years that I was in high school. Through the years by chance I might of run into an occasional classmate, a quick hello, how are you... a quick catch up. Then days would continue as usual, routines come and go.</div><br /><br /><div>This year was my fortieth class reunion. Felt like such a milestone! We started out our week with girlfriends coming in from out of state. Gathering for some good doses of laughter as we reminisced with our yearbooks from days gone by. Hopping from one house for breakfast, back for lunch, another house for dinner. P.J. parties. Never too old!</div><br /><br /><div>The weekend before we attended an all alumni. The youngest gal there was class of 1938. What was expected a measly crowd of 600 to 700 ended with nearly 3000 Berea High School alumni. Though a few streets were closed off for the event, did they not realize the whole neighborhood were alumni. We all look forward to attending again this year. Good music, good food, good times.</div><br /><br /><div>The night before we gathered at a local pub for snacks and catching up with old buddies from days gone by. Just over 90 wandered in. The following eve was the biggie. Over 140 plus showed this year from as far away as Hawaii. Totally awesome.</div><br /><br /><div>I have since reconnected with nearly a dozen old classmates. We meet up every few weeks for lunch or dinner. We want to keep it going, a few add on each time. Such fun!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-5525261277056428032012-01-29T23:31:00.000-08:002012-01-29T23:35:23.884-08:00How Many People Does It Take To Open A Bottle Of Wine?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58NCMgnqhKWvPxJgPxYlx2PqHs9Ol6nx1d6-q4f0bIIgX6BvxuGPQ25nPFo0YCSI4tJr5XKw0wBBuSeq9NoKg8RA-qy2bgyPq9LGbSFhMbpunlBPRqJQhqZDSUcGpqbnvshwRcsnYdqM/s1600/diane+and+dee+wine+cork.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703324842436160498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58NCMgnqhKWvPxJgPxYlx2PqHs9Ol6nx1d6-q4f0bIIgX6BvxuGPQ25nPFo0YCSI4tJr5XKw0wBBuSeq9NoKg8RA-qy2bgyPq9LGbSFhMbpunlBPRqJQhqZDSUcGpqbnvshwRcsnYdqM/s400/diane+and+dee+wine+cork.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>True determination and team work! It took quite a bit of effort to get that cork out!</div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-65308762611536708712012-01-29T23:20:00.000-08:002012-01-30T01:57:31.303-08:00Irish Soda Bread<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzraquwVKpmGBD0dF2xCvLgoMikVlkjZmBAKG9l6rhHSMEuUnTAVWfjK5D-TCgGc2VUUGBj4HAV4r7Bwt-IfhEtRj8V_Kt8jgA3ru8YwWeL4ejnuxmgttngCsXfJpegzZRS9W2MWfxZIM/s1600/irish+soda+bread.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703323000777835362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzraquwVKpmGBD0dF2xCvLgoMikVlkjZmBAKG9l6rhHSMEuUnTAVWfjK5D-TCgGc2VUUGBj4HAV4r7Bwt-IfhEtRj8V_Kt8jgA3ru8YwWeL4ejnuxmgttngCsXfJpegzZRS9W2MWfxZIM/s400/irish+soda+bread.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Most people only make Irish Soda Bread in the month of March. We love eating this lovely bread year round. Sometimes I make it with organic dried currents when I don't have raisins on hand.<br /><br />4 cups all purpose flour<br />1/4 cup sugar<br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1/2 cup vegetable shortening<br />1 cup raisins<br />1 egg<br />1 3/4 cups buttermilk<br />(if you don't have buttermilk, you can sour the milk by placing 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 3/4 cups in a 2-cup measuring cup. Stir. Let stand 5 minutes before using.)<br /><br />Oven preheated 350. Grease a large baking sheet or use your baking stone. Set aside.<br /><br />Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the raisins.<br /><br />Beat egg in a medium bowl using a fork. Add buttermilk. Beat until well combined. Add buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Stir until mixture forms a soft dough that clings together and forms a ball.<br /><br />Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Knead dough gently 10 to 12 times. Place dough on the prepared baking sheet. Pat dough into a 7 inch round. Score the top of the dough with tip of a sharp knife, making an X about 4 inches long and 1/4 inch deep.<br /><br />Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Immediately remove from the baking sheet, cool completely on a metal rack or I use a cotton dishtowel.<br /><br />Bread is best eaten the day it is made.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-13710062168764293502012-01-29T00:40:00.000-08:002012-01-29T00:56:45.622-08:00Painting Day...11, June 18<br />journal page<br /><br />Today was a day of brushing....as I rolled and brushed new life to the worn faded<br />scraped wood, of the back mountain porch...<br />thoughts of days spent in the mountains with mom and dad filled my thoughts.<br /><br />At times it was laughter that filled me with joy as I brushed,<br />with all the memories of our many projects we did together...<br />when I would come to stay here for weeks and months at a time.<br /><br />At times tears of sadness as I miss those times and miss them both so much...<br />with each stroke a story...<br />with each stroke a fond memory...<br />with each stroke a treasured memory ... always.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-65699182444814203172012-01-29T00:10:00.000-08:002012-01-29T00:35:41.434-08:00Arctic Snowy Owls11, June 14<br />journal page<br /><br />As the sun was nearing its days end...<br />and dark was settling in, Ed came rushing into the house to gather me,<br />grab the binoculars... come... quickly!<br />Hurry!<br />Out of breath we scurried back to the big barn, he had just noticed a small flock of blackbirds chasing a rather large bird...<br />it looked like a Snowy Owl he exclaimed!<br />As we slipped underneath the outside cross boards of the barn door,<br />we stood still barely breathing as our eyes scanned the darkness...<br />searching the beams high up.<br />There he was...standing tall and very still...every bit of 16 inches in height!<br />As we stood in awe for some time, the Snowy Owl took flight right above our heads right through the side window of the barn.<br />A few months later, there was quite a write up in our local paper about the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arctic</span> Snowy Owl traveling south, far away from their tundra homes in search of prey. That many are showing up in increasing numbers in Ohio, mostly along the lake. They had mentioned there were 15 reported sitings. I guess we should have reported our siting. There is always next time. What a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">privilege</span> to have stood just below this beautiful breathtaking species.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-9493850571437859292012-01-28T23:47:00.000-08:002012-01-29T00:10:04.955-08:00the Allegheny mountains11, June 10 <br />journal page<br /><br />What do porcupines and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pileated</span> woodpeckers have in common?<br />Well, they both are seldom seen in the Allegheny....<br /><br />As we drove to fetch water at the spring in Endeavor this eve, we came upon a strange looking creature near the middle of the road. From far away, we knew it wasn't an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opossum</span>, nor a raccoon. What was this mystical creature waddling in the center of the road? Nearing long quills were evident ... very long quills ... very long raised quills! Looked like a porcupine on steroids...<br /><br />Our thoughts crossed as we came to a stop, could this creature of the night shoot those quills into our tires.. surely wouldn't want to find out.<br /><br />Early on, peering out the sliding back porch windows, whilst looking out towards the swift rivers current, we saw the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">pileated</span> woodpecker, quite the site to behold! It was sizing up yet another wild cherry tree. Earlier we found a damaged cherry tree along the river bank at the edge of the property. Quite a bit of damage, its pecking left holes as big as our hands and as deep.<br />They are pretty birds...sadly pretty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">destructive</span> as well...deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-87317941311756696352012-01-11T00:12:00.000-08:002012-01-11T01:15:54.710-08:00two thousand eleven where did you goas minutes tick into hours<br />... hours pass into days<br />as days slip off into weeks<br />... and weeks flow into months<br /><br />2011 passed by quickly...<br />or so it seemed...<br /><br />In December 2010 I worked hard to shed my walker for a cane. Coming into 2011, though having so many limitations, it definitely slowed me down. I had to learn new ways for the old. I started my new year out full of determination and had many goals set for myself. With insurance changes I was on my own to better my health, to work to get stronger. I found quickly that I was not just on this new journey to build physical strength within, but to remain positive even when I didn't think I could achieve the next step. I must admit, the thought of giving up never occured to me, but there were many times I wanted to give in...in to the numbness, in to the pain, in to the hurdles that were before me..for there were many times I felt hopeless and helpless.<br /><br />Ed was my hero through and through. By May I was excited that I could start cooking and do laundry again. Crazy huh? My biggest accomplishment in May, was that I was learning to climb stairs again.<br /><br />It was always a boost when the spring gardening catalogs arrived in the mailbox. It gave me hope and filled me with ambitions to plan my garden. I had quite an assorted mixture of family heirloom seeds started under lights near the south window.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-86073082050759868312011-01-03T15:08:00.000-08:002011-01-03T15:28:30.284-08:00Star Gazing<span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">At night when all are asleep<br />in the stillness of the night,<br />I pull the shade and snap it high<br />to gaze through the pines at the bright<br />stars above.<br />Now and then I catch a shooter<br />to wish upon.<br /><br />Thoughts of my day<br />rush through my stilled mind.<br /><br />A distant train 3 miles away,<br />across the road that once was<br />an open field,<br />now strewn with houses...<br />most vacant.<br /><br />Making wishes and thinking<br />about life...<br />and<br />things to come</span>.</span>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-49402307453277621952011-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:002011-01-03T15:08:49.033-08:00Idle ThoughtsI have been sitting idle these last months<br />watching the days and life slip by.<br /><br />In mid September after a wonderful vacation<br />in the far northen part in the Upper Peninsula<br />of Michigan, I mysteriously lost the use of<br />my left leg.<br /><br />My life has changed in a blink of an eye. My<br />limitations are many now. Much of the leg has<br />regained feeling, though I often wonder when and<br />if this is going to happen again.<br /><br />Life can merely be held by the tips of ones fingers.deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-68972144937052668342010-07-01T22:05:00.000-07:002010-07-01T22:13:22.978-07:00Apple Crisp(this is my favorite recipe to make with any fruit)<br /><br />Heat oven to 350.<br />Spread in ungreased 8 inch square pan:<br />4 cups of sliced unpeeled or peeled apples<br /><br />Mix with a fork and sprinkle over the apples:<br />3/4 cup all purpose flour<br />3/4 cup packed brown sugar<br />1/2 cup regular oats<br />1/3 cup chopped walnuts<br />1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon<br />1/2 cup ( 1 stick) softened butter<br /><br />Bake about 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender.<br /><br />Start to finish, about 45 minutes. Serves 6deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-16939638646266500242010-07-01T21:56:00.000-07:002010-07-11T22:05:58.004-07:00Raise Your Hand<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Beth, raise your right arm and wave,</span><br />now your left hand, raise it over your<br />head and wave..<br /><br />looking at me with just a quick glance<br />he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">muttered</span> now<br />raise your left hand and wave..<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hmmm</span> Ed said...<br />...as he stared forward<br />beyond me, past Beth, straight forward..<br /><br />there is a shadow on the wall,<br />over there,<br />and it's neither one of you!<br />...it's gone now..<br /><br />goosebumps!<br /><br />..every hair stood on end..<br /><br />chills ran up and down my spine,<br />they permeated my soul..<br /><br />we have a visitor my breath whispered..<br />..we have a visitor..<br /><br />we ponder in deep thought..<br />..who has come to visit?<br /><br />have they lingered awhile..<br />or are they just passing through? stay awhile!deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-91293310438604118372010-07-01T21:27:00.000-07:002010-07-01T21:43:38.209-07:00Time<span style="font-family:georgia;">Time is..<br />Time was...<br />Time will be again....<br /><br />My days slip by like fallen snow melting into the crevices of the day...</span>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-7818286991544263602010-02-01T23:01:00.000-08:002010-02-01T23:21:57.574-08:00WhispersI hear your voices<br /> whisper through<br /> the breeze,<br />I fall to my knees<br /> and want to see your<br />face once more.<br /><br />Another summer has past<br /> another fall has slipped<br /> quickly by,<br />a few leaves and<br /> your favorite apples cling<br />tight now in winters<br /> wind gusts.<br /><br />The bitter cold stings my face<br /> numbing my fingers<br /> through thick gloves.<br /><br />Christmas is just past<br /> your voices and laughter<br /> echoed deep<br />within our hearts<br /> within our thoughts.<br /><br /> Your whispers...linger....deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-53441721727674014062010-01-31T23:42:00.000-08:002010-01-31T23:57:05.893-08:00Night FallI am like a mouse<br /> scurrying in the night<br />finding things to do to stay awake.....<br /><br />I know...<br /> that when I close my eyes,<br />I will reclaim dreams that waver deep<br />in the depths of my conscious.....<br /><br />Seeing your angelic face<br /> motionless on falls crimson morning,<br />my arms envelope you<br />as I hold you close to the bosom of my soul.....deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-11700192064216755492010-01-24T21:22:00.000-08:002010-01-24T22:37:03.253-08:00Lavender<strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Not long ago, I was asked "if you could be a plant, what plant would you be?" Without hestitation I said ..... Lavender. I love EVERYTHING about Lavender!</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Scent...color...texture...taste...</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;">......it calms and soothes my spirit...</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#000000;"><strong>Lavender, as with other herbs have been used since ancient times. The Romans used Lavender to scent their bath water. Its name comes from the Latin verb, Lavare, to wash. The ancient Greeks prescribed Lavender for coughs.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Today Lavender is widely used in so many ways - from bath scents, to medicinal, to chocolate. Lavender is an effective sedative and calming remedy for digestion. It relieves aches and pains and encourages relaxation.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I have been stretching myself with being more in touch with herbal uses versus over the counter remedies. I am presently trying a hand at mixing an heral remedy to help Eds and my symptoms of creaking joints, aching bones and muscles. We are also trying new ways of eating to relieve our arthritis aches with dietary changes. While cleansing herbal remedies to help alleviate our arthritic condition by clearing toxins from our systems. We both suffer from backaches and sciatica.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I am presently gathering dried herbs and essential oils to make an infusion found in one of my home herbal books.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Lavender oil is a mild analgesic and can relieve many types of backaches, while thyme is an antispamodic that relaxes overtense muscles and eases pain.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Juniper oil is midly analgesic and increases blood flow to the skin, encouraging healing.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Eucalyptus oil helps to encourage blood flow to the surface and is effective for aches and pains.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">St. John's Wort oil is an anti-inflammatory helping to repair damaged tissues and ease pain.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Pine oil is a tranditional remedy for sciatica. It eases muscle pain and is a stimulant helping to counter act fatigue.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Be sure to use 100% Pure Grade Essential Oils. You should never skimp on the quality of oils used.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">LAVENDER THYME RUB</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">10 drops Lavender oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">10 drops Thyme oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">5 drops Juniper oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">5 drops Pine oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">10 drops Eucalyptus oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">18 ml St. John's Wort oil</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Mix oils in a 100 ml sterilized dark glass bottle and shake well. Pour about a teaspoon of oil onto one palm and gently rub your hands together before massaging into painful areas. Repeat at least twice a day.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Base oils to use with the Lavender oil are Sweet Almond, which contains vitamins, minerals and protein that are absorbed into the skin. Grapeseed oil and Olive oil can also be used.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I like to dilute 1-3 drops of Lavender oil in a teaspoon of Sweet Almond oil and massage my temples and neck for tension headaches and migraines.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Some uses for Lavender oil are..... 2-4 drops of Lavender oil in 2-3 cups boiling water ... inhale vapors for headaches, insomnia or depression.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn will decrease pain.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth thrown into the dryer will deoderize and freshen your laundry.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Rub Lavender oil on the bottoms of your feet for a calming effect on the body.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">A drop of Lavender oil on an insect bite will stop the itch and can help reduce swelling.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></strong>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-11178430456168419302009-10-10T23:41:00.000-07:002009-10-11T00:14:38.854-07:00Fall<strong>Ring around the rosey,</strong><br /><strong>a pocket full of posies, </strong><br /><strong>ashes, ashes</strong><br /><strong>we all fall down....</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>This echoed through my head as I swept leaves from my steps.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Fall .......... Down ..........</strong><br /><strong> YES IT'S FALL!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>The days have grown shorter, the leaves whirling and twirling in the slightest breeze becoming part of natures dance.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Firey maples screaming to be noticed ... orange, reds, wild choke cherry glowing yellow through the density of the woods. In our yard some apples cling tight, as others shake loose to the ground below.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>The days and nights have been very chilled, a quick reminder of what is soon to be.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Last Wednesday I spent hours in the garden gathering the last remaining peppers and tomatoes, as our first frost warnings were announced. I sat next to my herb garden stripping basil from their stocks filling a roaster, thinking to myself the whole time of all the wonderful pesto I'd be making. </strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>The frost wiped out the weaker plants left in the garden, while adding sweetness to the kale and beets.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Tonight we fired up the outside wood burner. The clanking of the registers bring added chills to my spine, as I dread winter.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Seems only yesterday that I got sunburned and tonight another frost warning is upon us.</strong>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-7559455572345801552009-10-10T22:43:00.000-07:002009-10-10T23:38:18.325-07:00"Things Are Getting A Bit Seedy"<strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;">It's that time of year...</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">........time to choose the best heirloom tomatoes in the garden to save seed.</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Not just for the following summer, but summers to come and seeds to share. </strong></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>I have been saving heirloom tomato seed for over 30 years. The majority of my seeds are over 50 years old.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I started saving seeds from </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Ed's gramma in southern Illinois back in the early 70's. Who knows how old her seeds were that she saved year to year. She always had the most wonderful tasting tomatoes, the </span></strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>flavor pops in your mouth just thinking about them. The seeds I have saved year to year from his dad are a bit similar, yet a different blushing on them.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>This year I bought a couple different varieties of tomato plants from the Athens Farmers Market in Southern Ohio and have added seed from the best ones to my collection. </strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong> "Purple Russian"...they were an interesting purple black plum like tomato, very meaty and flavorful. They originated in the Ukraine.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong> "Mortgage"... dates back to the 1930's. It is a cross between German Johnson, Beefsteak, Italian and English varieties. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong> </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Bethany introduced me to "Orange Oxheart".. a very flavorable orange heart shaped tomato, "Golden Plum" and "Black Brandywine".</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Although I started out with 91 tomato plants in my garden, I lost quite a few to drought and groundhogs. My soil conditions were a bit bleak as well. We just picked up a testing kit to take soil samples in our garden and send them in to get tested at a lab in Holmes County.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>I am dreaming of lush bushy plants in 2010.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong> "</strong></span>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-64967545459256970562009-09-16T20:42:00.000-07:002009-09-16T21:13:33.913-07:00Fall Migration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_vuetqovnKsbi3uG-6MAelnXRgnuOpa4f0UowB9JXSDr0S3PVKoTwqEOKahG1ue5AKN7QT1F-cl96F1RjpS4VEkv0HXwKqWYP1qvrmfi_O0fUVv_lMVWgJ1eKMsDkvvSamiDPgcuP2U/s1600-h/hummingbird+and+trumpet+flower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382279313923547922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_vuetqovnKsbi3uG-6MAelnXRgnuOpa4f0UowB9JXSDr0S3PVKoTwqEOKahG1ue5AKN7QT1F-cl96F1RjpS4VEkv0HXwKqWYP1qvrmfi_O0fUVv_lMVWgJ1eKMsDkvvSamiDPgcuP2U/s400/hummingbird+and+trumpet+flower.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I just brought in my last hummingbird feeder yesterday, although I haven't seen any hummers since the first week of September, I thought there may be a few stragglers coming through.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The male hummingbirds leave in the first part of August. By late August, the majority of the females are gone. The "juvenile" hummingbirds are the last to leave.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">By the end of May, I have my feeders up for the females who start to show up in our area come June. Every year we have nests in the pine trees behind the house and near the pond.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The females have 2 pea sized white eggs that hatch in 14 to 16 days. They are nearly full grown when they leave the nest in 21 days. Every year I watch to catch a glimpse of the new hummers in the yard...it's near impossible to tell which are the juveniles.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Every summer I like to stand still nearby where I usually have a feeder hanging and hold the feeder close to my face...it takes only a few minutes for the hummingbirds to come for the sweet treat. Seeing them so close is just awesome!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I am feeling the loss of not seeing the hummingbirds whizzing around the porch and in the perennial garden at the feeders. The winter will drag on until they arrive again in the spring...they will quicken our hearts and catch the eye as no other birds can...</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div>deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-453584950188537363.post-78594600931939379872009-09-10T22:37:00.000-07:002009-09-10T23:13:05.241-07:00Is It Kosher or Polish?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHPVPCTrj47g9XKicV5p5-LgEcsui2c7PF2GzQbOkWp86bVjw274_8TMd2GrAtvPJBJhkFXaSXPiICNWAhzwI-LKM69FLrls2m1RCzLFZtkvRzY7yWtII9ruLlf5qleI_s5pD7OPPTyU/s1600-h/barns++nursery+mural++canning+202.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380088464436758578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHPVPCTrj47g9XKicV5p5-LgEcsui2c7PF2GzQbOkWp86bVjw274_8TMd2GrAtvPJBJhkFXaSXPiICNWAhzwI-LKM69FLrls2m1RCzLFZtkvRzY7yWtII9ruLlf5qleI_s5pD7OPPTyU/s400/barns++nursery+mural++canning+202.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For the last weeks, I have been trying to track down pickling cucumbers. This year many gardens, including mine, were hit hard with an "air blight". It took quite a toll on the cucumber vines. A few days ago I ordered a bushel of pickling cucumbers from an Amishman, he has been able to buy large quanties to sell from the English/Amish Auction Barn a few miles away.<br /><br />This week I have been making batches of Kosher and Polish pickles with a twist. I have to wait until all are nestled in bed before mixing my hot peppers and garlic concoction, as its enough to choke the toughest soul out of here, once the brine starts boiling.<br /><br />As I choke, gasp, and sneeze from the hot peppers I am boiling in the brine, I am continuously telling myself, it's going to be well worth it in the end....deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05539882577321193335noreply@blogger.com1