Beagle Bugle....

This little beagle needs a home.

One that doesn't have a man with a mean voice. One that might have children, but definately has a woman that needs a dog of her own. One that won't ever cut her ears and one that will take the time to teach her to go on a leash.

She is the perfect dog, with 2 exceptions.
1.)She can NOT be crate trained. She was abused when she was little (obviously look at her ears) and she will eat her way out of any cage. Including a bathroom door. However, she is just fine hanging out in the living room while you are gone. She is not destructive when she is not confined.
2.)She also doesn't know how to walk on a leash- and therefore how to go potty on a leash. When you are home during the day to let her go potty outside she does. She either needs to be an outdoor dog (she does not dig nor jump even the 4' fence!) or simply taken the time with to be trained.

My parents took this dog form the Beagle rescue society but they failed to mention that she is deathly afraid of gruff voices. My Dad's voice is very low and even when he is tlaking nicely she is shy from him. :-( It is so sad.

She does tricks. She knows how to sit, and shake and stay... well she has springs in her butt but she does stay. She is still somewhat playful, but not overtly destructive and most of all she is the sweetest dog.  I am so sad that I have to find her a home. But, we are gone 12 hours a day and there is no way to housetrain a dog under those conditions. No way that is humane anyway. Not only that, but circumstances what they are we really can't afford a thousand dollars a year for vet care, flea meds, heartworm meds, shots, food, toys and lets face it accessories. :-) I would love to adopt her. I would do it in a heartbeat if I were home more. But 12 hours away from home isn't fair to her. If this were 4 years from now or we were able to move closer to work where I could skip home on my lunch break to take her out... that would be a different story.

So if you know someone with a fenced in outdoor area that needs a dog, or someone with a big heart and a place for a dog. Someone that has time to spend actually taking a dog for a walk, who doesn't mind a cold wet nose looking for love. This little doggy sure would love a home, and I sure would love to know she's got a good one. My kids are so attached to her it's not even funny. This just breaks my heart, and she's only been around for a few months. *sigh*

Her name is Audrey. Audie for short. Did I mention she craves attention, but is just as happy sleeping at your feet? I sure will miss this girl.

Harvest Monday 6.13.11

Once again I am joining in with Daphne's Dandelions for Harvest Monday. Stop on by her spot and see what everyone is harvesting!!!
It's the middle of June and the star of the show? Why the tomatoes, of course!

But, not for long I am afraid! It looks like this weekend I will be trimming back the tomato plants to try to salvage the baby maters that are left on the plants. The stink bugs have gotten so bad, and the heat and humidity are taking their toll. It's not likely that any more of the blooms will set fruit. :-( So with a heavy heart the plants will be pruned to only what is left with fruit set. Then new plants will be started. I think I'm going to look into more determinate varieties for the fall and for next year. I've got 18 plants and still not getting as many tomatoes as I should be getting. That is just not right, and I am not happy about it. I should have enough of them to make several batches of sauce already, not just one. *pout*

Other harvest this week include my first ever pole beans! (Thanks Daphne!) It's a whopper of a harvest, too. 2 beans. Yup. Count 'em again. 2 beans. :-D Ah, well. It IS over 90 each day now so I don't know if they will set in this heat or not. But, I tried anyway. I got 2 beans so not a complete and utter failure, right? Besides, I absolutely *love* watching them climbing the poles and the corn stalks in the garden. I hope that next year the pole beans will go in earlier and have a permanent place in both my spring and fall rotations.

1lb 5.8oz cucumbers 6.4oz zucchini and 8 cayenne peppers for .7oz round out this weeks tally. With the heat the garden is pulling back. It's time for things to start changing up again but meanwhile a lot of the harvest will fall off. I'm just hoping to limp by for a couple weeks here until the next wave of harvest pick up. I know that the limas will bloom soon, and the tomatillos skin will split and be ready for harvest. Meanwhile it's hot and humid so I'm staying busy inside!

'Till next time!

Barbie~

Some ideas for fall projects.

While browsing the web today I fell upon the following things that I am looking forward to implementing in my spring garden. Yes, that is right. I am already looking ahead to my next spring garden. I could actually use some of these ideas in my fall garden - except I know better than to think that I would be out in this heat and humidity doing these projects. I mean, really? I love working outside but not for these big projects until it cools off some.
So, by posting these here not only will it serve as a reminder for me, and possibly be a little inspiration for you it also gives me a bit of accountability. Not to mention it gives me a place to look back at the ideas so they don't just get lost in this head of mine.

First up - Ideas for squash vines. If I had two of these dojiggys I could have two types of vines, they would be less likely to get the dreaded PM and the air circulation would be better.

And that little dojiggy? Well it turns into this with just 3 butternut squash planted on it:

Isn't it beautiful? A squash teepee! Due to stupid HOA rules the tee pee would have to be no more than 5' tall so that it would not show when the squash hadn't grown up it. But, that would be the least of my worries. I could see the tee pee getting overgrown by the end of a real growing season but here this far South in Florida our squash plants are usually squash just short of any true production anyhow so this should work just fine.  

Next up the fence trellis...

And other things to do with cattle panels as well....

Wouldn't these be perfect for 'bush' cukes?

And thus begins the project planning for next year when I have not completed the projects for this year yet. I mean HELLO!? I still have blueberry bushes in pots that are not very happy with me. It's far too hot for them to be baking like that. They need some respite. I was actually thinking a long, low (well 5.5' low) arch over the blueberries and growing melons and beans over them as I understand they do quite well in shade and they would get sun in the winter months before blooming in spring. It may work. Once they had bloomed and the fruit was set the beans and melons would be replanted and by the time the berries came off the bushes would be shaded for the hottest part of the summer again. Anyone with experience trying something like this?  I've got 13 blueberry bushes so I'll have 3  8' sections planted out with them. That is a lot of garden space to lose entirely after all I have only got 120' of space now. With the new beds (if they ever get built) I'll have 250 but I would be giving up 100 of it for the bb bushes.

Hopefully someone can shed some light (pun intended) on the shaded blueberries for me.

'Till next time!

Barbie~



Darn Blogosphere! & Bloom pics!

I just had to put it out there for the record.

Last night I went home and made:

Rice Krispy Treats (thanks Granny)
Zucchini Brownies (thanks Ribbit!)
Tomato Sauce because i had a shelf full of tomatoes again...
Pork chops and Hawaiian rolls...(tasty travels went home recently)

You guys have me wanting a little of everything! I couldn't stand it, so I whipped up a lot of dishes and ate my heart out!
:-D

Wanna know what's blooming in my little world?
Lillies, and Iris and cannas - sunflowers galore....

 

 

Hibiscus and marigolds joined the crew, too/.

 And a poor confused apple tree.... Ah well at least it bloomed this year! Maybe next year I'll finally get some fruit!

 Coriander is so wispy and beautiful

The painted sunflowers are seed shared from Mary.  Amazing, aren't they? Several varieties and coloration's came each has their own characteristics.  I think that last multi-headed one is my favorite. Think of the bouquet I could have with that one stalk!

'Till next time!

Barbie~

A comparison. Finally!

Well, I should have yet another picture to show you to add to these comparison shots, but it decided to actually storm last night so I was unable to get the picture for you. I suppose that is all fine and dandy as the look won't change much from now until harvest as the coloration is pretty well set now.

These are the Lakota squash from 3 weeks ago. I had 6 set on the vine...

 

 

I take that back. Apparently I had five! My guess is that the sixth squash either showed signs of not taking or had already begun to wither and abort when I took the first set of pictures.


These initial pictures were taken somewhere around May 13th - 18th.

The second set of pictures were taken June 3rd. So just shy of 3 weeks later....


Unfortunately most of the fruit has aborted, but the 2 remaining fruit are both already larger than 'maturity size' that is listed at 5lbs max size on the label for this variety. Of course i've done research since they have set and found that most people say they reach larger proportions that use good gardening techniques. The smaller size is generally a 3 sisters planting in an undressed field. Poor little squashes. Nobody loves them.

Anywho.... here are the 2 remaining squash as of last week....

Now the trick will be to outsmart the pickleworm (and other assorted blasted creepy crawlies) until I can bring these beauties in!

Any helpful hints, anyone? My goal is for these to be for my fall decorations. They are the perfect size - just like bowling balls and the orange has really come through now with the yellow fading back. I'm so excited - it's like... like.... the GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN!

Seriously. I've grown pumpkins before. Grew them last year. We made pies and cakes and breads from them, but these... these are cool. They are different and even though they may not be as good of eating as my Jarrahdales of past. The kids are really getting a kick out of them and I love that they are unique for my fall display. I believe they are a medium hardshell squash like a butternut or acorn so I have hope that they will store well into fall. After all I should be posting next week about using my last fall pumpkin from last year. :-D Just in time to make room for these in a few more weeks.

OKAY- so I am completely willing to go NON organic to keep these pumpkin/squash beautiful and wormie/hole/pest free. Give it to me. What is the best defense? All around I mean? Protect the plant and the fruit as well. I mean, we won't be eating the skin so I don't feel too bad using a pesticide - plus it will be four months and at least 3 of those months will be spent sitting inside pestiside free. :-D After being washed outside with a bleach solution of course.

Stay tuned for a bloom post. Coming soon!

'Till next time!

Barbie~

Harvest Monday 6.6.11

I HAD intentions of coming over the weekend for some upkeep and to show you some comparison shots, but Monday is back upon us and instead it's back to Harvest Monday!

Once again I forgot to bring my harvest weights with me, but I did weigh this week. Promise!
The zucchini is reaching it maximum output capacity. The PM is taking hold and the heat is getting to it. After getting 2 monsters last week this weekend I haven't seen but one single flower. Most of the fruit is shriveling long before a bud is even capable of opening. I do believe this week will be the monsters last. It's been a good run. Still undecided if I will replant for the fall. I might, just for my Dad and maybe I can donate any extra to the local food pantry. I know they have fallen into hard times getting fresh fruits and veggies to put in with the canned goods.

Anyway - the goods!

Loads of cukes, I did pull the lemon cucumber plants. The mosaic virus was worst in them, and they were not producing well because of it. The Armenian cukes have 4 on currently and are outrunning the virus, and the sweet success have several on as well so I am waiting for the new cucumber vines to start in another area of the garden before I cull these. So far the fruit seems unaffected. Loads of hot peppers, cayenne, jalapenos, and hmmm... another type are coming in by the buckets - but it's truly amazing how little they weigh!

The last peach of the year. I found it clinging to dear life. It was to say the least, the best peach of the year. Might have something to do with the fact that there are no more. LOL And the strawberries are still producing. Of course if I'm not out in the morning the birds and worms and such tend to  have at it - and the heat definitely makes the berries swell. But it also makes me appreciate them more. :-)

 And, this..... I have no idea what this is.  I am not sure if this is something that I planted or it is a weed, a volunteer or what. It's shaped leaves are not something I recognize. Anyone out there with an ID?  Friend, foe, or otherwise?

It is in the lettuce bed. Of course the lettuce bed has never had lettuce in it. So this presents a bit of a problem. Not only that but since I put the lettuce bed in the squirrel has dug all in it so who knows what I'll be able to plant here. Maybe a root veggie would work. I'm not sure. I've seen the sneak pull up onions. Grrr.... She devil.

Ah well- 'Till next time!

Barbie~

Summer Vacation

The kids have been out of school for a week now.
I've been shot in the head.
Not only that, I shot myself in the head.
It was NOT a suicide attempt
I promise.
It was a ricochet.
From my .38 special.
Yes, I am an idiot.
Yes, I was being safe. (or so I thought)
I was shooting at out home range, and as it turns out NO part of the target should have metal. (DUH!) the post were. *wince* I am fine. Truly. Only a scratch and a bump. My pride was hurt most of all.
I also managed to get a muzzle flash.
Our trip didn't go quite as planned.
Needless to say our freezer is empty. I did not bring a gun out to the stand with me after that. Next time, After I get a new gun. LOL.
Can I just say I still had a great time?
How could I NOT? Just look at our drive way....

And do you see any houses? No, and if you look in any other direction you will not see any either.... see....

 The driveway opens into a small row of cedars, along the pines, with the mature old  pecans behind that, and a few plum trees planted in between.

The old barn in the distance and my lovely blackberry patch right along the tree line. It keeps the animals out of it until later in the summer. There is still plenty to keep them busy in the woods for now, but as the heat intensifies they will come here and forage. But, I will gladly share. Besides, I'm not always there to get the wonderful fruit and my parents don't keep up with it.

Ah, Well there is THAT neighbor I suppose. My parents house is the only house you can see for miles. There are 2 other houses within 'walking distnace' (1/2 mile or more) but one is actually on old general store that has been long since abandoned and the other home belongs to an elderly lady in a wheelchair. Hope you don't need help out here!

This home was built over 100 years ago and stands today on the exact same foundation. When my parents bought the property they never wanted to tear it down and have done a great job modernizing it. It now has central heat and air, indoor plumbing and the sleeping porch has been turned into a bedroom. The breezeway that used to be the only form of 'A/C' in now enclosed and is my childrens favorite part of the home to play in. :-) You can tell from the picture that they have replaced all the windows, but they did save the old ones. Oh! You can even see the old stone stairwell leading to the uh- indoor/outhouse! The power meter still looks strange on the house, but all things considered they did a great job I think.

Our place is only a trailer, but things have been done to improve it and make it more like a home as well. Siding installed makes it match more like my parents home, and a true roof was placed over the top of the trailer to help with the noise and make the home more enjoyable as well as more comfortable in the summer. Hey - air conditioning is a VERY valuable commodity here!

While I was away my garden did flounder. But such are the lives and times. It's not extraordinarily early to be pulling out some of these vegetables. Not for Florida standards. Would have been nice to get a few more weeks out of them - but hey. So, out with the green beens, and in with Ying yang, and Holstein. My whole corn harvest was a whopping couple of ears. It flopped in the wind and then the rain made it mold before I made it home. *pout* But what I got...w as - OH so lovely.



The heat has officially become oppressive. It’s high 90’s daily now and mid 70’s at night. I guess that means the end of the majority of tomato setting as well.

Next month I will be starting over with new tomato plants and new spring plantings but for now I’m trying to stay strong and pull out and replant as fast as possible.

The cucumbers seem to have caught mosaic virus. They look like stained glass windows instead of cucumber leaves. A first for me. Typically they succumb to PM long before the virus can come in and take hold. I suppose this is a good thing. It means my practices have gotten better. But what controls the viruses? And, what do I do now? I only have one set of trellis’. Not like I can just switch out where I’m growing them.  :-/ hmm… hopefully it’s not soil borne. I will be doing more research today. The newest cukes are not nearly big enough to take the place of the ones in production now, and the virus seems to have touched all of the plants in part or in whole. Praying I find out that like some other things they can outgrow it if I cut the infected leaves, etc. That would save at least one or two producing plants until the smaller ones can catch up.

I’m thinking about a late planting of tomatillo. Being that they took so long to get going I’m not sure it’s a smart idea but after all the seed doesn’t truly cost me much of anything – so what can it hurt? At the very least we’d have salsa verda – or salsa murado. :-D

Winter squash have begun aborting and the fruit that remain are growing to enormous proportions. I’m sad to see so many potential fruit starting to shrivel and die but  what remains looks incredibly promising and already at larger sizes than touted even at half growth.

I’ll quit rambling now.

‘Till next time!

Barbie~



Harvest monday

Hmmm... Memorial Day Monday and today I harvested a handful of plums, the only one I will get this season undoubtedly. Sweet and sour and so juicy you'd think you had chewed a piece of bubblicious. The deer will scavenge the rest before we make it back by the Fourth of July.
I also harvested 3 cups of blackberries, plus whatever amounts got eaten along the way.
From the garden a zuchini that reached over a foot long having been gone for only 2 days when my friend came over. I had her take it rather than trying to find a way to combat a zuke larger than myself in a few more days time.
Unfortunately she also repoted a load of ripe tomatoes - all with worms. She sent me a picture and if the worms weren't bad enough every plant has spots! LOTS of them! 8-O I run off for a whopping 4 days and the garden has gone insane. Looks like it might mean an early end to tomato season for me. What a shame. I hope I can pull the plants along long enough to bring in what is currently on them at least.
Such is life. I needed a break so I took it, now I will have to deal with the rest tomorrow when I get my butt back to Florida.
Here the corn is planted but its not yet time for the grains to go in. We'll plant those next trip. I did notice the pomegranate trees blooming here. My Florida trees didn't set again this year so I am hopeful these will.
Till next time!
Barbie-

Back in the stand

Ahhhh... It may be hotter than an oven but it sure is good to get back in the stand again. :-)

Harvest Monday 5.23.11

Guess what today is?

Why, It's Harvest Monday - of course! Linking in with Dapne's Dandelions to share in all the fun.

Updating my tally today to include last weeks harvest but unfortunately I can't add in the tally for the Sunday evening harvest. I uprooted the failing green beans last night. It was late and little bits need a bath and bed so I was too rushed to weigh everything out separately but all told there was about five pounds of produce picked last night. :-D I'm happy with that, even though it means that my green beans are for the most part finished for this season. I won't see them again until fall. *pout* The purple ones are hanging in there still so I'll have a few here and there, but certainly not in the amounts I've had lately.
SO, with no further adue, I bring you pictures!  ( I know you didn't expect that, right?)

My 'mater counter that is NOT growing. It's actually only got 1 or 2 tomatoes any given day on it. This was only for a quick picture and a caprese. :-D

Purple and green beans, rainbow tomatoes, lemon cukes, sweet success cucumbers, sweetie cherry toms, blueberries strawberries, Armenian cuke, Nonnas, green zebra, zucchini, hot pepper, and  bell pepper.

 The stink squirrel knocked down my sunflower. Hopefully the seed will still be viable! Grrr.... No need to tell you what I want to do to that stupid squirrel. I'm not happy.

No weight on this harvest picture and for this reason I am considering combining my weights of harvest - I'm worried that trying to pull the harvest out in weight is going to end up with harvests not being weighed and such. At least if there is a total value of weight it's something. I dunno. Maybe, maybe not. Total weight, and per piece perhaps?  Ah, I'm just so happy when I get to eating it all it doesn't seem to matter how much it weighed. ;-)


Thanks for stopping by. Looks like a long weekend for me, I'm heading up to try to make a few quick fixes to the property in Alabama, and put a few seed in the ground. It's corn time, and watermelon time up there. Hopefully I'll be just in time to nab some peaches on the way back.

'Till next time!

Barbie~