Its me again!
My recovery is almost complete. The Lord has blessed me with most of my strength and endurance returned. Greg and I even went to Disney a couple of weeks ago and I didn't have any real issues. More on that later.
Will has been a big help getting the garden planted. He did all the tilling and helped me plant. We have squash, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, corn, and sunflowers. I have a couple of pots of marigolds and have divided my mint and chocolate mint into little pots as gifts. The yard has been mowed a couple of times. We have peaches and nectarines on their trees. The apples don't seem to have done much. My blueberry bushes (or booberry as Aiden calls them) are loaded. And our muscadine vines are growing.
The weather here is GA has been so weird. We were still using our fireplace into April some. One day would be 80 and the next would be 50. It looks like the warm weather is here to stay now.
Our newlyweds are doing great. I love having them 15 minutes away. They have been married for 6 1/2 months now! Time flies.
The grandboys are all getting bigger. Robert is almost 6, Thomas just turned 4, Aiden will be 4 in August, and Alvin will be 3 in September. We don't have babies anymore! I love their sweet hugs and kisses. They love to get together and play.
Back to Disney, we have been reminded a number of times thru the years, that each day together is a precious gift. In Dec. that hit us upside the head again. (Back history, we both lost our first spouses thru death, my husband in 1996 and his wife in 2004.) We've worked and saved for years, put kids thru college, had a major part in our 4 married kids weddings, etc. We decided to indulge our Disney love and buy an annual pass. We live 8 hours away, so we can easily do 4 or 5 days and get home. When we went to Disney in April, it was my first time in 34 years with no kids. It was fantastic. We've told everyone we were going to do the old folks trip. Walk, people watch, snack, watch shows, ride some rides, take it easy. And that's what we did. This is the first time I have come home, ready to go back again. I could go tomorrow. We are planning more trips in the near future.
We thought up a series of blog posts for "Disney for Seniors" or "Disney just the 2 of us" or something similar. Stay tuned!
Showing posts with label From the Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From the Garden. Show all posts
Friday, May 11, 2018
Monday, June 26, 2017
Life is Happening
Life is rushing along at a fast pace. The long cozy winter days are long over and the summer busyness is setting in.
The garden is doing great. I've got loads of squash, lots of green tomatoes, and quite a few meals worth of green beans. I have canned 2 canner loads of squash and one of green beans. I would love more beans but may have to find a farmers market to buy them at and can them. It would be a blessing to have enough to last the winter. One of our fruit trees has 14 granny smith apples on it and Amy is excited ~ those are her favorite. We are getting some cucumbers too, so I will get to make relish this year!
Moms health had a slight set back a couple of weeks ago and she experienced a moderate stroke. 3 1/2 days in icu isn't a fun place to be. For the most part she had great nurses ~ there were a couple that needed to work on their bedside manner. She was really blessed in that it mainly affected the strength in her left arm and hand. It could have been so much worse.
Miss Amy is starting to look for another car. She is getting tired of no air conditioning and the power locks don't work on the doors. She and Greg are combing Craigs List looking for something. She would like something of the used Jeep something or other variety. We will see what comes of that.
About a month ago we bought something we have wanted for a long time....a boat. Its used and in pretty good shape. There is some cosmetic work to be done but nothing major. We've taken it out twice and had a lot of fun. We grew up boating and skiing and wanted to at least enjoy the boating part again.
I've got several pretty detailed lists going for the wedding. We are working on completing the reception details with food, condiments, treats, paper goods, and manpower. We are hoping that 2 of Amys co workers at Chick Fil A will come work for us that day and help with set up and serving all the food. We've looked at plates, flatware, napkins and invitations and those are all on the list to be bought next month. Its getting to be time to focus on the guest list and get those invites together. She has 2 bridal showers coming up and this mama is getting apprehensive and excited about all the excitement. I made her veil last week. I used Katies wedding hair bow for the top of the veil and the lace on the layers is from my wedding gown 35 years ago. The tulle was given to my sister at a garage sale...it was a bolt that had never been used ~ now what to do with the other 23 yards left! I also have a full bolt of light pink!
There have been several work days at Amy's house and the current project is painting the inside. Then to 2 rooms that are carpeted will have the carpet ripped out and replaced with laminate flooring. The previous owners were smokers and its evident in the smokey smell when the door is opened.
We've had some awesome playdates with our grandsons. They are at such fun ages. Saturday, all 4 were together for most of the day. We started the day at an indoor play place with lots of climbing and sliding and having fun. Then lunch at McDonalds. Everyone was ready for a nap. After naptime, Aiden came over and they all played again for a couple of hours in my sunroom/playroom. Kitchen toys, cars and trucks, legos and Lincoln logs, and a small inflatable ball pit kept them entertained. Aiden and Alvin got up their courage and decided to ride on the rocking horse....and loved it. Most of the toys in the room were my kids when they were little...the rocking horse was from Gregs childhood. There are a few new things in there....the little kitchen, little tractors, additional set of Lincoln logs, and books. Several months ago, Allen and Jennifer cleaned out Aidens playroom and they gave me the ball pit. Aiden never missed it. Sat. Greg blew it up ~ Aiden walked out to the playroom and exclaimed "look a ball pit"...never realizing it was his former one. He had a blast playing in it!
I've got pictures but those are for another day. Its time for dinner & then cross stitch till bed time!
Thankful for ~
family fun
4 grandsons ~ happy, healthy, energetic, funny, enthusiastic, loving
modern healthcare and medicine
a thriving garden
Mason jars containing canned vegies!
the blessing of church fellowship & prayer
long, productive days
The garden is doing great. I've got loads of squash, lots of green tomatoes, and quite a few meals worth of green beans. I have canned 2 canner loads of squash and one of green beans. I would love more beans but may have to find a farmers market to buy them at and can them. It would be a blessing to have enough to last the winter. One of our fruit trees has 14 granny smith apples on it and Amy is excited ~ those are her favorite. We are getting some cucumbers too, so I will get to make relish this year!
Moms health had a slight set back a couple of weeks ago and she experienced a moderate stroke. 3 1/2 days in icu isn't a fun place to be. For the most part she had great nurses ~ there were a couple that needed to work on their bedside manner. She was really blessed in that it mainly affected the strength in her left arm and hand. It could have been so much worse.
Miss Amy is starting to look for another car. She is getting tired of no air conditioning and the power locks don't work on the doors. She and Greg are combing Craigs List looking for something. She would like something of the used Jeep something or other variety. We will see what comes of that.
About a month ago we bought something we have wanted for a long time....a boat. Its used and in pretty good shape. There is some cosmetic work to be done but nothing major. We've taken it out twice and had a lot of fun. We grew up boating and skiing and wanted to at least enjoy the boating part again.
I've got several pretty detailed lists going for the wedding. We are working on completing the reception details with food, condiments, treats, paper goods, and manpower. We are hoping that 2 of Amys co workers at Chick Fil A will come work for us that day and help with set up and serving all the food. We've looked at plates, flatware, napkins and invitations and those are all on the list to be bought next month. Its getting to be time to focus on the guest list and get those invites together. She has 2 bridal showers coming up and this mama is getting apprehensive and excited about all the excitement. I made her veil last week. I used Katies wedding hair bow for the top of the veil and the lace on the layers is from my wedding gown 35 years ago. The tulle was given to my sister at a garage sale...it was a bolt that had never been used ~ now what to do with the other 23 yards left! I also have a full bolt of light pink!
There have been several work days at Amy's house and the current project is painting the inside. Then to 2 rooms that are carpeted will have the carpet ripped out and replaced with laminate flooring. The previous owners were smokers and its evident in the smokey smell when the door is opened.
We've had some awesome playdates with our grandsons. They are at such fun ages. Saturday, all 4 were together for most of the day. We started the day at an indoor play place with lots of climbing and sliding and having fun. Then lunch at McDonalds. Everyone was ready for a nap. After naptime, Aiden came over and they all played again for a couple of hours in my sunroom/playroom. Kitchen toys, cars and trucks, legos and Lincoln logs, and a small inflatable ball pit kept them entertained. Aiden and Alvin got up their courage and decided to ride on the rocking horse....and loved it. Most of the toys in the room were my kids when they were little...the rocking horse was from Gregs childhood. There are a few new things in there....the little kitchen, little tractors, additional set of Lincoln logs, and books. Several months ago, Allen and Jennifer cleaned out Aidens playroom and they gave me the ball pit. Aiden never missed it. Sat. Greg blew it up ~ Aiden walked out to the playroom and exclaimed "look a ball pit"...never realizing it was his former one. He had a blast playing in it!
I've got pictures but those are for another day. Its time for dinner & then cross stitch till bed time!
Thankful for ~
family fun
4 grandsons ~ happy, healthy, energetic, funny, enthusiastic, loving
modern healthcare and medicine
a thriving garden
Mason jars containing canned vegies!
the blessing of church fellowship & prayer
long, productive days
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Happenings
Lots going on at the farm since its springtime -
room to garden
a large yard to play in
family time
little boy cousins
hugs, kisses and lots of book reading
 |
| garlic is coming up |
 |
| planted basil, lavender and mint outside the chicken coop |
 |
| lots of onions |
 |
| baby chicks graduated to regular chicken coop |
 |
| chocolate mint |
 |
| this cat took up at our house and now is "great with kittens" |
 |
| old bed springs are now pole bean trellises |
 |
| Our 4 grand buddies eating together this weekend~ |
room to garden
a large yard to play in
family time
little boy cousins
hugs, kisses and lots of book reading
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Life on the Farm
Our bedroom remodel is continuing ~ Greg is painting the inside of the old closets (after he removed the diving wall, and all the shelf built ins, and patched the walls). The dark blue trim work on the closet, bedroom door frame, windows, etc. is being painted a beautiful neutral beige. The paint and trim in the room is the same as our bedroom at our old house in MS. Our love seat will fit into that space along with an end table and lamp. On each end of the space, Greg is going to build bookshelves from the old shelf builtins/inserts. They will be painted the same as the walls. We have loads of books packed in boxes under the pool table.
Amy and I found some cute plastic containers at Walmart that we are going to use on the Candy Favor table for the wedding favors. We managed to find 10 that were just printed with hearts or heart shaped that did not also have Feb. or Valentines day printed on them. Her future Mama in law, Tammy, found some really cute flower girl dresses for our 2 little flower girls. Amy picked out her favorite and they were available in the right sizes, so those got ordered.
Our dear Chicken gals are nearing 2 years old and have greatly slowed egg production ~ as in we used to get 5-7 per day from 10 chickens and now we are getting 5-7 per week. They may become free range chickens in the back field and we get the coop ready for a new flock. Our local Tractor Supply will start getting chicks in a couple of weeks. When we get the chicks, I will have to get all the grandboys over here for pictures!
I got a beautiful plant nursery catalog yesterday. I have dreams of more blueberry bushes and fruit trees. Also of a nice long row of Leyland cyress trees/bushes to block the view through the chain link fence into our back pasture. We received a box from one of Gregs aunts a couple of weeks ago with 15 or so little raspberry plants she dug up from her patch. That was a huge "free" blessing! In the fall Greg ordered us 10 grapevines to start our little vineyard. Both the raspberries and grapes are planted. I've got 3 vases with plant starts in them from Moms old yard ~ with healthy roots. I am hoping they survive when they are potted. Some for her house and some for ours.
My days are spent canning, sewing, cross stitching, laundry, cooking, cleaning, in Bible study, reading, wedding planning, running errands with mom & Amy. My daughter in law brought me lots of grapefruits from her aunts tree. Amy juiced these for me yesterday and the juice will be made into grapefruit jelly. I've also got frozen apple juice and apple pulp to make into jelly and apple butter. I canned 21 quarts of small red beans to use in our casseroles and in chili. Buying dried beans in bulk and then canning is much cheaper than buying all the little cans at the grocery store.
Thankful for ~
lots of Mason Jars
cooler weather to can
Free fruit (grapefruit) & plants
anticipation of spring
getting baby chicks soon
a great football season watching our Falcons play
planning our garden and vineyards
cheery, bright yellow daffodils
knowing that God is in control of everything
Amy and I found some cute plastic containers at Walmart that we are going to use on the Candy Favor table for the wedding favors. We managed to find 10 that were just printed with hearts or heart shaped that did not also have Feb. or Valentines day printed on them. Her future Mama in law, Tammy, found some really cute flower girl dresses for our 2 little flower girls. Amy picked out her favorite and they were available in the right sizes, so those got ordered.
Our dear Chicken gals are nearing 2 years old and have greatly slowed egg production ~ as in we used to get 5-7 per day from 10 chickens and now we are getting 5-7 per week. They may become free range chickens in the back field and we get the coop ready for a new flock. Our local Tractor Supply will start getting chicks in a couple of weeks. When we get the chicks, I will have to get all the grandboys over here for pictures!
I got a beautiful plant nursery catalog yesterday. I have dreams of more blueberry bushes and fruit trees. Also of a nice long row of Leyland cyress trees/bushes to block the view through the chain link fence into our back pasture. We received a box from one of Gregs aunts a couple of weeks ago with 15 or so little raspberry plants she dug up from her patch. That was a huge "free" blessing! In the fall Greg ordered us 10 grapevines to start our little vineyard. Both the raspberries and grapes are planted. I've got 3 vases with plant starts in them from Moms old yard ~ with healthy roots. I am hoping they survive when they are potted. Some for her house and some for ours.
My days are spent canning, sewing, cross stitching, laundry, cooking, cleaning, in Bible study, reading, wedding planning, running errands with mom & Amy. My daughter in law brought me lots of grapefruits from her aunts tree. Amy juiced these for me yesterday and the juice will be made into grapefruit jelly. I've also got frozen apple juice and apple pulp to make into jelly and apple butter. I canned 21 quarts of small red beans to use in our casseroles and in chili. Buying dried beans in bulk and then canning is much cheaper than buying all the little cans at the grocery store.
Thankful for ~
lots of Mason Jars
cooler weather to can
Free fruit (grapefruit) & plants
anticipation of spring
getting baby chicks soon
a great football season watching our Falcons play
planning our garden and vineyards
cheery, bright yellow daffodils
knowing that God is in control of everything
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Its almost August!
Wow! Where did July go? This month has flown by.
Here are some updates ~ mom found a house! Now we are jumping through all the hoops with real estate agents, bank officers, appraisals and inspections. The house is quite close to us and a cute little 1 story with a flat driveway and lot. The sellers are moving overseas, so their furniture is staying. We have started the who wants what process with the grandkids and hopefully will have all that settled when the closing occurs. There will still be stuff to donate or give away.
And we got a contract on our house in Mississippi! Yay....Hooray! Its contingent on them selling their present house, so we are praying that they get a buyer soon! We left stuff in the house from our last trip, so we didn't have to haul it back and forth it we needed to "camp" in our house again, so we will have a few things to bring back with us after our closing.
We have been hitting the sales for back to school supplies for office depot and office max ~ for our shoebox gifts. We've got lots of pencils, sharpeners, spiral notebooks, pens, index cards, pencil boxes, etc. Amy, Granny, Brenda, Bethany and I are going to start working on personal care items for the older girl boxes. JoAnns has a great 50% off coupon today, so we are getting our supplies on sale....more on that when we set our work day.
2 months from now we will be on vacation and are all very excited about our trip. Austin will be joining us for the week and his parents will be able to come for the last couple of days. We are enjoying getting to know him and his family. And Amy loves their time together.
The days are long and hot here in GA ~ almost like Mississippi weather, but without the benefit of a backyard pool. We go out and take care of the dogs, rabbits and chickens in the mornings and evenings. The garden is still producing some ~ mainly squash and tomatoes. We do have some more corn to pick. The green beans have given up in the heat and I've been giving the chickens the plants to munch on. I am totally thrilled that my sunflowers bloomed ~ the plants are about as tall as I am. They are planted beside the chicken coop and do provide some shade for the chickens from the afternoon sun. I am thinking about the coming autumn and winter but its still several months off.
Thankful for ~
air conditioning
cool drinks
indoor projects
sunflowers
house contract
helpful friends
Here are some updates ~ mom found a house! Now we are jumping through all the hoops with real estate agents, bank officers, appraisals and inspections. The house is quite close to us and a cute little 1 story with a flat driveway and lot. The sellers are moving overseas, so their furniture is staying. We have started the who wants what process with the grandkids and hopefully will have all that settled when the closing occurs. There will still be stuff to donate or give away.
And we got a contract on our house in Mississippi! Yay....Hooray! Its contingent on them selling their present house, so we are praying that they get a buyer soon! We left stuff in the house from our last trip, so we didn't have to haul it back and forth it we needed to "camp" in our house again, so we will have a few things to bring back with us after our closing.
We have been hitting the sales for back to school supplies for office depot and office max ~ for our shoebox gifts. We've got lots of pencils, sharpeners, spiral notebooks, pens, index cards, pencil boxes, etc. Amy, Granny, Brenda, Bethany and I are going to start working on personal care items for the older girl boxes. JoAnns has a great 50% off coupon today, so we are getting our supplies on sale....more on that when we set our work day.
2 months from now we will be on vacation and are all very excited about our trip. Austin will be joining us for the week and his parents will be able to come for the last couple of days. We are enjoying getting to know him and his family. And Amy loves their time together.
The days are long and hot here in GA ~ almost like Mississippi weather, but without the benefit of a backyard pool. We go out and take care of the dogs, rabbits and chickens in the mornings and evenings. The garden is still producing some ~ mainly squash and tomatoes. We do have some more corn to pick. The green beans have given up in the heat and I've been giving the chickens the plants to munch on. I am totally thrilled that my sunflowers bloomed ~ the plants are about as tall as I am. They are planted beside the chicken coop and do provide some shade for the chickens from the afternoon sun. I am thinking about the coming autumn and winter but its still several months off.
Thankful for ~
air conditioning
cool drinks
indoor projects
sunflowers
house contract
helpful friends
Thursday, June 16, 2016
The Blessing!
Yesterday I skipped going to the garden ~ it was just too hot, my foot hurt (dropped a canning jar on my toe), and I was just too lazy. Sitting in the air conditioning seemed like a better idea. This morning I went out with the little blue basket pictured below. I quickly exceeded that basket and switched to the yellow, 5 gallon bucket and just about filled it. I was so excited to find a green bean ready to pick....and that excitement turned into the garden happy dance when I saw the loaded plants! Green beans are my favorite vegetable~ Greg has lots of squash casseroles in his future too! Now its time to chop and freeze squash, slice zucchini and snap beans! All of which can be done in the air conditioning ~ thankfully!
Thankful for ~
lots of yellow squash
2 more zucchini
green beans!
ripening blueberries
gardening weather ~ would like a little more rain
Thankful for ~
lots of yellow squash
2 more zucchini
green beans!
ripening blueberries
gardening weather ~ would like a little more rain
Monday, June 6, 2016
Garden Update!
 |
| tomato plants with lots of little green tomatoes |
 |
| crooked neck yellow squash plants |
 |
| we think this is a watermelon |
 |
| Greg's corn patch ~ a small section |
 |
| green bean patch |
 |
| old shutter hinged together for runner beans to grow up |
 |
| more corn |
 |
| I planted cucumbers on these trellises today |
 |
| todays squash harvest |
 |
| the deer have been here |
 |
squash!
Thankful for ~
fresh vegies
lots of plants flourishing
the rain to water the garden
summer days
|
Friday, May 13, 2016
Farming
We've been planting our garden plots and praying for an abundant harvest. Our plants/seeds include tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, Brussel sprouts, corn ~ lots of corn, green beans ~ bush and pole, carrots, onions, watermelon, potatoes and more I have probably forgotten. Oh, we planted cantaloupe too and some critter ate all our plants.
The back field is the corn field (mostly). Greg's had a lot of fun plowing on his tractor and we've got many rows of corn coming up. I don't know what we will do with all the corn....the chickens will get some of it. And I should have an abundance of corn stalks to decorate in the fall with.
We've surrounded our green bean patch with a chicken wire fence and so far we've kept all the plants. Something kept eating them last year in the lower field. That patch is moved up to the middle, closer to the house. Yesterday, James took our old shutters and nailed them together into tepee shape and I planted pole beans around them. I also filled in the bush bean rows that had gaps with more seeds.
The grandsons have a love/dislike relationship with the tractor. Robert (almost 4) loves to ride with his PaPa on the tractor and will grudgingly give up his seat for his brother. Thomas (2) rides because he has to do what his brother does, but I don't think he is real enthusiastic about it. Aiden (20 months) will sit there for a picture but he doesn't want to ride and would prefer his PaPa to get down from the tractor also. Alvin (8 months) doesn't care. I have fun taking pictures of the boys and their PaPa on the tractor ~ and Greg loves to take them on rides.
I am very please with my heirloom tomato plants growing from seeds. They seem to be quite sturdy plants and will be planted in the garden soon ~ they are still residing in pots on my picnic table in the back yard. They will be awesome on sandwiches, burgers, or just sliced for eating. The regular tomatoes I am going to use for salsa.
In other inside news ~ the kitchen is progressing and the rest of my cabinets came in this week. We are picking them up tonight! Wood cabinets beat blue/white formica cabinets ~ hands down! Here is a sneak peek!
The back field is the corn field (mostly). Greg's had a lot of fun plowing on his tractor and we've got many rows of corn coming up. I don't know what we will do with all the corn....the chickens will get some of it. And I should have an abundance of corn stalks to decorate in the fall with.
We've surrounded our green bean patch with a chicken wire fence and so far we've kept all the plants. Something kept eating them last year in the lower field. That patch is moved up to the middle, closer to the house. Yesterday, James took our old shutters and nailed them together into tepee shape and I planted pole beans around them. I also filled in the bush bean rows that had gaps with more seeds.
The grandsons have a love/dislike relationship with the tractor. Robert (almost 4) loves to ride with his PaPa on the tractor and will grudgingly give up his seat for his brother. Thomas (2) rides because he has to do what his brother does, but I don't think he is real enthusiastic about it. Aiden (20 months) will sit there for a picture but he doesn't want to ride and would prefer his PaPa to get down from the tractor also. Alvin (8 months) doesn't care. I have fun taking pictures of the boys and their PaPa on the tractor ~ and Greg loves to take them on rides.
 |
| PaPa and Robert |
 |
| PaPa and Aiden |
 |
| Pole bean supports inside chicken wire fence |
 |
| Corn ~ lots of corn |
 |
| Heirloom tomato plants |
 |
non heirloom tomatoes and on the far left is squash
Thankful for ~
beautiful green plants
the promise of harvest
the abundance of our blessings
land to plant our gardens
the tractor & tractor PaPa
4 little guys who love to play on the farm
(ok, honestly so far Alvin likes to play in the sunroom, but he is getting there!)
|
 |
| Isn't is gorgeous? The cooktop has been added to the "hole" |
 |
| Gregs pool table is covered in all the cabinet stuff |
Monday, May 9, 2016
Amaryllis part 2
 |
| #3 is about to open! |
 |
| beautiful third bloom |
 |
| #4 opened on Mothers Day! |
 |
The Lords creative work!
Thankful for ~
`
Flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors
Springtime
Warm weather
Rain for the garden & flowers
Time to enjoy the Lords creativity
|
Monday, May 2, 2016
Amaryllis
 |
| #1 bloom getting ready to open |
 |
| #1 Saturday morning |
 |
| #1 Saturday afternoon |
 |
| huge bloom ~ about the size of a dessert plate |
 |
| #2 bud is opening |
 |
| #2 bud this morning |
the Lords Creativity & vivid colors
found pots with treasures in them
rain for the garden
tomato plants that are thriving
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
What Else Would You Do?
We have replaced both potties at our house...they ran all the time and we couldn't get replacement guts for them. Which left me with 2 potties and a pinterest idea....
PRESENTING POTTY PLANTER -
PRESENTING POTTY PLANTER -
And yes, this is in my backyard. I mean what else would you do with this terrific item? The dump was too predictable!
Thankful for -
No HOA telling me I can't do this
2 new potties at our house
Fun Ideas on pinterest
A husband who didn't care if I did this
A beautiful day to carry out my plan
Now, to figure out what to do with the other one. A friend suggested I paint it purple.....great idea, Angel!
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Around the Farm
 |
| beautiful purple iris |
 |
| This iris stem is over 4 feet tall. |
 |
| the azaleas are really showing off! |
 |
| Amy & I picked 4 gallons of strawberries at a local farm |
 |
| decided to color yesterday! |
The local strawberry farm
GODS gorgeous spring paintbrush
A phone that takes pictures
Beginning the cabinet demolition
Time to color
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)