Ramblings

My attempt at a video.

Raised Beds

We got the raised beds planted yesterday. Paul made the boxes and helped move them to the garden. I chopped the weeds that were there and waited for it to cool off. Each bed has a layer of newspaper and mulch. Then we mixed garden soil, compost and peat moss.

This bed has two heirloom tomatoes, two yellow peppers, a white eggplant and okra seeds in the area that had nothing growing yet.



This box is where I planted beets and green onions. I wish I'd put one of the heirlooms here but it was late and I just wanted to get it planted. I'll plan better next year. I plan on planted parsley in the herb bed this afternoon.

Locally Grown

Today I went on a quest to find locally grown food. I've heard for a while now to get locally grown foods when you can. So what exactly does that mean? Shopping at Whole Foods and Sunflower Market is fine but how do I support healthy food produced locally. Los Poblanos is fine but limited.
I was able to use the internet to locate the local farmer's markets and a coop. I joined the coop and got a pasture raised chicken from Socorro and the best goat cheese I've ever tasted from Estancia. This picture shows what I got at the farmer's market -grown in this county. I ate a turnip when I got home and there is no bitterness at all like some turnips. Amber would love that you can also buy flowers. I couldn't resist the sunflowers. I'm excited to roast the chicken and see if it is worth the extra money.

Working in the Yard/Garden

I've had a wonderful morning working outside. The vegetables are doing well. One watermelon is starting to send out runners. All of the tomatoes survived the great flood and now need regular watering. The picture shows that we even have blooms. Maybe little tomatoes will arrive soon. The squash is doing well. I got the eggplant, rosemary and oregano planted today.










I didn't spend all of my time with the vegetables. I watered everything and did some pruning. I couldn't see out of one of the bedroom windows because of the lilac bush so I aggresively pruned it. If it doesn't recover I'll dig it out next year and plant somethig else. The yellow roses.....well, they are just pretty. All of the roses are doing well and some of them are even doing great. I may cut a rose and keep it in the house all summer. Happy Gardening!

Happy Accident

I've promised to blog about the everyday stuff in my life. Amber and Josh gave me this bedding which I liked but didn't love. I've been reluctant to get rid of it and now I'm glad. While I was in Arizona it got turned to what I thought of as the wrong side. I admit that the blue of this side is gorgeous and I much preferred it but though it needed to show the "right" side. When making the bed since I've been home I just left the blue side up. I also discovered if I turn the top part down instead of covering the pillows the big throw pillows stay in place much better. Today when I turned down the top I discovered the knots that are meant to be a decorative accent at the foot of the bed. I have now turned it over and upside down and I LOVE IT. What a happy accident!

Hydrangea

My children know that my favorite flower is the hydrangea. Bubba sent me a lovely potted hydrangea for Mother's Day. When the flowers wilted, I planted it in a protected spot in the front flower bed. I didn't have much hope but I planted it anyway.









Well, with regular watering it has started to grow!!! I will mulch heavily over the winter and hope for the best.

Gifts

Jess and Ryan brought me these gifts from Israel. It's clear that they know what I like. Date syrup, bath salts from the Dead Sea, and red wine from Cana of Galilee. They gave me each gift individually with the explanation of why they chose it. The dates for the healthy foods I love, we know I love soaking in a hot bath, and the wine was to represent my love for Jesus. Thoughtful gifts are ALWAYS the best.

I can hardly wait the try the bath salts. I've decided to use them in the antique tub. The directions tell you to take a shower after soaking. I think the sprayer in the hall might do the trick.


THANK YOU MR. AND MRS. RYAN BELL

Vacation

Amber knows what I like. This egg plate was an EASY purchase. I had to try it out as soon as I got home. The bonus was that the eggs were my protein for dinner instead of the meat and gravy that Paul requested.

I had a wonderful time in Arizona. Spending time with all of the Murphy family is the best. The ballet was spectacular and I enjoyed our shopping trips. I'm not one to love shopping for a big long time with lots of "trying on." Get in and out quickly and that's what we did. All my purchases were terrific. We had some good food, both out and at home -with home grown veggies. That always counts high on my list of fun stuff.
In the words of my beloved grandson, "So, Ma'am, whatca doing?" And the perfect answer: "Just hangin' out, Frank."