On my Mind - Harvested items

Fresh from the oven - still bubbling - blackberry cobbler.

Scott's garlic

We picked blackberries in a road right of way not too long ago and we decided that we'd bake a blackberry cobbler with some of them today. Which in turn led to a trip to the grocery for vanilla bean ice cream.

And the second photo is of Scott's tremendous garlic harvest. The garlic in the top basket is of garlic he grew from a bulb he bought at the grocery store and the bottom basket is some gourmet garlic that was here when we moved in and he has been getting a larger and larger crop each year. 

The basket contraption is just something he created using chain we had in the garage err' shop and two inexpensive office trays.

Scott's input on growing garlic - get it in the ground in October - mulch well - forget about it until Spring - harvest the scaps as they form on top so the energy goes into bulb production and not flowers- when they start browning pull them up and put them somewhere dry to dry out leaving them whole; stems and all. Once they are good and dry then brush them clean - NO WATER - and cut the stem back and then store in a cool dry place until ready to use.Almost forgot; he HIGHLY recommends this book Complete-Book-Garlic-Gardeners-Growers

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY. If you're in another country you should join in when you read this, even if it's still Thursday.

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to Down to Earth. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, go back and add a comment , with a link to your blog photo so we can all find you. Please visit all the blogs that appeal to you and leave a comment. Slow down, take the time to cruise around and enjoy your cyber visits.

Just a few Bloggie thoughts....

Just a few things that have been on my mind about this blogging adventure. I miss reading and following blogs that have gone "invite only" after I've been reading them for a year or more - it's like a book with no ending - so disappointing. And I "miss" them.

Then something I did recently that I should have known NOT to do - the removal of a blog from my blog roll. Once you add one to your blog roll other's can and WILL use your blog as a launch point to get to the other blogs. I had this happen to me when a blogger removed all her blog links from her blog so I should have known NOT to do this on my own blog.

Blogs with dark background and white lettering - IMPOSSIBLE to enjoy! I know I can change to viewing with "no style" and get it back to black writing on a white background but I follow a LOT of blogs and just don't feel I have the time to invest in doing that so they get cast aside. Which is a shame as some are REALLY good in content.

Music on blogs.... I removed mine; used to have it but then decided it didn't add anything to the reading experience. If music is on a blog; I myself wish the set up to turn it off was at the top of a blog so I didn't have to hunt for it. Now that being said I do LOVE the blogs with calming music or nature sounds - I know I'm a flake but  soft bird songs are so much better than some of the music out there.

We have family members that just don't understand why we blog - Scott and I both have blogs. We enjoy it for one thing; there is a connection with people all over the world; something I share may open someone's mind to something new and we learn so much from other Blogs. There is a sense of community in Blogland that is hard for us to find locally as we think a LOT different from those close to us geographically. We get a lot out of blogging plain and simple. Just another thing to add to our uniqueness.

What makes a Blog enjoyable to YOU?

Tomorrow's Adventure

Tomorrow I will be heading into Columbia to be a member of a court Drama... AH Jury Duty!

Last Evening

Last night we took the dogs to the River-walk and had a very nice walk. I do believe Amelia was REALLY happy when I loaded her into the car; what do you think? 

We went to the entrance here in Cayce where the main bathrooms are located; it's my favorite entrance because you are immediately under a thick shady canopy. Here is Scott with the little brat - I mean Bernadette. 

People kept stopping and asking if they could pet our "puppy"; she is close to 4 years old according to the Vet. She is cute; but I feel bad for our mutt dog, Amelia as everyone is actually afraid of her and she wouldn't hurt them at all. Amelia and I would just keep walking while Bernadette sucked up to her newest "friends". Then we'd hear the steam engine coming up behind us - Bernadette can not stand to be behind Amelia  and I and she will pull and pull until she is about strangling herself and breathing heavy - she sounds just like a steam locomotive. GEE WHIZ!

We did stop several times and just watch the river flow by. The Cicata's, frogs and birds were really vocal last night.

Project(s) Update

Yesterday I worked a little on two separate projects; the gift for a friend and Carolynn's  Winter Round robin.

What should I add next?

 I'd actually hit a creative wall on the gift so that's when I decided to pull Carolynn's snowmen and add my 2 rounds to it. I saw a video on You Tube for making "disappearing 9-patch blocks" and thought it was SO COOL that I had to give it a try and use the blocks on Carolyn's RR. Now I'm hooked and ready to make some fun quilts with this method... this would be GREAT for that Shark Quilt I want to make Dougie for Christmas if I can ever find shark print fabric locally. Back to Carolynn's snowmen...

 I will be adding the white strip around and then it will be ready to mail to Anne so she can add her fun round(s) to it as well. I just can't say it enough... I LOVE DOING ROUND ROBIN'S! Wishing I didn't have to work this morning so that I could finish this up and move on to the 8 pot holders and 7 Autographed Star blocks for those two swaps. I'll be home before 1 PM so I can work on it all then. I have a gal coming to pick up some magazines that I listed on Free-cycle so I'll need to stick close to home anyway.

The sun looks like Gold this morning as it makes it's may up through the tree's - bet it's going to be HOT today.

Good Morning Morning

I got up about 6 AM after a night of tossing and turning; I think I was just extremely sore from a hard day at work. Yesterday I had to rework, clean and label nearly all of the basket fixture and it was a lot tougher than I thought that it was going to be; it was supposed to take 10 hours total but I was only scheduled for 8 and they expected me to have it done in 6... it was close to 9 before I slapped on the last label and that was with skipping cleaning the two flex sections and not getting product completely back in it's new locations. I had to load up 2 4-highs and 2 u-boats with basket and push them to the stock room so that I could leave. Someone else will be stocking them  and I am hoping it's someone they follows the plan-o-gram so it doesn't look like crap when I go into work tomorrow. Nothing urks me more than someone screwing up something I've worked my fanny off to get accomplished. OK enough of my soap box routine; lets get to some fun or at least interesting stuff.

SUNRISE.....

6:10 AM

6:11 AM

It was absolutely stunning; after watching it come up and sipping a couple cups of coffee I decided to go walk around in the yard.

The first thing that caught my eye were these dew drops on the Pyracanthis just outside the side door. They looked like diamonds hanging down from each leaf and berry.

The next stop was by the mailbox where I planted our ditch harvested old time rose to see that it has some new leaves and growth on it. You can see where I threw down two banana peels to give it a helping hand at getting established. I want to build some type of garden form for it to grow up but that is still in the planning stage. I figure I have until next Summer to have something made up and who knows I may just find treasure being thrown out that would work perfect for that purpose.

With the nearly daily rain we have been getting all the plants have gotten REALLY full and seem to be extra green. This is our home from the street.

A not so good close-up of the Lantana that we have growing by the lamp post. I LOVE this plant; it attracts the most amazing butterflies. Someone left a comment that it is a "Noxious weed" where they are located and that it kills cattle. That is something I  will have to keep in my mind if we ever move to our country place. Don't want to kill the neighbors livestock - lets face it cows get out.

Someone decided to join me... Little Nickie was out marching around reaffirming he owns this front yard.

Next I went on out to the back yard to see what is going on with the vegetable garden. The butternut squash is "making a break for it". And we are just going to let it go and mow around it. We adore butternut squash and it lasts for a long time; no processing required just a cool place for it to hang out until we are ready to cook it.

Here are some of the plants that I got in from Gurney's. They are all ready showing new growth. I have some things left to get planted and will take care of them this weekend.

Beans gone wild!

So has the mescaline mix

Summer yellow squash bloom.

Healthy little cucumber plant.

Everything is growing so well out in the vegetable patch. I do have some issues that have to be dealt with today. I've lost a couple squash plants to borers and I have some bad stems that need to be removed from the tomato plants as well as sucker removal on all the tomato plants. 

 And a final photo of the area next to the garden shed that we have let overgrow a bit for the birds. They love it in there. I may do a clean-up in this area in the Fall but for now we are going to leave it alone. It's quite the concert listening to the birds and then the tree frogs in this tiny area each day and evening.

ON My Mind.... a project in the works

This is a project I started for a friend to surprise her - everyone needs a little surprise in their mailbox from time to time. I don't know how big it will end up; I'm working it just like the Round Robin's that I get in the mail except I'm making all the rounds this time.

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY. If you're in another country you should join in when you read this, even if it's still Thursday.

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to Down to Earth. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, come back and add a comment below, with a link to your blog photo so we can all find you. Please visit all the blogs that appeal to you and leave a comment. Slow down, take the time to cruise around and enjoy your cyber visits.

Box from Gurneys

UPS just dropped off my "Grab Bag" box from Gurney's - $200 worth of plants that I got for $24. Wanna look inside?....

Here is what we saw after removing the packing material which I was thrilled to see was all Biodegradable; it's refreshing to find Companies doing their part to save the Environment. OK.... back to the goodies.

Here is what I pulled from the box 4 Rubus Navaho (Blackberries); 4 Rubus Black Satin (Blackberries); 3 Mixed Foxgloves; 4 Colocasia Esculeta (Elephant Ears); 6 Patty's Plum Poppies and 4 Johnson's Blue Geranium. I wish they had arrived earlier in the day but I will do my best to get them in the ground quickly as I know how fast they can die if I don't hop to it. I wonder how the neighbors would feel about me planting the front yard in edibles.

An Evening Stroll with "the girls"

It's been so hot all day but we still wanted to get a short walk in before the day was over and since the sun has gone down a bit we decided to leash up the girls and walk around the neighborhood a bit. Down in the power line right of way there was this Yucca in bloom. I think these are stunning but would never plant one in my city yard as they spread and spread....

Scott and the girls waited for me while I traipsed through the grass to take the picture of the Yucca - I sure hope I didn't pick up anymore Chiggers. I looked up how they attack you... they DO NOT go under your skin as everyone around here believes and nail polish doesn't do a thing for you.

They like to get behind your knees the best!

If you want to Google about them to learn more of what they do be prepared to be grossed out. And they don't care a lick about your blood... it's your skin cells they're after.... YUCK!  I have bites from them all up my legs into my groin area... NO FUN! And WOO HOO we are going to go berry picking again in the morning!


Bernadette and Amelia thoroughly enjoyed the walk but were both ready for a good drink by the time we got back to the house.

Interesting week... so far

It's been an interesting week starting with me working 5 hours on Sunday which I haven't done since being moved to the replenishment team. And yesterday was day one of Inventory - it's a two day process for this Company. And then tomorrow I will be off; again that will feel a bit weird as I am usually working hard by Wednesday as that is the day the truck arrives... oh well hopefully next week we will go back to our regular schedules.

The month will round out with me as a possible Jury Member; I have to call into a number in the evening on the 29th to see if I've been pulled for the trial. I do enjoy this Duty but am hoping that they don't pick me this time; it's just so hot to be stuck in a stuffy Jury box for possibly days on end.

It is 4:15 AM and it's all ready 73*F outside; we are expecting it to reach 103*F during the day today. I will be coming home and vegging in my sewing room. I may move the ironing board to the hallway so it doesn't heat up my actual sewing room where I'm working.

I better go turn the water on in the garden - the plants are going to need all the help that they can get today. Scott will turn it off when he gets up - I'm dreading our water bill.

A walk in the Garden and A peek into my sewing room....

First lets walk out and see whats going on in our garden...

Volunteer Butternut Squash - FIVE in just this shot and there are more on the vines.

Zinnia's exploding from the sides of the tomato plant; or so it appears that way.

Pinto and Red Dragon's Tongue Beans - Growing nicely

Volunteer - watermelon OR Cantaloupe - not sure yet

This Sunflower just goes and goes... look at all the buds still to open.

A couple Happy Dog pictures.....

Bernadette

Amelia

And now for what I'm working on in my sewing room....

I'm trying to decide which fabric to use as a border; this will be a table topper. I may do a narrow border of the dark brown and then another 3 to 4 inch border in the light color... decisions decisions... input welcome.

I just call it BERRY PICKING!

Scott and I did what is now being called "Wild Crafting" this morning... I just call it "berry picking". We are planning to go back tomorrow after I get off work at 10 (yes; I'm having to work on a Sunday - INVENTORY STINKS). We just scoped out a berry patch along the 12th Street Extension; parked the car off the side of the road and started picking. People were slowing down; honking; staring; and one guy hollered, "HEY! Get outta dat berry patch!" - like his lazy butt was planning to come pick berries there in a road right of way. 

I don't know what got picked more - the berries or us as Scott was pretty bloody by the time we called it quits and I have several small scratches and I'm sure my clothing contains some thorns as I kept getting caught trying to bully my way through the patch. I was thankful to have on jeans and my steel toed boots (YES - I have a pair and wear them). We have one berry bucket full (5 pounds) and I'd like to get at least another full bucket - two if possible to make up a bunch of jam.

On My Mind... GREENS

It seems they go on as far as the eye can see....

While I was at work this morning Scott picked a few greens... mostly mustard greens but there are salad greens mixed in so I've been separating and washing them this afternoon. I will cook up the mustard greens and we will be eating salads at lunch for the rest of the week.

Why not join in the blogging fun over at... Down To Earth

Down Sizing

 Down sizing for us is a MAJOR goal. I don't believe we will go as small as this couple but we will be in something a whole lot smaller in the future. And we have talked about it and will start now with down sizing our belongings - listing things on Craigslist, Freecycle and taking things to Goodwill. That way when it comes time to move we will have very little to actually move. Things don't make life enjoyable - experiences do.



We have bought two cabin plans;  Lakeside Cottage and 16' Micro Cottage.

Could you live in something this small?

The "GIRLS"

I have in a past post introduced you to Faye my old machine rescued from the trash pick-up; so now I thought I'd introduce you to my other "girls. These two I use the most:

In the foreground is my White Quilter's Star machine; and I use her the most as she has a self threader and my eyes aren't what they used to be. 

She makes the most amazing button holes at the touch of a button - no more tack, adjust, side one, turn,adjust, tack, adjust, side two, adjust and a final tack.... NOPE! Just put the button in the back of the foot and click GO. Easy and beautiful button holes every time. But I can't sew really heavy fabrics with her; thats where the machine in the background comes in...

This one is a Dressmaker bought for me by my Uncle Charlie for my High School Graduation in 1982. I have made SO MANY things with this machine. Drapes, custom pillows, quilts, clothes, dolls, stuffed animals, etc. She is a real work horse and HEAVY!

I also have this White Serger and have used it on several occasions but it's a Love/Hate thing... some days I LOVE to use it and some days I absolutely HATE it. I just need more practice with it is what I have been told. Only time will tell - the jury (me) is still out on that one!

Little Bernadette is going back to the Vet today to have her booster shots done. She won't care a bit as she just loves to GO GO GO. I wish the cats enjoyed the trip as much. HA HA HA....

Well while I have a few minutes I think I will sew a little. Scott has gone up to the un-employment office to get that out of the way. And he has an Interview for Friday! YEAH! And it's close by so he wouldn't have to drive very far at all; in fact he says he could even ride a bike to and from work.

Clarification is in Order

Scott did not LOOSE his job - this was a temporary -meaning it had an end coming - position and that end arrived last Friday. He has Recruiters calling him and he has been applying for positions on a regular basis so we feel promise in the air. OK... thats all on that.

Now if we can just get the printer and scanner problems resolved here at home.....

Mr. Tesla

Little Nicky

HA HA HA HA HA ha ..........

Pictorial Walk-A-Long

A very perturbed turtle

Happy Little Morning Glories

Heavenly scented Honeysuckle

Regal Blue Heron

Tree that was taken down during the last group of violent storms - notice the size of the vines that had been growing up the tree.

Map of the River-walk that we so love.

Stream

"You push we'll pull" - Ants carrying off a dead worm

A cicada at the end of life.

And we had a nice chat with our Mayor; about spiders.