Just the Bits

 

There is no method to figure out this winter weather madness.

One day it's rain, cold and windy, the next snow and very cold, and the next? We were in the delightful 60's for about 3-4 days.  We actually hit the lower 70's one day. Thunderstorms rolled in next.  

I took advantage of the better weather, and put the laundry on the clothesline.  It gets me outside, I get some extra physical movement, and a lower electricity bill.  A win all around.

I saw my first Robin.  I actually saw several.  The mornings now start much darker, but as the sun rises, the birds are busy singing good morning to the world.  I took that photo through my window, and I do need to wash some more windows ha ha!

I'm enjoying my nettle/oat straw tea infusions.  I serve them iced for us, and yes it tastes earthy, but very healthy at the same time.  The list for benefits of nettle alone is very long, and I am already seeing one benefit - healthier fingernails and hair.  I have been using the XL (come with drawstrings) teabags to fill for tea infusions, and I have to say that I love them.  They were an accidental purchase (meant to buy single use fill and brew type), but have come in handy for these tea infusions.  I love the no mess clean up vs. straining it out of the jar.

Daffodils are making their spring appearance.  I'm hoping the down pours here do not damage the flowers.

....and then there was one.  My husband, against my wishes, took them out to the grill, and broke the salt shaker.   These were antiques, and the replacements will not be.  Whatever they end up as, they will be more practical.  We used to have a set just for the grill, but we could not find them.

March Garden Notes:

-trimmed back the peppermint and spearmint plants (these are in contained pots, so I am hoping for them to spring back to life)

-dropped more egg shells out on one area of the vegetable garden

-yarrow is already growing this spring (also in a flower pot)

-deer tracks are all over the garden(s), which is odd.  We have never seen this many in all the years living here (the husband says we need a dog or two)

-I have seen a few ground hogs here and there

-I have seen a stray cat a few times here lately, and it can hang out if it continues to be good rodent removal

-today's rain is said to continue all day long and night, and will not stop until 10am tomorrow morning.  It will help the herb garden spring alive, and the fall planted garlic, but will flood some of the ground.

Just the Bits  © Mar 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Animal Activity ~ Zucchini/Yellow Squash and other tidbits

 

There has been a lot of wildlife activity around there.  We have been seeing the cardinals almost every night.  We've had a run in with a sick raccoon, and I happened to see a deer heading to the garden.  The deer got spooked by something, reared up and turned around and ran off.  I am wondering if the motion sensor sound is deterring the deer as well.  

I gave two bags of squash to a close friend.  The plants are producing well this year.

Most recent breakfast - Crustless Zucchini Quiche.  It is made with almond and coconut flour (no white flour), and it was

I used up about 8 yellow squash to make us some squash patties to go with dinner.   I also sliced zucchini and made a no sauce type lasagna with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese.  We love the squash patties, and have made them for years.  The other recipe was new, and if I were to make it again, I would dredge the slices in egg first.  I would also use thin slices of ham.  Everyone liked it, but I thought it was a bit "salty" to taste.

Daughter E came out with her car for some work to be done on it, so we fed her too.

She helped us unload the broke down truck, so we can hopefully have it towed to a friend's house soon.

This and That

 We love to support local businesses, and we purchased a handmade bird house.  We will set it on a post in hopes for birds to move it, and I am setting out some grape jelly in hopes to encourage a few Boston orioles to visit.  I think my husband wants to paint the birdhouse first, before we put it out for the birds.  In fact, now that it's fall, we may not put it out until spring.

My new spoon rest, ha ha!

Fall blooms.

My minimal fall decor, ha ha!  I, for one, have no time nor the space for storing fall decor.  I did swap out the placements and put the potpourri in the one bathroom.

Blooms ~ Wild Violets and Lilac ~ Asparagus ~ Woodpecker

 

More pretty blooms are coming up.

We are getting lilacs this year (unless the upcoming freeze kills it again like last year).

Wild violets are coming up early this year.

Asparagus is coming up early this year too, so I hopped out to my beautiful garden and weeded it.  I can see what needs covered if covering is needed.  So excited to be in the garden for once.

A woodpecker built a home in the tree that my clothesline is attached to.  It comes out and gives me heck when I use the line now.

I finished the order for 2 scrubbies using the scrubby yarn from Red Heart.

Where I spent most of my day.  So far no rain either.  The wind has picked up this morning, but no rain yet.

Nothing much....

 

There is literally nothing much going on this week.  I spent most of yesterday outside.  The weather got up to the 80's!  Woohoo to that.  While I took time to crochet on the porch, this beautiful bird came for a visit.  When it flies, the blue wings are so beautiful!  I did some research, and I think it may be a bluebird.  Does anyone know? Just curious.

We are still enjoying leftovers for dinner.  Today will finish the all up though (Daughter K is taking them to work for her dinner).  I made a breakfast casserole yesterday, but have no idea what to do for dinner.  Maybe grill out since the weather is nice again, with rain moving in later this evening.

Although it's tempting to start weeding flower beds and such, I do think it's a bit early yet.  If the temps drop, the leaves give my herb garden protection.  My green onions are looking pretty good right now.

I received on order for two dish scrubbers.  I haven't used the pattern (different one) in so long, so that's on the to-do list today. Hopefully I can find the pattern.  I have already found the yarn used for this scrubber.

I'll admit, I've been lazy this week, but the list writing needs done.  I should be getting up to town and getting paint to paint the hallway doors in this wonderful weather.

Daughter K said she went to take the dogs out and turned the light on.  There was a huge raccoon enjoying himself to the cat food.  She said, "Mom I named him Harold."  I responded, "Um, out here we don't name them."  Oh, the laughs we had.

Well, I hope your week has been good.  I haven't seen too many blogposts to read, nor haven't had that many visitors this year.  I hope you are enjoying my blog, although today's seems drawn out and nothing exciting.  Gawd it's been a rough year already, and for some reason we are all feeling more depressed than ever.  Not sure, other than the way our state is being run and feeling "enough is enough" and so forth.

I'm glad I have the crochet order, or I'd be a wallowing mess wandering around the house today.  I need to find my positive inner peace again.  

Drought Conditions ~ Tomatoes ~ Peach Pie ~ Conserving Electricity

We are suffering drought conditions.  No rain, and I'm watering daily to keep the garden from burning up.  Green beans are on, so I must be keeping up with it pretty good.  I have to start really early so the plants can soak it up before the sun burns it dry.  I am concerned about the height of my tomato plants and the growth of our root vegetables.

Tomatoes are starting to come on, but again, plants are short.

I am emptying the dehumidifier 2 times a day, the humidity is that bad as well.

I had peaches that were getting soft, so I whipped up a peach pie before it got too hot.  People are asked to conserve electricity from 2-6pm this week.

Look who stopped long enough for a few very quick photos?  They are not in focus, but I was quick to snap a few while the sprinkler watered the garden(s).


I'm re-doing the menu.  We had taco salad last night.  Too hot to cook.  Egg salad sandwiches sound good too.  What's your go-to meal on a very hot day?

Happy Homemaker Monday

I still haven't been able to get a photo of the wrens.  They are small and quick.  I didn't see many out at all this morning.  I think they know it will be hot and getting hotter as we go into the week.  

We spent all of Saturday on the Harley, and I never got sun burn oddly.  Had a fantastic weekend, with another ride yesterday.    Although we went to one of our favorite restaurants and won't be back.  They changed their menu completely, and nothing looked good.  They took away the perch, and many more items including my favorite Philly.  

One burger was served cold, with toppings that were asked to be left off.  It was raw, and when they brought toppings, the BBQ sauce was as thin as water.  The service was horrible, messed up one drink.  They switched perch out for cod and over priced it.  It was horrible too.  

I'm sure they changed it due to this pandemic, lack of employees returning, and possibly food resources available.  I feel bad for them, but I can't support a place that serves awful food either.   Or awful service. No one wants to sit and wait an hour just for a drink, then wait another half hour for appetizer and another half hour for the meal.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.





The weather . . .
High of 96°F, but the heat index will rise into the hundreds as we go through the week.  No sign of rain until possibly Friday.  We can only pray for it.  We need it so badly.


How I am feeling this morning . . .
Tired.  Exhausted from the mask mandates going in place in areas around us.  Just sick of it.   They are saying that if Trump wins in November the virus will last until 2025, but if Biden wins, the virus will disappear in November.  


On my mind . . .
Well, I have lost many friends during this virus.  Not from the virus, but because of the divide it has put between people over personal opinions.  I am thankful for the friends that have stayed friends regardless of opinion.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea.


On  my reading pile . . .

On my TV . . .
Not much.


On the menu this week . . .
-Leftovers tonight
-meatloaf, mashed tades and corn (didn't get this made yet)
-breakfast: Biscuits/sausage gravy, potatoes, eggs
-strawberry pie
......have no idea because it will be so hot here and I hate to heat up my kitchen every day.



From the Camera . . .

Porch view.

Looking around the house . . .
I pulled my garlic, but it's sitting on the table waiting to be tied and hung up.  It did pretty good, but only one bulb was pretty large.  I'm happy with the results, and will probably plant in grow pots again.  The house needs cleaned, but that's normal.  It will get done since we can't be outside for long the rest of the week.


Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . .
Mucking the chicken coop, but that's not happening until we get a rain and cool down.


To relax I will . . .
Watch cooking shows while I crochet.


On my prayer list . . .
Our country.  It seems that so many Americans have lost their pride and willingness to fight for their civil rights.  All the fighting and judgment and finger pointing has caused a divide, and I'm sure it all has to do with November's voting. The mask mandates are a huge fight between most in our area.  Half wants it and the other half thinks it is dumb.  Please no negative comments.  It's so out of control.

I will say this.  When you went to the doctor, they had a box of masks.  It said if you are sick and with a cough, to please wear one.  The sick.  Not the healthy.  The sick.  Just do you research on this.  There are many articles and Youtube videos that make you wonder what's really going on.

I'm so disappointed in Americans and the behavior and the violence etc that is going on right now.  All for a vote or no vote?  There is so much more behind all this virus than we will ever know.  Keep praying!


Praying for rain for us.  My root vegetables are suffering horribly and I really don't want to hear my husband say we are not planting a thing next year.  We have suffered a struggle to garden for the last 3 years and I don't want to deal with it another year here.

Praying for the law enforcement.  It is truly a crazy, scary, and frustrating year.

Heat Wave ~ Garden ~ Weekend Work

The heat rolled in as they predicted.  No sign of rain is exhausting.  There is a caution of drought conditions, which will be an issue with the gardens.  We are still in the 90's here. We have been diligent with garden work and outside work, like finishing the pressure washing.

Peas are still rolling in with constant watering, but plants are not as tall as they should be.  Harvest amounts are lower. 

I've been much better at logging the harvest.  The numbers will determine what we will plant or not plant next year. 

Although I attempted to get pictures of our wrens, this guy wanted to be the star of attraction yesterday morning.

Thank you all who had concerns about my sciatica.  I have been doing my stretching diligently, because if I don't get better, the garden dies, chickens won't get fed and watered etc.  I can sleep without pain now, and that helps with a better start to the day.

We had the best 4th of July ever.  We ended the night watching fireworks off the front porch and they were fantastic.  Love our neighbors all around.  There were so many more setting them off this year and it was fantastic.  It end the day perfectly.