countrylane's Blog
countrylane's Blog
Last Post 7 hours Ago
Jul 8, 2008 | 2:59 PM PST
That's what my #1 son said as he came running down to the house. I had promised to go with him on a bicycle ride on Sunday, but when he opened up the shed doors, he said the flower pots came down and there behind them was a skunk! He lit out of there like a house afire! Can't blame him. Hubby and I went around on either side of the doors and together shut up the shed, until that evening. We also threw in some moth balls, hoping this would drive out Pepe La Pew! I checked on the shed today, and I couldn't find him, so hoping he crawled out the window. Need to put up some cardboard so he doesn't revisit it. I don't know where he's been living, but I sure smell him at night. One night, I was on the computer and heard something on the porch. Figured it was coons, and almost rushed out the door to scare them off. Glad I didn't! It was a skunk! Last year, we had a family of them living in the old Hickory tree. But she moved her babies out of there and out to the old barn. But we would still see Mr. Skunk, who was almost all white, once in a while ambling off across the field. Guess he was looking for some chicken eggs for a snack. They are cute and some are quite pretty. Sure would make a pet people would talk about, if you could de-stink it first.
By the way, zinnias are starting to bloom and they are so pretty! Also, I finally did a job I wasn't looking forward to doing...thinning out the carrots. I sure hate to pull things that have so willingly started to grow in my garden. :( I know I had to do it, so that the carrots would be big when I pulled them this fall, but still...
Jul 8, 2008 | 7:35 AM PST
It's been awhile since I've blogged (a week maybe) and I've missed the company! We had a great weekend! The family we had out turned out to be a great choice and we all enjoyed the friendship and conversation! And all the kids played well! One of our guests wanted me to go around and share all about my plants/flowers. I was in "hog heaven" talking about them. Like a proud mother hen talking about her chicks. Sunday evening, friend brought a golden raspberry plant for me. He's been promising me one for about a year. I had a bed all ready for the plant, just waiting for it's homecoming. It blooms twice a year, so double the harvest.
This weekend was good and bad...The truck's rear end went out, the freezer died and the washing machine is on its last leg. The washer is being prayed through right now. :) The freezer was full of beef and fruit that I have been getting when it's on sale and had washed and froze to use during the winter. I'm hoping that the strawberries and cherries are okay, but everything else I'm sure I will have to get rid of. Makes one kind of sick. But we're praying that the Lord will provide. He knows our desires and our needs.
Jul 2, 2008 | 6:41 AM PST
My hubby said that he remembered things he learned in horiculture class about cold frames. And mom's lent me a book about country living that's called "Back to Basics". They have some ideas on cold frames. I know I can round up some old windows from someone, even maybe mom. I'm really looking forward to having those. Yesterday, I mowed the place, while hubby weed-eated (Yum!!--LOL) and burnt the pile of sticks that have been growing since last fall. Wow, what a difference! Noticed lots of blooms on the squash, volunteer pumpkin, and cucumbers. Also the peas, and maters have blooms on them. Getting ready for the weekend. We're trying to decide on two groups of people to invite. Either the group that we all enjoy having out and have a great time with or the other group of people that we haven't had out for a long time, but there is a reason for this. (smirk) It sounds like a no-brainer, but still...
Jul 1, 2008 | 6:08 AM PST
Planted the blackberries, tomato, and the bachelor's buttons. Talking to a friend on Sunday at church, the subject of cold frames popped up. We both were talking about how hard it is to get the maters that you start in the spring to produce anything before the first frost in the fall. He suggested building a cold frame. Of course, I had heard of them and knew roughly what they were, but figured I would never have one, so I haven't paid much attention. But when I mentioned it to dear hubby, he told me about them and was all for building a couple of them! Yea! My mom has a tomato variety that was my grandma's favorite. Big yellow ones with red stripes, and not much acid. (Grandma's tummy couldn't handle the acid very well, but she loved maters. That's why she grew this one kind, for her to eat.) This way I can keep those seeds going, growing that plant each year! And keep the torpedo and hopefully if I get the spoon, then those two, too. (Does that make sense?) Same friend gave me a baggy with some seeds of a parsley that tastes like licorice??? Mom had heard of it, but others haven't. Anyone know the name of it?
Jun 28, 2008 | 11:16 AM PST
Dropped off #1 son's 4-H project today and they judged it as it came in...blue ribbon!!! Yea!!! Also went to the farmer's market on the square. They have it every Sat. morning during the summer, but I'm never in town on Saturdays, so I took the oppurtunity to stop in. Great stuff! Lots of plants! I got 4 thornless blackberry bushes for a bargain price, since it was so close to closing time. Been wanting to get me some of these for a couple of years now. Perfect timing too, since veggie planting time is over. But I also bought a "Pavabactum piriforme" tomato from France. The lady calls them "Pink Torpedo" for short. She was telling me all about a "Spoon" tomato that she had, but couldn't find it. She promised to have some next week, but I don't know if I could get there then. The spoon variety are the world's smallest tomato. It takes 20 to fill a Tbsp. These torpedos are small also, and she said the flavor is exceptional. So I guess I did have to plant a veggie when I got home. Also got some scarlett runner beans for next year and 6 bachelor button flowers. I was very excited! I was thinking of getting watermelon and sweet corn (didn't have any there) but this is just as good if not better!
Jun 27, 2008 | 8:42 AM PST
To plants that is, though #1 son looks as though he could use one too. Been trimming back the lemon balm and the irises. Also cutting back the spent resurrection lilies' leaves and tulips, daffodils, too. Looks much better. Gives breathing room and sunshine to the other plants around them. Also gave the oregano/marjoram a haircut. Wow! what a difference that made. Looks like I'll be busy transplanting some of the irises from the bed around the LP tank. Too many in there and wasn't many blooms there this spring. (I get to make some new beds!) Put down some wet newspaper on the path in my little garden with the herbs/flowers/a few veggies in it. I had put in a path a couple of years ago and meant to put down something to keep the weeds from growing. It keeps little feet from running through the plants to get to the other side (never mind going around!). Anyway, after I put down wet newspaper, I put the remaining mulch down that I got for my birthday. Hubby said it looked like we need more. :) The county repaved the road/lane in front of our house. Been sneezing all morning. Allergic to the tar??? Looks nice, but it won't for long. I'd rather have gravel, though it does pick up dust. Oh, well. Newly paved roads, regardless of where they end up, seem to attract speeders. Group of boys in a hot rod car went speeding down the road two days ago, blaring the horn. Must have gone all the way back to the creek and had to turn around. (There is a sign telling anyone that the road has no outlet.) Flipped me off on their way back. Makes me so mad and furious, esp. since I have little ones around...
Jun 26, 2008 | 2:52 PM PST
Seems that my sticks are working. I'll let you all know if it doesn't. Wish I had thought of that a few bean plants ago... Hubby is on his way to Georgia. Trucking has been slow the last two weeks. Seems the only way to make good money is to be over the road to some far state. He will likely be home tomorrow night. We will miss him, we always do. But I have gotten used to it, had to, you know. It rained here today. So I won't have to use the hose. God always does a much better job watering the plants than I do anyway. Lots of little toadies in the yard. Keeps the boys busy in putting them in the gardens. Blossoms are on the squash! Little green maters in Early girl! Little hot peppers growing! All this teasing! Been enjoying eating on the patio of an evening. Everything tastes so much better outside...
Jun 25, 2008 | 12:37 PM PST
Something keeps eating off the tops of my pole beans (they must taste good). I keep meaning to get me some hot sauce when I go grocery shopping each week, but I always forget (hard to keep my mind on what I am doing, with three boys to keep my eyes on). So I thought about stringing up some string across them or around them or something, but I couldn't find my jute string (I never seem to be able to find that stuff when I need it). So I had a handful of sticks destined for the burn pile when I had a brainstorm. I placed them on top of the beans, esp. the sticks with lots of little twigs sticking out of them. The other ones that were taller and hadn't been munched on yet, I put sticks up around them and wove littler sticks through the bigger ones. I think that the beans will be fine when they are bigger or maybe by then I will find the jute??? Hope this stops whatever critter is munching on them or at lest deters them.
Note: the Nicotania is not growing. I guess it doesn't do well here in Indiana. Crazy spring probably didn't help. Thought the pot I had them in with the old horse manure would encourage them to grow...:(
Jun 25, 2008 | 8:48 AM PST
The asiatic lilies are huge this year. Last year was the first year I planted them. Wow! I cannot believe they are so big and beautiful. Even hubby commented on them! A displaced farmer, yet each year he is beginning to see and enjoy the beauty of flowers and what he used to call "weeds"! :) Funny guy! I haven't done anything special to the lilies, they just must like the place I put them. The daylilies are doing well, too. They are from two years ago when we had a church clean-up day, and they seperated the daylilies up there and had huge clumps of them that nobody wanted. Not wanting to see them go to waste, I brought them home. There are dark red ones, yellow ones, peach ones, lighter red ones just to name a few of the colors. And the butterflies love them. I planted most along the patio and the others on the south side of the house. I found a volunteer sunflower coming up and doing very well. Also a volunteer pumpkin from last year (the giant variety) is also doing well. #1 son found a couple of tomatoes growing on one of the early girl plants. Yum! Can't wait to pick and enjoy! The onions that are growing, some were picked and used in some green beans I cooked. Hubby and mom were clearly impressed with the taste of the onions. Real sweet! Kids were asking for more. :)
Jun 24, 2008 | 6:38 AM PST
The garden is doing so well that we feel truly blessed. The rain that has wrecked havoc across the midwest and the hot weather has coupled together for great growing conditions in the garden. I feel horrible though when I see the farmers' fields and other people's gardens. It is humbling to see my garden doing so well. May the Lord continue to bless it! Have been seeing little toads in the yard. So the boys and I are putting them in the gardens. I planted some cucumbers where I had planted some cannas. THe cannas weren't growing so I planted cucumbers there instead. They are coming up fine. Cut some of my chicken fence mater cages in half. They were too tall to reach down into and pull weeds. So I got 4 cages out of 2, and put the new 2 around some maters that were cageless. Hubby talked about building two new raised beds for me this summer, so they will be ready to plant in next spring. He's going to make them bigger than the other two. They are 8'x4'. The new ones will be 8'x8' or something like that. I am going to put my strawberry plants in one. It will keep out the bunnies. Looking forward to it! Bless my dear hubby! :)
Jun 19, 2008 | 7:35 AM PST
The fish fry was a good day, if not a little tiring. The sun shone and no rain, but lots and lots of mud puddles. One huge one where the parade usually drove but had to go around. People walking had to go through someone's yard to get to the next road. (Nice of the people to let us tramp through their yard. Nice of them too to put their big dog up.) #1 son was a bit embarrased about being the king, but did splendidly with he kingly duties. So cute! Sometimes, I forget that he is afterall only 9. Especially since he's 5 feet tall! He loved being in the parade. He did a good job wiping down tables for an hour during the fish fry. Had a good time overall. The twins had a good time too and loved the huge slide ride. We were all really tired that evening. Saw many people there that we all talked to. I love that kind of atmosphere. You catch up with all that's going on with everyone else. It was a good day!
Jun 13, 2008 | 12:38 PM PST
Yup, it's raining again. This morning the kids and I were outside enjoying the morning. I was spreading more mulch and the kids were building a "base", for their soldiers, in the dirt. It sprinkled on us for awhile. Then we headed in when I heard thunder. It cut loose then and has been raining ever since. I sure hope that it lets up for Saturday. #1 son is in 4-H for the first time this year and will be in the parade at the local fish fry festival. Later, he has a job of wiping down tables after people eat the fish and then he's the 4-H king. Not much there, just helping the leader hand the queen her flowers. At the festival, they have all sorts of things going on, including little kiddy rides and a few that aren't for the little. Hoping it's not raining so we can spend the afternoon there.
Jun 12, 2008 | 8:37 PM PST
My brother always gets me some kind of gift card or certificate to some gardening place. Same this year. But it's hard to wait until it's warm when I can finally go get some flowers, etc. (Birthday is in Feb.) So yesterday we went to the local Feed and Seed and bought a truck load of mulch and some annuals for the front porch! Yeah! The mulch looks so nice under the big maples and around the littler trees and in the bed in front of the front porch. Have more mulch to spread still. #1 son thought it stunk but after awhile, he got used to it. He filled buckets and I dumped and spread the mulch about. Somebunny (hee-hee) has been eating the leaves and tops off my beans (grrrrr!). Need to plant more and then dowse the area with hot sauce, which I need to get more from town. Hubby said the place looked real nice. Dad-in-law thought I had dumped lots of dirt under the trees and around some beds (he was talking about the mulch). Hmmm! Time for new glasses? If his daughter had been there she would have called him "Helen" (as in Helen Keller)! hee-hee! Need to call little brother and tell him thanks for the mulch and flowers...
Jun 11, 2008 | 6:33 AM PST
All this rain have been a blessing in disguise for us, at least. The plants have loved it and are flourishing. I need to find another place to plant some more pole beans. I'm thinking of planting more under the poles and then put some string for them to go up. Perfect place because no little feet can get to them. Would like to put something in between the rows of onions, just don't know what. Pepper plants? Thinking of planting some lavendar up where we buried Bear two years ago. Would like to have another flower garden there. It's dry up there during the summer, so I think that lavendar would do well. The day lillies are doing well. So does morning glory, but I had to pull it out due to it choking out the other plants. I also need to plant the guara that I bought from Lowes. It was too muddy yesterday to do anything except pull weeds.
Jun 11, 2008 | 6:24 AM PST
Found out on Sunday that one of our families from church had an adventure on Saturday due to the rain and floods. She and her husband went to the hospital in Columbus where she had their 8th child. She arrived safely at 8 lbs. Then the dad got a call from their other children who were at home (the oldest two are 14 and 16) and they were concerned because the flood waters were coming into their garage. So Henry left to get the other children out of the house. But he couldn't get there because of roads shut down. When he tried to go back to the hospital, they had shut the roads behind him, so he couldn't go to either part of his families. After calling friends, some went to rescue the children at the house and a friend took his wife and new baby to their house and Henry was able to get to his wife and baby. The family was able to be reunited that evening. What an adventure! The Lord was truly watching and keeping all safe! At least Annalyse's birthday won't be hard to forget!
