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Monday, April 30, 2018

The Eggshells Worked!

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say they worked and are still working.
The most difficult part was writing on eggshells.
What I really love is that there are no plastic containers to deal with.
The entire set up aside from my trays is compostable.
Though that was also a plus as there were no markers getting in the way 
or getting smudged.
I have started my seeds in "rounds."
The more cold tolerant things I started first,
then as they began growing and I could move them out, 
and I found morsels of time,
I began the more delicate things (like tomatoes.)
Someday when I have a greenhouse, 
maybe I will be able to do more all at once.
For now, in my kitchen, this is what I do.
In order to plant the plants, 
I just use the corner of the spade and crack the shell
making sure to break the inner skin of the shell too.
Yes, it's early, and I certainly don't want to jinx myself,
but so far what I've planted has lived.
 (Sweetpea vine)

Funny little note~
Mr. LB suggested that next time, I plant the faster growing, larger things all together so that the one tray could be dealt with as they grew.
I then explained to him that it's meee he married, and that
they were planted in alphabetical order.

It always looks so pretty all dug up and planted - before the weeds arrive.
We were given some tomatoes that are pretty big so they are in the ground.
Mine are still pretty small so will wait a while before introducing them to the outdoors.
Again, I'm a rebel.  I use tomato cages upside down. 
They always seem to hit a rock and be crooked then tip when the plant grows.
This way they are wider at the bottom so don't tip as easily.
I should put some sort of decorations on the tips so folks can think
I'm whimsical rather than just goofy.
One other thing I've done this year that's new (to me) is to use burlap in the baskets rather than purchasing the nest things.
I don't like paying for those things so I usually just don't use the baskets.
I had quite a bit of burlap on hand as I had bought some to make a hooked rug
then found out how awful it is to work with and on for rug making.
I will see if I can make it last a couple years.
I actually like it better so far because I was able to fit more dirt in the baskets.
With the nests, it seems like they don't come up over the edge of the basket
and their thickness makes the growing space rather shallow.
As things grow, I'll share.
It feels so good to play in the dirt.
And I can hardly wait for that first green salad 
if we can keep the deer out this year.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Being a Do-er

Good Morning.
Hope you all had a blessed Easter holiday.
We had a small gathering with a large meal at our house.
It was "easy company" and a pleasant day.
The frogs are juuust beginning to chirp, those little talkers.
It's not the whole chorus like we will have.
These are probably the optimistic frogs since we can still freeze at night.
I love the sound of them though. 
They aren't like the shrill screech of the cricket.
There's a ribbit undertone that makes it relaxing, easy.
I've been anxious for spring this year - spring fever, maybe?
It has me stirred up.
And somehow hearing the sound of those chirping talkers has reminded me
that another year has passed.
You know, 'talkers' as opposed to do-ers.
I've felt a need to finish things 
so have been doing some of those things that I've put off for far too long.
Then there are the things I've talked about doing for some time.
These things are 'dreams' of sort.
I don't want to be just a talker (even though it's easier.)
I've dabbled here and there but have never had 
a real opportunity to develop my ideas - 
Or, more likely,
I've had the opportunity but either didn't recognize it or take advantage of it.
Those frogs chirping just seem to be telling me, "Now."
It's time.
No, I don't have any more time now, but
it's time.
I don't want to just be a talker.
I want to be a do-er.
Somehow I need to figure out how to do it on 24 hours a day though.
We both work full time with nearly an hour drive at each end of the day.
Maybe if I didn't spend a third of my life sleeping.......
but that's not much of an option.
If I continue sleeping at night however,
something's gotta give.
I'm hoping to share with you soon,
 but my posts might not be regular while I take time to work on these projects.
I am still working on finishing things I started in the past,
but am also trying to be intentional about devoting a certain amount of time to 
"my work."
I'm doing.