Browsed by
Category: Around the House

Leaf Life

Leaf Life

Comments 0 Comment

Leaf Life In the beginning, a tiny budonly a bump on a branch,my friends and I. Soon became full-blown leavesproviding shading shadowson hot days to a nearby home. In fall, our foliage morfedto brilliant reds and yellows—my friends floated to the earth. I clung to the branchuntil, I too, joined the others,no longer able to clap praise to our Creator. We lay listless until strong windsscattered us in scurrying swirls.Then we were raked into orderly piles,sucked into a dark tube,mangled…

Read More Read More

Resurrection

Resurrection

Comments 0 Comment

With all the rain this summer, the mint around the patio took over everything. In order to rescue the strawberry plants, I bought this fancy pot and transplanted some for safekeeping. After about six weeks, they have taken hold and are doing well. They are everbearing. I wonder if I might get some fall strawberries. Do any of you have a pot like this? Do you take it in in winter?

Beet That Can’t Be Beat

Beet That Can’t Be Beat

Comments 0 Comment

For the longest time this year I didn’t think I’d harvest any beets. They finally came up. This is the biggest one. Over a  pound! Very delicious. I planted a second crop for fall, but that’s when the rain stopped. None of that planting came up. Well, there’s always next year!

YUM!

YUM!

Comments 0 Comment

Colorado peaches arrived last week. They ripened quickly and since I bought about 65 of them, I had to do something–quick! I made 33 half pint jars of peach jam after I made five pies. Now the pies are in the freezer and the jam is in jars. This will be soooo yummy on those cold, winter days. Then in my insanity, I bought another box! They should be ready to turn into something by next week.   My books…

Read More Read More

The Joys of Autumn

The Joys of Autumn

Comments 0 Comment

I planted a flower garden to help my bees have more flowers to work on. Nothing came up but weeds. I’d love to spray them, but that would kill the bees so I’m reduced to pulling them one by one. When I finished, my clothes were covered in stick-tights. It took more than a half hour to pick them off. Drat!   My books are available on Amazon.com here.

Goodbye, Old Friend!

Goodbye, Old Friend!

Comments 0 Comment

Fifty-five years ago, my back door neighbor and his dad planted a tiny pine tree. Recently, several branches attacked the house it had shaded these many years. The fallen branches didn’t puncture the roof, but it did crack the supports. Upon further inspection, it was apparent this senior tree had suffered a lightning strike. The diagnosis: For everyone’s safety, they tree had to come down. So, one day this past week, fifty-five years of growth disappeared in a matter of…

Read More Read More

Funeral Plants

Funeral Plants

Comments 0 Comment

Ever wonder what happens to those plants you send to a family for a funeral? They grow–and grow–and grow! These were about eighteen inches tall twenty-one years ago. After about ten years they were too tall for our house so I donated them to church for the fellowship hall. They have continued their reach for the sky. I water them every Sunday. When I croak, I wonder who or if anyone will continue their watering.   My books are available…

Read More Read More

Sure Indication is Here

Sure Indication is Here

Comments 0 Comment

One sure way to know summer is here is to hear the chorus of cicadas ringing in our ears.  I sat outside the other night and watched a cicada emerge from that ugly brown shell. It took quite a while. I didn’t know they came out green at first. Then miraculously, his big wings popped out from somewhere. He sat there slightly quivering for quite a while in order for his wings to dry out enough to fly away and…

Read More Read More

A Tradition Continues

A Tradition Continues

Comments 2 comments

This 4th of July we continued a tradition with new twigs on our family tree. We drug out the old train from the barn my husband made years ago from plastic 50 gallon drums. Each car has its own steering wheel. Try as they might, the cars never go their own direction–they just follow the rider in front. I have only one regret; that he’s no longer here to watch the next generation enjoy something he so lovingly made so…

Read More Read More

Every Hive Needs a Queen Bee

Every Hive Needs a Queen Bee

Comments 2 comments

When I inspected my hives last month, one had a missing queen. How did I know? No eggs! If their are no eggs, soon you won’t have a hive. Worker bees (immature females) live less than 40 days. I had to act quickly. I ordered a queen from the bee store near 107 and Pflumm on Monday, June 3rd. She arrived on Thursday, June 6th in a small crate, 1 x 3 inches (pictured above.) She also came with four…

Read More Read More