No Garden this Year

 Well it happened. Since the first of 2025 I.ve been sick. So sick I didn't have the energy to put in a garden. BUT probably it was for the best. Here in the south a lot of people are having a time with theirs. Bugs and rain now the heat have made it impossible to keep a balance. So I'll be buying from the local market and canning. I can not wait for the cool weather. Ok that's done next news. Come March of 2026 will be looking for another homestead. This place has been hell. I believe it may be mold or mildew and Its been making us sick, Dog included. The yard stays wet around the little swampy area and the grass is unbelievable.

I won't miss it. I'm looking at a singlewide if I can find one. I think downsizing at my age would benefit the lifestyle I have. I've been going thru stuff and throwing out  what I don't need.  But I ordered my long bread pans and certain things for the kitchen. One big problem I've had here is I have no cabinet spaces.I had to buy metal shelves and they are full. 

Now Im fixing to get into making suncatchers, yeah I know there are a lot of people out there making them but I like sparkly stuff like that. Besides they're beads! I just got to get the wire for wrapping.

Well that's the jest of what is going on. I haven't wrote in the blog for awhile so I figured to jot down a few words. Things are kind of at a crawl right now till I can get going again. Oh by the way when I said I was sick I had covid twice within 3 months. So its been bad. That with what happened in February{bowel blockage} that hurt like hell.

He;s gotten so big and getting older.His muzzle has turned white.

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It Happens to the Best of Us

 Well, it's been a while since I blogged. Life has nothing but not been easy around here. 3 of my hens got gone and I think dogs are responsible. I ended up getting a trail cam which I haven't installed yet. Right now they are in lock down til I can get the pen fixed. But good news they are finally laying again. Just in time for those eggs to be going up. Which is ridicules. 

The garden is having to wait til April because I ended up in the hospital with a block bowel. Man, that hurt. Then yep got the big covid again. Makes the 3rd time. Im getting sick of it and aggravated. But what can I do? I have to get out.

Got a pretty kitty here.

MOKIE

I got her in one of those calendars.

Ollie was worried about me. Hubstead took good care of him while mommie was in the hospital.

A snow picture.

This is MOOKIE,Mokies sister.

The hens are doing good.

This is momma cat Brownie, She loves her kittens and she's a good momma.She has hubstead wrapped around her paw too.

Yeah it's been a rough winter here in Alabama but we're surviving it. Spring is not that far off. I've been in a soap making mood plus I'm out so I just ordered my oils. I'm stuck on citrus and sage. They smell so good together. My DIL loves cherry blossoms and almond oil.so I'm making her some too. Anyways I wanted to catch up on my blog. It makes me feel better when Life throws me a curve ball. My sister  passed away and she was my favorite so I've had to deal with her being gone. My ex passed away. He had lung cancer. Thank goodness I quit 9 years ago.Man thats a long time. And yes I have lung screenings.  

Well thats about it. NEXT garden,got to get it straightened out and then I'll be ready as long as nothing else happens.

Yall have a great day and dont forget to leave a message I love reading them!

Fall is HERE!

 Oh my the leaves are already turning here in NW Alabama. The weather is cooling down for now. For the past 2 weeks I've been dehydrating elderberries. Last year I tried the syrup, and it did not turn out. So to extend the shelf-life I'm wearing out the dehydrator.

Elderberries

This heat and humidity was hard on everyone this year. Well might be taking the step of putting in a small pond out back to help with the new greenhouse I'm getting next month. YES, finally a goofy greenhouse. It won't be one of those expensive ones but for now it will get me started and get some of all these scattered pots I have laying around put up. It's a 20x10x8. I didn't want a large one but I liked the style of this one. It can be remodified and reenforced to withstand the wind that whips around back sometimes.

It's starting to get darker here. I got a feeling we might just have a snowy winter let's hope not.

Today I threw out some turnip green seeds and yellow beets and Pak choy's. I also planted some Mizunas. I've never grew these so it's going to be a toss up. Be interesting to see if they come up looking like the picture on the pack.

I didn't mention we got a new kitty and she had 2 babies. They're so damn cute. Turned the utility room into a cat condo living facility. 

Well that's it for now. Have a good evening. Can say something on here leaves a message!

So Much Heat

 They said it was going to get hot and it has. My poor girls are hot, I try to keep them cool but it doesn't work well. We get cloud cover then sun which that makes it hotter. I have a fan on them.

I've had to do some really heavy thinking on this garden situation. The only thing doing well right now is the yard long beans. The rest is getting pretty thin. I've dried out some herbs and the dehydrator has been on at least twice a week. Can not wait til Fall! The only thing Ollie does is lay in front of the fan. It really wouldn't be that bad except for the humidity. Can't even wear makeup because by the time you get to the car everything has sweated off.

I have news. I've added some extra projects to my everyday living. The herbs I grow I have learned how to do tinctures and infusions and elixirs. I did an elderberry flower elixir that is out of this world. And it doesn't go bad, The color is gorgeous. The next thing is a willow bark tincture for pain. Alot better than wild lettuce by far. Then I did a ginger root tincture that really helps with my stomach. I'm getting better. I still do the salves and going to learn how to do more. I'm also growing and processing Mullein. I'm hoping that helps with my lungs. I make mullein tea right now but next is a tincture. So I'm really excited about learning even more.

Fall is September 22nd of this year so 92 more days. Hoping for more rain.

Rain Rain and More Rain

 Its been very wet here and everything has stayed soaked. BUT the garden is doing great. I still need to pull up some serious grass that the lawn guy threw when he cut the yard. OH well. always something to do around here. 

The Blueberries and blackberries have come in abundance! Going to be a good year for them. I got quite a few strawberries I'll be canning soon.

Yes I finally got my mini washer and its a great little machine. I hated going to the laundry mat. So many germs. The lady wouldn't even turn on the hot water because she wants to save money. I took a few so called clean clothes I washed out of there and rewashed in my little washer and the water was brown. So I doubt except for heavy blankets I'll be going back there.

I have taken the dive this year to start learning how to do tinctures and elixirs. I already do salves. I just finished up my first Elderberry flower liqueur. We'll see how that turns out. I've been making willow bark tincture for pain, it's amazing and it works. I also done some ginger root tincture for upset stomach and it works as well. I ordered a couple of herb books to get me started and am learning lots. I've also planted some herbs in the garden as well.

My first elderberry flower liqueur

Its a start on herbs

That fig tree was so small and now its getting huge

My Echinacea's are blooming I got so many seeds last year so I'm going to have me a field day with them. 

The strawberry patch grew strong this year and now I've got to thin it out again.

This year too I started MULLIEN.I have 13 plants to see how they grow. Here in Alabama they grow wild but too close to the roads for my liking. So I ended up with these plants and before I post them they need to get bigger.

 I had ordered some drops online and my breathing became so much better so I said why not grow it? I already know how to prepare it.

The house is doing fine. Have done little work on it. I guess that will come later. Oh I now am the owner of 3 cats and 3 kittens. Had 3 cats show up here and I thought why not? I don't have snakes, mice or rats now. Less lizards too{ I like lizards}One is a brown color the other two are black. They do a fine job. too.

I lost 2 hens to predators most likely a possum. But the girls are doing great. Got them thru that cold winter we had so I'm good to go.

Well all caught up on the happenings around here. Ill post more pictures when the plants get bigger. Have a great day!

Spring is Coming

 I think we are going to have an early spring. There are buds on the trees and bushes, I lost a hen,how I dont know but now I have 10 girls. Got covid again in December,two days before Christmas,yeah that was fun. Acted more like a bad cold this time. What ever it was it knocked that feeling I had from the first covid away.mmmm. 

I havent been on here since I got a new truck .2013 Dodge Ram. I love it.It has a camper on it and now I can put hay and feed in the back without it getting wet. Finally got something useful. I mixed some leather oil and mineral oil to do the seats. I think they are leathered covered but they might not be. The inside smells great now.

Got lots going on this year. Looking to put in an outdoor bath house and hopefully a shower. I haven't figured that one out yet. I'm going for the black round horse trough for the tub and pallets for the structure.I have a way to get the water in and if its super sunny that water will feel good after working in the garden.

Looking to do some painting on the outside of the house.It needs it. Making shudders that really close too. Have to work on doing then skirting haven't figured that one out .

Been doing a lot of woodburning,took embrodering back up. I try to keep busy.So much needs to be done . I also looking into putting in a she shed. Going this Friday to look at campers.And pallets.

Well now I'm caught up so far.

Dropping the social medias

 Yeah, I've been dropping the social medias sites,they are getting way too personal but that's what is coming, I guess.

I really don't have time to be on them anyways. So much work needs to be done like every year. They are predicting a hard winter here so now I've got to get the house ready from the outside in. The hens are molting so they are slacking off the eggs and the coop and pen looks like a pillow exploded. It's hilarious.

I bought a bamboo steamer. That's going to be interesting since I've never used one. Thank goodness for you tube. This one came with a lot of gadgets to get started but no book. But that's ok I'll figure it.

I'm woodburning signs right now, so far, a welcome sign and I'm working on Misty Pines. I couldn't get homestead on it. I'll post the pictures when I'm done.

The garden is doing great. The okra has been blooming and I'm picking a handful a day. I planted winged beans, really odd little beans but I haven't had any yet. The spoon tomatoes are cute and have a really big taste to them. I made a half pint of basil Pesto. Came out ok not much taste on the pine nuts. Need to find a better source for them. I even roasted them but they weren't too strong like I thought they would be.

Well hope everyone has a good evening. Not much to update on today.Lwave a message at the bottom love hearing from ya!

 Been able to put up a few things this year. Jalapenos, tomatoes, a  little pickles. Green beans, I traded with a friend and got them on the shelf. Been really rainy here this summer and now we are going into our hot season for August. The chickens have slightly laid off laying eggs but that's ok they deserve it. They work really hard for us. Had to give Ollie a dose of fleas medicine and allergy relief stuff. Now it's quieting down around here.

They say we are going to have a cold winter this year so thats in the works to getting supplies for the chicken coop and for the house.Its been rough trying to keep the grass cut and now its bad. So much water.

I am so excited this year. I wasn't sure but now I am,I found a bunch of elderberry trees and I'm going nuts over them.Trying my hand at making wheatbread again.  Did strawberry preserves,they came out ok but not as firm as I wanted them. I am practicing how to on herbs. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on for any kind of help.

Hawaiian cowboy candy.

Well hope everyone is having a great growing season. This will be it for now have a good evening.

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This has been Different

 Came all the way from Nevada, sage brush. And it smells wonderful.

The rain is coming pretty steady and it's really getting my garden to grow good. A lot better than last year with the infernal heat wave we had. It's been cool and it's 73 degrees right now.  Very cool for June here in the south. But I did notice next week the heat is coming. Thats Ok I got okra that loves the

Echinacea's are blooming and the Gladiolus are full. Very pretty too. I planted a store bought Lavendar and its doing well. I don't normally plant too many flowers but this year I threw a bunch of seeds out and just hope they come up.

Planted carrots and they came up to my surprise. and the early girl tomatoes are loaded. Already have the fall list started and I'll be putting in turnip greens again. Mesa thinks I'm getting the hang of gardening. I've always loved growing stuff but didn't have a green thumb till I got here.

Anyways I'm happy about this year, it has been good.

Well there's a first for everything

 Ok no it wasnt funny but earleir I got a rotten egg. Talk about gagging,that was so dang nasty. But at least I cracked it in a bowl. I guess the girls was getting back at me for telling them I was boiling their children the other night. They are kinniving little snots.

Going Good so Far

We've been getting plenty of rain and everything in the garden is growing really good.I planted tomatoes,green beans,zucchinis,jalapenos(but could definitely use more),brussel sprouts,carrots,spoon tomatoes,bitter melons ,artichokes,amd okra, I planted 4 winged beans cause I really wanted to see how they would do here. Oh and cucumbers. My herbs I planted Yarrow,basil,mountain mint,dill and I still have the lemon balm going. The strawberry patch is going strong already. I'll post pictures when the plants get bigger.

Finally got thru with the new chicken pen,Had a heck of a time getting it. The first one they lost so I ordered a second one and it took me a week but it's put together. The girls love it. Why pen and not free range? There is a huge hawk that flies around here and it has set it's sights on the girls but so far it's been staying at a distance. I try very hard to take care of them. I'm getting eggs every day which is good and they get treats too. I haven't seen any snakes slithering around but kitties keep them at bay. Oh yeah got two black cats now. They're feral but getting tamed. I didn't want cats but after the run in Ollie had with that snake last year I said nope going to keep them around.

I'm reading Tony Hillerman books. I love the southwest.He's a good writer and has many books out. I'm reading Skinwalkers right now and this was made into a movie with Adam Beach and Wes Studi. 

I've been ordering some stuff that requires rechargeable batteries. I got a weedeater( very light for me to handle) and a mini chainsaw( I love it),I ordered a water pump that can either be plugged in or use with a battery, If you ladies out there cant use the bigger ones try these, alot less strain and pain and they came with cases except the weed eater.

ok thats about it just can't wait to start canning!!!

Please feel free to leave comments!

Garden setup this year.

He was 5 years old on April 1st,

this is my bull thistle in the backyard,that thing is huge!

There's a smaller one on the other side.

strawberry patch

radishes,tomatoes and peppers

brussel sprouts

tomatoes,early girls

flower bed

artichokes

carrots and winged beans

Got it in finally, all cleaned up. It was rough while still having to deal with the long haul covid but not as bad as a couple of months ago. Got a tiller and that made things easier except for the Alabama clay we got. It seems just maybe it'll work this year. They said we were going into an El Nino I'm thinking more rain. I still have these bitter melons to put in and I have no idea where to put them.

Ollie is doing so much better but his leg still pops when he runs. He's gained his weight back and he really needs to drop a little. But I'm so happy he's functioning. The chickens are putting out some decent amount of eggs and I'm setting up a bigger pen for them to run around in. I wished I could let them forage but there's seems to be two large hawks that know they're here, So that's out.

Well better get up off my behind and go do some more work. Never things to run out of when you have a homestead.

Almost

Almost lost him

He loves to play with his laser light and on the 22nd of December he played too long. Ended up pulling both his back legs to the point he couldn't walk.And he got a urinary tract infection and he was really bad. Instead of taking him to the vet here and they are horrible people,I doctored him myself with cranberry chews for dogs and CBD oil and it worked great. He's back to his old self and he has become a couch troll.

It's almost that time to start in the garden and I got alot of work to do. This year I'm starting to winter sow,putting seeds in milk jugs and let them hibernate til they're ready to come up. I hope this year it won't be as hot as it was last year. So far right now it's wet and cold here (Alabama) and getting colder. But it feel good compared to that summer last year.Im going for Mountain Mint and Artichokes. We'll see what happens.

I'm doing more woodburning and starting to do windchimes'

This is just one of the 5 I've done. I've had fun with them,

I'm in the process of doing a long purple one and calling it purple rain

 

My outside one.

I'm going to do more of them for around here. Some of the beads are acrylic others are glass. The wood I'm using is Maple .

Candle Holders

These were fun.

Well I think I'm all caught up. Ollie is walking and doing good,Spring is around the corner and everyone is doing great so have a great evening and will post some more later. Oh you guys can leave me a message on here at the bottom.

Autumn is Here

these are what I'm making now

 It was so dry here this summer,I was exhausted trying to keep up. now that fall is here and the leaves were so pretty and the air cooled down I'm beginning to feel like my old self. Winter is knocking on the door and I love it.

I am making these

New stuff these are tea light candle holders. I woodburned them myself..

Another suncatcher.

This one is purple. I have enjoyed making these and have a big one to put on the porch. I'll post it when I'm done.

Yeah my ancestors are from Ireland and Scotland' The top one means Ireland forever and the bottom is Scotland forever. 

I can't believe I could do canning this year, but I did it. I've already opened some of the food and it was fantastic.

I've kept quite busy trying to fix up this old place and it's slowly coming together. It's been hard on me since I had that covid and I'm trying to keep it together. But boy it's hard. I really would love to go back to Texas but now NO,it's been really scary there and I'm too old to try moving again. I'm still looking to trade this doublewide for a singlewide but haven't found anything yet. My Ollie(the dog) has been such a joy to have. He keeps me laughing and on my toes.

I just checked outside, and it's pouring rain and feels so good. I wished we had this stuff this past summer. Come Spring I'm hitting that garden full force. The only thing I got growing right now is turnip greens. I found some seeds on Etsy that have just the tops not the turnips. I was doing really good on my diet but now I fell off the wagon and burned it and roasted marshmellows. It's my fault but the will power is gone. I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and now here comes Christmas. Joy. Well I'm going to enjoy the rain,hope everyone has a decent evening.

It was a Long Hot Summer

 I am so glad this summer is over with. It felt like it would never end. The garden didnt do anything because of the relentless sun and no water. I tried to keep caught up but the covid I had last year really messed me up. I feel like I'm walking thru mud just to get around not including my lungs hurting. I did get the girls thru all this heat,they didn't like it one bit.

Then there was the bird flu and I had to keep them in most of the summer. which did not make me popular.Nor did they understand,I felt so bad for them. Then one morning I walked out on the back deck and the big hawk was no more than 15 feet away. I almost lost it but he has been cleaning up the armadillo problem I was having.

THE FLUFFY BUTT HUT

My chicken coop.

I put the white plastic on top to reflect the heat and it healped keep the rain out too. Speaking of rain,this September it has rained here only twice. I'm hoping we'll get more.

He has gotten so spoiled rotten.

I do miss Orion,but at least he isnt hurting any more, 

I did managed to get some Malabar Spinach planted and some sweet potatoes and peppers and jalapenos. Those have done quite well but the rest what a flop. I also got a canner and have been learning how to can things which I never thought I could do but I am! The fig tree has gotten huge and the muscadines did very well. The blackberries were in abundance and so were the strawberries. Odd how some things will do good some year and others not so much but I think the heat had something to do with it. 

These are all the Hibiscus bushes I got . So freaking pretty!!!!

This was
 where the blackberry bushes were and still are.There were so many of them.

Im into woodburning now.

Well I guess Im somewhat caught up for now. Its cooling down and feeling like fall here. Glad you could stop by and now since I have a laptop maybe I can keep up. Have a great evening!

It Snowed

 Yeah it finally snowed here. Had 2 inches. Wasn't bad, Ollie kinda likes it but he likes cold anyways.He really despises the heat though. I have a few plants to set out but now I'll have to wait. 

I'm getting into wood burning and so far.

My birds survived I don't know tonight its suppose to go down to 17 degrees.

It was pretty.

My woodburnt Peacock. Its not the only thing I'm doing,I'm going to do some chicken pictures next. 

I do know one thing, I get cold quicker now since I'm older,really hurts. I love going outside when it's snowed and play with Ollie but now.I can't. It's too much.

Well this is all I'm writing today,everyone have a good evening!

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