Wordless Wednesday – Purple Produce

… it’s belated, but beautiful!

The start of a strawberry bed!

Eric & Dash constructed a raised bed for strawberries.  A divider was created so I didn’t have to fill the whole bed right away … and there was just enough soil mix for the number of plants that I purchased at the annual year-end box sale.  The plants were whipped by the wind for a couple days and the heat was also hard on the transplants (they were planted in JUNE! – it’s just been hectic around here), so it looks as though I may have lost a couple.  However, the strong plants are already sending out runners.    Little by little …

The rest of the garden is okay.  The tomatoes on the right are doing well – not as good as last year, but they’ll produce enough.  The cukes are doing amazingly well.  I haven’t raised them for a few years, so it’s been fun.  The eggplants are also doing very well and already have a couple nice sized purple eggplants growing under the leaves.

 

 

This week, the kids and I laid down Roc cloth in the pathways between the SFG’s.  It’s supposed to be durable, yet let water through.  The durable part is questionable, but at least it’ll keep weeds out for the rest of the year.

 

This is a bit of what’s been harvested on the farm (I say farm because the strawberries are from Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres).  A few grape tomatoes, a cuke, a jalapeno pepper and three green peppers.

 

** Doesn’t my fake lawn look nice in pictures??  It’s actually just weeds, but you’d never know … if I hadn’t just reminded you!**

Monday DayLook: July 19,2010

For Today:  Monday, July 19, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... it’s dusk, but the lawn weeds are so neatly trimmed & mowed by my Father-in-law that it looks like a finely manicured lawn … especially in fading light!

I am thinking about… tomorrow and all we are trying to fit into one day … I must be nuts.

I am thankful for... my double wall ovens and air- conditioning.  I’m also thankful that the wheat and corn have grown upright again after being nearly flattened by the storm last week. 

I am reading… directions are the only things I’ve read yesterday & today … pattern guide & recipes

I am hoping... for a beautiful day tomorrow – not too hot, please, and for a calm baby in the evening

I am hearing... a tired little boy who is not happy about how the Wii is being played

I am wearing… black knit capris & a gold Bison t-shirt

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… I managed to sew a bit on a skirt this weekend.  I’m not entirely satisfied with the fabrics I chose, but I like the pattern/book and will be a little more adventurous with my next fabric selections.  This doesn’t really show much, but here’s what I’ve done thus far…

Up close of the pockets…

 

Up close of the side front panels…

 

 From the school room... we’ve decided, with input from Dash, that he’ll be starting Henle 1 this Fall.  He knows it’s for ‘credit’ and that he’ll have to work harder, but he agreed.  I’m not sure how prepared I am for this decision!

 From the kitchen... I think we did a month’s worth of baking in one day.  Today was THE DAY to bake 4-H exhibits for the State Fair because Eric will be taking all the static exhibits to Minot tomorrow.  Dash goofed up on his first Angel Food cake, so he made another.  The second fell.  So, he made a third … it will SUFFICE!  Angelina made her Egg Yolk cookies and Banana Bread.  Dash finished up the day by baking Pumpkin bread.  As for me, I baked two whole chickens in the crock pot … we ate BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches for supper.  I also managed to use another set of 12 yolks in a sponge cake.  I froze the last set of 12 yolks – just didn’t have it in me to bake anything else today.  PHEW!

Also, my MIL went to Barnick’s to meet the ‘cherry truck’.  She and I split a lug – she took 1/4 of the 20lb. lug.  These cherries are wonderful.  I’ve been treating myself all day.  While she was weighing out her portion, Graham was sampling, much to his delite.  A cherry got away from someone and fell under the table … Louis found it.  By the time Angelina found him, he’d sampled the cherry and made a mess!  He had cherry juice dripping down his chin and all over his hands.  It was cute, but I was thankful we found him before he’d eaten more.  So, cherries are his ‘first fruit’.

 State of the house… I’m almost done washing dishes … they will be done before I go to bed.

 A successful moment… the 4-H exhibits are all marked and packaged.

A Baby Louis Milestone …  the pics are from a few weeks ago, but he’s pulling himself up and grinning!  He’s become even braver in the last few days.  He sure isn’t staying little long enough for me.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…

Tuesday: Ortho appt for Angelina, play date/park clean-up with friends, attending performance of “The Jungle Book” with friends.

 Wednesday:  bit of shopping and then I’m thinking this will be a day of rest!

 Thursday:   packing for Dash’s stay at the ND State Fair

 Friday:  Dr. appt. for Dash and drop him off with friends (he’ll be staying with a fellow 4-H family at the fair).

Saturday/Sunday:   Cleaning, yard work, & certainly NOT baking!!

 A picture memory... this past week, we were certain we’d be getting another whollop of a storm, but it passed to the East and North.  I think it’s because Graham and I prayed that there would be ‘no hail and no wind’.  Here are a few  pics of the cloud banks …

 

Tuesday DayLook: July 13, 2010

For Today:  Tuesday, July 13,  2010

Looking out from my back porch... we are getting a bit of rain!  1/2 inch thus far and hoping for more as the day progresses.

I am thinking about… what I need to get done vs. what I want to get done this week.

I am thankful for... family and good health.

I am reading…just newspapers today.

I am hoping... for a productive week.

I am hearing... the music Zeke, Angelina & Graham brought back from VBS.  They’ve played it every morning since returning home.  Invigorating … at least for them.

I am wearing… khaki capris and white t-shirt.

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)…I traced a pattern in my size and washed fabric last night.  The fabric is drying this morning and I hope to get the pattern laid out and cut sometime today.  The pattern’s are from this book, which I’m enjoying … can’t wait to make a few garments!

 From the school room... not a thing!  Angelina & Zeke are participating in Young Disciples VBS this week and Dash is helping prepare/paint the home my sister & brother-in-law will be moving into this weekend.  Graham has been enjoying quiet days at home with Louis and I.

 From the kitchen... yesterday, I made taco stuffed shells.  Thank goodness there are enough leftovers for tonight.

 State of the house… need to get to the main floor cleaning, but there are better things to do.

 A successful moment… got out into the garden yesterday to weed and water.  I found four cucumbers and ate a few peas.  The tomato and zucchini plants are finally starting to leaf out better.

 A few plans for the rest of the week…

Tuesday: two kids to VBS, laundry, main floor cleaning, drop off at food pantry, daily mass with VBS kids

Wednesday: two kids to VBS, daily mass, plus an appreciation meal in the evening

Thursday:   same as Wednesday and a Knights of Columbus meal in the evening

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Dash and his dad, not sure about Zeke and Angelina, will be attending a livestock show to exhibit the sheep.  I hope to stay home! 

 A picture memory... I can’t remember if I posted this before, but I still get a kick out of it!  Both the glasses on Louis and the smirk on Angelina’s face.

Thursday DayLook: July 8, 2010

For Today:  July 8, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... calm and sunny with bright blue skies.

I am thinking about… how much needs to get done in the next couple hours and an upcoming visit with a friend.

I am thankful for... being able to celebrate my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary.  They didn’t want a big hoopla, and all of us kids understand and are following their wishes … but in my heart I am so very thankful and want to shout to the world that they are a wonderful example of what it means to be in a sacramental marriage. 

I am reading… Ha!  I’m still reading ‘Haystack Full of Needles’ and the rest of my stack.

I am hoping... for a beautiful weekend and that includes a bit of rain, please.

I am hearing... Eric talking to Louis as he changes him for the second time in just 15 minutes!

I am wearing…beige capris and a salmon/melon colored t-shirt

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… well, thankfully it’s clean and emptied of clean clothes … I will post pics of the projects later (hopefully ‘later’ will afford me more time than this week).

From the garden … I harvested my first cucumber this past week.  My MIL gave me the two she harvested and I made cucumber salad.

From the school room... Yeah!  I was finally able to get last years books and files put away/sorted and bring out the stacks for the coming year.  Still need to acquire Latin for Greg … I’m still praying for confirmation.

 From the kitchen... we have so been enjoying fresh eggs for breakfast.

 State of the house… the kids were at VBS up at my parents’ parish this week, so I started upstairs and then went to the basement.  The bathrooms weren’t done and neither was the middle of the house, but I’d say it’s a fair bit cleaner than last week.

 A successful moment… Louis made it up two steps, stood up on the stair and held onto the railings … the successful  moment was that he was able to stay there until his mother realized that he was in trouble and needed help!  Did he ever cling to my neck when I rescued him…

 A few plans for the rest of the week…

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Miller Grain Cleaning, the mobile grain-cleaning business my Dad started.  Celebrating my parents’ (Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres’) 40th wedding anniversary.  Seeing the oldest four kids after they’ve been gone for almost a week …

A picture memory... I’m leaving you with this picture from July 2009.  The sky is stunningly beautiful.  Almost makes we wish the trees wouldn’t ‘grow up’ … they’re at least twice the size this year. 

4-H Achievement Days

With a whirlwind (and I’m not referring to the wind, which was truly was racing last week), Achievement Days came and went.  Projects were finished with spray and thread, goodies were baked and packaged, the animals were cleaned and clipped.  Everything was loaded into the vehicle or the trailer on the appropriate day … static exhibits on Tuesday and animals on Wednesday.  The kids had a great time and were rewarded for their hard work with an abundance of ribbons.  Thursday was declared a day of rest for our whole family.  The majority of the projects have been sent on to the state fair, so pictures will be posted later – for that reason and I just don’t have time to upload right now!

Zeke is a Cloverbud, which means he can exhibit at the county level, but is not old enough to exhibit at the State Fair.  Cloverbuds can exhibit three static projects.  Zeke also showed a lamb.  Zeke’s results:

Place setting craft project – Blue

Aerospace ~ Hi-Flier Rocket – Blue

Seed Identification sampler - Blue

Market Wether: Reserve Champion Market Wether, Blue  Overall Sheep, Blue Showmanship

 

Angelina:

Gardening ~ Table Onions – Blue

Gardening ~ Herb Garden – Blue

Food & Nutrition ~ Banana Bread – Blue

Food & Nutrition ~ 12 Egg Yolk Cookies – Premium Ribbon

Child Development ~ Fabric ‘Paper’ Dolls – Premium Ribbon

Clothing & Textiles (Sewing for Fun) ~ Pillowcase – Blue

Clothing & Textiles (Sewing Expressions) ~ Flirty Skirt – Premium Ribbon

Clothing & Textiles (Sewing Expressions) ~ Denim Skirt – Blue

Clothing & Textiles (Quilting) ~ Doll Quilt – Blue

Tractor Driving – Participant!  Can’t remember her placing…

Grade Spring Ewe Lamb: Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb, Blue Showmanship

Rabbit: Blue Senior Doe, Blue Showmanship

Poultry: Blue Laying Hen, Blue Showmanship

Consumer Choices – Participant!

 

Dash:

Gardening ~ Table Onions – Blue

Gardening ~ Herb Garden – Blue

Food & Nutrition ~ Pumpkin Bread – Blue

Food & Nutrition ~ Angel Food Cake – Premium Ribbon

Aerospace ~ Rocket – Premium Ribbon

Aerospace ~ Rocket #2 - Blue

Clothing & Textiles (Sewing for Fun) ~ Pillowcase – Blue

Woodworking ~ Rabbit Nest Box – Blue

Electricity ~ Trouble Light – Premium Ribbon

Tractor Driving – Participant!  Can’t remember his placing, either…

Market Wether: Grand Champion Market Wether, Grand Champion Showmanship

Rabbit: Premium Ribbon Senior Doe, Blue Showmanship

Poultry: Blue Laying Hen, Blue Showmanship

Consumer Choices – Eligible for State Competition!