Venison Ambassador

Seeds on Order

I did it! Finally the end of school is close enough that I can imagine the wonders of not having my nose in a book in the frantic way of studying while working! I ordered tomato seeds, pepper seeds and 12 varieties of herb seeds - all for the indoor garden! As soon as they arrive I'm cranking up the seed mat and planning meals around the homegrown yumminess!!

The Big Thaw

Finally! We have outlasted the ice and ick, (insert crossed fingers here) and emerged into the thaw zone. We are finally warm enough to have a complete melt, providing the forecast holds. (please, please let it hold!) This past week I pulled up the drive, only to promptly slide right back down, and I might add, quite a bit faster than the ride up had been, so I will be thrilled when the icy stuff is gone.

On the breakfast front, Jamie's chickens did a little laying and she did a some sharing, and we had delicious fresh eggs for breakfast today. Wow - there is just really no comparison between those yummy, rich eggs and the pale, pitiful things we get at the grocery store. Thank you, Jamie!

On the Pepper watch, today is a banner day! The Carmen's will start receiving bloom food to encourage an abundance of pepper production that would (hopefully) overwhelm Peter Piper himself! For this, I will have to wait, watch and update.

Big Day!

New happenings here in our household! Today I turned the grow light back on - the little Carmens are big enough to need it again!

On an even more exciting note - Echo is officially an FMA!!! That's right, she is now a Future Mouser of America(a.k.a. FMA)! She absolutely has the whole chippy (you may know them as chipmunks) community in a complete uproar. I got home and she went flying up the hillside. I dismissed this as the usual butterfly and leaf-chasing antics she treats us to daily. Was I ever wrong! Chippy was running scared and Echo was hot on his trail! I don't think she's caught one yet, but watch out - Echo 9000 is officially on the prowl!!!

Germination!

Finally! One of the Carmen Peppers that I replanted about a week ago has germinated (yesterday).

Also, I took clippings of several garden herbs, the Super Sweet 100 tomato, the Carmen Pepper, and the Yellow Pear tomato - all growing in the outdoor garden. I put each in a Grodan cube. Now the waiting starts - will they grow into a full-size plant indoors???

How is Echo? So glad you asked! She is frisky, mischievous, adorable and sweet! Check her out:

 

Pepper Sprout Watch 2010

Breathe a huge sigh of relief! Not one, but BOTH of the Flavorburst Peppers seeds sprouted!!

I went ahead and moved the "bonus" plant to its own Grodan! Winter promises to have a delicious crunch!

Indoor Prep Update

As of yesterday morning, we have a Flavorburst Pepper start!!

Winter Peppers - Winter Squash

Last night I planted 2 Carmen Peppers and 1 Flavorburst Pepper. Yes, I am still trying to grow a Flavorburst because I am dying to taste one!!! These are so that this winter we have fresh peppers in the indoor garden room.

Yesterday morning I fed fish emulsion in the garden and picked the winter squash. I also pulled the melon vines. I collected as much okra off my 2 plants yesterday as I could possibly want (please read as "desperately searching for additional okra-requiring recipes"). I also collected a couple of Roma Tomatoes and an assortment of cherry tomatoes. Two cucumbers also made it in my basket.

Regarding winter squash, all of the ones planted in my garden here at the house are finished. The funny thing is, my Sweetie (Jeff, of course!) bought me a "Grow" magazine on Friday night and guess what one of their ideas for saving space was?!?! Grow your winter squash out of the compost pile!! How funny that ours did that on a voluntary basis! Anyhow, that spaghetti squash is still in the ground, not quite ready yet.

Yesterday afternoon I had a real butternut squash treat. I cut a tiny one in half, scooped out seeds then baked it in the toaster oven till soft. I added a touch of butter, some honey and apple pie seasoning - so good!!

Foxy Sunday

Big excitement on the home-front this morning - a beautiful red fox with a white-tipped tail! I spotted her first, walking up through the trail in the woods, then Jeff saw her stalking prey in the front yard! Awesome!

Watered the outside garden, freshened the birdbath, rejoiced that everyone seems to be doing well!

Inside, everyone is looking good - put flavorburst pepper seeds in three peat pots. If I can just get them to "take" they will go outside as well.

Got the rhubarb pie baked, we'll have it after the fish Jeff is going to fry up from his excursion yesterday. Its gonna be a yummy weekend!!

When? In a Hot Minute!

Here's the thing. I am behind (aaaghhhh) in getting my seeds started for the outside garden. The plan is to blame being late squarely on school & work - doable. Now, what to do about it. The plan - order a heat mat and start seeds as well as trying to use cuttings from the Garden Room. I have a cherry tomato, multiple sweet chocolate peppers, borans (red sweet pepper) and orange bells. I also have a cayenne and a couple of paprika peppers. Great news - the heating mat I ordered is on its way! So, when will our seedlings start? As soon as there's heat from below! :):)

Seeds = Hope

Why do people garden? It is about food, but not only food. When you plant that little seed, you have hope. Hope that a tiny plant will break free of the soil and rise up. That it will grow strong. That it will withstand heat and cold and wind and rain. That it will defy the odds of ever even getting a start. That because you planted it, watered it, and fussed over it, that it will survive and it will produce food.

Thank goodness that God, in His infinite wisdom, put spring right after winter! So, in the last cold and nasty days of winter, we push little seeds into dirt, pour water laced with hope on that dirt and wait. In a few days we have it - proof that hope was not in vain.