July 22nd 2012 8:53 am
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- Hi there pals-
Can't believe that July is almost gone,
WOWZER,where did it go????????????????
We have been busy,busy busy!!!!!!!!!!!
Mowing,weeding,hoeing,watering,picking
spr aying for pests,fertilizing and
processing the garden. Giving the perennials
water,too. All the lilies are blooming
much earlier than normal.
We have froze broccoli, cauliflower,
yellow crook neck and zucchini squash.
We have swiss chard,more squash and
broccoli and cauliflower to do tomorrow.
We pick slicing cucumbers every other day,
as well as checking other vegetables. We
are waiting for enough finger sized cucumbers
to make baby kosher dill pickles.
We are still having bean and pepper problems.
We are constantly chasing aphids on peppers.
Only 3 plants out of the 1st. beans made
it. We don't know why? Possible bad seed,
the hard rain after planting or the week
of cold temperatures when we planted. The
ants stole some seeds....We replanted 2 times.
Last planting looks pretty good,but not
producing yet. The 1st. 3 plants, we picked
12 whole beans on Saturday. Gma never saw
this happen.... Usually a ton of them!
Corn is tasseled and setting ears. Both
on early and late corn. Tomatoes are loaded
and growing fast. The beans planted in
the stock tank with squash and peppers
look good but the squash are running over
them. Who knows??????? We have baby cantaloupe
and hope the growing season will be long
enough for them.
Carrots and onions are doing well. The
last of radishes and lettuce had to be
pulled up. The extreme HEAT made them bolt
and go to seed prematurely. Parsnips are
slow growers but coming along. 2nd.seeding,
planted more swallow and more came up.
We are planting a 2nd. crop of radish
and assorted lettuces this next week.
Those will provide for us through
August and September. The potato
plants like the tomatoes are HUGE!
All 40 hills did come up......Tons of
tomatoes on the vines. Should have
plenty of spuds,too!
We bought jars and a new hot water
bath canner. Planning on making dill
pickles,bread and butter pickles,
salsa, spaghetti sauce, stewed tomatoes
and regular canned tomatoes.
We have marinated cucumbers in the fridge.
Sauteed bacon,red onion and swiss chard.
It was delish! We ate the swiss chard in
our salad greens until plants were large.
Will have chard until it frosts. We grilled
little crook necks. We fried zucchini with
onions in olive oil. Fresh steamed vegetables
are the very best........
The broccoli,cauliflower and red cabbage are
doing well. Gma had never tried to grow these
vegetables before. We have kept them dusted
not had problems with cutworms. They are
caused by those pretty white and yellow
butterflies who lay eggs on those plants.
Despite the extreme HEAT..the garden is
doing well. We pulled and drug hoses
until we are blue in the snout! Keeping the
garden moist. As soon as the temps. soared,
we started watering by flooding the ground
around the plants. Plan on building a PVC
pipe type irrigation system for next year.
Also making a list of other vegetables
we want to plant.
Watering from the ground keeps the heat
stress on plants down. However, Gma is a
muddy piggy when done!!!! It takes her all
day to water the whole garden. Gpa is a dry
piggy from the raking and baling of hay!
Then they holler at me, "Not to roll in
something,I think, smells yummy!"
Since it has been so very HOT....Finally
reached at temp. range, the TAR Baby doesn't
care for. The 95 and up,I don't want to
TOAST AND ROAST! I have on a regular basis
bales on Gma,the yard,ranch yard mowing.
As well as the garden watering,weeding and
picking! The barn kitties go lay in Gma's
damp flowerbeds...Then she yells at me,when
I want to poke in there to have those kitties
come out and play. We carry buckets of
water All over the place for all those CATS!
Can you believe it?
Too HOT for
the TAR BABY!
July 6th., 1.85" and July 19th. .50" of rain.
Badly needed,as the hay ground and pastures
are very dry! Many of our neighbors are
harvesting small grain crops like: oats,barley,
rye and winter wheat. The hay isn't as
plentiful as we would like. Don't know if,
we will have enough????
BTW- We had a terrible time finding out garden pictures
in the puter. Finally did......Then realized that the garden
has grown tons since then! So going out later today
to take new pictures. Will try and load them into
my diary or my page. There was doggie fleas today,
trying to load a couple birthday pics. Couldn't load
my pics of my new toys....I can say, the squeakers are
holding up in my elephant,monkey and beaver.
Catch ya later.... Gma is washing clothes. She has
vegetables to pick and chocolate chip cookies to bake.
As much as she hates the mess the 60 yr. old cottonwoods
make for her year round. Our central air doesn't kick on
until about 5 p.m. the ceiling fans keep the house in the
70's during the day. Even with baking the temp. in kitchen
only goes up 2 degrees. considering the 80's,90's and 100's
outside...it is very COOL! Hottest day this past week was 104!
hugs and kisses,mazy
July 22nd 2012 8:11 am
[ Leave A Comment | 11 people already have ]
Sitting in our kitchen was a fridge that needs repair.
A month of this and we went to Sears and bought new
appliances. The sale during the 4th of July. Then we
waited for until the 12 for delivery.
Shiny new stainless steel larger refrigerator and a
gas convection stove. Problems should be SOLVED....
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fridge worked fine and were happy there. Except
the steel finish will require a lot more daily cleaning.
We were looking for a better finish that wouldn't chip
like the old appliances.
STOVE-Gpa changed the natural gas jets for the propane.
Followed specks and made adjustments to burners,
broiler and oven. SHOULD HAVE BEEN, GOOD TO GO?
Started the oven to burn factory finish off.....
Never saw an oven go from 0 to 400 degrees so
quickly....Then flames were shooting out the vents
of the oven! Shut everything down......
Around Gpa's haying,he worked on the stove for 3 days.
Called all the numbers on the Sears extended service
warranty. Played automated and human phone tag.
Curse words burnt my little ears! I hid in my cave.
Last Sunday was 100 degrees....off they went,100 mile
trip to see Sears people.(A day they needed for
other work) They were promised service....Tuesday,
Gma called the store and told them: if, no service
before this Monday 23....
Put them on the delivery list for country...Come and
get both appliances. Gma bought them as a pair,with
5 yrs. of service that was extra cost. If Sears
couldn't provide the service they paid for..then they
would shop somewhere else. The extended warranties
were for the $300 mileage that 1 trip costs. Plus
parts and labor......
If she had to put her limp along stove back in...
She wasn't having a white stove and ivory compactor
and a steel fridge. They couldn't believe it!
It was the value of 3 yearling steers...A lot of money
for Gma to spend. Sales person said, why the fridge?
Gma said, bought as pair....If you can't provide
service for the stove,then how can you service the
fridge? You use the same people for all appliances.
Bright and early Wednesday morning Gma has a call
from a contractor east of her.(Not Bismarck area
and the same number of miles to her house).. He would
service the stove. NOW SOMEONE WAS LISTENING TO HER!
She had told them, she wouldn't lose her garden because
of a stove she couldn't use......The guy from Jamestown,
came right away ...he worked on the stove. There was stuff
that needed to be done that wasn't in the information.
There was a tiny bent spring in the stove......This
controlled all the settings in the oven and stove-top.
Gma has used the top now for blanching and freezing
produce. She has baked beer bread with the convection.
Made banana cake with the regular baking. Roasted
a marinated pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes
with roasting convection.Regular bake for stuffed
peppers with carrots and stewed tomatoes. We have
Tested the food warming area in the bottom.
Going to do soft,chewy,bakery style chocolate
chip cookies with convection baking today.
Will have to test all features within 60 days for
our satisfaction money back guarantee. We want to
know everything works as it is suppose to......
We have to try the broiler and the cleaning system
too....The repair guy looked at our old fridge,
told Gpa what 2 small,cheap parts to buy. Told him
how to repair it. He said, it's in GOOD shape,but
you wouldn't want to spend $300 mileage,plus parts,
plus 4 hours labor. Would be more than original
cost. The old fridges in basement are 35+ yrs. old.
They are used for extra grocery,garden produce and
beverages.
ON TOP of our heavy workload, this was the HEARTBURN
at our HOUSE.....Both Gpa and Gma were very Crabby!
It was HOT HOT and more HOT with the weather....
Both of my peeps are working outside everyday!
I tried to keep a low profile,cuz nobody wanted
to play! SURE GLAD THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED!
I WAS GIVEN EXTRA TREATS TO PACIFY ONE UPSIDE
PRINCESS OF THE PONDEROSA......
HUGS AND KISSES,
MAZY
July 7th 2012 9:26 am
[ Leave A Comment | 8 people already have ]
1st. I'll just throw kissies and huggies to.....
ALL the Pawtastic Pals I have here at dogster and catster.
Thank you for HELPING TO MAKE MY 5th. Birthday and the 1st.
week in July SO SPECIAL FOR ME....
I was so excited by all the pressies,notes and some pictures
for me....I was able to sneak to the puter before supper time.
I prayed for rain for my Birthday. It thundered,lightening,
windy and badly needed rain arrived during the night before
the dawn of my day. We had 1.85".... so badly needed. (Now
Gma will have a break from watering .....Vegetables one day
and flowers the next. Yippy! Due to the rain and clouds it
was chilly on my Birthday,only the low 60's.
My human sis and the grand-kids came up on Thursday. Melissa
was taking a week of vacation. She went to the hayfield to
rake hay for her Daddy. Kenzie and Jax's helped Gma water the
flowers in the afternoon. The evening brought 2 hrs. of
vegetable watering. Roast beef,carrots,corn on cob,baked
potatoes and watermelon.... It was a very HOT day of 90.
The kids played with me.... I was even tired! Gma and the
kids wrapped birthday toys for me. Hope to put pics up later.
I also took pics of my garden. They gave me,beggin' strips,
dental bonz, tiniest little biscuits and 3 stuffies.
A beaver,elephant and a wild looking froggie.....
Gma did talk me into tearing the package open. The kids
and I ran up and down and all over to play with my new stuff!
On Friday, I had some of Jaxcen's cheeseburger at lunchtime.
NO Haying due to Rain....Melissa took the kids to Bismarck
for a movie. Then home, as they had 2 weddings for Saturday.
Gpa went for a badly needed haircut....I traded making a
birthday cake FOR a NAP ON THE BIG BED! Gma and I,believe
or not.....took my 3 stuffies and WE TOOK A 3 HOUR NAP!!!!
Everyone left and it was gloomy and chilly...Gma was so
tired from all the stuff before the grand-kids came....
It had been months since we had a nap together in the
afternoon. Suppertime, I had some grilled chicken breast.
More PLAYTIME!!!!!!! Snuggled in the rocker and then it
was bedtime........
Going to spend afternoon cleaning the car ...It's been
on hold for a month. We will try and put pics up soon.
Gma has to go to Jaxcen's soft pitch game on Monday.
No fishing this past visit due to the weather. Maybe
next time?????
I'll be zooming around to see what all the pals did
the week of the 4th. I know, it will be exciting!
See ya as soon as I can.... hugs,Mazy
July 1st 2012 4:26 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 6 people already have ]
Hey pals- It is HOT, in the 90's...Not as Hot as alot
of places.Those of you that don't like HOT,dip in a tubbie
or a wading pool....Garden is doing well. We have to
water every 2nd. night with this HEAT. Due to long days
here,we can't start until 7 or 8 p.m. at night. Isn't
dark until after 10. Take a couple hours to water....
Garden has only been in 1 month. Tomatoes are setting.
There is 1 cauliflower starting already.(Surprised us!)
Corn loves heat and potatoes are almost ready to bloom.
Gma had salad made with her 5 kinds of leaf lettuces
and baby swiss chard with white icicle and red radishes.
She added other veggies that she still had on hand
to make what she calls a garbage salad.(1st.produce)
She was Happy! I'm still looking for the potatoes,
she said are in the garden! I didn't find 1 yet!
She said, ALL 40 Hills did come up...were a few
late ones....
3 weeks without a WORKING refrigerator in our kitchen.....
Gma has called all repair places in a 60 mile radius!
Guess what??????NO ONE WILL DRIVE TO THE COUNTRY FOR
A SERVICE CALL...Everyone needs more guys than they
have. No one to hire for extra help!
The oil boom in North Dakota has caused a rapid busy
growth in Bismarck-Mandan. SSSSSSoooo, NO Service
to the country! One place will diagnose the issues
for a flat $35. Then tell us, if it is worth fixing.
We will take it there in the fall. Since it is 8 yrs.
old. The fridges downstairs are 30 plus years old....
Gma is a Crabby Abby from loading 2 coolers everyday.
Running the basement stairs to the fridges for foods.
Around trying to keep the garden watered and weeded
in the heat. As well as keep our house clean,our
laundry done and everyone fed...Still have a dirty CAR!
To make matters worse: Gma has messed up her neck,
shoulders and hip areas. Plus muscular garbage
going on...She had 2 massages and 2 chiropractor
appointments this past week. Doesn't think those
did much good. She's sure the stress of the
fridge and weather are NOT HELPING HER! Medical
peeps think she has a magnesium deficiency.This
is causing her leg cramps and spasms. She eats
all the foods that are high in magnesium. (So
verdict is out on the mag. powder she has to
drink for awhile).
Found out Sears is having a July 4th. Sale. She
drove herself crazy and gave herself headache
by looking and looking at possible purchases.
Now she has an idea of what is within her
price range. Then you will have the taxes
and an extended warranty agreement for future
service. She's hoping to replace her Lemon stove
at same time. It has been a terror since
day 1 and is also 8 yrs. old....
Tomorrow evening they are going shopping...
Since the list is pretty long....The feral cats
are almost out of supplies. Gma cooked meat
for Gpa to mix with their kibbles tonight.
(Better NOT be out of my supply of meatZ!)
She said, she had some extra milk in the house
for the little kitties that are just learning
to drink water. She worries that they will
no stay hydrated. Their Momma is still nursing
them. She looks very thin...is giving
everything to her 1st. batch of kitties.
Good thing, she only had 3 babies....
Saturday we spent 3 hours watering our flowers.
Since there is shade around our house, we
could do it in the afternoon. Thunderboomers
came through last night. Only .20 here but .75 just
up the road a couple miles. A few miles east of us,
torrential with hail! Gma says, she'll have a melt-down
if the garden is hailed on!!!!!
I guess,Gma better feed me...so I have strength to
supervise the watering. I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY 4TH. OF
JULY....IT'S A WORKDAY HERE,UNLESS IT RAINS...I'd
rather have rain on Friday, when I turn a Big 5...
Does this mean, I can go to school with McKenzie and
Jaxcen now???
Hugs and Kisses, Mazy
June 26th 2012 5:08 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]
Sitting in our kitchen was a fridge that needs repair.
A month of this and we went to Sears and bought new
appliances. The sale during the 4th of July. Then we
waited for until the 12 for delivery.
Shiny new stainless steel larger refrigerator and a
gas convection stove. Problems should be SOLVED....
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fridge worked fine and were happy there. Except
the steel finish will require a lot more daily cleaning.
We were looking for a better finish that wouldn't chip
like the old appliances.
STOVE-Gpa changed the natural gas jets for the propane.
Followed specks and made adjustments to burners,
broiler and oven. SHOULD HAVE BEEN, GOOD TO GO?
Started the oven to burn factory finish off.....
Never saw an oven go from 0 to 400 degrees so
quickly....Then flames were shooting out the vents
of the oven! Shut everything down......
Around Gpa's haying,he worked on the stove for 3 days.
Called all the numbers on the Sears extended service
warranty. Played automated and human phone tag.
Curse words burnt my little ears! I hid in my cave.
Last Sunday was 100 degrees....off they went,100 mile
trip to see Sears people.(A day they needed for
other work) They were promised service....Tuesday,
Gma called the store and told them: if, no service
before this Monday 23....
Put them on the delivery list for country...Come and
get both appliances. Gma bought them as a pair,with
5 yrs. of service that was extra cost. If Sears
couldn't provide the service they paid for..then they
would shop somewhere else. The extended warranties
were for the $300 mileage that 1 trip costs. Plus
parts and labor......
If she had to put her limp along stove back in...
She wasn't having a white stove and ivory compactor
and a steel fridge. They couldn't believe it!
It was the value of 3 yearling steers...A lot of money
for Gma to spend. Sales person said, why the fridge?
Gma said, bought as pair....If you can't provide
service for the stove,then how can you service the
fridge? You use the same people for all appliances.
Bright and early Wednesday morning Gma has a call
from a contractor east of her.(Not Bismarck area
and the same number of miles to her house).. He would
service the stove. NOW SOMEONE WAS LISTENING TO HER!
She had told them, she wouldn't lose her garden because
of a stove she couldn't use......The guy from Jamestown,
came right away ...he worked on the stove. There was stuff
that needed to be done that wasn't in the information.
There was a tiny bent spring in the stove......This
controlled all the settings in the oven and stove-top.
Gma has used the top now for blanching and freezing
produce. She has baked beer bread with the convection.
Made banana cake with the regular baking. Roasted
a marinated pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes
with roasting convection.Regular bake for stuffed
peppers with carrots and stewed tomatoes. We have
Tested the food warming area in the bottom.
Going to do soft,chewy,bakery style chocolate
chip cookies with convection baking today.
Will have to test all features within 60 days for
our satisfaction money back guarantee. We want to
know everything works as it is suppose to......
We have to try the broiler and the cleaning system
too....The repair guy looked at our old fridge,
told Gpa what 2 small,cheap parts to buy. Told him
how to repair it. He said, it's in GOOD shape,but
you wouldn't want to spend $300 mileage,plus parts,
plus 4 hours labor. Would be more than original
cost. The old fridges in basement are 35+ yrs. old.
They are used for extra grocery,garden produce and
beverages.
ON TOP of our heavy workload, this was the HEARTBURN
at our HOUSE.....Both Gpa and Gma were very Crabby!
It was HOT HOT and more HOT with the weather....
Both of my peeps are working outside everyday!
I tried to keep a low profile,cuz nobody wanted
to play! SURE GLAD THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED!
I WAS GIVEN EXTRA TREATS TO PACIFY ONE UPSIDE
PRINCESS OF THE PONDEROSA......
HUGS AND KISSES,
MAZY
June 26th 2012 4:59 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 5 people already have ]
Hi Pals- I often tell you about the major extremes on the
prairie. Weather is a major area of those extremes. Sunday
it was cloudy,windy,and a whole 67. Today it is 95,bright
sunshine,not a cloud in the sky.....but breezy!HOT AS
HADES OVER HERE ON THE PRAIRIE! WAS even a little too HOT
for the TAR BABY! That's me,TOAST AND ROAST GIRL......
We knew in advance that today was coming....So, last night
after a day of the 80's, we spent 2 hours watering garden.
One very hot day and a dry garden CAN be a total Disaster!
Today we spent the morning watering all the perennials.
Filling the birdbath,cleaning patio furniture. Putting
stakes into the lilies. Tying them up with baler twine
so the wind won't break them off. All the flowers seem to
be ahead of their summer blooming schedule. Not by days but
by weeks....Very strange!Watered our 2 baby trees. Picked
sticks and kitties poops!
Gma sure gets mad at them making litter boxes in her
yard and flowers. They had thousands of acres to poop on.
She only wants this 1 small area around the old homestead
house.
This afternoon, we made cages for part of the tomatoes.
Using old sheep woven fence. We cut down with wire nippers
to build cages. 10 are done and 13 more to make. Everything
Gma had to come up with this year: will be stored to reuse
next year. Will save her alot of Time!
We weeded the potatoes,pulled some radishes and washed
them. Pulled a few weeds here and there. Filled the big
tubs with water for Gma's peppers,cucumbers,squash and beans.
She hasn't been putting sprinkler on them. Well is so cold.
We were thrilled today to find our 1st. 10 tomatoes plants
not just in bloom but setting tomatoes. Everything went in so
late!
I rolled on Gpa's grease gun yesterday and had a bath. Today
Gma was sneaky...She did my nails,eyes and ears. I had a
Greenie for my reward. Gma didn't brush the toophers.....
Since it is my potty and supper time, I'll say farewell
until I chew your paws some more....Sure Hope we don't have
thunderstorm tonight....Hugs and kisses,Mazy
June 24th 2012 4:56 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 6 people already have ]
Vegetable garden isn't the only thing going on
around here.... We spent 5 hours to mowed the
entire ranch-yard,house-yard and garden ditch...
All in 1 Shot! So, I know Gma is a little stronger
than she was when spring started.
The only reason this was do-able is because: Gpa
finally with a lot of nagging...sprayed around all
the buildings with weed killer. He also moved alot
of junk! Gma told him, she didn't have time to
police the property every week before mowing.
Gma has had this argument with Gpa about drop
and leave it, everywhere mess for almost 40 yrs.
She says, she's helping him reform or die trying!
Cuz, all that extra lifting isn't good for her.
Being able to complete that chore sooner...
Allowed them to go fishing a couple hours
twice this past week. They need some down time
too...Fishing and sitting in the yard is how
they spend that time. Gma is still reading
before bed....just not as long as before.
Gpa started haying. Says, the hay doesn't look
that good. We've had alot of cool nights and
this stunts the grasses. Right away, he had a
flat tire on the rear of haying tractor. The
BIG guy! Then he broke something in the
head of the rear mowing head of the double
mower. He also had some issues with the
belts in the baler.
We made some fresh blueberry cobbler and a
pan of peanut-butter rice crispy bars. Yep,
they ate them up! So today, we made a big pan
of Lots of Chips cookie bars. Filled a 1/2 gal
jar and froze the rest. While spending the
day doing mega-laundry!
We are doing more and more laundry per week.
Both my peeps working outside so much, there
are many more clothes...Tons of HOT TOWELS
for me to lay in. I don't care, if it is 100
outside, I lay on Big hot plush bath towels....
Gma is jogging into the basement a zillion
times a day. No repairman for the fridge yet!
2 Coolers in the entry have beverages and
condiments in them. 2 old fridges downstairs
have all the meats,dairy and vegetable stuff
in them. She is picking up ice for drinks in
town. Freezes 1 liter bottles for the coolers.
We do have to give our flowers a little time.
As well as the other outside jobs. The cottonwood
is flying like snow! Extra step and patio sweeping.
We still have the usual cleaning of the house.
Except now we are lucky to dust 1 to 2 times
per month. We are keeping up with the vacuuming
and mopping of all the floors. Tons of dishes...
The shopping,errands....Bookwork
and pay the old bills...
Gpa now has 4 bottle calves to feed 2 times
per day. Gma washed the 4 ...1/2 gal bottles
and all that stuff for GPA.
I have 3 batches of kittens at my ranch. The
2 oldest batches, I've been making friends with.
They are curious and come up to me. Yesterday for
the 1st. time, I saw some tiny kitties, come out
from under our garbage building.... I ran over
and sniff and sniff! I yap and yap! Gma calls me
back,I try to Blow Her Off! She goes and gets
her cherry stick....She shakes it and says,
get in the yard! If, I don't... she gives a swat
on the butt...Now how can you swat a Princess?
Anyway, she says the Momma Cat is gonna scratch
my nose, if I tick her off...I run over there
ever chance I get ....Wanting to take another
Look and See!
Gma,I'm just Looking! Is it time to fire up
the grill for our ribeye steaks???? Oh boy!
While she's cooking meat....I can sneak over
and take a peek at the tiny kitties...
Catch ya later pals, almost time for Gma to
feed me.... Outside to snoop!
hugs and kisses,mazy
June 24th 2012 4:14 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 4 people already have ]
Replanted the green and yellow beans...
Put them in a big stock tank with the bell
peppers and squash. Discover while weeding
a big colony of ants...believe the Ants did
the first beans in...
We planted more carrots and hope the 2nd batch
come up better than the 1st time around. Also
put in more parnips. They really took a long
time to start coming up. Hope more will still
come out of the 1st. go round.
We will be planting additional lettuces and radish
to have additional crops of them. Gma pulled some
of the icicle radish to thin and they were plenty
big enough to eat. She also pulled a couple ruby
red radishes.
We lost 1 tomato plant to a cut worm....Are busy making
cages for all the tomato plants. We are using old woven
sheep fence for this. We have to take nippers and cut
it down. Each section makes 2 cages. The nipping is
tough on Gma's hands and wrists. We had 8 done and
she quit cuz her wrists were all done in. It was also
sprinkling. We have 15 more to make.
We weeded 12.5 hours this past week.
We also fertilized our vegetables. We used the water
sprinkler on Saturday after weeding.
We had 3 small rains during the night the past week.
So watering wasn't a daily chore. The fertilizing
took a couple hours. We filled our big tubs with
cold well water to warm in the sunshine.
We have carried alot of water to plants.
Keeps the plants from being shocked....
I think, I heard Gma cuss the Weeds?
The 6 hills of potatoes that Gma thought were
not going to grow... They DID! All but 1 hill
out of 40 has made a good sturdy potato plant.
This next week we should be able to pick lettuces.
Everything SHOT up several inches this past week.
The temperatures were warmer. We had more sunshine,
while the moisture came at night.
The potatoes,tomatoes,cabbage,broccoli and cauliflower
really grew.....Tomatoes are blooming....Gma was thrilled!
The parnips,lettuces,carrots,swiss chard were finally
tall enough that Gma could pull the weeds in between
the plants and not pull the baby plants....
Glad that is done...The 6 rows of corn and
40 hills of potatoes are waiting to be weeded again....
Found out my hooman-sis has a narrow tiller.
Gpa is going to borrow it and see if Gma can run it???
Not her knowledge of machines but her
physical strength. Sis said, 8 yr. old grandson
can run it. She has grass clippings in her rows.
Doesn't need to till anymore this season.
If Gma can handle it..we are going to buy one for her.
If, she can't ...we are still going to buy 1 for Gpa
to do it!!!!!!!
Next year:1. we will put all rows far enough apart for a tiller
2. we will spray for weeds a couple weeks before panting 3. we
will put the fence farther away from the end of the rows 4. we
will work soil up sooner 5. we will plant as soon as weather allows
6. we will add rotted manure to soil and peat moss 7. we have a
list of other veggies we would like to add to the garden.
8. going to check on the cost for a small greenhouse unit
9. changing the type of fence we now have AND Number 10
and the MOST IMPORTANT THING!!!
We WILL NOT let Gpa drag his feet on soil
prep and set up for the garden....
When the garden is a little further along, we will take some
pictures and post them for you to see. Gma is sure happy that
almost all her flowers are well established and little maintenance
perennials.
I'm No Longer Impressed with this garden project. I tootle over
there and sit,watching Gma....she digs and pulls and picks and
digs and pulls. Dumps buckets of weeds. Fills the big tubs
with water to warm by the sunshine. I sniff in the field by garden.
Puts stuff on for insects(my opportunity to go to the House!)
She doesn't do that often.... So now,I give her my bored,
tired or Hot LOOK....
She says:"TwinkieDinkie, ya wanna go to the house?"
I charge up the big ditch and sit on the driveway....
yipping, "Hurry Up,will ya!" In OTHER WORDS, I bale on her!
So,that's where we are with the garden...
She's been talking about freezing and canning.
I don't know what that is? If, it is connected
to the garden....losing more PlayTime??????
I just know,I'm NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT going to like this!
I don't think, things will slow
down here until winter arrives?????
Telling It, Like It Is: Here On The Prairie, Mazy
June 18th 2012 4:32 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 1 person already has ]
Overall the vegetable garden LOOKS pretty good!
We did have to replant green and yellow beans.
2 reasons: 1) a hard rain right after seeded
and the rain washed the seeds too deep.
2) something ate the tops off the beans we had
probably a gopher or a squirrel?
We are also planting more Carrots. Due to rain
and coming up spotty. Plus we Eat alot of carrots
in a year....Plan to do this tomorrow. 1st. we
have to work an area up to seed. We also need
to work an area up for the 2nd. crop of radish
and assorted lettuces. We will be seeding that
soon.Tomorrow is mowing yard and garden ALL DAY!
Even with hay bales for windbreak on the West and
snow fence on the other 3 sides of the garden....
The High wind days(30-45mph) has burnt some leaves
on our tomato plants. The Better Boy and Heirloom
tomatoes are now blooming. The Early Girl and Beef
Steak tomatoes (raised from seed, now look healthy)
We had to really baby them....WIND has been very
frustrating. We have ice cream pails around started
plants. Will be making wire cages for the tomatoes
soon. Out of sheep fence we took down. we have 25
tomatoes plants.(only because we grew a few from
seeds and they didn't look to healthy going into
the garden)
Radishes both red and white are taking off and so
are the assorted lettuces. The Swiss chard is now up
but not the parnips. The cauliflower,red cabbage
and broccoli plants are really growing now. We have
6 rows of sweet corn. Both early yellow and bi-color
late. 40 hills of Northland Red potatoes. Corn and
potatoes are really shooting up....
We lost 2 squash and 2 sweet colored bell peppers to
some kind of cut worm. The 3 kinds of squash, cucumbers
and cantaloupe look good. The beans from the 2nd planting
are coming up. Due to insect pests....we are sprinkling
Garden Guard on all the vegetable plants.(The Mild
Winter is suppose to give us a Bigger Insect Problem)
We had rain 3 times last week. Rain is always the very
BEST for vegetables. We have been using water warmed by
the sun too...We did this because, our well water is 40
degrees. Give the plants a chance to get started and
a good root system on them. 40 degree water is a Big
shock to young plants. Then we carry the water in cans
and water each plant. The sprinklers will be used when
garden is farther along.
This also helps Gma with the weed situation. Gpa
procrastinated on working soil up.Due to this,there wasn't
time to spray for weeds 1st.,then plant. You must have
enough time that the weed spray will not kill your plants.
He also didn't use a garden tiller to finished working
the soil after the big plow and disc. Therefore,we have
a Ga-zillion weeds to hoe and pull......We also get a
hard crust on the surface of the garden soil. The soil
has chunks in it...this shouldn't be...THIS YEAR, IT IS
TRULY A PRAIRIE GARDEN OF DAYS GONE BY! ALL MANUAL TOOLS
USED TO WORK AND CARE FOR THIS PROJECT.....
As Gma works the soil, it will slowly improve. The weeds
will also improve, as we go along. Dragging his
feet has made Gma alot more work..... He now understands
why, we will do it Gma's way in the future. Raising
vegetables is not the same as raising small grain crops.
Proper soil prep for your type of soil, your area
is a KEY PART to a successful,productive vegetable garden.
Yep, we spend alot of time out there! Saturday we started
cleaning weed out between the little plants. They must be
up far enough you don't pull your vegetables up. Anyway,
Gma can only handle about 3 hours of weeding. (Otherwise
the physical fallout is too huge!)The weeding Never done!
We set up a schedule.... we do big cleaning and laundry 2
times per week. We do yardwork,mowing,veggie garden,flowers
4-5 times per week. We save,1 day for appts. and local errands.
We have daily morning chores and meals,plus the pet care.
By the time we cover all our Bases for the Week....Time to
start over again.....
NO OUR PLACE DOESN'T AND NEVER WILL LOOK LIKE BETTER HOMES
AND GARDENS.............WISH IT DID, SO GMA SAYS...BUT WON'T
HAPPEN IN HER LIFETIME! DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY HOURS YOU
WORK...
MORE HERE THAN ANY 2 OLDER PEOPLE COULD EVER POSSIBLY DO!
WE JUST AREN'T AS FAST AS WE ONCE WERE.....
THIS SUMMER......GMA HAS DEMANDED THAT WE TAKE A LITTLE
TIME TO JUST ENJOY THE GROWING SEASON. SIT IN YARD, USE THE
GRILL, GO FISHING, ATTEND SOME OF THE KIDS SUMMER ACTIVITIES.
WINTER RETURNS TOO QUICKLY ON THE PRAIRIE.
We do miss Everyone....Gma says, we should have some improved
physical strength by winter. She will have a healthy glow
to her skin....instead of looking like flour sack.... I
think, despite the arthritis and fibromyalgia....Gma is
going to try tubing behind the big boat ... Once upon a time
she was a lifeguard and swimming instructor. The daughter
won't drown her.......cuz,then she'd have to run home to
care for her Dad!
If we are fortune and have all we can eat and put up this
season. We will sell the extra produce to recover some cost
in going back to a full vegetable garden. Time will tell!
Can always have a storm go through and ruin everything.....
Have a Pawsome Week,
Miss You All,
Trying to Look at pics and read diaries
A few .....here and there......
Mazy and Gma K
June 18th 2012 3:33 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 5 people already have ]
Hi there pals...1st. I'd like to say, I hope all Dads,Gpas,
Uncles and Brothers had a Great Day just for the Guys.....
I tried so hard to post on Sunday, before the puter was
shutdown.
I was just reading my entry over and ready to save.... I
bumped a button and Zip it flew into cyberspace! There
wasn't anytime to redo my post. Gpa would have missed his
special time......
Ya'll know how hard my Gpa works....
A cattleman's job is 24/7 and cattle have daily care
needs.Somehow my Gpa HIT THE JACKPOT this Father's Day!
So anyhow, Gpa Never gets a Whole day to do nothing!
He even works when he is SICK! Good thing this hardly
ever happens.
FRIDAY to start the Special Weekend:
They made a trip to Bismarck for their supplies.
They stopped and bought stuff to service the haying
equipment. Gma bought Gpa a bunch of new stuff to
add to his fishing box. Since they both have their
own poles and tackle. They went to his favorite
place,Red Lobster and he had shrimp. Gma's plate
came with dessert...She gave the warm triple chocolate
brownie with vanilla ice cream to Gpa. Rained
during the night Sssssoooo Gpa had a couple extra Z's.
SATURDAY:
They both did their regular work. Gma in the vegetable
garden....Gpa finished up the installation of the new
rain gutters. Gma told Gpa they were quitting early
and going to Horsehead lake to fish for northern pike.
Gma had redone the line and tackle on poles. Packed up
all the stuff they needed. Took some drinks and snacks.
About 5 off they went to fish...It was a little windy.
Gpa let 6 smaller pike go....catch and release. So
they will grown some more. Gma caught the largest fish.
It was 30.5" and weighed 4 lbs. Gpa kept one that was
25" and weighed 2.5 lbs. Very nice fish...Gma lost 2
big ones,when they broke her line,took the steel leader
and lure. She had fought them towards shore, but they
were putting up a big fight! Gpa lost 2 big ones,too!
They both lost tackle to the pike.......Some cousins
stopped at the lake,visited and fished with them.
They had a beef roast with veggies cooking at home.
Home at 7ish.....Gma cleaned fish. Gpa fed the 4 bottle
calves. Did the stock tanks and all the grain chores.
It was almost 10 when we sat down for the roast
beef supper...I had beef too! Very late when we called
it a day. I was the only 1 who didn't need a tubbie...
Gpa and Gma thought the fishing,watching the water birds
was way better than the wedding they were suppose to
attend. Oops! I don't think, I was suppose to say that?
SUNDAY:
The wind had settled down, but it was only 70 ish ....
Gpa and Gma met the grown kids,son-in-law and grand-kids
at another lake called Isabel. Troy (son) was home from
Minnesota. Melissa(daughter) and Jaycen had their boat
in the water. Grand-kids McKenzie and Jaxcen were tubing.
The boat was bought last summer. They Never had time to go
and ride in it....They rode around the lake for a couple
hours. Then they went to the Big D for supper. It's a
summertime restaurant by the lake. They had supper and soft
serve ice cream sundaes. Caught up with what everyone has
been doing....Came home,fed those pesty calves. Played
with me after the chores. Gpa enjoyed the quiet of the
evening with Gma,Precious and me,of course!
They decided on Sunday to go visit another lake that
has Walleye pike in it. No one in the family has had
an opportunity to fish for Walleye. Everyone sure likes
to EAT them. They are meeting the grandson and Mom
to visit Alcaline Lake. Melissa is making the picnic
for supper. Cuz, Gpa and Gma have over 40 miles to get
there. The lakes by our house are less than 10 miles
away.
Gpa thought having both His children,grandchildren,wife
with him:Plus a walk across the prairie with me,eating
out twice,the boat ride,fishing,new stuff to fish with,
A NAP and I washed his face with kisses before we
went to bed..... was ALL HE COULD EVER WANT.......
He had the BEST FATHER'S
DAY EVER!!!!!!!
Told by: LITTLE MISS TATTLETAIL,MAZY
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