hintofvanilla:

Mother nature.

It’s too nice out to go to bed!  This will be the first week of not pulling the 3rd row cover over the plants in the hoop house.  I can’t reliably transplant anything outside here until June 1.  I am still behind on my cold hardy plantings, but this year will be what it will be.  I’m still working my tail off, but I’m not back to myself by any means yet.  I’m still trying to work the hoop house planting out and make decisions on what needs to come out from the early spring plantings to make room for hot season crops.  

I’m counting down the days until I can get these transplants out of my house!  I need a bigger seed starting green house for next spring.

It’s my intention to get to the gym tomorrow.  I haven’t been there since February because of being in a funk about my dad.  It is really counter productive to NOT go to the gym when you need it the most.  I had a massage there on Thursday and have felt really on the upswing since Friday.  I can count the number of massages I’ve had on one hand, but every time I go I swear I should make a regular habit out of it.  Maybe this time.  It’s cheaper and more effective than other coping techniques and therapy, and I’d be doing myself a favor in the long run. :0)

I lost my dad to cancer last month. I haven’t written much of anything anywhere in favor of holing up like a hermit. I really haven’t moved on from disbelief and anger in the whole realm of accepting death. I’ve been using farming and digging in the dirt as therapy, but even that is not budging my sadness as I was hoping it would. I think it’s because so many things about being outside and farming in general keep reminding me he’s not here vs taking my mind to a normal happy place.

I keep sighing over and over and feel a little bit of relief, but my heart goes right back to being heavy and shattered.

I really get tired of clichés that people say when you have lost someone. I try not to be an ass about it, because they’re not trying to be hurtful. But, I feel like there are people that are just talking to hear themselves speak vs being supportive.

My dad was so full of life and was so well liked. He had over 400 people at his memorial service. He was the type of man that never missed a graduation/retirement/ birthday party and was truly the life of the party. He made everyone feel like they were a part of our family. He danced ALL night long.

It’s hard to lose a parent, but it’s even harder when your parents and siblings are your best friends and social circle. There is no break from reality because that huge piece is missing out of my life.

When growing or picking out your tomato transplants for the season, make sure you figure out if you have determinant or indeterminate tomatoes.  Determinant are more of a bush or patio type plant, where Indeterminate are more of a vine type.  I grow all indeterminate and have to string them up as they grow, and have to pluck the suckers from in between the stem and real leaves.

kingco30:

Made this pillow for my sweetie! Happy valentines everyone! 

Cute Idea!!!

motherearthnewsmag:

Use Low Tunnels to Grow Veggies in Winter: Quick Hoops

Double your garden’s productivity with these simple, inexpensive low tunnels.

By Eliot Coleman

We’ve used a lot of techniques that I’ve read about in books too numerous to count.  If I picked one author that I learned the most from, it would be Eliot Coleman.  After that, it’s just experimenting and leaning more on your own, in your own soil, and in your own climate.

Sweaters Made Just For A Turtle Or Tortoise

Somebody….knitted a sweater….for a turtle.  

My very first seeding workshop went very well.  We filled all but one spot.  The weather was yuck though.  Wind, rain, cold.  Everyone went home with a flat of seeded block with their choice of seeds to grow.

Made some labels for  pickled bologna jars I’ve had for about 20 years.  I used water slide paper I got from Hobby Lobby.  I got the original graphic from The Graphics Fairy and inserted my own font and lettering via Adobe Elements.  I chose the water slide paper that is for inkjet printers .  Very simple and fun project.

I am super excited that the seeding workshop is filling up!  I’ve hired a couple hands to help me run the class. ;0)

stevenbonnerblog:

Seven illuminated letter Illustrations and a custom typeface drawn for Ballantines 12 year old scotch whisky. The typeface uses a plain version on the lowercase, and a flourish version on the uppercase so the user can mix and match to create their own unique logotypes.

This is fitting for a graphic project I’m starting in s couple weeks. I’m a fontaholic.

(via sweetsweeney312)

We will be hosting our very first farm tour as our second workshop in April!  We have had so many request to see the hoop house and learn more about gardening in general, so we are doing an official but informal farm tour.

It will be a four hour session and we will talk about the hoop house, stringing indeterminate heirloom tomatoes, soil composition, and season extension.

To make sure we have time for everyone’s questions, we are limiting the tour to 30 people.

I am starting a new but very important part of our business by hosting our first of 2 spring workshops.  

The seeding workshop is teaching people about seed blocks vs seeding in plastic cells.  I am aiming the class at people that have gardened before, but usually buy their transplants.  I hope to give the people in my community another option to grow their own food and realize how easy it is  to start their own seeds.

JAHHHHHHHHHCK POT!!!!!!  Went to my local antique store today to look around and they had some blue jars in for an amazing non jacked up price. ($2 and $3!!)  While I was there, another customer told me he had some more that he’d sell me, so I’m waiting for a call to go pick them up.  

:0D