BOWLING BALL GARDEN ART

I don't know when it started but I have always loved all the beautiful and might I add, expensive, garden art. When I go to a craft show I'm always drawn to the home crafted benches, the paintings on old shovels, the old metals that some genius was able to salvage and turn into a giant bird or grasshopper.   I could be called the garden art hoarder if I could just afford it.

But a few weeks ago I attended the Midwest Herb and Garden show in Mt. Vernon, IL and found some garden art I could actually make and afford.  I took pictures, talked to the artist and couldn't wait to get home and get started.

The next day I got right to work;  first on my list was to find a used bowling ball.  Actually I already had purchased 2 of them at my local Goodwill Store.  I was going to spray paint them and sit them in my yard for gazing balls.   But after I saw these beauties at the show, I knew I could do more.

I brought them in from my garage and washed them in soap and water.  I then spray painted them with silver paint.  (I didn't know that I should have put a coat of primer on them first).

After the paint dried I went to work gluing flat marbles all over the surface.  I used E6000 glue on one, then learned that clear silicone works better.  We'll see....if the marbles fall off I'll just put them back on, but so far, so good.

My next bowling ball I began to learn that I could make patterns out of the marbles.  I really love the way these marbles glisten in the sun.  I love the fact that these won't break, like the 3 other ones I've owned.  Okay!  I'm hooked!  I have already been given 13 more bowling balls and oh, the possibilities are endless.

So if you're driving down the road one day and see all of these gazing balls and  excess garden art, stop in if you like.  I just might be interested in selling a few!

Blessings!
GrandmaB

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY SIMPLE LIFE?

Notice the space Sidney left between each plant.

Summer is supposed to lazy hazy days where we get to lay in a hammock and drink an iced tea or lemonade, right?   It's just not happening for me this year!  If you have been following my post you know that Sidney and I have planted a large garden of vegetables and flowers.  The planting is my favorite part!  We planted, watered, weeded, and waited.  Now poor Sidney isn't just  picking  a few things each day, but baskets of fresh vegetables;  squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and within just a few days fresh sweet corn.

He has helped me with canning these up by peeling over two 5 gallon buckets of cucumbers for our "Red Cinnamon Pickles", slicing another bucket for "Bread and Butter Pickles", helping me to slice and grate numerous bags of zucchini and yellow squash, and in just a few days the corn will be ready!  The tomatoes are coming in pretty steady too!

When Sidney planted this garden he was careful to leave lots of extra space between his plants.  He said that he didn't want to fight to get around the vegetables so he left more than the directions called for.   We did ask God to bless our garden and wow!  Has he ever!  Just look at the way the garden looks now!

Zucchini Plants are Huge

   Squash Plants, tomatoes, and corn looking and tasting good!

The garden has grown so big that you cannot walk between rows.  The zucchini are touching the tomatoes, the tomatoes are touching the corn, the cucumbers have gone all over.  I have never seen anything like it!  It has been beautiful and it is producing delicious produce.

As of today, I have canned 13 jars of bread and butter pickles, 36 pints of zucchini relish, and tonight the cinnamon pickles go into jars.  Next are the tomatoes and then I will freeze home grown sweet corn!  Yes, we're busy, and things don't seem to simple for now, but this winter when we are enjoying the fruits of our labor, we will be so happy and then we will be enjoying the simple life!

Blessings,
GrandmaB

THE ZUCCHINI'S HAVE LANDED

For years I have heard the horror stories of people who plant 'zucchini' squash and it just keeps multiplying and multiplying.  I had never experienced this for myself because our zucchini plants would always bring us an ample supply then the heat would cause them to die off before I had my fill.  This year is different!  These long green beauties seem to be multiplying before my eyes!

Sidney began to bring in the harvest sometime last week.  He laid a few zucchinis on my countertop and I was so pleased.  A few yellow summer squash were placed into the mix.  Ahhhh!  I sliced, breaded and dropped these delicious chunks into the hot oil!  For a few minutes I was in heaven!  Sooooo good!

My daughter-in-law introduced me to a delicious zucchini relish, so I decided to make a few batches.  Todaymy final count was 36 pints.  Now I'm beginning to see the bottom of the squash basket!  With the remaining squash, I sliced them and placed them in freezer bags so we can enjoy the bounty this winter.  I also carefully placed extra grated squash into 2 cup portions for winter soups and breads.

Sidney and I have given away at least a bushel of these babies this week to friends and relatives, but is the basket empty yet???  NO WAY!  I just looked and there are at least 6 to 7 more squash to do something with, and tomorrows zucchinis hacen't been picked yet! 

Apparently a few of my friends are having an invasion too because I have been offered zucchini from at least 3 of them.   Let's see, what else can I do with zucchini?  Do you have any ideas?

ZUCCHINI RELISH (Dale & Jill’s )                    

24 cups of grated Zucchini squash
8 onions chopped or grated
4 large green peppers chopped or grated
4 hot peppers
2/3 cup or 10 Tbs of salt

Spinkle with salt and let stand overnight
Drain and rinse with cold water

Bring to boil:
5 cups apple cider vinegar
3 tsp celery seed
7 cups of sugar
4 tsp pickling spice
2 tsp tumeric

Pour over the squash mixture and bring back to boil.
Pack into hot sterilized jars and seal. 10-12 pints.
I give these jars a 10 minute water bath

I hope you enjoy your summer harvest!
Blessings!
GrandmaB

FRESH HERBS FOR HEALING AND TASTE

A few years ago I came across a book at my local health food store entitled, "Healing Oils of the Bible".  It explains why in the Bible they used anointing oils when they prayed for the sick.  The book points out that people of that day understood the healing properties in herbs and plants and knew how to use them.  The author explains that using essential oils was as common then as aspirin is for today. 

I have purchased and blended many of these essential oils and am a believer in their healing properties.

ROSEMARY GROWS NICELY IN A POT IN THE SUN

I also enjoy growing my own herbs in the summer.  Basil is one of my very favorites.  Up until a few years ago I had never used basil, but all of that changed when I made a trip out east and my neice made a simple chicken rice soup with basil.  I fell in love that day!  If I make soup it is going to have an ample supply of basil.  Chicken dishes must have basil, either dried or fresh.

A LARGE POT OF BASIL PLANTED WITH GERANIUMS FOR COLOR

Oregano, mint, thyme, rosemary and chives are some of the herbs that are growing in pots on my deck.  I choose pots because herbs have a tendency to spread and can be invasive.  Once you begin growing herbs you will find you can use them for cooking, making teas, or just simmering them to make your house smell good.

A recent article on the "tip hero" website said that rosemary is very good for one's memory.  Whether it is or not I love to smell it.  The same goes for mint as it is so refreshing.  And lavendar, don't get me started! I like to add lavendar oil to distilled water and spray my bed pillows and covers.  It is known to help calm and bring on sleep. 

So before reaching for the medicine bottle why not try some herbs or essential oils?  You just might become a believer too!

Blessings!
GrandmaB

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ON THE CHEAP!

I have never met a flower that I didn't like!  As the new selections make their appearance at all the local garden shops each spring, you will find me oohing and aahing over every single one.  I know that I can't have everything, but I would if I could.

As the years go by I have learned a trick or two about gathering lots of variety in my flower gardens:  first of all I have learned to spend just a little more and buy perennials (flowers that come back on their own year after year).  I have also learned that if you have a friend or two with flowers in their yards they are usually happy to let you have a start from one of their plants.

I also start some of my flowers from seed like zinnias, and marigolds.

Each year I like to add a few annuals for that extra burst of color but I just don't like the cost.  This year I found that one of our local garden shops begins to mark down "stressed" plants to 1/2 price.  I have purchased geraniums, petunias, daisies, and some vines already this year.  As long as they are green and not totally dried out you can baby them back to good health.  This store also has torn or damaged bags of soil for 1/2 price.  I now stroll through this store a few times a week in order to stretch my budget.

Another way to save money in the flower garden is to use containers that weren't  meant for flowers.  I use milk cans, watering cans, tea pots, etc for my flowers.  When I go to a thrift store I'm always on the prowl for things that will work out in my flower garden.  I have an old bicycle, wagon, and trike that I plant to incorporate into a flower garden someday.

Don't be afraid to use your imagination.  I'm sure that you will have beautiful flowers on the cheap too!

Blessings
GrandmaB

This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS?

While at my childcare center the other day, a two year old brought this strange little creature to his teacher and said, "Here's a WORM".  He handed her this naked little bird, and what did she do???  Of course, she brought it to me!  Now what am I to do with this tiny little bird?  It certainly won't live long, but I couldn't just let it die with out a good try.

I wrapped the little fellow in a soft tissue and placed it in a styrofoam cup hoping to keep him warm.  I wasn't sure what to feed it until someone suggested I might chew up a worm and spit it out for the new hatchling.  I just wasn't quite this dedicated, but I thought, what about the fish food with shrimp in it?  I moistened it and began to feed him and found he was really hungry.  Everytime I looked at him he was begging for food.

After taking him home for the weekend I placed a piece of fleece cloth on my heating pad, and made a makeshift nest out of the fleece also.  I fed him every hour and he was really lively.  On Saturday my grandchildren came and got to witness this little naked hatchling and were facinated by him.   They named him "E.T."  This little creature brought a smile to everyone's face who saw him.

On Sunday he was still strong and eating well, but towards late afternoon he just became listless and the life left his little body.  It was sad to see him go.  He had fought so hard to beat the odds, but he just couldn't make it.

I wondered why this little fellow was brought into my life?   Then I realized that in the 3 short days he was with us he brought smiles to more faces than some people bring to others in a lifetime.  Have you brought a smile to someones face today?

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

While browsing at my local Dollar General store a few weeks ago I came across a book on gardening, called "Square Foot Gardening", by Mel Bartholomew.  It caught my attention when it said "Grow More In Less Space!"

I brought it home and we went right to work on building some 4X8 raised beds.  We mixed the soils as per the directions, and divided the sections off into one foot squares.  Our little garden is planted and now we wait!

While we have plenty of ground to plant an ample size garden the sound of growing more in less space appealed to me, especially as Sidney and I are growing older.  It is supposed to have less to no weeds (of course I will have to see this to believe it).  As I began to plant I found it really does hold a lot of seeds.  In one of the 4' X 4' sections I have planted 2 cabbages, 2 egg plants, 36 beats, 12 lettuce plants, 12 onions, and 18 green bean plants and 16 radishes.

Another advantage of this type planting is that you can cover the entire box with chicken wire or netting to protect it from birds or other animals that like to take their share of the bounty.

Sidney will plant corn, zucchini, and a few other things in his traditional garden and then we will watch and see which seems to produce the most and is the easiest to care for.

In the meantime, I'll be purchasing my veggies at the local fruit market while dreaming of the fresh flavors that only summer can bring.

Blessings,
Grandma B

NEW CHICKS

We have enjoyed the fresh eggs we get each day from our chickens.  When I'm short on cooking time, there is nothing like a fresh egg sandwich.  We have scrambled eggs, fried eggs, boiled eggs, and I continue to look for new ways to enjoy the bounty.

There is something comforting about the sound of an old hen clucking and scratching around the yard.  The hens just seem so contented as they make their way through the grass.  They don't miss anything that moves.  If I plant a new flower bed they are right there to inspect and eat anything that moves in and around the freshly turned dirt.

Sidney enjoys giving the eggs away.  We haven't even tried to sell any.  He felt that God told him to give them away and he has obeyed.  Every neighbor and friend has received eggs, and of course he keeps our boys and thier families in eggs too.

This year Sidney decided that he wouldn't get any new chicks; but as the spring fever hit, he couldn't resist so we now have 14 new babies and 24 hens and 3 roosters.  This includes our Banties (I love our banties).  So for now, we will be enjoying our brown eggs for at least another year.  If you're in the neighborhood and think you would like some really fresh eggs, stop in!  We'll be glad to fix you up and who knows, maybe you will decide you should get a few chicks too!

Blessings
Grandma B

THE BROKEN ROOSTER

As a child it was normal to get a live colored chick at Easter time. One time I even got a duck! Of course these little creatures would end up at one of Grandparents houses in the country after just a few days or weeks.

This year as I was strolling through Bucheits, our local farm store, I could hear their rooster crowing, and had to go see if they had their little colored chicks yet. I was just going to watch them for a while because they are so cute! And I did! But as Easter got closer and closer, I couldn't fight the temptation any longer, and at 5:00 pm on Easter Eve, I came home with 3 little chicks. One for Olivia, one for Andrew, and an extra, just in case something happened to one in the night. I had purchased chicks for the other grandchildren on other years, but Andrew and Oli hadn't got to experience getting hold and love on a baby chick.

They loved their little chicks and we told them we would take care of them for them and they could visit them anytime.

This is all fine and good, but the story doesn't end there..... Grandpa said, "If we're going to care for 3 chicks, we might as well have more." So we went back and bought another dozen. Paw decided he needed to build a chicken pen, so this led to fencing, lumber, and yes....more expense!

We also had been looking for a couple of hens who were already laying. A friend called and said her mom would part with a couple of her laying hens but we had to take the rooster. Then we found two more laying hens at another farm. Wow! We're in the egg business!

Neither of the first hens ever laid an egg. In fact, one of the hens must have been old, because on morning Sidney went out to the shed and she had keeled over! We assume it was old age!

But the rooster....He is broken! He walks around with his beautiful feathers just glistening in the sunlight. He is a happy rooster with all of those hens and he tries to prove it by crowing. But his crow is broken! If you can imagine what a hoarse rooster might sound like you would be close. He tries and tries. He kind of sounds like someone who starts a song with a powerful note, but soon falls off key! My rooster makes me laugh! If I am in the house and he begins to crow, I will find myself giggling to myself. I will say, "My poor rooster. He's broken."

Have you ever heard of a blessing in disguise? I think that is what you would call my rooster. We were a little concerned that the neighbors might not appreciate his morning wake-up call, but we don't have to worry about that since the problem was solved before he arrived. His crow is broken!

As for the eggs: We get two to three per day. That's not a bad return on the several hundred dollars we spent is it? But that's okay, since Sidney and I enjoy sharing them with others. It's just another example of our simple living. I like watching my little chickens, but even more, I enjoy the crowing of my broken rooster.

I hope you are enjoying a peaceful and simple life too.
GrandmaB

Dad's Garden

This spring Sidney decided that he wanted to plant a garden. He looked at all the seed catalogs, made trips to the local farm store, and finally chose the seeds that would make the best plants and produce anyone could grow!
Finally a warm sunny day arrived and he donned his blue denim bibbed coveralls and his worn straw hat and went to work. I watched as he trudged behind the tiller. He found his dad's old stick with the string attached and began to lay out the rows. I don't know why I didn't get my camera and take his picture because for just a moment I thought that it might be his dad out in that garden.

Some of my fondest memories of Sidney's dad were the ones when he was making his garden. He donned his denim blue bibbed coveralls, his worn straw hat, and went to work in the warm fertile soil. It seemed like he was happiest when he was working in his garden. Sidney's dad passed away a little over a year ago. Of course we miss him, but as time goes by, I see him in his son. I'm sure that Sid Sr. is working in God's garden and is as happy as can be. I'm sure that he smiles as he looks down from heaven and watches his son happy working the land.