Catching up!

Hello out there!

It has been over a year since my last post...just one question...where in the world did the time go?

When you work full time, garden, can, craft and etc, it sure doesn't leave much time for blogging!

I think the biggest highlight for me came at the end of the year. I decided to ditch using Kraft brown paper to wrap presents and instead opted to sew cloth bags. I also came up with the idea to make permanent wood tags using some of my rubber stamps. It was a hit!

I loved the ease of wrapping, no paper to recycle and storage of the bags takes one drawer. Best of all, it is a "green" project. While I bought Christmas fabric on sale recycling any old clothing would have worked. You definitely could reuse men's striped oxfords, plaids etc. Our most popular size used were the smaller ones around 10-12 finished. But if you have children, you would need the larger ones for bigger items for sure. My largest were made to fit shirt boxes etc.

Darling little wooden tags. These were like potato chips...I couldn't stop with just one!

I framed a fun Christmas print and placed it on the mantle(freebie...and who doesn't like free?)

Decorating with galvanized items was big this year. I lucked up and found stars early on at Michael's and made a rustic garland. Next year I am going to get a wash tub for the bottom of my tree!

I made my traditional yearly ornaments this year embroidering felt ornies, made paper medallions and also of course did our seasonal goodie bags. We even included a dozen eggs as gifts to our immediate family(big hit).

And in fall I did a set of prints(also free) which I absolutely loved! The colors fit in perfectly with my Fall decorations. I also made the sunflower topiaries.

Of course the garden harvest in retrospect was great...we canned our usual Jalapeno's, froze greens and ate lots of cukes!

I would say the old homestead did pretty darn good last year.

Downloads for Fall prints here--->http://tatertotsandjello.com/2014/09/free-printable-fall-signs.html
Dowload for Christmas Jeep here-->http://www.craftberrybush.com/2015/11/free-christmas-printable.html

Take care,
Sandy

Starting seeds....the easy way(or least I think so!)

If you are new to seed sowing..there are a few tricks to learn to make the job easy. I had a bit of a learning curve starting out for sure... but it is all good! Have to start somewhere.

I use a method I call "mass seeding" whereby you do not seed in individual seed cells. I do plant them into the 6pk cell trays after they develop their true leaves. That said, here are my directions:

1) Start with moistened seed starting mix-->I use a brand called Metro Mix that I find locally at our Farmer's Supply.
2) Sprinkle the seeds on top(the entire package or more depending on container size). For reference a mushroom container will easily hold 40+ seeds). Next sprinkle a fine layer of moistened seed mix on top ~1/4 deep. Gently firm down to make good contact with the seed.
3) Place in ziploc bag. Cover with a newspaper and set in a warm place.
4) Check seeds for germination at the 4-5 day mark. As soon as the majority are up....remove the tray from the bag and place right up under the lights. Since I use regular shop lights they need stay close to lights.
5) Do not water until the mix is dry. Overwatering will sink your ship quicker than anything.
6) Once the seedlings have developed their true leaves it is time to transplant. Let the mix dry out and it will be easy to separate the seedlings.
7) Fertilize several weeks after transplant with a weak solution of compost tea or your choice of organic fertilizer. If you are not organic you can use 1 tbsp of Miracle Gro to a gallon and work up to the pkg directions.

There are plenty of sites for mixing organic fertilizer-->here is one to get you started. http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/How-to-make-your-own-organic-fertilizer-2517945.php

I recycle plastic trays from the recycling center..their is no shortage there! Mushroom containers work well.

Have fun and get those seeds going!

Here is what you are going for:

Goal vs Tasks vs Whatever....but let's get them done!

How to plan and execute your goals(tasks) for the new year.

There are plenty of articles on the subject and how to accomplish them, but I prefer a simple approach. The words goals or tasks, whichever you prefer to call them, will be what you hope to accomplish over the next year.

Simply put:
1)Make a list.
2)Be realistic.
3)Be financially realistic.

If this is your first year of actually trying to reach your expectations...be realistic. People fail when they set their expectations/goals unrealistically. Note the theme here....let's be realistic.

Side note-->I do applaud those of you, who have always been able to accomplish your goals/tasks. It has not always been easy for me. I think as I have aged, I've realized the beauty in setting goals/tasks for one's self. It gets things done!


My 2015 tasks...in no particular order:

1)Learn to bake bread
2)Learn to ferment
3)Cull and process our non-laying chickens
4)Write a weekly post on the blog-->involve the Mr. on this one
5)Make a barn quilt
6)Design and build a "canning" cabin.....this might have to move up the list. I have so many ideas on this!
7)Take more vacation...really how hard can it be to take allll the vacation days I earn?....I just need to do it!
8)Save more
9)Completely finish reorganizing the house....room by room.

Well, there you have it. It's officially in writing. At any time, I can revisit and tweak as the year progresses.

I feel better now.

The Holiday's are a-coming!

Time is flying ... wasn't it just Labor Day?

And Thanksgiving went by in a blur. And...yep it seems Christmas will soon here before we know it!

I've been busy making our annual homemade gifts. I seem to be getting better at organizing it all every year(geez after 35 yrs of making homemade gifts.. you would think!)....Any hoo, I did start back in July by picking up craft paper, etc. And over the last several months I have bought a few more things. So my first idea came together quickly--a gift packaging kit to help friends and family create their own homemade goodness. I mass produced the kits and was done in no time. I actually think this may be something I decide to do on a yearly basis.

Side Note--->It bothers me though, to hear people say how busy they are and how they just can't seem to get everything done before the holiday. I think I've decided that these procrastinators have always operated their lives one day behind and are always trying to "catch" up. I can't stress being organized enough.

I once saw a Martha Stewart show where she had the whole month of Nov and Dec planned out....and I thought "Good Grief" who needs that kind of planning. Boy was I wrong. Good planning results in stress free holidays. I should have listened to her when I first started out crafting. But alas, an old dog can learn tricks and I am much happier to execute my projects in a timely manner now.

I make lists, google-search ideas, set limits on how much I can realistically complete and buy supplies on sale and ahead of the demand. If you have given up ever getting to a point where you can achieve a happy medium - don't despair. You can do it, start small and work up. There is time this season to depressurize your lists and come up with reasonably priced gifting. It does not have to be stressful or expensive. Thoughtful gifting is just as important. Don't overspend, set a budget and stay within your boundaries. Trust me ...at the end of the season that alone will decrease the financial stress!

Good Luck this season, get organized and stay on budget!

Happy Holidays to You!

Catching Up

Oh, doesn't it seem like that once July comes and goes, it's a race to ready everything for fall?

I've been canning and sowing fall seed as the days just click on by. The Broccoli, Brussels and Cauliflower are looking good, save the 12 Broccoli plants that were devoured by an unknown bug. I have never had any issues with insects in the seedling stage so I suppose it was my turn. I don't like it one bit though!



On a side note, I tried making and canning peach butter this year. Oh my, it is so good. While it cooked down for 2 days our house smelled divine. I was ready to break out the Fall decorations, turn on the gas logs and don a sweatshirt. What is it about the smell of cinnamon that makes me think Fall?

I don't really need to be rushing it...as Fall will be here soon enough.



On a second note, the husband is behind on my canning stove, getting my birdhouses put up and making my garden trug. I talked all big about finishing those three projects and that was as far as it got. Yes, talk was cheap. Maybe this winter he will get around to it.

Next up on the our agenda is to complete the cleanup of the front garden and move the bucket garden to the left side beds. It's time to rest those particular beds. We will plant in the right side garden beds for fall.

And on a third side note, I am close to half way on putting up at a minimum of 100 jars of pickled peppers. Yay..we eat the heck out of them. If truth be told I need at least 125.



We are anxiously awaiting egg laying to start with our new 8 hens. Counting down 8 weeks to go. Our others are pretty much free loading. We are going to have to address the "cull" word sooner or later. Maybe winter would be a good time to make it happen?



That catches me up to our current state of affairs. Another trip around the sun is approaching fast!

Diversifying

We are racing against the clock to get everything planted for our first season crop. We are trying a new hybrid system of the rain gutter system this summer. The new system utilizes 4" PVC pipe instead of the rain gutter. I am hoping it will conserve even more water that the rain gutters.

And of course I still I have my Straw Bale system. I also have our self watering buckets placed strategically throughout the garden and yard. It pays to be diversified since we are prone to Hurricanes. I certainly do not want to lose an entire season of tomatoes if I can help it!

With the latest planted tomatoes I now have 49 plants....good grief! I see lots of salsa and canned tomato sauce in my future. But you know what...it is a good thing. After all, what could be more healthy for us? Our own tomatoes, picked by us, canned by us and to be consumed by us! Plus, I will be able to gift a few jars to my out of town son for his pantry.

On the heels of the first season tomatoes, I have planted an additional 18 which will be ready to plant by June. These will be the plants that I will overwinter hopefully. If time permits I may try to squeeze a third season since we stay so warm into the fall.

It's also hard to believe I will also need to start thinking of what will need to be seeded in July...Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels, Kale, etc to name a few.

And while I dread canning season because it is a lot of work....I have the hugest respect for our Grandma's who canned in the 40's and 50's to feed their families. That said, once you can your own food it is hard to think about buying anything in a can from the store. A great feeling to pass right by them!

It's getting overcast here and perfect to go out and fill up the bird feeders, relax on the porch and enjoy the last of the spring breeze!


Happy Gardening!