The Second Harvest

Lisa and I picked the second harvest in the orchard yesterday and as we walked over to the zucchini and yellow squash a yellow squashed mooned me at least that is what it looked like.  We were surprised by the amount of yellow squash that was there.  It may be last year's zucchini.  Last year we had so much zucchini we could not give it away and this year it may be the yellow squash.  We will have to wait and see.  We also had the first harvest of the pickling cucumbers so we are ready to start pickling.  We just have to find the time to do.  By the end of the week we will have our first pickles of the season.  Last year the pickles were good but the cucumbers were too big. This year we have a better crop to work with so our pickles should be even better...I hope.  Now we are just waiting for the blueberries to get a little riper.  In a couple more days we should have some, yum!

A Creative Day

It was a quiet but creative Father's Day.  Tim and George spent the morning talking over plans to build a guest house and while they were busy working out all the details I spent the day in the Crafty Cottage creating another door prize for Pam's July SAS.  I was able to create the first door prize while I was in Florida so now I have two of the four door prizes created which means I have two more to create and then make 10 of each when I get them created.  The new catalog for Stampin Up came out this month and I was lucky enough, thanks to Pam, to get some new sets which is what I am trying to create from.  I am hoping to continue being creative today after we go down to the orchard and do some more harvesting.  Check back tomorrow and see what we got out of the garden.

Happy Father's Day and Grilling Day

Happy Father's Day to all of the Father's out there! I would like to take this opportunity to wish a very Happy Father's Day to Tim who is a wonderful Father and Grandfather aka Bumpa to our girls Carrie, Jenny and our Rory. We love you very much and could not ask for a better dad and Bumpa.  Also to my son in law Nate who is a great Dad to Rory. Last and not least I would like to send these wishes up to heaven to my two dads, Warren Colley who was a great dad until he passed away when I was seven and to Edward Winship who became my step dad when I was 10 and raised me as his own. Happy Father's Day!
Last night we had our first dinner using the veggies we harvested from the garden.  Lisa sliced up some zucchini and yellow squashes and marinated with a garlic infusion oil then put some cavendars on it.  Her mom bought her a grilling pan and so Tim used it on the grill to cook the mixture.  It was delicious. Lisa also cooked the few peas we picked.  There was just enough for the four of us to have a spoonful and all I can say is that spoonful had the best tasting peas I have ever had.  It put the frozen and canned peas to shame, wow!  We grilled burgers last night and we ate out on the deck at George and Lisa's.  There was a nice breeze that kept us cool and the bugs away.  It was a nice evening with good food and friend and we will be doing it again today in celebration for Father's Day!

Our First Harvest Of The Year

Yesterday Lisa and I went down to the orchard for our first harvest of this year.  George spent a lot of time before planting adding horse manure to the beds and if our first harvest is any indication it was a good move.  We picked Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Peas, Green Peppers and Cherry Tomatoes.  We checked the Blueberries but they are just not ready just yet.  We have pumpkins, acorn squash, beets, potatoes, lettuce, carrots and most importantly corn that is really starting to grow.  If everything continues to grow, we need rain, we are going to be busy harvesting and canning, pickling, etc.  The fruit trees are still looking good and so are the grapes.  It even looks like we could possibly get some almonds this year.  If we do it will be the first time.  As for the veggies we picked yesterday we are going to be enjoying them when we grill tonight and tomorrow.

I Am Back On The Farm

I am back on the farm and it feels good or it will now that the temperatures are going down and it looks like it is going to be a nice warm week end, meaning in the 70s or low 80s.  I will take that after spending the last month in Florida with 90 ++ temps.  It is good to be back and I have already unpacked and it looks like I never left.  I took all of my Stampin Up supplies down to the Crafty Cottage and the two upgrades to the cottage that happened while I was gone are amazing.  The Air Conditioner looks great and I am looking forward to using it when it gets hot again and the shelves that Tim built are going to be a welcomed addition with all of the reorganizing I need to do.  Thanks again Tim!  Lisa and I do have to get down to the orchard to harvest some veggies but after that I will be spending my day in the Crafty Cottage working on door prizes for Pam's SAS in July.  I do miss spending time with Rory and my girls but it IS good to be back home too!

Time For A Celebration

Yes, it is time for a celebration and there is a really good reason and here it is:  The Dump Truck is FIXED!  I reported yesterday that the part was fixed well Tim and George spent most of the day yesterday fixing the truck.  The company that quit fixing it and gave back all the parts did except for one bearing.  So they had to stop work on the truck and drive to that company where the owner vowed all the parts were given back but they could check the truck that dropped off the parts.  Low and behold the bearing was there.  So, they got back to farm and were able to fix the truck by dinner time.  Way to go Tim and George!!! The truck is now back up parked in its spot on the farm and Quail Way is no longer obstructed just in time for Lisa and I to return to the farm.  We are leaving Florida today and heading back to Tennessee.  Now, let's Celebrate!!!

News Flash...The Dump Truck

That is right, another blog about the dump truck.  Well this time it is good news, the dump truck is on the mend.  Tim and George actually found a place that could not only fix the truck but actually fixed the part that has been the trouble maker all in one day. TMT did not stop them yesterday.  Once again, we definitely need to come up with a name for this truck.  So with the broken hub now fixed at a machine shop Tim and George now get to spend the day putting it back on the truck and get it going again.  I am sure the other couple of families that live on Quail Way will be thrilled to see the dump truck gone and have the road back.  I will update tomorrow on the progress.  Go Tim and George!