Backyard Visitor

Rhonna noticed our guest this morning. It flew into the pine tree when I went out to get a picture so I didn't get a very good shot. A hawk, I think.

Walk on the Konza

Yesterday we took the boys out for their first walk on the Konza. A beautiful 65 degree afternoon with just enough time for a short trek. On the drive out there, a flock (?) of turkeys flew over our van and was quite a site. Then at the start of the trail I was able to identify a turkey footprint and the boys soon had fun hunting for more. Later, we heard an owl "hoo-hoot" in the woods. About a half a mile in and Joe decided he'd had enough. Fortunately, before turning around, we stopped long enough to hear and see a woodpecker.


This is the first of many seasonal trips we plan to make because with 4 seasons and walking the trail in both directions, we have at least 8 chances to see something new. We only walked a half mile of the two mile loop so the possibilities are really many more.

The Garden Begins

Started seeds last night - Packman Broccoli, Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage, California Wonder Sweet Pepper, and Early Jalepeno. Using my handy garden planner (bottom center, in white) I can keep track of what I'm doing instead of trying to remember it all.





Pulled out my seedling trays that haven't seen any action in several years. The pots will be for some flowers and herbs.





Ready for sprouting. Once I locate the timer for the lights the seeds will have a regular day and night. I won't have room for all the plants, but I can always give some away.
Next in line - tomatoes, flowers, herbs, lettuce, and the mystery plant: strawberry spinach.

Now to begin working on expanding the garden, renovating the compost bins, cleaning up last year's plants, etc...

Time to start planning...

Seeds arrived last Saturday and the potatoes will follow soon.

I found a free garden planner to help keep me organized.

Now I need to clean up the growing table, buy new lights & potting soil and wait for the right time to plant.

Seeds on the way....

For the first time in several years, I've actually ordered seeds in time to have some plants ready for spring.  They should arrive next week and I can begin planting!  I'm not sure where all of these will go, but I'll find room somewhere.  Since half the backyard is still mud from the sewer project this is a good time to rearrange the gardens.

For the first time, I'm giving up on Brandywine tomatoes and am trying Prudens Purple instead.  Brandywines crack so easily it's hard to get them picked at the right time.

With all this seed I may have some extra seedlings so if you're in the area and are interested just let me know which plant(s) you might want to try.


Vegetables
Strawberry Spinach
Easter Egg Radish
Carola Potatoes
Super Sugar Snap Pea
Chioggia Beet
Stowells Evergreen Corn
Packman Broccoli
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage

Lettuce
Oakleaf 
Red Sails 
Black-Seeded Simpson

Herbs
Chervil
Bush Basil
Arugula

Peppers
California Wonder 
Early Jalapeno 

Tomatoes
Yellow Currant 
Prudens Purple 

Perennial Flowers
Panorama Mix Monarda
Lizzy Mixture Eustoma

Annual Flowers
Sea Shell Mix Cosmos
Cactus Flower Mix Zinnia
Bella Apricot Shades Flowering Maple (Abutilon)
Red & Rose Pirouette Petunia
Statice Mixture
Zebrina Malba

Sunflowers
Sole D'Oro
Jolly Joker
Moulin Rouge

No-Knead Bread

Tried making it with 1/3 white flour and 1/8 c. more water.















All went well until turning the dough into the baking dish.

Not enough flour on the towel and the dough stuck.

The dough had nearly deflated by the time I managed to get it off the towel.















Not a bad result, though.

Next time, a little more flour on the towel and a little less baking time.

A Very Hargett Christmas