Well look at this...sigh. It's been two months since I last posted. I am bummed that my camera isn't working as well as it used to. Plus I also lost a cord for it. So, haven't taken any pictures, which in turn didn't get any motivation to write about anything either.
We are now mid-July, the intense heat has arrived, and sadly, I lost a hen to it. This time I decided to get a misting fan. This really helps to cool off their area in the coop. It's much better now. I can't stand the thought of losing another one :(

I got very little in my spring garden. Haven't been successful at all with it in the last few years. The corn stalks have grown tall but the corn is very skinny. What a waste. The Zucchini and Squash take so much room and I barely got anything from it. My grapes did alright, until the birds found them.... My peach tree has exploded to twice its size, but no fruit this year. And, looking into it; looks like a lack of nutrients. I will really have to learn about fertilizing and giving my soil proper food. I thought the compost & manure was enough.
I'm really looking forward to starting my winter seedlings already :D That I'm successful with.

We are also in the Monsoon season, which brings on much needed rain. I cannot wait for those big storms to roll in :) It's always so exciting to watch them.

With a cloudy weekend ahead and possible showers, I'm thinking maybe I should do some baking. Maybe make a cake or cookies from scratch. Or maybe bread, or pie....decisions decisions

Well, here we are at the end of May, again, like April~I didn't see it go by. I feel like I went through every type of emotion possible. Seemed like forever at times. I'm glad to see June come around. May was a tough one.

I am very pleased to see the garden doing well :) My Zucchini is beautiful, and was very tasty on the grill last night! The Neem oil that I sprayed on the plants helps keep pests away. I haven't seen one little problem yet, all the leaves look perfect. The peanuts are not doing too well, but aren't dying either. I got so many onions this year, I dehydrated most of it for future soups.  I am attempting corn again this year, so we'll see. Not a fan of the summer vegetable growing. I much prefer the winter crops. I do a far better job at caring for a winter garden, partly because the pest problem is nearly at zero during the cooler months.

I've been really busy trying to finish the extended patio, and now finally this weekend it was finished. I want it Bohemian themed with huge pillows, candles and colored cutains everywhere :) It's such a cozy place to relax :)

The chickens seem to enjoy their new found freedom during the evenings. I let them roam the yard while keeping the dogs indoors and it seems to all work out great.

April is Gone...

Where did it go? I feel like I missed it. Time sure is flying by. The weather is becoming extreme. I thought I was going to lose my roses, but I placed some shading this weekend and it helped them bounce back.
Now is the waiting part. Not much else to do in the garden other than make sure everything stays pest-free and gets plenty of moisture.
But this is a good time to do some indoor spring cleaning and make jams  :) I do plan on making some within the next week or so.
Lately I've had the urge to make a cake from scratch. The really big triple layered cake with all the fancy decorations and colors. Seems like a fun challenge.
Hmmmmm wonder if I can pull it off.

Well Here comes the Spring....

Finally most of my baby veggies have been transplanted into the garden. I am attempting Peanuts this time, so far so good. I haven't been successful with Peppers, Tomatoes or Corn but I am determined to keep at it. The weather has been getting much warmer, time to think about placing my bamboo shading above my fragile plants. So far I haven't seen any birds trying to dig in the soil. Cross my fingers it stays this way.
There's still lots of work to get done before it gets too hot, so I am working outdoors as much as possible, and it's taking over all my weekends. 
The back patio has been finished. Finally! I can sit by the water fountain and listen to the water while admiring the garden. Only a few things missing like flowers and patio lights. A clothesline was set up and I am loving drying my clothes outside!
The new hens seem well, only they aren't laying as much as I'd like. The new surroundings must be stressful on them.

Crazy Busy....

Haven't had much sit-down time lately, lots of gardening prep work to do, expanding the patio, transplanting and new chickens in the coop.....will update as soon as I get a minute....sigh.

What a surprise to see hail come down over the weekend. Some much needed moisture but could have been damaging if I had transplanted all of my young vegetables. I'm glad I waited.
This must be the last sign of winter. The potato plants did quite well. I am looking forward to my summer garden, this year I will get grapes for the first time!

Potatoes

The peach and orange trees are blooming, Spring is arriving!

Spring Fever

It has been a long winter. The last month has been really busy with the extension of the backyard patio and setting up the water fountain. What a difference it already makes. I want it filled with flowers, chimes and hanging solar lanterns. This will be a sanctuary for bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. I also want to install a trellis with jasmine. :)
I decided to cleanse my body of impurities from what seemed like a long draining winter. It's amazing the small changes you can do to become a new person. What timing too, I was determined to get back to myself as soon as possible. There's too much work to get done!
I've been feeling so light and renewed.
I'm really motivated and excited about the milder temperatures. Over the weekend I started my seedlings for the garden. I planted peanuts, corn, squash, zucchini, okra, cucumber, watermelon, cantaloupe and various herbs. I've been feasting on cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli which did really well this winter. I had to get creative with various recipes just so not to get tired of the same daily dinners. That was fun :)

Winter's End

I've been looking forward to this time, when the frost is gone and the days are longer. There was no damage to my crops this winter, and I barely covered my plants from the frost. From what I harvested in the beets, turnips and carrots, it just wasn't enough to do the canning I wanted to do; so I made more root vegetable casseroles instead :)
My Cauliflower and Broccoli are looking fantastic. Another week or so and I should be ready to whip up some delicious recipes  :)
It was a very mild winter, and because of this I will start up my seed beds sooner too.
I'm thinking lots of melons and cucumbers :)

Garden Almost Done!

My garden is nearing the end of its winter life.
Broccoli and Cauliflower have emerged, Lettuce and Herbs are slowly dissapearing into my kitchen, Tomatoes are starting to turn pink and the Beets will soon be pickled in my canner :)
Not harvesting as much as I had wanted, but this just makes for better planning for this spring.
It looks like Celery is trying to stick around so i will let it be and see what it decides to do  :)

Finally Used the Dehydrator

I've been putting it off for some time, and finally I took out the dehydrator and see what it was capable of  :) Along with the Vaccum Sealer I just couldn't go wrong!
I dehydrated carrots, peppers, papaya and made Jerky too.
Last night I made a root vegetable bake (picked from the garden) and also, made a big salad from my freshly picked Lettuce. it was delicious! I love the way my veggies look coming straight from the dirt...all funny shapes :) puts a smile on my face.

Out with the Old, In with the New

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Wow, what year it was...
Life is beginning to look shorter now,
Time goes by so fast.

I made a promise to not wait to make things happen for myself.
Why wait? You put something off for a little while and suddenly the year is gone :(
I want to get things done, learn something new, be passionate about being creative and take the time to really find myself.

Here's to a New Year with hope that we can all find peace and get along.

Winter Solstice

More daylight hours will soon be noticeable. Yayy! I'm really looking forward to this.
I uncover my garden beds in the morning when it's dark, come back home from work and cover them again, in the dark. I'm living in darkness how depressing...
I've hardly seen my chickens too. By the time I get home they have already gone in the coop. I only spend time with them on weekends, and I know they do appreciate it :)
I look forward to the lengthening days!

Winter Garden

This is really my Fall garden, but since we are in the winter months, I call it my winter garden. The Lettuce is ready :) My Luffa is also looking good but they should have been planted a month earlier, since much of the stems have froze and they will no longer grow. Luffa looks like some cucumber,and it's really neat to make Luffa Bath Sponges with these. I will have to peel them and let them dry for some time before they can be used. My Beets and Turnips are looking nice too, but there's still a little ways to go before they can be harvested.

My Creative Itch

I've been feeling very creative lately. I decided to go get some essential tools to start painting again. My first attempt didn't quite work out as planned years ago. Now I am ready to start again, with endless ideas of what I want to creat on canvas. I am using Acrylics, which is pretty easy to work with. So far I have practiced blending methods for making skyscapes and clouds. I have been drawing all of my life, but this is a whole different ball game. However I am surprised at how fast I am learning just by watching tutorials.
Yesterday I threw myself into it and let my brush flow. A wise friend told me that Art comes from the Heart. Those words helped me to just pick up the brush and let my creative juices flow without stressing over the details. Thank you Collette, for your kind, encouraging words  :)
Results will be posted soon  :)

Beans!

I harvested my beans  :) odd sizes and wierd shapes. That's what I love about gardening. Nothing is perfect  :)

Weekend Escape

Well, not the whole weekend, but I will be heading up north to visit a good friend, time to get away for a day and enjoy the Autumn landscapes of Northern Arizona. I will purposely take the long route there, take a stroll in the mountains and stop to enjoy the scenery of the canyons. And certainly take tons of pictures. I am hoping to take a walk in the small surrounding towns,and visit some Antique and Second hand shops, maybe find myself a little treasure to take home. :) The snow will soon take over the mountain tops there, so making the time to go visit this corner of paradise and have lunch in a small café with my friend will be enjoyable since I will not return until the Spring.

Food Prices on the Rise

With the rising cost of food and the holidays around the corner, what a good time it is to stock up on necessities and canned goods. I heard this would be the most expensive Thanksgiving Dinner everyone will know. So taking advantage by cutting coupons and seeking deals is the way to go. There's never enough in the pantry. Food preservation is becoming more and more important in my life.

My vegetables are doing great in the garden, I cannot wait to harvest and start canning and dehydrating :) This season I will make some pickled beets, pickled carrots & parsnips, and tomato sauce. I will also make soup mix with a variety of onions and herbs for my soups and stews. Dehydrating is easy when drying herbs and fruits.
The giant cabbage looks like I will have enough to make plenty of cabbage soup!, a childhood comfort food favorite :)

A Fine Weekend

Rain made its way into the Valley over the weekend, some much needed moisture cleared the air. I haven't watered my vegetables in days :) I did lots of trimming in the garden; and found little surprises hidden behind the leaves. Some baby tomatoes! The garden is looking great, the soil is so rich and dark. I have a great looking garden this season :)
I almost got 2 more hens for the flock. I was hesitant, this will take some patience and I would have to keep a close watch since there's a pecking order and it may turn ugly. I may do it next weekend, all depending on my willingness to take that chance.

I took the time to visit the State Fairgrounds too. I was brought back in time when me and my mom went to the local fair in the country. This really made me miss her. She enjoyed seeing the farm animals especially. As I walked around and visited the baby goats I couldn't help but hear her laugh. As if she were right there with me. She loved the Country Fairs.

While there I watched a beautiful Native Hoop Dancer from the Hopi Tribe. I was mesmerized by his skills. The sound of the flute nearly brought me to tears.
I also made Pumpkin Cheesecake.Yummy.
It was a great weeekend :)

Pumpkin Fever

Over the weekend I kept myself busy both in the kitchen and the garden. I love the aromas of pumpkins and spice :) I made pumpkin cupcakes and roasted pumpkin seeds. My chickens love the taste of baked pumpkin, so nothing is going to waste here.

I got myself an herb tree (at least that's what I call it)My herbs were in pots all over the ground,taking up too much space, now this gives me more room in the garden. My chair sits next to this pretty tower, I just love the smell of my herbs :)

Great Start of the Season

I'm loving the crisp mornings, the vegetables are going through a growth spurt, it's amazing the difference I notice each day. My Yard Long Beans are incredible and very tasty. I have some awesome recipes lined up for those  :) This season I have a colorful blend of lettuce. I should get a good harvest this year. I'm looking forward to feasting!