Saturday, April 13, 2013

A Day On Our Little Farm

Usually, on the weekends, Geeps brings me coffee in bed.  I look so forward to that.  Every night I set the coffee pot up and put it on a timer so that he has coffee on his way to work.  Then I get up shortly after, and the coffee is made and waiting for me.  This morning I woke up about 7:00, and Greg was already up and no where to be found.   I had to get up and get my own coffee!!!  I went out to feed the chickens, and found Farmer Geeps in the grove working away.
He was cutting through that pile that I had made with cut limbs and branches.  Keeping the larger pieces for firewood, and moving the rest to the back of the grove for a burn.
It was chilly and overcast this morning.  I headed over to feed the girls, and then water the garden.  I found a pretty feather.  Looks like it came from Sammy.
One of the things I wanted to do today was make some markers for my garden.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was so clever.  I had everything I needed to make them, so I gathered my supplies and went out to the garden and got busy.
I wanted to use jute, but I couldn't find it in my mess sewing room, so I used string instead.   I had lots of old silverware that I had collected from thrifts over the years.  You simply write your veggie name on a cork, and stick the cork onto an old fork, and wrap with jute. 
I loved how they turned out.  Disregard that I spelled tomato wrong in this bouquet of markers.  I redid it for the garden. 
I placed them in the garden, and then stood back to admire my handy work.
I discovered my first sweet peas.
Last year I ate almost all of those while I was in the garden.  They are so good!
After getting all of the markers in, I began to reorganize the garden space, and move the fencing a little bit to allow myself a little more room to get around the boxes.  I use the term "fence" lightly here.  It is simply odds and ends of things I had laying around that I used to keep the chickens from eating my garden.
This made much more room for me, and I still have some containers that I need to plant, so I will put them on this end of the garden.  I moved my pot hangers to this side, and hung some old shutters on the gate to provide shade for the flowers I will put in, and also to act as shelves.  I can open the shutters for filtered light, or keep them closed for more shade as needed.
 I hope to get the flowers and soil tomorrow.  Do you see the shade it will provide for that area?  A couple of years ago, I had beautiful potted geraniums and shasta daisies, and they all fried in our summer heat.
I opened up the compost bin to put some leaves in, and was greeted by this reptile!  I thought it was a snake at first.
I fished him out with a rake.  Just look at that long tail!
 
Then I found his older, fatter brother when I moved some buckets.
I called Geeps, and he came with his lizard catcher.  But  by then, they had both scurried off  So he demonstrated his lizard catching skills for me with another little guy.
TaDa!!
By this time, the clouds had burned off and it was getting quite warm out.  After spending a few hours doing this, I had to go get some iced tea and have a rest in the shade.
Before I went in to take a shower, I was watering the garden, and was visited by these two hummingbirds.  I think that they must have been juveniles.  They zoomed in and out, up and down.  Darting into the spray of water for a bath, and then landing on a garden trellis to fluff up and shake off.  Then they did it all over again, like a sort of dance.
On my way back to the house, I had to stop and watch as the hens were taking a nice dust bath.
They will typically all do this together at the same time.  So funny to watch them scurry down into the dirt, flapping their wings getting dirt up underneath each and every feather.
Funny girls!
After I showered, I came back outside to sit under the umbrella and watch the birds while Greg watched The Masters.
So nice!  I love this time of year!  Warm enough to enjoy being outside, but not hot yet.   I sat out there with my iced coffee and took it all in.
So that is what we did today.  What did you do?
XO  Kris 

36 comments:

Teresa Kasner said...

I drove across town to attend a rehearsal for my DAR State Chorus -- we are trying to learn a rather difficult song to sing at the State Conference in May. Then hubby and I went to Tad's Chic Dump for dinner. Guess what hubby might get me for my birthday? A canary!! April 25th... :-)

Taci simmons said...

I spent all day running around doing errands. Went to sew dresses for little girls in Africa with my daughter, went to get groceries and more running around with my husband...tomorrow I won't get out of the house...laundry...cooking, and hopefully a little time to update my blog and knit or crochet a little...:)

Gracie Saylor said...

Errands with the family, reading a book I am supposed to help lead a discussion on Thursday, and a bit of blogging has kept me busy and late for getting to bed, but I loved my visit with you and yours...Jeeps is very brave and a hero in my book...I am not fond of lizards!!!
xx,
Gracie

Holly said...

Your veggie markers turned out so cute. I saw that you pinned them and wondered if you were going to make them. I love what you did with the shutters, what a great idea! I don't know how you find the time to take care of such a big beautiful property, mine takes up so much of my time and it is tiny compared to yours. Brian went fishing with a friend yesterday while I worked in the yard, trimming, weeding, and raking. Beautiful day until the wind picked up. Love ya!!

Mereknits said...

Your day sounded perfect, puttering her and there and enjoying your lovely garden and the girls. I woke up on my own, I just love that, went for a walk with Max, read blogs, went to an Orchid farm, bought new Adirondack chairs for out by my fireplace and went out for Mexican food for dinner. It was a lovely day, oh and I finished Rosa's Cardi number 2 while I watched my Rays lose to the Red Sox, bummer.
Hugs to you Kris,
Meredith

Dawn said...

What a nice day:) We sat inside all day because it was snowing:( So nice to see your garden doing so well. My tomato plants are inside right now and about 2 inches tall. Your garden markers are adorable. I have been saving my wine corks for some time now, so may just have to copy you:)

Debbie said...

What a GOOD day you had! Productive and satisfying! You will soon be enjoying the fruits of your labor! We ran a BUNCH of errands (too hard to do with mom here so it has turned into Sat.'s job) and then went and saw 42! Soooo good! BBQ's some yummy Salmon after that. Enjoy your day today Kris!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

HiKris, Loved hearing about your busy day/morning! Really your place looks so fantastic with all your garden beds and groves and clay pots ready for more flowers.What a wonderful piece of heaven you have. Love the idea of the fork and cork markers, they really look cool in the garden, cleverrrrrr!
What did I do, hmmmm, went to the dump, bank, walked Jack, lunch, home depot, Masters and reading. Not too exciting but fun for a snow day! All with my Honey Hb
xoRobin

Deb~in~Denver said...

We were able to get away for a few days for a long overdue anniversary celebration. Enjoying Estes Park and RMNP, we saw bighorn sheep, deer, elk and a beautiful bull elk. This morning we are waking up to more snow! I guess they're getting rain & snow at home, too. Love your garden markers! What a great idea for the shutters, I'm going to have to keep that in mind! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Gloria Baker said...

what nice ideas always you have Kris, I have to do this when I plant my spinachs, love the idea, I m in autumn so Im making quince jam (tomorrow), I save my basil seeds of my pots to plant the next season and looking the red leaves of the liquidambar, I love!
Have a nice Sunday!

NanaNor's said...

Happy Sunday Kris, Let's see-yesterday I spent the morning going to garage sales, looking for baby clothes for my girls. It was so cold and foggy here that my gardening plans went out the window. Hubby even cut his golf game short due to the cold. We went out to lunch and then just relaxed in the afternoon. I should be sewing but my machine is away since we will be heading back to Ca. in a little of a week. Love your garden and all your critters.
Hugs, Noreen

Pammy Sue said...

I sat outside pretty much all day, sometimes in the shade of the porch and sometimes in the sunshine. I made the best skillet full of caramelized onions and apples to go with some pork chops for dinner. Then it got a little chilly towards the end of the race, and we moved inside just after 9:00. Good to hear from you, Missy! We definitely do need another texting session. I'm ready when you are.

Miriam said...

What a wonderful day you had. Loved the use of the corks and forks...ha! that rhymed..anyway, loved the shared idea.
Our hummers are here; they are so pretty to watch zipping in and out from the feeder.
I've been busy painting florals and learning more about techniques. Need to get back in our garden.
Blessings.

Unknown said...

What a perfect day. Love you idea with the forks, but that my friend is a lot of wine to be drank....he-he. Glad to be back home and nice to be outside today here. Hey, what's this about texting with Pammy.... I want to play too....FYI- Scott did not have one problem flying, me on the other hand, my normal nervous wreck.

Linda said...

Aren't you 2 the busy little bees!!!
Your garden looks great...
You must post all the veggies and fruits that you harvest...
We went out for a nice lunch today...and I am working on Vivian's afghan..
Enjoy your day!!!

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Kelli said...

I love your garden markers Kris!
My husband makes coffee for me each morning as well...it is so nice to wake up to coffee. :)
I relaxed in my yard this afternoon reading a book and watching my younger daughter swim in the pool. She said it was cold but still wanted to swim.

Lindz said...

What a fun garden you have!! Now I see where Genn gets it....I love her backyard!! :)

Grammy Staffy said...

What a lovely day. I just love your garden markers...and your garden. You are so very cleaver and ambitious. I always enjoy reading your blog. You put me to shame.

I've been trying to post everyday with this A to Z challenge. It is hard for me. I don't know how people that regularly post every day do it.

Thanks for your well wishes for Forrest. We feel very blessed that he recovered enough to fly home.
Have a great week. Hugs, Lura

Hanne said...

you live in such a beautyful place. Its still cold here in Denmark but the spring is getting closer :)

priscilla said...

Cute idea with the forks and corks ! So envious of your outdoor time.. Still cold and lots of rain here ! It is great when the husbands help , isn't it !

Nicolle said...

I love those cute garden markers that you made! Looks like a good day. Farmer Geeps is pretty handy with his lizard catching! I also love this time of year, not too hot yet. However I'm also ready for summer and iced tea and a pool. Loved your post!
xo

Pam said...

Meanwhile, it's still raining and cloudy here in Portland. Sigh.

Your garden looks great. Love the wine cork/fork idea... so cute!

Jill said...

I love that idea for marking items in your garden! So adorable! I also like how you gate off the raised bed area for your gardens. Our whole backyard is fenced in for our dogs but it makes gardening hard of deciding where to put it and keeping them out of it. I will have to show this post to my husband for ideas :-) You can keep those lizards though...I'd be screaming at anything moving in my garden, lol. Looks like a wonderful day!
Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog, I appreciate it so much! I took the time to blog again today with some healthy recipes. Hoping to blog more frequently. Enjoy your day Kris

Blessings,
Jill

Val said...

I'm loving your garden.....

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Kris your post made me envious for summer! I can't believe you already have green beans!
We are getting more snow here today, through tomorrow. Spring is playing "Hide and Seek" with us in Colorado! I don't mind because this will help ease the drought and the weather will be warm again by the weekend but i feel sprry fpor all the confused animals and birds.

Olga Poltava said...

Sounds like a fun day! I love your garden markers. What a clever idea. Your veggie plants look great. I have a veggie patch too. My brother is building me a small chicken coop, so I'll have a few hens soon too.
Have a nice week!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Kris, I just discovered your very pretty and delightful blog... I am now a new follower... I love your garden and the creative markers you created.. I absolutely adore the bunny crossing sign... The lizard is something you do not see often so I knew you must live in a warm climate.. Wish I did... We are struggling to see Spring this year... Enjoy your crocheting projects.. Hugs Judy

pembrokeshire lass said...

So sorry that I haven't visited for a long time. I've missed you all!! What an interesting day you had!! Here in Wales it's usually warmer by now but this year it seems so cold and wet I have my veg garden ready to plant but the soil is so cold!!
I love your idea for markers. So unusual! Also what a big lizard. I'm glad that your husband is so good at catching them.
Enjoy your warmth
Joan

Debbiedoos said...

Now that is adorable Kris. I love the markers. I have to pin those. Lots of work in your little farm garden, but well worth it.

sweetpea family said...

What a busy productive day I love your markers and I'm going to have a go x

Linda said...

I love those kinds of days...you have peas already? Mine are getting tall...but no peas yet...tons of lettuce, kale and spinach though...and I spotted my first tomatoes...can't wait!! Have a great week!!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh Blue I am so glad she is a happy girl. She looks so at home. Why the string around the forks? Did you mention that and I missed it? I hope you can come out for a bit to Patty's next Friday. You can leave early if you want. We would love to see you and squeeze you girlfriend. I am doing next month. Maybe I can make it on a day like a Sat.? Would that be better for you? May is crazy with two birthdays and Memorial day but I am sure we can make something happen.

Bee Haven Bev said...

Don't feel bad about spelling tomato wrong....my hubby is always teasing me because I made my garden marker to say "spinache" ....we just are a little more formal than most, right?

Whosyergurl said...

Kris,

How many chickens do you have, now? We just bought 14 babies so now we have 38!
The other day we got 16 eggs in ONE day!

xo, Cheryl

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Love the veggie markers Kris. I just bought a bag of corks at a damaged goods store. They were marked Pottery Barn. Thinking I might need to do this.
hugs,
Jann

annielizabeth said...

Hi Kris, Shutter idea is genius. Cute markers you made. Today is another gorgeous socal day. Wish I could be out of doors. Your veg garden is coming along nicely. Take care!