Cool weather.

May 31 and it is hoody weather this morning.  Been unseasonably cool the last couple of days.  We went to the car races Friday night and it was almost too chilly to enjoy.  But we did any way.  We have always been racing fans.  Both of us were dirt-tracking at an early age.  Nothing like seeing 3 or four cars side by side  coming around a turn.  NASCAR is ok,  and I try to watch whenever I can, but it still doesn't to dirt-trackin".

We did a little more work on the outdoor kitchen.  We have most of the roof on.  We are almost ready to start the sides.  It has been a fun project.  Can't wait to get the outside done, so I can start the inside.  We could use it as it sits now, but we have time to finish it.

I need to do a little work in the garden or the weeds are going to bypass the produce.  With the rain we have had, this country looks really good.  We haven't had the heavy rains that other areas have had, so it has been nice.  Our prayers go out to those who have suffered because of the severe storms or flooding.

God Bless--johnnyb

Thursday morning ramblings

We had a nice shower go through last evening.  About 1/4 of an inch here. Right west there was a lot more, with some flooding possible.   More of the same tonight in the same areas.  We are happy with

the small amount and no severe stuff.  What moisture we have had makes this country look like an oasis.  

These are some pics from around the place this week.  The canning kitchen is coming along.  Maybe get the rafters up today if it don't rain.  We are looking forward to using it this summer and fall.

The iris flowers are in full bloom.  We were given a tub full of flowers last year.  We had no idea what colors.  Ended up with 6 different colors.  My Mom always had a lot if Iris.  Brings back memories of many years ago.  We put mineral tubs with the bottoms cut out to keep the critters away.  We have done the same with fruit trees.  Keeps the rabbits from gnawing on them.

The garden is doing ok.  Temperatures have not warmed as much as usual, so the ground is still a little cool.  Night-time temps still in the upper 40's and low 50's.

Cabbage plants are doing pretty good.  I planted the first dozen early in April.  2 weeks later I planted the second dozen.  The first has done good.  Second did't fair too well.  I have another 40 about ready to go.  We hope to make a lot of kraut this year.  We only made a five gallon bucket last year.  It is about gone.  Carol also did up a few quarts of Amish coleslaw.  It is gone!!  Much more of both this fall.

Time to go.  The dogs think it is time to feed the chickens.  My thought for the day--the middle of nowhere is always over the next hill!!  God Bless--johnnyb

Memorial Day 2015

Have a safe holiday.

God Bless-johnnyb

Remember

I hope everyone takes a little time over this weekend to remember, not just our  loved ones, but all those who have passed on before us.  It is not just placing flowers or wreaths on graves.  We need to remember those times with our friends and loved ones.  The good times, the bad times.    Those that are the reason we are here , and those that helped mold our lives into what it is today.  There are those who gave that we may be free.   Sometimes we tend to forget those who helped  structure the freedom that so many take for granted.  Just because they have been gone for a couple of hundred years, does not mean they should be forgotten.  George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and whole list of others are always mentioned.  But what about the unnamed colonial farmer who lost his life for the cause? They all need to be included.  Go to a local cemetery and find the old part of it.  Spend a few minutes pondering over the graves.  Were they pioneers looking to start a new life.  Was it the forgotten grave of a child.   Maybe a mother in childbirth.  A whole family lost maybe.  They all need to be remembered.  We don't necessarily need to have known someone to be able to hold them in remembrance.   Just remember!

God Bless--johnnyb

Spring Goings On

Good morning to the world.  We are having rain.  We have been getting a little of the wet stuff for the last couple of weeks.  Not a lot, but enough to green things up. Temps have been cool also.  Our winter was dry.  Not much snow.  The garden is getting a slow start with the cool weather.  We raised most of our veggies in the greenhouse this spring.  We had a frost ten days ago that killed some plants even though they were covered.  Our asparagus crop has been good this spring.

Rhubarb has also been very productive this spring.  Our Quaking Aspens are doing well.  They are sending up shoots, so we are on our way to an Aspen grove.

Started the first project of the year yesterday.  We are building an outdoor canning kitchen. We were blessed with a quite a bit of re-purposed material this winter.  Always makes it easier to do when the materials are on hand.  Hope to have a lot of things to can this year.

It seems like I just hibernated for the winter.  There were some things I was going to do, but just never got around to it.  Did a lot of reading.  We go to a book club once a month.  The state historical society along with the local library,  provide a book and we meet with a person from the Historical Society to cuss and discuss the book.  It has been quite interesting.

Enough for today.  My coffee cup is empty.  Time to fill it.  God Bless All.  --johnnyb