Renovation And New Grand Daughter

From this

Joist and foundation removed

Old Kitchen space

Many of our friends Know we have been renovating our cabin for the last several months. It has been very slow going as our son works on his time schedule and not our. I can say that the new floor has been put in and that included new joists, new electrical wiring, new plumbing and a new washroom as all of it had to be replaced including much of the foundation. 

Laundry room add on

Walk in laundry!

Kitchen plans changed as well because there was no space for two chefs to work at the same time. We now have a bigger space more cabinets and a six foot island doing in and added a full size freezer. I even have a dish washer! Painting the cabinets a beautiful blue color to off set the dark cedar walls and have a beautiful butcher block counter top for both counters and island. Still looking for some type of back splash. Once the cabinets are painted we can put the flooring down. Then the cabinet under the island can be put into place and painted.

Kitchen revamped

We planned out the electrical for the living room. We put in two floor plugs to accompany lamps beside the sofa end table. I am looking forward to bringing in my new furniture as it has been in storage all this time. I don't even remember what it looks like. 

My garden is doing its thing in one garden box but today the second one is getting replanted as the seed starter kit didn't sprout a single seed!  So in the ground the seeds go. All of my flower bulbs I planted came up and some have even started to bloom! 

Now comes to fun part...Clean up from the final reno is needing to be cleaned up. We had a monkey wrench thrown in there too! Instead of our neighbors with the vicious dogs putting their dogs in a fence across the creek, they decided to put the  feeder fence up right beside our property since their drive is along our property to get to their house. Now all that rotted wood has got to be walked away up front to the trailer to be hulled away. They torn up my side walk and threw boards on all my citrus trees. It will be okay because we were putting up a six foot privacy fence all the way around the property anyway. Not only will they not have their dogs attacking us but we will not have to deal with them ever again. So glad they thought they would be so smart! They spent a lot of money too and she was going to have trees cut down to make fence on her property to replace feeder fence after. Let her have her day if it makes her feel better but all she had to do is keep her dogs in their yard across the creek and not attacking us! Just think how much easier and less expensive it would be if she just obeyed the dog laws.

Soon my office will be usable again and I can get to work on classes I started, and zooming without being in the bedroom. 

We have started to put up our swing sets around our fire pit too. 

One of four swings

We are putting in our bathroom in the bedroom. It is a slow go too.

waiting on walls

I bought my chicken coop and it is on the list to get built. At the price of eggs these days we should could use to have our own.

Oh on a surprising note, my son in Ohio has told us we have a new grand daughter! She is 10 years old and her name is Isabella. Her mom had my son do a DNA test finally after all this time. We welcome her with open arms!

Things are moving along one day I can say the job is finished.

Garden Duties Today

     A month ago we went to help my son move many truckloads of dirt that was in the clients drive that the city refused to pick up. Due to the fact it was not close enough to the road as they would have liked they refused. Hence the need to move it was now a problem for my son. Three loads went off to the local landfill and one truckload and a trailerful came home with us.

     My raised bed garden are needing more dirt so today is my day to start the unloading as it may from truck to garden. We bought two black mesh garden bags to start out with, which are no more than 4 feet across. We also have these huge recycle circular bags that are about eight feet across that the dirt was in. Three of them to be exact. Perfect for building a very nice size raised bed garden.

     The two smaller ones are placed in the middle of the citrus trees directly out front of the house. I want to build a picket fence around it with chicken wire at base to keep the rabbits out. They picked off my tomato plants I planted along the fence and porch walkway this year not sure if the other few I have in pots will be safe out there yet but we will see.

     The fall garden will find a new home out there instead of being in pots. I tried to fill the one bag but it still needs more dirt. I had some cabbage, peppers and tomatoes planted in it, but it just didn't have enough to hold edges up and some plants died from heat.  I do have a few eggplants and a watermelon plant that made it. I think adding enough to the top edge of the bag will help. When I did it at the start, I ran out of bags of potting soil and money in my budget for that month. Always something !!!!

 

   Loading it up won't be too much. Now on the other hand, shoveling the dirt out of the truck is more manual labor I can do for the moment as the hottest part of the day is here and the fact that I put icy hot on my back last night after I tried to shoo the cat off our bed before she yacked on it, twisting me the wrong way. Ouch! I did manage to plant the few tomato plants and a few more pepper plants in the first one. The second one will have to get finished tomorrow. Then I can plant all my fall plants in the other. I may have to put up a cold frame around the tomato, pepper one if they take off and grow but it gets colder before they produce! 

Summer Time Projects

     Wow where did spring go? Can you believe June is all but gone! Yes things are hopping here and man is it hot! Summer got here a lot earlier than we all expected. We are well on the way here as we work to finish up our "shedroom"  and bath. We have gone and bought pretty much all the supplies we needed to get the job done. We have just about connected the sewer line to the septic tank and run electric and waterlines  to the "shedroom" too. We have picked out tile for bathroom and have toilet sink and shower all ready to go as far as parts and pieces to construct. We even got a great deal on windows to close in the screened porch and have enough to use in the bath and in the walkway between the house and the shedroom when we get to that project and the containers.

    As far as my garden grows it was a complete mess. every time it rained the sand washed over the new starts. Yes raised beds are going in for sure for the new season.. Hills and sand don't mix. All of my herbs and peppers have grown like crazy and so have all my trees. They really love the hot weather. 

    Getting ready for the G daughters to come visit The two oldest have their license now and are coming with the next to the oldest soon. I can't wait to see them. How much we have missed them all!   

     In the in between I have been busy sharing the good news of the kingdom jw.org We have a convention coming up this weekend I am looking forward to that! 

     I have been building dollhouses again also.

March Planting and Cold Frames

March Planting and Cold Frames

Have you started planting things yet for your garden this spring? It is coming fast this year and one of the earlier springs we have had recently. Here are a few things you can do before planting time. Check your soil; do you need to amend it with anything? Depending on where you live you may want to have a few cold frames ready just in case your zones still may be experiencing frost. Or even a day of winds. Here is how to build a cold frame.

Cold Frames made Simple

Things you will need:

• Jig saw
• Drill
• Measure
• Pencil
•  Miter saw
• Straight edge
• 2-4 Hinges with screws
• Hook and latch with screws
• Box of screws 2 1/2 “
• Old window frame
•  2x4x8’ rot resistant planks depending on size of window
• 1-2x2x8 used for the corner braces

     Measure the window the long length to give length for front and back plank length. Measure and cut 3 planks to the size of the window. The third plank is for the back side to add height for drainage.

     Next Measure the short side of the window and this will be the length of each side of the cold frame. Cut 2 (1) for each side.

     Cut a 3^rd plank the same size and mark an angle from one corner to the opposite side to make a wedge using your straightedge. This is in order to let the rain run off of the window and give a more direct sunlight pattern on the plants. Each piece will be placed from back to front at a downward slope of the top side piece when screwed together on each side.

     Once that is done cut the corner pieces that will be used for bracing to the corners of the 2 back planks then add the side piece bottom plank first then add the top wedge piece to the top of that. The front corner braces can be measured and cut. And placed in each corner.

     Now that you have your box created you can now add the window to the top. Place the hinges on the top edge of the back side of the box then add the window to the top and screw the second part of the hinge. In the front edge of the window in the middle add the hook and the latch to the middle front part of your box. Your box is now ready to be placed in your garden area. To keep the box from touching the ground, a frame of brick to the bottom edges can be laid . Add your soil and you are ready to plant.

What to grow for your zone.

1-2 zones you being that you are in an area that the frost is not expected to end soon here are a few things you can grow.

•  Asparagus
• Celery
• Chives
•  Endive
• Leeks
• Radishes

Zone 3 – 4 these all can be started inside

• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts
• Peppers
• Eggplant

Zone 5- For all the seeds started inside you can plant them in the garden by the end of the month of March or early April.  

• Potatoes 
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Radishes
•  Carrots

Zone 6 Roses, trees and shrubs can safely be planted outside. Plants that were started indoors can be transferred outside.

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Zone 7

•  Carrots
•  Beets
•  Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard

Transplant

• Onions
• Shallots
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• White Potatoes
• Collards
• Asparagus
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Zone 8

• Spinach
• Turnips
• Mustards
• Beets
• Carrots
• Broccoli

Mid-month you can plant

•  Corn
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Peppers
• Cucumbers

Zone 9 is basically the same as 8 but you can add

• Asian Greens
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Spinach

Zone 10 All of the above and can be add

• Okra
• Sweet Potatoes
• Melons

     Use those cold frames for indoor plants that have been transferred outside or start seeds recommended for your zone. This will protect them just in case there is a sudden drop in temperatures. I hope this helps you get started on your garden.

     Quote of the day:

“God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” Francis Bacon

     Scripture of the day:

Ps. 119:2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, who search for him with all their heart. 3 They practice no unrighteousness; they walk in his ways.

March Planting

March Planting

      Here we are middle February and it is getting closer to planting a garden outside. Do you know when your last frost date is because that will tell you a great deal when the planting outside should be. The Almanac is the best place to find out when your last frost will be. You can start planting inside for a few vegetables though now.

Indoor Planting

     Here are a list of vegetables that you can start indoors unless you choose to buy plants already growing. This will put you at about the last part of the month of March or so if you are in zone 8 like I am. Our last frost falls on the 8^th of April.

     Cabbage can be started 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost date. Broccoli, Peppers, Celery, Brussel sprouts, Eggplant, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, and Tomatoes Can be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost.  This gives them a good start. I like to plant plenty of each so I can transplant to a larger container to give them a bit more space to grow bigger and some to share with friends and family. I like to start my cucumbers, squash, and pumpkin seeds about the same time too because I don’t buy them as plants.

     I have started my tomatoes already this month but I want to have plants that are more advanced in growth to make a longer growing period. I will be canning much of them this year. Here are the things you will need to get started.

•      When you plant seeds indoors you need a south facing window, a grow light or a small greenhouse. I have a wire rack shelving that I put all my plants on. I also have a greenhouse. That saves me when it is time to water, because I can water without worrying where the water goes. I don’t need lights either there.
•       LED grow lights.  They run about $22 on Amazon Depending on how many shelves you have one for each shelf. I know this is a bit of a cost but this is a onetime purchase. 
•      Seed started packs and drainage trays, you can use plastic food trays or jugs also to save cost. I love to use the rotisserie chicken containers to use the lid to cover then the plants have a good amount of space to sprout and grow
•        Potting soil mixture with perlite 
•       Seeds 
•       Plastic markers or Popsicle sticks for marking plants 
•       Sharpie markers 
•       Plastic wrap to cover over seeds for warmth at start to encourage germination.
•       Thermal pad for each shelf. They help the seeds to sprout.

     Make sure that once you have planted your seeds you water but do not water too much the soil just needs to stay damp. The seeds will mold.  Mark each tray of seed pack with a marker. Place the seed packs on the trays Place them on the shelf on top of the thermal pad and under the lights. Once the seeds have started germinating remover the plastic wrap. If you do not have a window to grow them in and you use the lights you may want to keep the lights on 24 hours. Don’t forget to water!

Soon you will have a nice size garden ready to be transplanted when the frost warning in your area is up. Happy gardening.

     Quote of the day:

   

  Scripture of the day:

Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.​—Matt. 5:8.

  

Garden Time Again

     I started my garden yesterday. We bought several bags of organic garden soil to fill up raised beds. Just put the lettuce, arugula, and kale seeds in. they can withstand the freeze we might have, it got to 27 last night again. I did manage to plant spinach, swiss chard, turnips, radishes earlier and they are coming up good. We are adding some plowed rows this year because the raised beds were not near enough. This year we have to get serious about the garden.

     The 2 pigs that have been out running the property have almost destroyed my herb garden up at the house. I have saved a few hostas, my angel trumpets, a few strawberry plants, my lemon balm and bee balm. That is it. I am glad I got seeds to replant. The pigs are going to become dinner sooner than they think. I bought some plants at the School’s FFA sale to add to my herbs too I bought a purple Angel Trumpet which I never seen it now and a few rosemary plants, a eucalyptus tree, and some peppermint.

     I started taking classes again I finished up one in reflexology. I am now certified to practice it. The other classes are in acupressure, one is a master class and the other is fully accredited. I can use them for my family who all have ailments of some sort. I hope to help ease their problems. I would love to go to get certified to be an acupuncturist but money is tight. Maybe in my bucket list.

Roof on Dude

Front Roof

Trailer roof and front roof

My work space/office

     Despite all the pitfalls and negative onset of getting the new roof on the house, I can honestly say that we are finally getting started. The rain has finally cleared our area and the weather is warm, maybe too warm for some but we have now begun to build a roof. Woohoo!

     Since I am not going on the roof until it is safer I have been working on plenty of other things. I am afraid of heights and if anyone will be falling through, It will be me. So that being said I have been busy with gardening and yard work. Safe things like that are more my way of getting things done. I have planted a four square garden a month ago and it has taken off like crazy with all the rain we had. I have filled in a stone walkway between each square and last night I laid out my frame fencing to keep the critters out. I am recycling an old pool frame for the base. I have also recycled an old round bath tub to make a small fish pond in the one end of the garden.

 

     At the front of the house I have planted a flower/fairy garden. I have been collecting flowers and herbs just for this place. I also dug out all of the debris from around the steps going down to the ravine that has accumulated over the past years. Today I will begin cleaning out the downed branches and wisteria vine and poison ivy that has taken over in the ravine. My daughter has an old pool liner that she is bringing me to line the bottom with to make a big pond for Koi. This project may take some time in between all the other things going on. I have also laid out plans for my pool shed.

 

My steps to the ravine & strawberry patch

My garden

poison ivy & wisteria I will be clearing out for pond

Where the new pool shed will go

     I have been going from one room to the next cleaning out and getting rid of stuff that will not be used or has not been used for a while, downsizing. My office has just a few new thing in it. I now have a sewing area. That is something I needed. We ran all the electric last week and I have just one wall to cover now. I can say it is always cool in there with the a/c we added. Everything has a place and that includes my rocking chair with my massager. I need that too for those days I have gone beyond my breaking point for the day. Little by little I see progress in motion. It may take more than the summer to get things finished but it is well worth it to get up early and start the day off right and work till I drop. I know one thing, I sleep well most nights, unless I have over extended and I do have a tendency to do that. That is when the arnica comes out.

     We have figured that six of the seven female pigs are pregnant and we shall have piglets come August. We moved all the pigs to a new pen since the rain has all but washed them away in the old one. Hopefully that one will dry out soon. We will have to move them all soon to the new pasture. 

     That is what has been going on here at EarthsBlessing Farm. I will be keeping up with new progress and more pictures soon. We hope you like our blog and share it with others as we continue to survive and sustain in all our great adventures.