Crazy Weather

Seed pod for fern plant

 

                    We have had the crazy weather,  Cold,  very cold, warm, rainy,  overcast and cool.  I don't think that mother nature know what she is doing.  I think that most of the vegetable in the garden did not make it,  but I am giving them some time to decide, before I go pull them up.    This next month, the plots that did not get planted for winter will have cow manure added and black plastic dropped on top to help with weed control.   I did save a lot of seeds from last year.  and will start growing the tomatoes and other transplants about half way thru Feb to put out as soon as we can.

                    I have been working on the Valentines quilt from the Swap here at Mary Jane's Farm.   I really love all the cute fabrics that have come in and I have put the basics of the top together.  I am waiting on just a few more squares. and then it will be finished.

                I have also finished one of the lap quilts but since the quilting machine is still in the shop,  I can not go any further.   But I really thought that this was so cute.  Guess I am going to get a lot of tops done before I get any quilting done.

  Next week I am meeting with the division of Forestry to work on the 5 year plan for the farm.  We are also applying for stewardship of the land.  so I hope that I have everything ready.

                               Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.
 

More Cold weather in Fla.

                                                        Two huge pines in the pasture

            It has been quite cold here in the Sunshine state.  Down in the low 30's,  below freezing.  But we have been working on cleaning the west side of the planted pines and the area is beginning to really take shape.  Still tons more to clean,  but I am beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

          I have had to take my long arm quilting machine in to be worked on,  you know you are having a bad day quilting, when the thread breaks every two inches, and you are not getting anywhere fast.  Can not wait untill it is back because I have several quilt tops to do.

        With the weather this cold, I have been covering the crops left in the garden and hoping for the best.  the Citrus trees and the fig trees have not been covered and I am very worried about them.  

      Wanting something fun to do one day,  I stopped by the church and took some photos of the outside and the inside.  The church is not very big and we have a very small congregation,  but I think it is very pretty.

                        
                                Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.

Cold Weather

                                                           Azaleas in bloom

                   The weather this week has been very cold and not very condusive to working on the farm.   I really don't like it when it is down in the high 30's.  That is really cold for Fa.   But we have gotten the second culvert in and have started working on the west side of the property cleaning it.

                    I have also been in the shop working on some really cute quilted wall hangings and lap quilts.  Material has been on sale and I got material for a beautiful queen size quilt and for the Valentines quilt Swap here at Mary Jane's Farm.  I can not wait to get it started .  I have also pulled out a very old quilt that I started about 20 years ago and it is my intention to get that quilt done this year. 

                                         one of the quilted wall hanging that I am working on.

                        I have been walking around the farm taking photos of what needs to be done and trying to set up a schedule so that the work gets completed.   It sometimes seems to be never ending,  but that is the way life is.   I have a few projects to get done also in the shop and I am always overjoyed when I get to mark one of those off the list.

                                                     Pretty view of the farm

       Even though it was cold out I did get several good photos of the farm.  I will be posting them over the next few weeks.
 
                                Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.

Warm weather, and Cold Weather

                                                   Squash flowers in the garden

            Well,  with the warm weather that we have had for the last few weeks,  every thing in the garden has been growing great.  The squash has been flowering,  but the little squash are not staying on the vine.  The lettuce has taken off, and we have been harvesting it for dinner salads. The garlic is also growing good and the sweet potatoes are still going strong.

          The chickens are producing eggs and I collected some of the pretty feathers from when they molted.  I hope to use them in some jewelry.  The prettiest ones are from the silver and gold lace Wyandottes  and the Americana.  

         Now that the cold weather is here for a few days, I am hoping that nothing dies and that we keep the garden going.  Thank goodness the real cold weather never lasts very long and the temps should be up in the lower 70's in the few days,  with rain of course.

      I have been crocheting scarves for the church to be given to the residents of Grace Marketplace,  the homeless shelter (encampment) here in town,  I have gotten 7 done so far. and hope to do a few more.  Just using yarn that I have had sitting around after finishing other projects.  They are nice and warm and I hope the residents like them.


                               Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.
 

Garden goodness

3 of the 5 tangerines this year.

                 I hope that all my farm girl sisters had a wonderful Christmas  and here is to a Happy New Year. We are calling this Christmas Christmas in July because it is so warm here.  IN the 80's for the past week.   It is supposed to get cold this weekend   like in the 40's,  but for some reason I don't think it will.
                 I have been getting eggs ready for this years show. and have been busy cutting and cleaning them.   I have two major one to do and hope to get them done on this week yet.  I also have a few that I need to finish.  hopefully this afternoon.
               I made leek, sweet potato soup with white sweet potatoes.  It is sooo tasty.  really love the flavor that it has.  I made the stock from the duck remains from Christmas dinner.

                                            Skinned Luffa sponges from the garden
               I still have about 6 left on the vine and hope that they finish growing before it gets too cold.  I also got lots of seeds for next year.  I also want to grow some bird house gourds next year and use them for decorations.
             Well,  Christmas day we got a surprise.   not something we were expecting at all.  My dh  took the dogs for a walk and this tiny 6 week old kitten came running across the street and barreled over my dogs  and climbed up the DH 's leg.   So we are now the proud parents of a 7 week old orange tabby male by the name of Christmas Miracle Tiger.  Tig for short.  The other two cats are about to kills us but they will get over it.
         

  Even I have to admit that he is cute.  but oh does he have energy.


                             Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                             See you next week. down on the farm.

The week before Christmas

                                                   Completed art quilts

              Well,  this was a busy week in which I got several projects done.   I have the art quilts quilted,  just need to add the eyes, buttons and snow to  the one quilt.  I also worked on getting other projects done and got some new projects lined up for the new year.

            Here is the Christmas quilt made from all the swaps  from Mary Jane's Quilt swap  I really love the way that it turned out and can not wait for the valentine fabric swap. ( I already found my material.)
          The chickens have stopped molting and are starting to lay again.  Looking forward to some more fresh eggs.
         Had the lessons and carols at church on Sunday and I was in charge of the luncheon after as well.  Made a wonderful pork roast and Scripture Bread.  and Christmas Eve service is tonight. The weather has been very warm,  think it is going to be in the low 80's tomorrow.  and rain.  Typical Fla.
          I have been working on the dollhouse also.  the lights are up and working and the house in nearly reassembled.  I am ordering the missing pieces so that I can hopefully have it done before the new year.

            Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
     See you next week. down on the farm.

Mad as a Wet Hen

                                                              OH  OOPS
           Well,  I did have this really cute little  1/4 scale lighthouse (Dollhouse) that I had made several years ago.   Seems like the people who helped my ex move did not care about the value of such things.  so they smashed it.    I don't think that I have all the pieces,  but I do have most.

          So  along with trying to get my quilt done this week,  (thanks to the December quilt swap group for all the lovely fabrics)  I am trying to rebuild the doll house.  I have to go back and check the electrical connections,  since  each room has light in it.

             As you can see,  it was pretty well banged up and there is a lot of work to do to get it back to where it belongs.  But the first floor has been sorted out somewhat and is getting re-glued back into place.

            Hopefully I will get in done in the next week or so.   I have to order parts too because some are missing or broken beyond repair.  I do remember that the class I took cost over 200 dollars at the time.  and I had added furniture to it as well. (which is mostly missing.)  so probably worth close to 500 dollars after I finished.
          It is raining again and is supposed to rain all week, which is good. I need to harvest some leeks and some lettuce tomorrow,  and  I am going to try to make some potato leek soup from scratch.

                              Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                              See you next week. down on the farm.