Rambling Friday: Our Failed Harvest

Oh, yeah, we're not much of a gardener family for several reasons.

Let me be clear, We love planting and having a garden so that's not the problem.

But what is the problem is:

• pesky wild animals (like deer and rabbits and who knows what else) who also like eating food they've not worked for
• busyness.

You see, we live a busy life with work, travel, ministry, family, and just plain life. We love being busy, but sometimes...things get a little too busy. That's where the problem comes in with gardening. Weeds don't get pulled. Watering is skimpy when we forget because we're gone or on the run with work. 

Then there are the wild animals who think we live here to feed them. If they're not eating our broccoli, they're feasting on whatever else looks tempting. Keeping them out is nearly impossible. Somehow they find a way. And probably laugh each time their supper is over--at our expense, of course. 

We have good intentions. We really want a garden and the produce from it. We love fresh produce and the satisfaction of eating the fruit of our gardening labors.

So there you have it. The two big reasons we seldom have much success at gardening. 

Sigh.

But then, there's next year. Maybe we'll give it a shot. After all, we have all year to plan how to succeed! 

Happy day! 

Rambling Friday: Hobbies

Through the years, I've had several hobbies, some I still enjoy, others, I've discarded or lost interest, while still finding new creative ways to enjoy life.

Some that I've enjoyed through the past few years include:

• quotes. Love to collect them, and this is still a keen hobby of mine. I have several journals filled with quotes.
• photography. Can't get away from this one. If I'd chosen a different vocation, it'd be photography.
• angels. Although I still quite a few, I've slowed down on gaining anymore. I'm borderline on this one, wondering if I should sell out. Smile.
• coloring books for adults. This one is a new one for me, and I still enjoy it when I have time.
• scrapbooking. I enjoy this one quite a bit, but seldom find the time to work on it regularly.

Why should you have a hobby? Here's a few thoughts:

• Creativity: hobbies create creativity which also benefits one in their daily work habits. It also gives insight into what kind of person you are.
• Confidence. When you enjoy doing something, such as a hobby, you usually are fairly good at it. We learn, grow in different ways and gain from challenges.
• Hobbies help to reduce stress. Focusing on a hobby gives the body and mind something besides the stress in your life to focus on, thus a time of rest. 
• Socialize. When you find something you enjoy doing, it's always great to find others who enjoy the same hobby, share techniques, and experiences. 

So give it a chance. If you don't already enjoy a hobby, search for one. What do you love to do? Walking? Try new paths, take pictures, draw a picture, write down your thoughts in a journal. Traveling? Make sure to record your journey. Cooking? Quilting? Gardening? Woodworking? Whatever you choose, relax and allow the time you spend on your hobby to help build strength in your body, mind, and soul.


Happy Hobby Day!

Ketchup, Er, I mean Catch Up

Hubby and I (well, him mostly) cleaned out my garden pond Saturday, last, and whew, is that a job. Draining, cleaning, repotting plants, repairing, readjusting rocks, refilling. But it looks nice and clean. Now if I can just get it balanced for my fishies.

Planted a pretty big garden this year (for us). Lots of good stuff, if it grows. Getting rain, so that shouldn't be a problem. Hubby said today, that something (frown) is eating our broccoli leaves. Anyone know what?

We planted: potatoes, beans, corn, carrots, onions, radishes, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, and I think sweet potatoes. More than enough to keep us busy canning and freezing--if it produces.

Talking about gardens, my friend Ann sent this to me. Thought you might enjoy it:

Better than Pie

2 cups Rhubarb (chopped & raw)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 box red jello (any flavor)

3/4 cup water

1 Box Jiffy Cake mix (white or yellow)

1/4 cup Butter (Melted)

Spray baking dish..Arrange Rhubarb in bottom of dish.

Mix sugar and jello together.(Dry)

Sprinkle over Rhubarb. Add water.

Sprinkle Cake mix (dry) over the above.

Drizzle melted butter over cake mix..

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes..

NOTE: I did not have Jiffy cake mix so I used 1/2 box of regular mix.

This is delicious!!(if you like rhubarb..)

Quote:
Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves--to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterdays by our today. --Stewart B. Johnson

Blessings!

More Words to Drive Us Batty


Check out the following sentences. Is it any wonder people from other countries find our language so confusing?

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
I did not object to the object.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
A seamstress and a sewer fell down into the sewer line.
To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
I had to subject the subject to a a series of tests.
How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

and . . .

Why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing? Grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, two meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends, but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

and for good measure . . .

Why doesn't Buick rhyme with quick?

Arggh! No wonder "us'ins poor writers" have such a h-a-r-d time. Laugh!



Gardening is so much fun. Here are a few general hints:

• The best materials to use for mulches are clean leaves (oak leaves in particular), salt hay, shredded redwood bark, and peat moss.
• Destroy all corn stalks and hollow stemmed weeds so that borers cannot get into them.
• Weed when the sun is on its way up. Prune when there is no drying wind.
• Water in the morning; spray or dust with rising temperatures but not when temperature goes above 75 degrees.

Trivia about Cindy Woodsmall:
Cindy and her family sponsor a young girl from Bangkok, living at the House of Grace which was founded to protect and care for tribal girls that are at risk of being sold into prostitution.

Interview posted: Friday, July 13th
with a drawing for a free book from Cindy.
How to get your name entered? Post a comment, email me, or phone. Easy!

Quote:
Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success. --William J. H. Boetcker



Rainy Day Blessings!