SPRING CLEANUP...OR...WHAT I WISH I HAD DONE LAST FALL!

The perennial/rose garden.
This year, I plan on mixing it up a bit, and tucking some lettuce and possibly some pole beans in there.

First off, let me say, I ALWAYS have the best of intentions when it comes to the autumn clean-up of my herb and vegetable beds. I plan on taking all the tomato trellises and stacking them behind the hen house. I plan on pulling all the icky radishes that never quite grew to picking size, and tossing them to the "girls". I plan on hoiking out all the old lettuce that has died back, and putting it on the compost pile.

Lettuce/radish/pea garden

Lots and lots of planning.

Herbe garden

Unfortunately, all that planning takes place in my head, and moves no further.

Tomato/cucumber/peppers garden

Cause, truth be told, by October, I am sick and tired of being out in the garden!
There...I said it.
Unfortunately, what that means for me every spring, is that I have to get out there, before the perennials are barely poppin' out of the earth, whilst it is still really chilly out, and do some major clean-up.
And, since the garden is pretty much my baby, I am usually out there alone.
Though I belong to a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and truly get more than enough for my family from June through October, there are some veggies I still grow myself.

Tomatoes....cause one can NEVER have too many tomatoes.

Peas...cause they grow so quickly, and they are so much fun to go out and pick your own for supper.

Cucumbers...cause we eat so darn many of them! (I grow the itty bitty ones)

Peppers...just because.

Green/yellow/purple beans....yummo.

Arugula...cause it's my all time favorite to add to a salad.

Lettuce of all varieties...cause we eat salads nearly every day of the week, winter or summer.
And I love the fact that I can go out and pick a giant bag full and give it away!

Zucchini...we love it grilled.

Aaggh...so much more!

So today I have already been outside raking, pulling, dumping, giving thanks, and praying.
And I will be doing a little bit each day, till all the beds are cleared, and the seedlings are ready to pop in the ground.
The beds for the lettuce and peas comes 1st, as I can sow these most any time now.

As always, I have bit off more than I can chew.

Are YOUR eyes bigger than what you think?

PS... The CSA farm that I belong to has asked me to start a blog centered around what is happening in my kitchen each week. I will be focusing on the fresh veggies and herbs from that particular weeks pick-up, and try to show how we can eat healthy without it costing a fortune. I am itchin' to get started, and Joy helped me come up with a tentative blog title:

"Frugal Farm Food...Cheap Thrills from My Kitchen to Yours"

What'da ya think?

LOOK FAMILIAR???

This, my friends, is my breakfast/lunch.
Began assembling this lovely piece of work around 10:30 AM, began nibbling at 11:00, and plan on finishing it over the course of the next 2-3 hours.
Dinner will be some wonderful orange roughy with a green sauce, and possibly some rice with spinach. I'd like to say I eat this way ALL the time, but unfortunately, that is just not the case.
A little too much bread, a bit too much pasta, and over the winter I have packed on 12#.
Add this to the fact that the knees have been hurtin' like the dickens, and therefore, there have been NO workouts since about June.
Now ladies, just 4 short years ago, I was running 3 miles a day,6 days a week, training for my very 1st 5k race, and weighed 126# on race day. I went on to lose another 4# over that summer, and kept it off for a couple of years.
I have backslid real bad.
For right this minute, I can't do anything about the physical ailments, (tho I am scheduled to see my doctor in April), but I CAN do something about what I am eating.
So, this wonderful salad consists of:
romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, a leftover bit of avocado, red onion, a couple of whole grain croutons, broken in tiny pieces, a very few slices of almonds for crunch, a teaspoon or so of gorgonzola (a little goes a LONG way when it comes to gorgonzola!), diced chicken breast, and topped with a drizzle of Julia Child's simple vinaigrette.
Anyone care to join me?

Just had to show the comparison between our duck egg on the left, and the grocers egg on the right!
The ducks are mating like crazy, and a walk around the pond on any given day will usually result in a found egg or two! Farmboy mixed these up for his french toast breakfast this morning!
Am seriously thinkin' on getting some more hens this spring.
Nothing like farm fresh eggs from your very own chickies.

Take care, and let me know YOUR plans for healthy eating this spring!

JUST ANOTHER DAY???

I DON'T THINK SO!!!
For heaven's sake...it's spring!!!
Chives poppin' up!

Can it be Hollyhocks?

Valerian...one of my springtime favorites!
Kinda funky smelling, tall and lanky..... like a teenage boy?


This has been one H-E-double hockey sticks of a year, and this is one farmgirl who is comin' into spring singing Glory, Glory, Halleluiah!
It's like anything is possible, know what I mean?
Not that the problems and the "situations" are gone...but...
I think perhaps we can see a bit more clearly when we have turned the corner on winter and are welcoming in the new births of spring.
Refreshed and renewed, despite what we all may be facing.
And many of us out here are facing some real giants.
You know who you are...
and you know I am praying.
I do not say that lightly.
When Cyn says she is praying, you KNOW Cyn is praying.
So Ang (both of you...the pregnant one and the one in the burbs), dear Jen in Kansas, bestest friend, Joy, and others who have needs...
know that we can come boldly before His throne, as He is our daddy....and we have His ear.

Love,
Cindy

LIVE FROM MONTANA!

These photos are most definitely NOT in the order in which they SHOULD appear, as the most important ones are of my precious granddaughter, Trena!
But, alas, I am worn out from trying to work from Giselle's computer, so bear with me!
The photos of the mountains were taken right outside their cozy apartment....
imagine that....
mountains for a view!

Bridger Mountains, right across the road and down a piece.

Ahh....I have saved the best for last!
Our beautiful granddaughter, Trena Constance!

The happy threesome.
Let me tell you, I have been in my glory, getting to spend these last few days here with Trena.
Can't even begin to think about leaving them on Tuesday, and not seeing her (them) till the end of June.
Tears have already been flowing.
Thank God we have internet, e-mail, and free Verizon to Verizon!
Oh, and a new webcam that we are trying to get working!
Won't that be fun, to get to see her live, via the computer?
At least that's what I keep telling myself.

All for now,
Love,
Cindy

NEW BABY NEWS!

Our oldest daughter, Giselle, and her husband Jon had their 1st baby on Saturday!
Trena Constance was born Saturday evening, weighing in at 7# 7oz, and 21 1/2" long.
Trena...because they liked it...Constance... after my mom.
She looks just like Giselle did when she was a newborn...the prettiest babies on earth!

This is one Memere who can't wait to get her hands on this precious little one!
I am leaving Sunday via Greyhound, and won't be back till Thursday, March 19.
Taking my laptop, so I can keep in touch!