Tough Summer

Seal in the kitty basket

Indy in the greenhouse

Lenny trying to mess with Sebastian.

I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted until I actually went to the blog to enter this post. Yikes it has been months!

News-wise it was a rough summer. I lost two of my kittens from last September and my Indy cat was a victim of a hit-and-run driver. Losing Seal and Lenny was hard but losing Indy was especially difficult. She was the one who would sit on my lap and begin nursing on my clothes. I wouldn't be paying her any attention and when I would get up from the chair I would have a large soggy spot on my clothes. She was my shadow. (sigh)

The super early spring/summer we experienced messed up my garden plans, as it did most gardeners. Such a crazy season. I learned quite a bit about using my greenhouse. This was first season using one and there is a learning curve. Working full-time makes it hard to keep the temperature regulated. When I work 12-8 it's not too big a deal to check the thermometer and make adjustments. The days I work 8:30-5:00 are a little more tricky. I must come home on my lunch hour to unzip the mesh covered windows, doors and if it is really warm roll up the sides.

My peach tree had an abundance of fruit but I was only able to enjoy one peach (which was fabulous) because someone waited until the peaches were dead ripe then stole every last one of them. Angela and I had planned to make a small batch of peach jam to give as Christmas presents. The loss made me mad then made me sad.

The little fig trees have held their own. They are still pretty small but considering the weather I felt just staying a live was quite a coup for such small starts.

My grape vines and blueberry bushes didn't make it.

I visited Leahy's Greenhouse, a local greenhouse, a few weeks ago to buy a new rhubarb plant. After thinking about it I went back the next day to buy a second rhubarb and three blueberry bushes. The following day I added  2 red current bushes to the mix. Daddy was already planning to pick up my mess of plants. Then I called Mom and told her the number of plants had increased I asked her to let Daddy know the number of plants he was hauling. I didn't want him to be surprised. lol

We were finally able to attend Market today. Between a show, sickness and chances of rain Angela and I had missed the last four Saturdays. I sold a hat, a scarf I had just finished weaving in the ends and one skein of yarn. I have another scarf on the hook and need to dye some more yarn. The skein I sold was dyed using Osage Orange shavings. It made a neat mix of dark and light tones.

My sisters and grandniece and I are having a girls nite at Angela's house this evening. Homemade pizzas, ooey gooey butter cake, a. new Barbie movie for Jaidyn and a little crafting for the sisters ... should be a fun evening. [smile]

Moving Right Along

Yesterday was the first day of Market and we had a great day. There were approx. 60 vendors set up and more will come as the produce comes in. We have had so much rain that the majority of the growers are behind on their planting.

Angela and I both made more money this opening day compared to last year's first Market day. I nearly broke even on what I spent compared to what I made .. this isn't always the case!

My purchases included two Jersey highbush blueberry bushes from the Brambleberry Farm, a cinnamon roll and pumpkin roll from Mary, one of the Amish vendors. I sold a skein of sock yarn to one of my Library customers. Mrs. W. has plans to knit every member of her family a pair of socks for Christmas this year ... I asked if I could be adopted until the end of 2011. =)

Mary asked if I could dye black worsted yarn for the ladies in the Amish community to make baby booties. Apparently black wool yarn is difficult for them to come by. Another lady requested pink in a soft wool yarn that she could use in baby sweaters. I love the idea of my yarns being used to keep babies warm!

My CSA idea has been getting positive feedback. The best I can determine no one in my county is offering a CSA so it seems that I would be filling a need in my community. I can still share produce and eggs with my family and donate to L.I.F.E., our local foodbank, too.

Continuing with the CSA plans, besides the Blueberry bushes, I added the following herbs : Rosemary, Sage and Peppermint. Blueberries will go in a raised bed across the south end of the hen's run. Herbs will go into the front garden. The Rosemary will be in a pot so it can winter over in the house.

Next week I expect to get my Vern's Brown Turkey Fig trees. At Brambleberry Farm these trees only get to be about ten feet tall, then almost die down over the winter. This will be perfect for my small city lot. I will plant them on the east side of my house. This is the most protected spot on my property and has worked very well for my Nectarine tree.

My ankle may be boogered but I'm still following though with my farm plans!