Gypsy Holler

Out of Touch

2009-06-08T14:03:00.006-04:00

Well, I have been out of touch for awhile but around here spring and summer are just plain busy! Had to get the garden in, enlarge the fence around the house, try to keep up with the growing grass - well, at least try to get it cut between rain showers.

We are caught up on the rain - meaning they say we are out of the drought!! We had 8++ inches in May and so far this month we are over the 2 inch mark. This also means that we are lucky to have two days of sun in a row.

I have gone tomato wild this year. So far I have 21 including; yellow pear, Mr. Stripey (heritage), Mountain pride, Better boy, Roma, Cherokee purple (heritage), and German pink (heritage). I have about 1/2 determinate and 1/2 indeterminate. Hopefully we will have a great harvest and I can can some sauce. The sauce I canned last year tasted great and I just loved reaching into the cupboard, grabbing a jar, opening it and knowing that I did this.

While we were working on enlarging the fence (in the vain hope that Fergus, the escape artist, would say in) we found that we have some giant snails! These two seem to be racing to the top of the stump.

I won! I won!

Spring? Really? NOT!

2009-04-06T15:29:00.007-04:00

Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous! The sun was shinning, the breeze was warm (after the gusting quit on Saturday), the clothes were slowly swaying in the sun on the line.

I took the crew out to Todd for a doggy play date. They were defiantly feeling the spring! You might think that having 9 little dogs would create all kinds of havoc but they all just get along so well. Siobhan and Smokey play zoom dogs –Fergus gets in on this sometimes if he is tired of running with Angus and Monty looking for deer. Charlie and Bear really just hang with the humans and BJ..well she was inside pouting because she had just had a bath.

I took both of these pretty flower pictures on Sunday. I love the orange daffy! I have no idea what the other little flower is but there were a ton of them growing in the woods. Can you see the leaves just starting to unfold?

And as they say ...An Appalachian spring does not really start until May…until then its all just a tease.

Today we are having snow flurries.

In like a Lion

2009-03-03T14:25:00.008-05:00

This is the last snow we had in Feb. It was about normal for what we have been getting the last couple of years. Not much really - maybe 3 inches.

This is the snow we had by Monday morning! 12+ inches!!! Now this is what I remember from childhood!

It is beautiful! Until you have to drive in it. I will admit I stayed home for most of the day.

Here is what happens to small balck poodles in really deep snow!

It took me only 10 minutes to get the coats on them.

We stayed outside for about 30 minutes.

Taking the coats off, getting rid of all the little ice balls attached to fur and moping up the floor took 40 minutes...

Spending time with the crew in the snow...Timeless!!

In a winter wonderland

2009-02-06T13:37:00.008-05:00

Doggies delight in a Winter Wonderland

We have had yet snow storm. This one left us with around 5 inches of fluffy white snow - and a wind chill below 0.

So of course I bundled myself and the doggies up and out we went. We went through the woods- checked on the places, I assume by the amount sniffing and peeing, that small critters live. We checked the mail. Then on down the road toward home.

Monty just tumbled Smokey and Smokey is on the rebound. Maybe I should say that Smokey is now out for revenge.

Here is a happy shot- Lacey and Fergus came running through. Then took off through the yard to check out the new house being built below us.

Monty has a mission and he has now taught Fergus and Lacey to help--- the mission is to pee on all of the construction workers car tires.

Little Bear is ready to go in.. and Charlie was already sitting on the porch by the door.

Old Man Winter has come aknocking at the door.

2008-10-29T15:51:00.004-04:00

Local news headline "Winter weather ties record low temperature". We had our first dusting of snow yesterday, it was enough to close down school for the day but not much else. I do not mind cold weather - actually walking in a light snow is wonderful- but the winds that we have been getting are gusting up to 40 mph and are just a bit to brisk for me.

I am doing a series of photos of the back side of Grandfather Mountain - I have one from earlier fall with more color on the trees. So I decided to drive down the parkway on my way to work today and take one. I did think that there would be more snow left but..

I was not the only person who was out taking photos. There was another lady and I have to admit I had camera envy. Not that I know much about cameras but hers was bigger then mine.

Photo for friday

2008-10-24T15:29:00.003-04:00

I took this a couple weeks ago- I call it toad home. I was playing on Picnik.com today using some of there gizmos and this is what I ended up with.

Fall Color

2008-10-17T14:06:00.007-04:00

Each year I take a new photo of Grandfather Mountain. This year it is from the deck of a house on the other side of Foscoe. The colors were not peak yet but I do like the little bit of wispy mist.

My favorite way to view the fall colors is to stand in the middle of a forest and look up. With the sun shinning through the leaves it is like being inside a stained glass window.

Feeling like fall

2008-09-26T14:18:00.003-04:00

I took this photo on Monday but have just had the time to look at it. I love the way the mountain seems to float in a sea of mist. This is one of the best times to get good long valley shots up here. The humidity is usually down - today excluded- and most of the hayes is gone.

Mom and I went to Grandfather Mountain a couple weeks ago to a photo seminar and I had a chance to see some of my favorite animals - Otters! I am completely envious of the sleek way they move through the water, how they seem to always be entertaining each other - and any one who happens to be watching. Even in captivity they seem ...I want to say content but I am not sure that is the it.

Summer is ending

2008-09-12T11:57:00.007-04:00

Well, summer is slowly winding down, a feeling of fall is in the morning air and I seem to have taken a long hiatus from writing (although I have been reading others). I had family visiting, which has just been a whole lot of fun. D & M had a place up in Fleetwood Falls for 2 weeks. Lovely Sister #2 was even here for a week! Having them all so close was great. We got together for meals, both at D & M’s rental and at Shatly Springs. If you have never been to Shatly springs, in Ashe County NC, then you should really try to make it. You have two choices when you get there, order a la cart or go family style. I suggest you go family style. You get fried chicken, ham, biscuits, mashed taters, 2 gravies, stewed apples, at least 2 other veggies and if you still have room dessert. If you can manage to finish the first round they will bring a second! Then, if you can walk, you can take a stroll around the trout pond and sample the healing mineral waters. – If you go on a weekend be prepared to wait to be seated.

I have been busy both in the kitchen and garden the last couple of weeks. I canned some salsa with maters, onions and hot peppers out of my garden. It was a new recipe and I am not sure I like it. Hope it grows on me as I have around a dozen pints left.

They say you should not plant more then zucchini plants then you have people in the house. At my place we have truly had our fill of all this wonderful fresh zucchini – fried, stewed, muffins, bread, in soup… You get the idea. I think that our plants are finally reaching the end.

I don’t usually get into politics here but, well, it is that time. I won’t actually talk about the candidates – even though those who know me know I am very clear on where I stand. – I just want to bring this little song to attention, first recorded in 2006 it is still very relevant.. Don't Be Afraid of the Neo-Cons by Norman and Nancy Blake. I heard this first on WETS 89.5fm - ETSUs public radio station and liked it so much I just had to find a copy to download for myself. Ok, my folks were just a little bit on the hippy side during the 60s and I do know a good folksy/ old-time/ activist song. (No, I don’t think I am being biased, really ;-) )

Here is a link to the actual song and if you are interested in the words or want to know more about the Blake’s try this one.

Here chick,chick, chicken...

2008-07-30T11:13:00.004-04:00

With the raising cost of food, gas, and just about everything else I am thinking of getting some chickens. I love fresh eggs and love to watch hens. I also know that they are not that cheap.

I have been doing lots of "research". I know that I am zoned rural/ agricultural and that even though I technically live in a subdivision we have no POA.

This also means that I will have to build a coop and a good run, one that will withstand both little and big dogs. Little dogs- Charlie just loves to chase birds, especially the wild turkeys so undoubtedly he will want to worry the chickens. Big dogs - neighbor below has a big lab something. I have gone to Lowe's to price what I will need, I have looked on the web and at several books to get ideas for coops and I have been talking to everyone I know who has chickens.

Ok to be honest it will be next spring before I will have everything together- ie will have enough $$ for the coop materials- but I already have just the spot picked out in the yard.

While I have been doing my "research" I have come across some really great chicken websites, and news stories. If you want some really cute chicken stories check out Farmgirl_dk.

Rain drops keep falling on my head- Please!!

2008-07-11T12:59:00.004-04:00

Looking at Rays weather I see that we have had 2+ inches of badly needed rain this month. It kinda feels like it did when I was little- beautiful in the am and showers in the afternoon. All this rain has been great for my veggies. The maters are coming along just fine and I will have my first zucchini this weekend! I also pulled my first red onions and letting them dry some. (I have read that this is what you do) This is the first year that I have actually grown full size ones, usually I just have the little green spring onions.

I have some of the most beautiful Lemon Balm this year. I also have it coming up all over my herb garden. I made the classic mistake of letting it go to seed last year. The upside of this is that I have many, many plants to give to friends, neighbors, acquaintances...

I'm adding this picture just because I like it.

Summer Sunshine

2008-06-26T13:35:00.004-04:00

I’m afraid that I have been unfaithful, again, in updating this blog. Last weekend I went to a wonderful get together to celebrate solstice. We cooked hamburgers (no hormone, free range), Kielbasa (nothing good for you in them) and marinated veggies on the grill. There was potato salad, 3 bean salad, all kinds of other sides, and of course beer and wine.

The setting could not have been more perfect..a quiet pond, crackling fire, tree frogs and mad deer. – A little side note- when deer are getting ready to have their babies little dogs should not chase them, they chase (and stomp) back!-- It was a perfect night, we started our fire, found more wood to burn, laughed, drank and danced naked around the flames....just seeing if your paying attention.

If you look closely at the picture of the tomato flowers you can see our first little green nubs. These are our Cherokee purples. Yummy! I know I have said it before but I love my maters! Green fried, just picked, on a sammie...

Below it is one of our almost ripe rasberries. As good as they taste, the plants are a pain in the a**. The canes are trying to take over the garden. I have pulled them out of the potatoes, the horseraddish and the onions. This fall we are going to have to do a major overhaul of this area. Anyone that wants some just let me know.

Something is fishy here

2008-06-18T16:19:00.002-04:00

OK, so have you ever run across an online survey (or the like) that you just have to try? Then did you think that maybe is was just wrong?

I did one today (Yes, I should have been working I know) that Initially I was curious about but now know that it is just plain wrong. If it is right then I do not exist.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
0
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

It did say that there are over 6000 people with my first name and none with my last. Hummm. Guess I should tell the family that the 1990 Census did not count us.

gotta see it to believe it!

2008-06-09T14:47:00.002-04:00

We are finally getting some rain! yeah! I am at work and ALL of my house windows are open. not yeah. oh well.

I came across this story- Couple gets IRS check for $250,000. If they had not called the IRS how long do you think it would have taken the IRS to catch on? IRS spokesman Eric Smith said mistakes “can happen from time to time.” Bet if I sent in a check for the wrong amount they would not let me get away with saying that.

They should be able to keep some as a reward for being honest.

P.S. In the time it has taken me to write this it has stopped raining and the sun is back out.

Peas, Glorious Peas

2008-05-29T17:03:00.004-04:00

Spring is moving toward summer. I have iris's blooming, birds singing, and peas a growing. Fresh sugar snaps are hard to beat..unless it is fresh from the garden tomatoes.

One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting on the porch steps eating fresh picked perfectly ripe tomatoes with salt. All the juices running down chins, hands and arms, making little pools between our feet. Now that was like eating a little piece of heaven.

over Memorial day weekend I had some company- Dad and M came to see Sirs "graduate" from Mary's school, and it was Zigs first birthday. Sister number #1 had his party at home in Todd. The look on his face when he saw the cake was classic. MINE! That kid loves to eat. He is getting so mobile, soon he will be running everywhere.

Dad and M cut down a tree (sister #1's OM helped) that had broken a couple of weeks ago during one of our wind storms. It is so nice to look out and see that tree gone!

I also got to go to P&M's in Todd for a cookout on Sunday. They have a pond stocked with trout. Yuuuummy! There is a fish in this picture, but it is a Bass. I also had one of the best peach daiquiris ever- I think it had something to do with the GA shine in it. Needless to say a good time was had by all!

Rain and shine

2008-05-20T15:28:00.006-04:00

The weather has been so mixed the last couple of days. Rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine, wind. I know that my little garden is enjoying the rain and the sunshine but the wind...enough already. The wind broke 2 of my iris's the other day. I can't really complain because I just brought them in and have had a wonderful time watching them open.

I have been mulching my plants recently with some great compost from friends but I have decided that I need to put down some actual mulch. I put down a ton of pine mulch last year and have heard that you need to change each time you do this. Well, now of course I can't find where I read this to find out what I should use next. (Maybe I just had a delusional gardening moment. ) I might go with crypress, but I might be able to get some free wood chips. I'm just not sure if you should put down "green" wood chips - last thing I want is to bring in bugs. I know we have a master gardener hotline up here, as soon as I find the number I will call.

Of course, I will just have to sit back, and wait for the weather to figure out what it is doing. This is really not such a bad thing. Really.

May

2008-05-15T10:29:00.003-04:00

"'Tis like the birthday of the world,

When earth was born in bloom;

The light is made of many dyes,

The air is all perfume: There's crimson buds, and white and blue,

The very rainbow showers Have turned to blossoms where they fell,

And sown the earth with flowers."

- Thomas Hood

On a Sunday afternoon...

2008-05-05T15:39:00.010-04:00

This has been one of the best weekends I have had in a long time..first the Herb Fest then a beautiful Sunday. I can tell when it is really feels like spring to me...the yard art comes out. I get the gnomes and shrooms out, hang the wind chimes and geraniums, and put out my very home made bird bath. Indy and Fiona took up residence under the bird bath, just waiting. I can hear their little kitty mantra..They do not see us, be one with the bird bath, they will not see us, be one with the bird bath...

I do not put out all the gnomes that I have - my neighbors would think I might be a bit off. I save most of them for when lovely sister #2 comes to visit. It drives her nuts to see the gnomes in the yard.

I also hung my hummingbird feeder and had my first visitor within minutes! One of the pretty green ones, also had a black and white later. They are so much fun to watch. I would have had several others (or the same one several times) but I was putting poly on my new address sign on a table under the feeder. Once I quit and moved away I heard several but did not get over there fast enough to see them.

Next week I will be planting all the veggies I got in Asheville along with the seedlings I grew. Yeah!!

Asheville Herb Festival

2008-05-03T09:55:00.006-04:00

If anyone wants to know how to make me smile just take me to a nursery and let me drool over the plants. Yesterday, I went with Moms, MS & PS to the Asheville Herb Festival. Oh.My.Gawd. I was in heaven. There were vendors from all over the state there with everything you can think of - including gensing! I took one large basket thinking that when it was full I would be done. Nope that did not happen. I filled up the basket and two bags! I came home with a couple of herbs that I have been looking for forever - wormwood and southerwood, I also have 3 kinds of basil, a really nice rosemary (in a kool biodegradable pot that is actually hard), lime thyme, and OK, so I did get some tomatoes and hot peppers for the garden and some fresh veggies for me.

As an added bonus I got to meet another Blogger - Faerie Made. Her Soaps and lotions are incredible!! If you are anywhere near Asheville you should try to stop by! The Asheville Herb Festival is May 2-4,2008

State troopers stop using their dogs.

2008-05-01T16:36:00.003-04:00

I just found this story on the Charlotte Observer site. Patrol stops using its dogs
Official: K-9 training program to be reviewed. Reading that "troopers in the canine program said dogs have been shocked with a stun gun, kicked and suspended until they are nearly unconscious." I am appalled! These are NC State Highway Patrol. They are suppost to uphold the law. To me this is animal cruelty not the way you train an expensive dog.

Further on it says "an international consulting firm hired to conduct an in-depth review of the N.C. Highway Patrol said the agency needs to improve its management -- particularly in ethical training.." Well no shit.

I am now ashamed of my state.

What happened to Spring?

2008-04-29T11:01:00.003-04:00

Luckily I took this photo a couple days ago. We had a light freeze last night. ugg. Well, it looked like most of my plants made it.

A fellow bloggers friend lost his home to a rather hateful fire. If anyone is able to help him replace any of the simple necessities of life please let Rosie know.

Thoughful Thursday

2008-04-24T13:15:00.003-04:00

Another week seems to be flying by and have to ask myself just what have I done with my time? Well, besides work, play in the garden, and visit friends, I have thought a lot about Earth day. What does earth day mean? The answer for me is, a day to remember our earth, the one who supports, nourishes and enchants us.

If you have not had a chance to read Why Bother? by MICHAEL POLLAN in last Saturdays “Green Issue” of the Washington Post you should. It is a long article but worth the read.

There are several things that he says that I know I will quote one being– “

The Big Problem is nothing more or less than the sum total of countless little
everyday choices, most of them made by us (consumer spending represents 70
percent of our economy), and most of the rest of them made in the name of our
needs and desires and preferences. For us to wait for legislation or technology
to solve the problem of how we’re living our lives suggests we’re not really
serious about changing — something our politicians cannot fail to notice. They
will not move until we do.”

Another is

-"If enough other people bother, each one influencing yet another in a chain
reaction of behavioral change, markets for all manner of green products and
alternative technologies will prosper and expand. (Just look at the market for
hybrid cars.) "

Yes, we can vote with our money, if we do it as a nation.

He also talks about the “energy crisis” of the 70’s. Ok, so I might not remember the cost of food or waiting in line to buy gas, I do remember my folks going “back to the land”. Yep, we did have chickens, 2 large gardens, a compost pile and not so many clothes or toys (Hey, even then college professors did not rake in the big bucks). Moms baked bread, Dad cut wood and we kids seemed to do a lot of weeding in the summer. My folks were not the only ones doing this, it was big then. Of course after a couple of years a lot of the couples/ families decided that it was just too much and moved back to the cities. Just think were we would be today if everyone had just kept going “back to the land”, even if it was just a small spot in the yard.

I am going to try to celebrate earth day every day. If I try to conscientiously change one thing I do each day, even if it a small thing like take my own reusable bags to the grocery, then in my own little world I will have made a difference.

How long did it last

2008-04-21T09:19:00.002-04:00

Well, the manicure only lasted until saturday. It was looking rough and just had to go. Guess I am just not a girl to keep her nails painted. Besides I did start wondering just how "green" the polish was.

What you can get for free on ladies day

2008-04-17T14:03:00.001-04:00

While many women may be used to getting a periodic manicure I am not one of them. In fact I have only had 3 in my lifetime. Yesterday I had my most recent and the best part of it was it was free. Yes free, not as in paid for by some one else but as in gratis- no charge.

The Toyota dealership in Hickory has this great marketing item. Ladies day on Wednesdays. All ladies that bring their car in for any kind of maintenance can have a free manicure. Need an oil change, have a manicure. I went with Moms in her prius and we both had manicures. The young lady doing the manicures was great and fast. She was also very busy. I have not seen that many women getting their cars worked on in one place in a long time, maybe ever. I think I will have to suggest this to my Honda dealership.

Now the hard part for me; keeping my nails looking good for over 2 days. As long as I don’t work in the yard, wash the dog or look at them too much they may last.

Outdoor eating best in the spring

2008-04-10T14:13:00.002-04:00

There is something to be said about Spring Fever. After a long winter the first few warm days of spring are absolutely the best! Flowers begin blooming, trees start to bud, animals begin building homes for their coming young and it is finally warm enough to grill out*. Yes, break out the grill, get the charcoal, brings the burgers, it has begun!

I am lucky enough to have some friends that have the perfect grilling spot. Right beside their pond. I took my three pooches and let them romp with their 3 while we enjoyed some organic local beef burgers. Lordy did they taste good!

After we grilled we took the dogs on a walk up the creek above the lake. I would have loved to get a picture of Smokey but…he was not going to hold still long enough. He went up the hills, he went down, he went through the creek, he even managed to figure out how to splash Fergus! He was soaked.
All the running and playing the dogs did worn them out. They slept the whole way home.

*I feel that I need to differentiate between grilling and BBQ. We take these things seriously here. Grilling – cooking food outside on a grille. BBQ- generally pig, slow cooked for hours with a sauce. Here in NC you find vinegar sauce used primarily in the piedmont and eastern part of the state, in the western part we use a tomato based.

Daffies, Daffies Everywhere!

2008-04-04T09:58:00.006-04:00

Finally we have Daffodils! Well, at least some of mine are blooming. The tulips are taking their sweet time about it and the forsythia (in my yard) is just starting to bud out.

Here is a photo I took trying to be all arstsy →
I have a couple of others but they are a bit blury - the wind was of course not helping me. I took these the other day when I actually managed to get home before dark. That was only because I was going to a bee keepers club meeting.

Speaking of Bees. I would love to keep a hive or two but they do actually take a bit of work and dedication. I am hoping to work with a friend and his bees some this summer to see if I am actually up for this.

Lonesome foggy sunday

2008-03-31T15:24:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a foggy, dreamy sort of day. The type of day that makes it easy to believe in a lot of the old ghost stories. The mist swirled between the trees and the birds seemed to materialize from nowhere. On our evening walk I kept expecting to see some lights like the Brown Mountain lights or perhaps to hear the rattling of coins (see #120).

a funny for Friday

2008-03-28T15:17:00.004-04:00

Two older ladies were sitting on a park bench outside the local town hall where a flower show was in progress.

One leaned over and said, "Life is so boring. We never have any fun anymore. For $5.00 I'd take my clothes off right now and streak through that stupid flower show!" "You're on!" said the other old lady, holding up a $5.00 bill.

As fast as she could, the first little old lady fumbled her way out of her clothes and, completely naked, streaked through the front door of the flower show.

Waiting outside, her friend soon heard a huge commotion inside the hall, followed by loud applause. The naked lady burst out through the door surrounded by a cheering crowd.

"What happened?" asked her waiting friend.

"Why, I won first prize for Best Dried Arrangement."

Ok, so its not politically correct but it is thanks to David Hobson's Garden Humor.

I want flowers!

2008-03-18T14:05:00.004-04:00

Each morning I tell myself not to run outside to see if the daffodils have bloomed. I know it will be another couple of weeks. But I Want It Now! Patients – one quality that is needed by anyone with a garden. One I am lacking in at this time of year.

I did make some great little newspaper seed pots – that’s to Seeded – and started some gourds, pumpkins, Scotch bonnets, Thai peppers, basil (to go in pots on the porch) and snapdragons. Now I will need that quality I am lacking in- patients.

I went to a very good friends house last week and had a wonderful play date with them and there 3 little dogs. I also managed to came home with several tubs of a beautifully composted manure. As all 6 dogs were the same size it was wonderful - 4 of them are terriers. We sat by their pond watching a pair of mallards watch us and watching the dogs try to figure out just how they could get to the ducks without actually getting in the water. Smokey did manage to get mud up to his belly, which required human help washing off, Charlie thought the chickens were particularly fascinating ( I was waiting for him to get just a little to close to the rooster and maybe learn a lesson) and Monty, well, Monty smelled deer and was determined to find them. Charlie, Monty and Smokey slept like the dead on the way home.

Incase I have not mentioned it, I love my Honda Element. You can just fold the seats up out of the way, sweep out any dirt and worst case scenario give a quick wash – inside and out- with the hose.

Thoughts for Thursday

2008-03-06T13:16:00.002-05:00

"Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window."

Steve Bluestone

In like a lamb..

2008-03-04T10:50:00.003-05:00

Last week we had snow, ice, rain, mush and beautiful days with temps in the 50's. I not sure if I can say that March came in like a lamb or if February went out like a lion.

We has a little false spring on Sunday which I took total advantage of and worked in the yard. I planted some bulbs that were given to me last week - and a couple that I had missed last fall when I was planting. I also began an all out war on the little brambles that I have in my yard. I have some really nice Black berry bushes but I also have these little prone briars that are just horrible. You don't see them until you step on them or they grab your jeans and they are slowly trying to invade the little grassy area I have! I spent a good 2 hours just pulling these up and only covered about 30 sq feet. I admit that it was fun to try and pull them and see how much of the roots I could get.

I fully admit I am addicted to reading - I read gardening blogs, general blogs, herb blogs and even manage to sneak in an old fashioned book or two. I used to think that I was a little weird for the amount of books that I have but in my family having boxes of books is not so unusual. Every member of my family has several good sized boxes of books, bookshelves full of books and more scattered around the house- we claim it is genetic. Why I bring this up - I have my first I-pod (yes, I am a little slow). I also have my first subscription to Audible.com. WOW! I was impressed by the vast number of books. I am also worried. Will the easy availability of downloadable audio books bring an end to beautifully printed hardback books?

Winter morning

2008-02-15T10:59:00.009-05:00

I took this yesterday on my way to work. As the sun was just starting to touch the tops of the winter white trees.

With all the warm weather we have been having I am just itching to get the seeds out and start the garden. In a couple of weeks I will actually start some of the longer growing seeds, but for now I just have to contend myself with getting out the calendar, seed packs and a lovely green marker.

Mom and I are going to share a garden at her house as well as the one I will have at home. I am already thinking that in hers we will plant the pumpkins, some squash, hot peppers, onions, kohlrabi, lettuces, and tomatoes. Before that can happen I have to spend some time digging up the raspberry suckers and transplanting them to my yard. I have always thought that I wanted lots of berries in my yard. However, with the reading I have been doing on their care - prune some the first year, others the second, and, oh yes, got to build a trellis. Like that is going to happen. I am going to just go with the lazy farmer way - plant them and see what happens.

Newused Car

2008-02-11T11:12:00.001-05:00

My poor old car, Bessie, was really getting worn out - the door did not close correctly, needed new upper and lower ball joints, the back hatch did not open, and the list goes on. I finally decided that I really needed a new car - a new to me car. I did the whole search the internet, read articles and get blown away by price thing.

What I discovered is that I wanted a Honda Element. They are better on gas then Bessie was, They have a ton of room inside, good accident rating, and the best part - after going to the nursery I can just sweep out the big clumps of dirt then take a hose and wash it out. Yes! the inside is a sealed vinyl that I can just hose it out! No more vacuuming for hours trying to get all the dirt and dog hair!

I have been lucky enough to find one! Right here in Boone. The long and short of the story is that I have some wonderful friends here who were looking to trade there 2004 Element in and I was lucky enough to get it! I am now the proud owner of an orange 2004 element.

I really need to name her...I have thought of punkin - to normal, OJ – unfortunately there is a person that carries that name that I just can't stand, Main squeeze - cute but to long, Matilda- Matty for short, hmm...Anyone have a suggestion?On another note.

On Sunday we had just a bit of wind up here...Gust up to 70MPH. I was lucky that no trees came down on my house - or the new element but the wind did tip over my composter. I have an older metal compost tumbler on a metal frame that was bunged with 3 bungees to 2 trees that the wind pushed sideways then tipped over. Luckily there was a large old grape vine that caught the tumbler before it went too far. I will have to wait till the weekend when I can get some friends over to help put the tumbler back up

Winter in the Blue Ridge

2008-01-31T09:53:00.000-05:00

I have lived here for close to half of my life and I am still amazed that I can drive down a road I've traveled many time and see a view that just takes my breath away.

Winter for me is one of the hardest times of year. Not much to do in the garden, lots of grey days, and the wind. The wind may be the worst. Even if it is a beautiful day, like yesterday, the wind just make it impossible (for me anyway) to be out for more then a little while. I find myself standing by the windows looking at my garden and mentally planning what to do this spring. My list is growing ever longer and I am now trying to sort it into some sort of priority.
Make raised beds at the foot of the bank,
have more trees taken out,
plant fruit trees,

rent a chipper,
pray that all the flowers and herbs I planted last year come back..... You get the idea.

One good thing about winter is sitting on the sofa wrapped in a cozy blanket, hot coco beside me, idly flipping pages of my newest seed catalog. My seed and garden catalogs have the place of honor on my coffee table - right next to the gardening books and the tv remote.

There is another side of winter that I like. Watching the dogs play in the snow. Last week we had a nice snow then it sleeted giving us a not so nice layer of ice on top. It took Smokey awhile to figure out that running down hill was not a good idea. He would just keep sliding and sliding! I will admit that I got a good giggle from the look of amazement on his face.

Thoughtful Thursday

2008-01-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

If you talk to animals, they will talk with you and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear.
What one fears one destroys.

~Chief Dan George

July 24, 1899 - September 23, 1981

Where does time go

2007-12-27T15:47:00.000-05:00

Were does time go? A year ago Lovely sister #1 was pregnant, now I have a beautiful nephew. Sir is 4 , into being a girly girl and in looking after her new bro. Lovely sister #2 in back in a cold Kentuck, at least for now. And I am still loving my home and yard.

I do love the holidays but after spending weeks getting ready I just don't know what to do with myself. Ok, I will take down the holiday decorations, add to my Christmas card list for next year and... If I am really honest- I will kick back and read the great books I received for christmas, peruse the garden catalogs, watch sappy movies and do absolutely nothing.

My 4 legged family has grown in the last month. Smokey Joe has moved in permanently. He came over to visit (and to work on housebreaking), it is now permanently. I never thought I would have a poodle. He is a love bug, a bit dizzy, doesn't seem to understand why the cats won't play with him and has springs instead of legs. He has learned to sit, walk on a leash, and the housebreaking is about 95% - if is really cold or windy he has to be forced to go outside..and you have to watch or he will just run from one door to the other- then you will have a potty inside.

Charlie and Monty are taking Smokey Jos arrival in stride. Charlie has decided that Smokey is fair game for the bate and switch game (Smokey has a chewey- charlie starts squeaking a toy- smokey jumps up to see what charlie is doing - charlie drops toy, grabs chewey and runs). Monty does not seem to mind Smokey - unless Smokey is being overly hyper, barking and jumping and occasionally landing on Monty. The you see little Monty teeth and hear growls- I can't blame him, I would not like it either.

Catching up after ThanksGiving...

2007-11-27T15:10:00.000-05:00

Well, It seems like it has been forever since I have been on here to post. We had a great Thanksgiving, with family and friends from all over. I always say that I am just going to try a bite of all the great food. This year I actually tried to do that...and still felt like I should be rolled downhill hill home. uggg...

Now, We can get ready for Christmas. I am looking forward to decorating this year. I found a really great faux white Christmas tree that is small enough to go on top of the entertainment center. (Yes, my lovely little princesses, Fiona and Moragan, will demolish it if I put it lower). I have also decided to try a nice wide ribbon on the stairs instead of a garland.

With the price of gas (most) everyone in the family has decided to try making most of our gifts this year instead of driving to a store. If nothing else it will make Christmas day interesting. I am making Sir a sleep pillow. I ordered the Hops and Lavender last week and it should be in soon. I thought I could order just a little Hops but no..I will have something like 40 cups. I may have to learn how to make beer!

Falling for Fall

2007-10-30T15:24:00.001-04:00

If anyone wants to know how to jump start a Toyota Prius email me. Not only was I watching Moms pooches for a couple of weeks but I was suppost to drive the car. Ok, so I thought that it was no big deal not to even start it for a week and a half. WRONG!

So after I called the dealership and got passed around to a couple of people. I was finally talking to a guy in the shop. He was great walked me throught it step by step - FYI the battery is in the trunk and the trunk has an auto lock when the power is dead. Then he said that I need to actually drive the car for awhile to charge the battery. No more just jump starting and just letting it run.

I decided to load the pooches up and take some fall pictures. I have to say it was fun to drive around for over an hour and not even use 1/8 tank of gas.

is 5 dogs to many?

2007-10-18T17:14:00.000-04:00

As many may know I have been puppy sitting so my house is quite full..5 dogs and 4 disgruntled cats. Ok, so maybe I have finally realized just how many animals I can handle at one time but that is a personal thing.

What I have come to realize is that if you are on the greenway or in your car - say at a drive thru- people can not seem to help themselves from making some sort of comment. "Wow, how many do you have in there?" " Are those all yours?" " Do you really have 5 in there?" You get the idea.

All of this has made me want to do one of two things. One- call all of my friend with small dogs, ask them to let me borrow their dog for a day, then drive around and go to the greenway (at say 5:45pm). Just to see how many stares and comments I can get. Two- Ask each one of the people who has made a comment if they would actually say to a mother with 5 human children in the car.

lovely sister #2 will be here in a few weeks with her movie camera, so I may just have to go with option one.

Maybe I should just look at them and say "Hey, this is nothing. I used to drive around with around 3 hundred pounds of dog -3 Rotties- in my Jeep. "

Feels like fall

2007-10-15T14:49:00.000-04:00

Evan though we have not had our first frost it is really feeling like fall. All the 4 legged kids are feeling it too. I actually had the heat on the other night.

It was a great weekend to be in the yard doing all the cleanup for the year. On Saturday I thought I'd run over and recycle some paint cans, on the way I say a sign I could not resist- 3 family yard sale. Now, I don't consider my self a garage sale junkie but I do like to see what they have. This time I hit paydirt. I found a HUGE composter..with turning crank and stand and they would deliver it too me!!

Bird with a view

2007-10-09T15:10:00.000-04:00

Well, It has been awhile since I have been here. Sometimes work just gets in the way of life. Moms has gone on vacation out west and left me with the whole show to run and a gaggle of pups to watch. Yes, I did say gaggle. When you have 5 dogs all under the age of 6 (three of them about 3 and 1 only a year old) and weighing from 5 lb to 16lb, I just can't consider them a pack. Well, my kitties may consider them a pack..a pack of mess! Smokey Joe got a good smack from Indy when he decided he was going to push Indy out of the food bowl he was eating from. Smokey has not tried that again, now he just sits there waiting for Indy to finish and helpfully cleans up any crumbs that are left. He has also learned that kitties do not like it when he walks up behind them and licks there bottoms.

I have confess that last night I did something I really never thought I would do...I forgot Lacey in the car.. Well, Lacey is moms new little shitzu/mix girl and she is a bit scared to get in and out of the car so I have to lift her. When we got home last night it was late and I was really looking forward to the focaccia that I had picked up earlier from Stick Boy, so when the other 4 jumped out of the car running to bark at a tree, I just grabbed the bag and walked into the house. About an hour later I was looking all over for Lacey, calling and calling. I felt like a worm terd when I looked over at the car and there she was sitting in the car seat just waiting for me to lift her out.

Fall has finally started to come on the mountains and hopefully we won't have that first hard frost until the trees have had a chance to put on their show. I was over in Trade, TN the other day and on the way back Snake Mtn. was just beautiful. Trees with their bright fall color at the top bleeding down into a deep green at the bottom. My fingers were just itching for my camera which I had left at home. uggg!

The photo above was taken on Junaluska Rd about a week ago. I tried for the photo of him/her landing but it is just a bit fuzzy. Makes me think of the song that goes..."I can see for miles and miles..."

The ten laws of gardening.

2007-09-12T14:31:00.000-04:00

THE TEN LAWS OF GARDENING!
1. Nothing ever looks like it does on the seed packet.
2. Your lawn is always slightly bigger than your desire to mow it.
3. Whichever garden tool you want is always at the back of the shed.
4. The only way to ensure rain, is to give the garden a good soaking.
5. Weeds grow at precisely the rate you pull them out.
6. Autumn follows summer, winter follows autumn, drought follows planting.
7. Evergreens go a funny shade of brown in the winter.
8. The only way to guarantee some colour all year round is to buy a garden gnome.
9. However bare the lawn, grass will appear in the cracks between the patio paving stones.
10. "Annuals" mean disappointment once a year.

Ah yes...it is so true.
I found these at http://www.organicdownunder.com/tenlaws.htm which means that it is true on both hemispheres.

Cat nip dealer

2007-09-10T13:06:00.000-04:00

I felt a bit like a drug dealer over the weekend. It is time to harvest the cat nip (mint) in moms yard, which I did on Friday by literally pulling up the whole plant and depositing it dirt and all in the back of my car. I thought it made the car smell nice (kinda sweet and earthly). Sir did not agree with me - with no uncertainty she said it was icky. By the time I got home on Friday I was not in the mood to deal with it so I left it in the car..Saturday I went to the farmers market, then ran around in town for awhile with these large plants in the back. Each time I saw a cop I just had to smile.

When I did get home I pulled the plants out of the car and set them on the kitchen floor on newspaper ( in an attempt to contain the dirt). It took only about 7 min for Indy, Moragan and Fiona to settle in for a good munch. If you have ever seen cats high on cat nip you know that they like to munch out then run around like crazy - or in Indy's case, roll around on the tan carpet leaving bits of black fur- then they sleep. Hummm. This somehow vaguely reminds me of ... things best left in the past.

Wonder if they cats were seeing the world this way...Yes,I did take it and no, it is not photoshoped at all. I will admit that I'm not sure what I did -I pointed the camera at a wooded lot (yes it was facing into the sun) and this is what I ended up with. Very Psychedelic.

Laborless day

2007-09-04T14:33:00.000-04:00

We had great weather for Labor Day, which is also Sir's birthday this year. You only get to turn 4 once and she made the most of it! All the kids played in the creek, slid down the water slide and played pin the tail on the donkey. (Flopsy the goat is just glad they did not want to pin the tail on the goat!)

I know that we are still in a drought so I should feel guilty about watering my garden but I just can't seem to help myself. Each evening I go out, talk to the still green maters, and turn the water on. Now I don't water if we have had an afternoon shower (cross fingers and knock on wood) but I do go out to see if there is even a hint of red on the maters. I will give them another week or so then if they have not turned they will be fried.

On another note: Indy did something unusual for him- he brought in a chipmunk. Bringing in a chipmunk is not so unusual, what was is that it was still alive. Needless to say it got lose in the house and all 6 of my 4 legged companions felt the need to "help" get it out of the house. I decided to go out and weed while this was going on...All I could hear was an occasional squeal and bark. 10 min later out came Indy with his prize, who stalked off into the lower part of the yard to enjoy his meal in peace.

Happy Cats

2007-08-29T14:01:00.000-04:00

I can hardly believe that it is Wednesday already! Where does the time go? Last Sunday I went to A and T's in Wilkes county for a cookout. A must have some kind of internal radar because each time she plans a cookout it rains!! And yes this time it stared raining as I was heading down the mountain. Now we don't let that stop us from having fun we just give the weather the required 10-15 minuets for it to change and we carry on.

This may look like just a bunch of weeds to the human eye, but to a cat it is heaven! We planted cat mint in the yard a couple of years ago and now find it popping up everywhere. I like to pull the whole plant up, dry it, and store it for over the winter. Then in January or so when the cats are getting a little house crazy I just rub some onto there cat scratch and watch them go nuts.

Michael Vick takes plea

2007-08-24T16:04:00.000-04:00

I don't know whether to do a happy dance or scream with pain...Michael Vick is taking a plea.
That man- no strike that- that morally debased ass should be tied to a tree and beaten around the head, shoulders and groin with a baseball bat, then staked to the ground, his mouth stuffed with salt and covered in honey and stinging ants... All of this is still way to good for that SOB.

Summer shots

2007-08-24T10:29:00.000-04:00

On my way to work this morning it was only 71! Whahoo! We did have a bit of a storm come through yesterday and what a difference it has made. The lower humidity is a welcome relief to all of us including my four legged friends - All three of the dogs at work are going nuts! Chasing each other round and round the house.

I have been a bit of a shutterbug this week and have gotten a couple of great summer shots. The one above was taken on the ridge above the holler on my way home last night.

I found this little gold finch at the edge of Moms garden having a blast with the thistle. I tried to get a little closer and of course that last step was one two many and he flew away.

OK, So I just can't help but add this photo of Fiona sleeping..I guess the light was just too bright!

There is a "chance" of scattered thunderstorms this weekend but you know how it is..it may rain in Boone but not on my side of the mountain. I do have a new way of getting it to rain at my house that is even better then washing the car...I hang out laundry.

I did not get all of my planting done last weekend so I will finish that on saturday, after I go to the farmers market..and my maters have fallen down..that is my fault, I did not put cages around all of them. When I finish all of that I am going to sit in my big orange chair with a mint spritzer and watch for my resident bat to make his/her nightly apparence.

All the chicks in a row

2007-08-20T11:40:00.000-04:00

Ah... Monday, Monday...Another week begins and all I am thinking about are the projects left unfinished at home. I have to remind myself that they will all get done in time.

I took this photo a couple of days ago out in Bethel. That rooster looked so sure of himself as he herded all his "ladies" out of the barn. I know several folks (including myself) who would be happy if the people in their lives would/could be maneuvered, coerced, or gently dircted so easily into going in the direction that we deem correct..at least some of the time. Perhaps we are using the wrong reward...bugs and grubs seemed to work for this rooster.

Trumpet Tree

2007-08-17T14:43:00.000-04:00

It's Friday and once again I am looking forward to the weekend. As it is supposed to "cool down" (only in the low 80s) on Saturday it will be a good day to work in the yard. The soil in my yard seems to need a humongous amount of help so I will be adding mushroom compost - great stuff with out the manure smell. I added some to the pot of this beautiful trumpet tree a friend gave me and look at the number of blooms I got. Watching the humming birds fly into the flowers is a trip, they hover under the flower, scoot up and disappear into the flower then back out. All without actually making the flower move.

Yard work is one of the joys of home ownership..and a good work out. I figure spending 30 min weed eating is at least the equivalent of 200 push ups! I really don't mind weed eating- once I get the darn thing going. It usually takes me 10 pulls and 2 really good curse words.

Dog days of Summer

2007-08-10T10:53:00.000-04:00

This has been a crazy week! It must be true that the dog days of summer really do make people crazy. Or maybe it is just me. Here in the High Country we have either tied or broken several heat records this week. Our local forecaster has said for each day "Rather hot & hazy". That is an understatement, I would call it sweltering and sweaty.

On a cooler note, I went to the Spruce Pine Gem and Mineral show last weekend with a couple of the girls. It was hot and humid but we had a blast. As everyone knows I turn red after 10 minuets in any kind of heat so you can imagine what I looked like after several hours...Several vendors offered me a seat by their fan and asked if I was drinking enough water. Anywho, we all left laden down with treasures and smiles on our faces.

Saints, sinners or animal instinct

2007-08-01T12:07:00.000-04:00

As long as I can remember four legged fur babies have figured into my life so I am well acquainted with the habits of hunting cats. I have been left many "presents" and have tried to show my..ah...gratatued....for each one. Well, the 2 cute little Manx girls, Moragan and Fiona, I adopted last November from WHS have really outdone any I have ever known. This spring Indy took them out and showed them the basics that was the end of my peaceful life. I am no longer sure if I should call my girls Princesses or Assasins. As the photo shows they have become quite proficent hunters...Of all the critters they have brought me the most unsual were the frogs (or maybe the same frog caught twice).

Last Saturday my worst fear was realized - as I sat down on the sofa and turned on the tv I saw a little 6" snake scooting across the floor - without the providing kitten in attendance. I managed to keep my wits and grabbed my trusty flower pot and extra long paint brush. This method has worked well on the myriad of other critters I have attempted to remove but this time the snake was having none of it and I was forced to actually touch it.

Missing the sun

2007-07-30T14:35:00.000-04:00

I took this photo several weeks but since then it has been raining and raining and raining. Ok, I know that we are in a drought and need the rain but I would love to see the sun. So would my maters, basil, and beans.