2011 Garden Update

The garden is finally looking like a garden! Rows of green plants are pushing through the mulch. I can't wait for the veggies to start coming in.

Garden 2011

Garden (Chicken Coop in the background)

Sugar Snap Peas

Sugar Snap Peas are getting big enough to reach for their climber

Jalapenos

4 Rows of Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn is about 6" high

Cucumbers

Row of Cukes starting to spread

3 Rows of Squash - Zuchinni, Yellow, PattyPan

Watermelon pushing through the mulch

Green Beans

Chia - Its not just a PET

My great friend Anne recently turned me on to a Smoothie Add-In that is recommended by Dr. Oz.  Here is the recipe just so you will know what I am blogging about:

Dr. OZ Belly Fat Blasting Smoothie
1 cup of juice (any variety)
1/2 banana or 3/4 berries (I added both)

2 tbs whey powder 

2 tbs ground flaxseed
1 tbs ground psyllium husk   DRY INGREDIENTS
1 tbs chia seeds

1 tbs wheat germ

600 mg fish oil (from supplement capsules, break open and add oil only)
3 ice cubes

(Anne mixes all the dry ingredients in a canister and scoops it in per smoothie. It makes the morning process a little easier). I found all the ingredients on AMAZON.com for about 50 bucks. This would make enough for a couple of months.

Now for the CHIA seed . . . It is the seed we used as kids to smear on the pottery figurines. The labeling talked about letting the seed "Bloom" so we had to figure that out. We put some seeds in a little water and sure enough it sucks the water up and makes a sort of gel around each seed. The taste/texture when eating bloomed Chia seed is sort of like cream of wheat or Malto Meal.  Not bad. I am just in awe of the Chia seed and can not get over that I am eating the Puppy or the Bald Guys hair. LOL.

From the label "Chia (pronounced chee'ah) is the richest and only unprocessed, whole food source of pure Omega 3. A member of the mint family, Chia is native to Central America and has been used traditionally for over 3000 years. Ancient Aztec warriors prized Chia as an endurance promoting Superfood, eating it in bread just before battle, and drinking it in water before running long distances. Due to its high fiber content, Chia seed absorbs more than ten times its weight in water, making it an excellent source of hydration. Omega 3 Chia's soluble fiber forms a gel that slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, binds it to toxins in the digestive system, and helps eliminate waste.*


I have to say, this addition to a smoothie is very filling and I find that I am not hungry until well after my usual lunch time AND I can eat a small lunch and be fine. So I am going to keep with it as soon as I order all these ingredients!!!

PS. I think a scoop or two of this mixture in Soup or in a Carnation Instant Breakfast might work too!

Finally HOME - Benson, NC

We love our home in Johnston County. . . The house is perfect for Marty and I to grow old together in (MBR downstairs) and we have enough land to enjoy about anything we choose. I love being here during the day with my Girls when its all quiet, BUT I love it best when my husband, kids, grandkids, family are here and it sounds like madhouse! ! We have a big yard with lots of space for the kids and dogs to run.The previous owner was very much a Perennial Gardener so my yard is basically set up and I just have to water it and watch it bloom. When things get too big i just split them in them fall for replanting. Its so SWEET.

I've never been a fan of Azaleas but when the white ones were in full bloom they were beautiful. . .

My lazy Tulips, there are some on both sides of the front porch. . . .

More Azalea, in a deep red color, very pretty too. . . .

I found these ladder back chairs, ripped the seats out, painted them and turned them into planters. . . .

 Here is a front yard view of our Sweet Life in Benson, North Carolina

Growing up we moved ALOT. Anytime my mother took a notion to change she packed us up and hauled us somewhere to "start over". Our typical starting over consisted of one box of our most treasured belongings, usually books for me and her beloved Poppa Dog for my sister. Today my love of books has not faltered a bit and comfort/relaxing is usually in the form of a book and my little sister still has her Poppa Dog (missing an eye and most of his fur). Having a house has always been my biggest dream. The stability and feeling of belonging and security makes me breathe easier. I still stare a few seconds when I pull into the driveway because it makes me so happy. I can sit for hours on the porch and deck and never get tired of the view.  I am enjoying this part of my life very much. Even better is that I get to stay home and enjoy it all thanks to my hard working husband.
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Release of the Bunnies

The 6 bunnies lost their itty bitty status when they started hopping as high as the side of the bin and managed to chew the nipple off of the bottle . . . They were eating like crazy, lots of salad and raw veggies.

All six of them were plump and active so we decided it was time for them to become the "Warrior Bunny Clan of the Big Woods". We fixed them a big plate of chopped veggies and dry cereal to keep them going for a day or so . . . I'm pretty sure they will manage with all the green stuff in the woods. The picture below is Cilla (almost Daughter-In-Law), CJ (my granddaughter) and LG (my grandson)

 We thought they would stay near the food but once they were release they all bolted in different directions and we only got a quick picture of one. . .  Hop away Bunny Bunny Hop away ! !

The Ladies . . . and two Ducks

The hens, we affectionately call The Ladies, are doing great. 5 out of 7 days I get 3 eggs, The other two days,  one of those wenches is cutting me short. I fuss at them and tell them my egg  better get squeezed out but they just squawk and peck at the ground.
So far the ducks do nothing but eat, poop, and act scared of their wading pool. I think they are confused because we raised the ducks with two chicks and they think they are chickens.
I open the pen in the morning and let them run around, they stay close by. Its fun to watch them strut around.  I think I need a Rooster.

How does her garden grow?

Its all poking through the dirt and I feel like a momma when I find a new seed making its way through !!   I know thats silly . . . but this is my new hobby and it makes me happy.
Yesterday I kept singing that Tim McGraw song. . . "Watch our corn pop up in rows. . ."  because mine IS . . . all four rows of corn have popped up and are about 2-3" high. Snap peas and green beans are up, squash and watermelon were poking through yesterday. Even my Sunflowers are popping up. . .Every day I get to piddle around in the garden and enjoy the sun and quiet of our neighborhood . . .Life is so Sweet.

Itty Bitty Baby Bunny Update #2

I guess I can drop the Itty Bitty from their description, they are getting bigger. They are eating greens and drinking milk very well, so well in fact, they chewed the nipple off the bottle yesterday.  I'm going to find a spot far away from my garden and release them this week.
Since they are going to be released we have handled them very little (except for feeding). They still look adorable and have learned to hop, almost to the top of the crate.  I will post pictures on the Bunny's last update page.