Something That Isn't ...

   We have been looking into the box I use to teach my classes..now let's look at somethings not found in my box: modern media. I am well aware of nursery and children's programs using power point, television, and other contemporary media to get the message across. Many curriculum packets have cutesy music or cartoon-like pictures to assist their planned lesson. When faced with these items I smile and walk away.

Join me in the classroom.
 

Days Filled With

Last years greens...

   The past several days found us bracing against strong winds that shifted from frigged to warm. Weather like this makes gardening or anything difficult. Instead of planting and seeding, I found myself watering and weeding in preparation for those calm days to come.

     Our crock has been bubbling with tasty tomato sauces. My oldest and I have been stocking the freezer with enchiladas and pasta sauce in preparation for those days when a speedy meal is needed.

       In the sewing room there is an absolute mess. Snips and clips keep the machine humming; a baby blanket in the works, a few little dolls and a quilt to be finished. I walk in that room and just don't know where to start. Of the three tables in the room every one of them is piled with activity. My guys say if I'm in there leave me be because I am busy and focused.

         Soap has been curing on the shelf..one batch was disastrous. Sometimes experimentation does not yield happy accidents...let me just say, there are some plastic molds that will never be the same..oh, and one cake pan- ruined.

           Any extra time in my day is take up with poop. Chicken poop, goat poop, donkey poop..composted poop...yeah, I'm in the poop. Mucking it up, spreading it out, stirring it up and casting it along side..poop is a big part of my day.

            On the up side..with all that poop working I will have plenty of wonderful produce, right? Every wheel barrow has a bright side:)




 

In the Sewing Room: Basting

 

   My first attempts at quilting were very basic and very small. This gave me freedom to work with fabric I wasn't emotionally attached to and work within a reasonable space. As my skills grew, my projects grew as well..from 12 inch squares, to baby quilts on up. Over those many projects I have worked with two basting techniques: thread basting and pin basting.

Join me In the classroom..for a chat and a video.

 

 

Sunday

   Today's young men face difficulty seeking strong male role models. Why is the effeminate man pushed on us as the example to emulate? At what point did weakness become acceptable? How far is a man to fall before he is held accountable? Raising a young man of God is proving to be quite a desperate challenge..and the examples are few and far. Let us turn to God's Word for wisdom and guidance.

Proverbs 2

King James Version (KJV)

2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

² So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
⁸ He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
⁹ Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
¹⁰ When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
¹¹ Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
¹² To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
¹³ Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
¹⁴ Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
¹⁵ Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
¹⁶ To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
¹⁷ Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
¹⁸ For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
¹⁹ None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
²⁰ That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
²¹ For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
²² But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Weekend Gardening: Kale

   Grown year round here on my little home farm, kale is nutrient dense and wonderfully versatile. This member of the 'wild cabbage' family has frilly leaves we harvest from the bottom up to keep the leaves producing as long as possible. When intense summer heat makes them tough and less sweet, plantings are made in the shade or window box for baby green or micro green harvesting.
    In my garden, kale is direct seeded in long rows strategically located where taller summer crops such as tomato will later provide it with a bit of relief from the sun. I never bother with 'spacing' the plants the suggested eighteen inches since cuttings are taken the minute leaves are the size of a silver dollar. The constant picking keeps plants producing tender, young leaves without the plant getting over sized. Sauteed, in soup or blended in a smoothie kale provides a hearty source of nutrients and a great source of natural energy.

The bare facts:

     Direct seed in well drained soil between January 1 and March 1. (Temps ranging from 40 to 70)
     Small plot succession planting recommended.
     Common Southern Varieties:
     Red Russian
     Redbor
     Nero di Toscana
     Dwarf Blue curled
     Siberian

 My personal seed resource favorites are Producer's Co-op, and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

 If you intend to save seed, be sure to plant open pollinated/heirloom varieties allowing the strong plants to develop their flower head. Once ripe seed pots are present, gather them in paper bags crushing gently to release the seed. Store seeds in a cool dry place for up to a year. Often kale or collards will direct reseed themselves right in the garden.

 Now, let's get growing!