Peanuts

We started digging the peanuts we planted in June. It is probably a little early, they are very small.

We cleaned them up really good and boiled them in some salted seasoned water for about 2 1/2 hours.

They were very tasty....just didn't have enough. Maybe this weekend we'll try some more.
I bought more broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprout plants last week and we got them in the ground last weekend. So far, they look pretty wilted, I sure hope they recover soon. The rye grass we planted as a cover crop was coming up really well and today when I checked, alot of it has died. Maybe too much rain at one time....so I guess we will reseed that too. Beets are spotty,so will replant those too. Plan to put in some spinach seeds this weekend also. Some of the cole crop seeds are spouting so that's encouraging. Weeds are growing the best of everything though.

Garden Planted update

Well, apparently we have a rabbit in our garden! All of my broccoli plants and most of my caulifower plants are history. Something (a rabbit maybe???) ate them. Very disappointed... I don't know whether to buy some more plants and replant or just see if any seeds come up. I hate to waste money and treat that rabbit to another feast.

Fall Garden Planted

We got the fall plants and seeds in the garden this past weekend. Planted some broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and brussel sprout transplants and seeds. Also planted seeds for mustard greens, turnips, snow peas, spinach, and beets. Envisioning a bountiful fall garden, hope springs eternal!! We also planted half the garden with winter rye grass hoping to keep some of the weeds at bay. I had a truckload of horse manure delivered and after seeing it decided to let it overwinter and age before tilling it into the garden. Plans are to tear down the existing chicken house and build a new, better orientated one that is easier to get into to clean. Got a nice rain the day after planting, so hopfully the plants and seeds get off to a great start!!

Magnolia and Gardenia blooms

It's springtime in Louisiana and the beautiful state tree is blooming. If you have never smelled a magnolia bloom you are missing a sweet part of heaven on earth. The blooms are large and very fragrant. The downside is they don't last long after you pick them off the tree..maybe a day. But for that day, they are sweet and intoxicating, filling the whole room with wonderful fragrance.

Gardenias are similar in smell  and just as delicate a flower as the magnolia. It too turns brown all too soon once picked. But the fragrance it brings to the room is worth the sacrifice of losing a few flowers off the bush. This is the first year my bush really bloomed and it must have about 30 flowers on it waiting to pop out. In an effort to make the flowers last longer this time I smashed the stems with a hammer so they could take up more water. I'll see if this helped any.

New Flower Bed

My son created a new flower bed for me last weekend. I transplanted a wisteria vine to the back, planted 2 knock out roses in the center, a hibiscus on the left and a hanging basket of Tex-Mex geraniums on the right.
I have not tried growing these before because I haven't had a sunny flower bed and now I do!.I surely hope the plants do well. I still have to put some mulch in...maybe this weekend.

Plantation plantings

My cousin and I went to St. Francisville to visit a few plantations while she was here visiting.These were taken at Afton Villa where the gardens and remains of a large plantation are located.

These were taken at The Myrtles, one of the haunted plantations in the area. There is a special mystery tour in the evening, but we couldn't stay for that.

 These were taken at Oakley Plantation where John Audubon spent 3 months painting some of his beautiful birds. I just love all the old gardens and this was the 1st time I had ever seen asparagus growing. It inspired my to try to grow some next season.

Easter Vacation

 We are at Henderson Beach with my son and his family The beach is gorgeous and the weather is perfect in the mid 80s Hope everyone had a Blessed Easter Here are a few pics


 

My Granddaughters enjoying the beautiful beach. It is glorious here.

My grandson fought going to sleep till almost 3 p.m., but when we placed him in the wagon to go back to the campground he fell sound asleep in seconds

Loquat Jelly

I made some loguat jelly last weekend. Down here we call them Japanese plums. The tree is a tropical and when we get mild winters like the last one we usually get a crop. Husband likes the jelly and it wasn't difficult to make. Am packing the camper for a trip to Florida this weekend with my son and his family. Haven't used the camper in a while so I need to get in there and do some cleaning. Not my favorite thing to do, so I am procrastinating and writing my blog.

Rainy Spring

We are having a very rainy spring this year and quite warm too. The temperatures have been in the upper 80's for several weeks now. Usually we don't hit them till the end of April. I hope its not an omen for a super hot summer. Much as I want to hope global warming is not happening, I think it is probably. I really don't like the summers here in Louisiana, way to humid and hot. I need to hit the lottery and buy a house in Maine for the summer! What a sweet thing that would be.
The garden is planted but I haven't had time to check it lately. The green beans were coming up sporadically so I think we will have to fill in the gaps soon. The tomatoes I grew from seeds didn't look so hot either. Might have to buy some from the nursery. I hope when things dry out a little I can get a better look at things in the garden.
Need to pack for our camping trip to Destin, FL for Easter.
Later...

Back Again

I have been snoozing for quite a while now. Think I will give this blog another try. Its a good way to document my interests and family life as time flies by.

We had a wonderful family reunion Saturday with my sisters and brothers and their families. Little brother boiled crawfish along with corn, potatoes, mushrooms, and sausage for about 50 people. We also had hamurgers and hot dogs and LOTS of yummy desserts. Kids had an Easter egg hunt and the top prize was a 1922 Silver dollar donated by my oldest brother. My cousin from Maryland was our special guest for the day. Some of us hadn't seen her since we were kids. It was a little on the warm side, but everyone enjoyed themselves.