Ramblings, Heirloom asparagus & more Apron Love

Things have really burst into life here. Making me far busier {and happily so} with this early onset of warmth. The Weeping Cherry tree's bloomed especially vibrant this year. Over the last few days it has become the norm in seeing at least 2 cars stopping in front of our home to snap pictures of them in bloom. I can not blame them. They are such an amazing sight so early in the year.

I have let the chickens out to free roam everyday being there is not much they could destroy this early. Except maybe {hopefully} put a huge dent on the bug population.

I am picking up our second hive next month. Without a colony. As you can see below the pollen count is very high this early which having Carinilian Bee's as we do means they will produce even more then normal amount of workers. Which in turn means restricting their hive space with growth and in hand possiby cause a swarming. I need the second hive for splitting just in case. I have still not received a Honey extractor. The enduring of Flaky people for second hand extractors plus the use /borrowing of one, not too mention the email & phone encounter of a scarey movie waiting to happen has me empty handed. {one of those where a woman emails to tell me she has one I can borrow so I send her the number for contact. Then a man calls here from an out of state number upon which I am told he is her "boyfriend" {she wrote to tell me her "boyfriend" will be calling me since it is his equipment only AFTER I sent her the number}.. Somehow the conversation became even more red flag with him saying I need to bring my frames to his place and all his extracting equipment is in the basement plus it is going to take a few hours to get all the frames done... dun dun dun......}

Back to the bee's, the weeping Cherry blooms have been the hot spot of our yard making much in ease for their close inspection.

We {I } have been spending all my time cleaning up any weeds that continue to show face in the garden. I have been using a 2x4 to make a line mark as I make my way from one end to the other. It may seem silly but with the grass clippings & leaves mulched on top, it takes the wood color to make the weed greens pop out. Think of it as though it were a graph line. It makes for a great marker of where I leave off everyday as well.

. I am just now seeing life in the cool weather garden. The Fava's are just now poking through. I planted the Tall Telephone Garden peas in a zig zag along the bentwood trellis plus Sugar snaps along the side back of the fence. Frog & I have been busy whipping up & watering what green there is with our Comfrey composted tea. Thats her favorite part. The watering.

I am now adamant, concerning aprons, one has no realization how they really are one of the most useful pieces of one's { my } wardrobe. We all know most of my wardrobe consists of thrift store finds.Personally I rather enjoy paying less for almost new looking clothes then the availability of overpriced and far too dressy for my lifestyle. Just like that white sundress above. $4 and looked just as good as it had when new.

    I worked in the garden all day wearing that white dress. Not a bit of dirt was on it...I wore my apron which was just an inch past my hem, all day. Sold! Now when it comes to getting dirty, I am just as bad if not worse then my little country kids. From playing with chickens, climbing trees like monkeys, letting their imagination soar with play outdoors with the occasional imitating of a hen taking a dust bath... I kid not. I had asked what they were doing and that was the answer.... taking a dust bath... sigh. Just as bad as pulling in the driveway last night to discover Frog had hog tied her big brother with a jump rope... Now, I understood why the car which had slowed down in front of me was not about the weeping Cherry blooms as I have become accustomed. It was the odd sight of seeing a small child Hog Tied in the front yard with an even smaller child dancing around him as though she were doing a tribal victory dance...

But lets move on to the most amazing gift I received last evening. Mr. J had stopped in to inquire if I would like "some" asparagus plants he has thinned out from his patch. How.. nay WHY ,would I say no? So the Captain long after calls out "Hey, Mr. J is coming up the drive with a big box in a wheel barrow". I thought nothing of it. I mean, it could have been the only box he had & maybe he did not want to drop it coming across the road.... Turned out neither were the reason. That "some" turned into over 3 dozen crowns of the rare heirloom "Conover Colossal"  asparagus crowns!! My mind was reeling and I would not be surprised if that man has not come to the conclusion I am a complete airhead the way I fumble on my words. I could not believe they were all for me. Be still my heart.. Be still.

I was amazed he had grown these 2 year old crowns from seed. An impressive feat. After some research, I found out more on my Darlin' Octopus root gems. They became well known in the late 1800's. Touted as the best compared to all other varieties available. An old article pertaining to the beginning of it's popularity is at this link* which describes not only it's abundance per crown of averaging 35 stalks but that it is not from the soil which gives it such superiority. It is indeed the variety created in his {Conover's} asparagus farming.

I am overjoyed to finally have these green spears in the garden. I have had attempts in the past to grow asparagus from the nursery store stock, resulting in just the loss of time & money. I am ever so full of gratitude for a most wonderful gift an asparagus loving gardener can receive.

A few more picture highlights of the last few days. Less talking. More showing....

 The lady bugs are out & this lil one fell onto my apron as the willow greens swayed around me.

Ming has discovered my burdock Hypertuffa is the best place to lay & cool down while watching me work in the garden.

 Esmeralda is the low hen of the group and an incident of her exclusion from the communal dust bath had the children pampering her with worms fresh from the garden. Ming, of course, wanted inclusion. Liking the worm she was offered? not so much...

I think I may do some back road driving for some camera play. I have been inspired by some photography that was shown in the recent MaryJanes Farmgirls magazine, using old pieces of timber & hardware. Enhancing the presentation/feeling of the photograph. Not that it is a new concept but brought back the inspiration I needed due to being side tracked by the garden.

Sweetest Dreams,

~Tammie

Cottage Herbals: part 5

Welcome back, I've missed our little visits in the garden. Today I share with you an herb that is of great use in your evening teas. These modern times cause far more stress & upset in everyday life. It can effect your sleep needs, in turn effecting your day of productivity. Have I mentioned Panda has a bit of an issue in the evening? No? Well, she is a bundle of energy when the sun goes down. It comes out of no where, making her lose those much needed long hours of sleep for her growing body. She just can not seem to calm down when I tell her lights out. Oh that child... I will be all snuggled down and she comes bouncing in my room intent on talking a mile a minute, laughing & giggling about the happenings of her day. I swear, that child.. I can ask about her day all I want with nay much of a word coming from her but let that sun go down and....well. It just won't do. She now has a bottle of Melatonin to assist in the times she is in need... She has such an early hour to wake, before the sun has even begun to greet the day. I knew something had to be done with her evening energy bubble. It takes effect in just a short period of time. Calming her enough to make the Sandman come along. She's a night Owl, that one. In the cloak of the night, her energy abounds.

But that is not the herb I am sharing with you in the garden. This one has the same calming effect but is in more natural form of harvest & dosage. You grow this rather stinky plant for it's roots. Due to it's scent, I prefer to keep it out of the way. FAR away in the back of the garden. Surrounded with pleasant scent flowers in hopes to alleviate it a tad, should it be brushed or should the sun warm it's oils into release.. Besides, melatonin is fabulous but neither you or I, can "produce" such a thing at home. Despite the natural ingredients, it's just not the same..

Oh, yes. Back to our plant. This, is Valerian... A friend to the night and in times of stressful woes.

A little fun fact for you. Not only was this herb used during World War II, in England, to relieve the stress of air raids, Valerian can have curious effects on some animals. Cats become frisky on smelling it, and an oil prepared from Valerian and aniseed is used by gypsies to quell unfriendly dogs. Horses, too, are known to like its scent, as are rats and mice, for whose benefit it was once used as a bait in traps. I have yet to try it, but I do believe the winter mice we encounter of this old cottage, will play into a bit of experimentation of Valerian baited traps.

What is it about our society that continues to push pills & chemicals on every little thing that ails you? 

Looking for the "medical facts accepted by the Board of Medicine", I found this site* to share a middle road view on the use of Valerian. is used for sleeping disorders, restlessness & anxiety, & as a muscle relaxant. Certain data suggests that Valerian has an effect that is calming but doesn't cause sleepiness the following day.

The part you harvest & use is the root. Once the flowers & leaves die come late summer or early fall, you dig up the root, being careful to dig a bit away from the base being the root has "tendril" shoots.Think of it as a bit like an Octopus.

Wash the dirt off and clip any stem or such from above it. Dry off gently & let dry for 2-3 months in a cool dark spot. Be sure to cut it into small diced pieces as one would with Comfrey root, to ensure even drying & ease in prep/use for dosage. You will want to check on them often, turning for even air flow. Make a weekend ritual to go to your "herb drying closet" to check on them and tend for their even drying.

Once completely dry, store them in a dark glass jar with lid. You may also cover clear jars with newspaper or paper mache them with a dark material so light can not weaken the contents potency.

Of course if you want it powdered, it is FAR easier to grind the small diced pieces then it is a chunk of dried root.  Now if you have ever browsed in the box tea section of the grocer, you most likely have seen the Celestial seasonings teas. THIS herb is in their "sweet dreams" blend. Mixed with mints for better taste. You can do the same of course being mint should already be in your medicinal garden. Key thing to point out is the box tea does not tell you the proper method of making. Standard hot water brew only. THAT would not leave the oils I mentioned above for the effect of purpose.

Never use boiling water with your Valerian. It will destroy the beneficial oils contained within it. The active ingredients of this herb are volatile oils. Hence, to reap the health benefits, valerian root tea should never be prepared with hot water. Or otherwise, much will be lost during preparation.This needs a clod brew method. Dosage for tea is 1 tspn. of Valerian root to 1 cup water. Boil water and let it cool down to a lukewarm temperature. Let the root steep for at least 4-5 hours. Now do you understand why we have been using Melatonin with Panda? Making the tea is not efficient in this home. besides, she really does not like the taste. I have better luck with the quick dosage.

You should look more into the use of Valerian being I can not give you every bit & tad of information. But for the Herbal garden, this is simply a must have. 

Now I must finish up this picket fence and garden bench being the rain has subsided for the day. I do believe this warm weather is here to say, making a lovely long garden season.

No worries, I'll be sure to have you over when it is finished. After all, I am upcycling the materials for the bench as well. The idea came to me when I realized we were a fence section short when enlarging the original area with the Potter's shed. Not too mention, the Captain brought home a piece from work which he had planned for the first Bonfire of the year... But I snagged it from his pile with not a single ounce of guilt.

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

Can you feel that? She's coming!

Most of us are experiencing it. Seeing it. Feeling it. But are you enjoying it to the fullest? I am taking every stolen moment of this amazing early weather straight to the garden. This week, I have taken the back picket fence down for enlarging the back to include the Cut Flower area. Although it was not more then a simple lift of a job. Being my Pink Goddess lost her gear pin during the late Fall tilling, she ran smack into the back fence section! Thankfully the extent was merely a loosening of nails in the end posts.

 In the main garden, I discovered the parsley from last year over wintered & must have begun spreading before the freeze hit. The garlic bulbs I planted {given to us from Mr.J last Fall} are poking up with the chamomile looking bigger each passing week. In the house front garden bed, I became very shocked to see my Greek Oregano looking as though winter never came. This is how I found i yesterday Morn:

I snipped a large section for use in a  red wine, smoked garlic, lemon & Greek oregano marinade for boneless pork chops. Thank you Kalyn's kitchen* for the morsel worthy recipe!

{ http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/06/greek-seasoned-grilled-pork-chops.html }

Even my Lavender & Thyme fence hedge survived! I'm so use to the dying off of woody herb plants, this is a HUGE joy for me.

Ming the Peke accompanied me in the beautiful day of almost 70. She became easily enchanted with our Honey bee's coming to drink from a leaf filled rain puddle just feet away from my work area. The only thing pulling her away after a long spell, was the chatter of our hens approaching from the other side of garden.

It was exactly as they say, a bee line from hive to puddle throughout the warmth of our day.

In between the going on's of our home and my determined & successful goal of swimming laps every morning at the YMCA for a Garden body wake up, the Salad tub finally came forth. I grabbed the bucket from the chicken coop being most of containers were snitched from the garage by snowsuit bundled ragamuffins. 

I planted in the very center, Red Romaine lettuce. Following in a circle around that is French breakfast radish and the outer circle being a speckled butterhead lettuce. All 3 an heirloom for our zap & zing salad tub.

Yes. Yes. I know they do not mature even close to the same days. There are 2 purposes of this indoor garden. One being a source of young salad leaves, harvested young as they are needed as well as a radish allowed to mature beyond, plucked as desired.

No mature heads wanted in this bucket! The second purpose being a source for older thinning's  gently harvested for transplanting into the main garden. Inside a cold frame I have yet to get in place.

Can you believe, just today, moments of snowfall came with the sun shining with temps in the mid 30's F which are closely followed b this entire next week hitting 60F or or higher.

Truly it is like a dream. A tease of garden temptation. Jesting us or taking pity. I'm not sure how to take. But I WILL take it, with a smile of gratitude.

Up ahead, many more plantings to come this month as well as beginning those much anticipated Sweet peas from Owl's Acres, soaking for the last few days.  They will be my first A.M planting activity. More garden clean up, some hunting for wild edible beginnings &romps in the woods. Plus my WineCap mushroom order is expected to ship April 18th.

 The toppping of this early Spring fun? I have a massive road trip which will have me zipping & zapping all over with the last spot being by the bay on the far East coast before heading home. Excitement & delight. but details not to be revealed until I have been given orders.

Remember to take it slow with your physical garden duties. Now is the time where many experience soreness from overdoing it after a winter's rest. If you have the resource to do so, I highly recommend to get your Bum into the pool at your local YMCA. The heated pool at our local spot has been almost a daily routine for me. I was won over with the first 1/2 hour constant laps. My whole body feels more burn & strength from it then if I worked on machines in the gym. Amazing! if they offer it, go for those water aerobics! Don't forget to take your vitamins and with each first passing from inside to outdoors, lean your face up to the sun. Close your eyes breath in with a smile on your lips. Take the moment to soak in & appreciate these beautiful days. 

They are counted, ya know.

Sunny sweet dreams,

~Tammie

Fern imprint concrete tabletop

While waiting on the Medi script for Frog, being she had stepped on a nail and day 3 showed infection, I thumbed through a magazine titled Family Handyman. Oh Boy was I tempted to buy it! BUT- that $11 price tag had me decide otherwise. So, during our long wait I began writing down notes on the 2 projects I had become smitten for.

After a quick search on the Magazine web page, I found those exact 2 projects with step by step directions. I knew this amazingly simple yet hard looking table had to be shared with all you. 

Not that I have made it, yet. Plenty of others ahead in line here. With the knowledge & experience I do have in the workshop, I knew this may appear daunting as a finished piece but in reality this is something almost anyone can make. Not too mention bring some stars to your chart when asked by friends where you bought it.  "Oh, I made that. Isn't it just lovely?!". Great conversation starter!

Now of course you will want to go the link I share below for more details. In the mean time, Just to prove the easy making of this beauty, lets see a few of their "how to" included photo's.

You would need to purchase crack resistant cement. PLUS if you can score an old bookshelf with that cheap melamine coated particle board for your simple frame, your cost is greatly reduced.

Once the frame is built, You want to seal up those corners & cracks for smooth edges using caulk & tape:

 You then spray glue adhesive inside where you will place those dried off freshly harvest Ferns. Once the glue is dry, you will then pour in your cement.

Let it dry fully then you will remove the sides of your built frame. Flip the cement slab with the "bottom" {in this case white} board still attached. You will then gently pry the two apart:

Now you will want to get your base done while you allow this table top to "cure" more. Not too mention, personally, I would build the base AFTER the topper so you can be sure the two fit perfectly together. here is the base which shows what you need:

See? This is truly one of those simple projects that really wow with it's final presence. How wonderful of an addition this would be to your outdoor, or even indoor, seating area.

Now follow this link* 

{http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Outdoor-Projects/Patio/Patio-Furniture/build-your-own-concrete-table }

 for the complete how, what & where on making this expensive looking addition. Who knows. Maybe you will like the look so much, you decide to go with concrete counter tops and sinks!

The following are from Elements concrete {gotta give credit for their photos showing amazing use of concrete}

Yes darlin'. That truly is CONCRETE counter-tops! The corner embellishments are the most endearing touches.

And check out this jaw dropping CONCRETE vanity sink top!

I do believe should I ever have the opportunity of building a new cottage, I want Concrete sinks & counter tops. I wonder what the pricing difference is between counter top materials of wood, particle, granite, stones & Concrete... Oh the things my mind ponder...

The grow lights have been brought out and the flats are quickly filling up the dining room bay window view. I am whipping up a flat & light frame this weekend. I simply can not use another table as I had last year. The dining room was horridly crowded. 

Now I must be off. I have a HOT date.... with My Captain. He is taking me to see the movie WanderLust. Why do I have the feeling he may find it as a comedy but I may walk away even more wanting of an intentional community {aka "picking of your own neighbors"} on some 100 or so acres. Oh the things I ponder.... Oh! one more thing. be sure when you pic out your lettuce seed this year, to get single color packet varieties so as to make some Lettuce tub art like the ones mentioned years ago here. Red in one pack, green in another & so on. From spirals to Peace Symbols & hearts. Bring those unexpected smiles & adoration into the Spring garden!

Sweet Spring Dreams,

~Tammie