Something is always in bloom here
Written by karen on August 12th, 2012This week at the market
Written by karen on August 5th, 2012We sold out of produce at the market this week, selling cucumbers, green beans, watermelons, and some plant starts.
We were also now certified as growers under the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and WIC, enabling us to take vouchers from qualifying low income, elderly, and women with young children.
This is not something I ever imagined doing, but it’s been fun. Also, we’ve heard some interest in produce from our own local community, which is great.
Best of all, we are eating lots of fresh, naturally grown, delicious produce ourselves!
Growing something new
Written by karen on August 1st, 2012Several years ago, Brad got some stuff to grow sprouts. But alas, we never got around to it. Until now.
This week
Written by karen on July 28th, 2012We finished the adobe wall in the back room. I think it came out great.
We also finally finished the last bit of stucco around the outside doors, and Brad dug lots of trenching and water into the house and sewer lines out. We have started prepping the big walls that will get adobe and will start on those next week.
The weather here has been lovely; monsoons are in full force with big storms rolling through almost every day. We don’t always get the rain here, but have had several long showers. The sprinklers on the outside garden beds have been off for a couple weeks, and as you can see, everything is thriving.
This little piggy
Written by karen on July 22nd, 2012On Friday afternoon, we went for a drive and hike and saw some cute javelinas. This was the first pair we saw.
Then we ran into this bunch.
The babies were so cute!
Glad there aren’t any packs of these getting into our garden though.
Today in masonry school
Written by karen on July 18th, 2012Today, we put some rebar into the wall, anchoring it to the OSB backing and adding strength.
We also put in the first electrical outlet in the adobe wall….
…and began experiments for the adobe wall wine rack concept.
Last night, we made a lovely cold soup from a giant cucumber from the garden. The tomatoes are starting to come in nicely as well.
Laying bricks
Written by karen on July 16th, 2012We began building the first adobe wall today. As with most things, we “practiced” in an inconspicuous place. This time it was the back laundry room. (The adobe there will help warm our bedroom in the winter.)
First, we mixed the mud. It’s pretty much like stucco, except we added some color to try to make the mortar look less gray and more like the adobe bricks.
The actual bricklaying went faster than I expected. Brad said these bricks are much more stable and solid than others he’s worked with.
Here is the first day’s work. And things always go faster after the first day.
And on the weather front, we’ve gotten an inch of rain in the past 24 hours. We also had pretty big hail this afternoon. Exciting.
July 4 in Rodeo
Written by karen on July 5th, 2012They actually shut down highway 80 for this parade. This year was an especially good one.
Growth spurt
Written by karen on June 29th, 2012After coming home from being gone for a week, we thought the changes in the garden would be significant, but we weren’t prepared for this.
The beans have gone crazy, nearly filling their hoop houses. The cucumbers have tons and blooms and the starts of fruits.
The watermelon plants have expanded to the point that you can’t even see the circles in Squashville where they are growing. (It’s hard to remember how it looked just 8 weeks ago.)
And we were shocked to come home to watermelons the size of grapefruits. It won’t be long until we have some to eat.
The tomatoes are continuing to thrive and put out new fruits. Most aren’t ready to eat yet, but we did have our first cherry tomato. Yum.
And Brad harvested the shallots.
Perhaps most surprising of all, the tatsoi and lettuce are still going strong and haven’t gotten bitter.
Everything seems happy in the 100+ degree heat. And on the weather front (ha ha), the monsoons have started.
Oh, deer
Written by karen on June 19th, 2012Sunday night, our lovely little herd of deer nearly wiped out one circle of squash. So Brad has upgraded Squashville accordingly.
