When to Plant What

I remember hearing/reading how folks will look through gardening magazines and seed/plant catalogs in the winter. It’s the time to make garden plans. Well, winter officially started yesterday! It’s time to get busy planning and designing our upcoming garden. This year I’m getting organized and will actually mark my day planner when to plant what!

I’ve always been late to the party. That’s the way I have always rolled.

This coming year will be different!

This year ~ 2019 ~ will mark the first opportunity since we have owned “The Sprott Country Gardens” that I will not be leaving for long periods of time! Nope! (Not unless I'm dead!)

We are here.
Momma is nearby.

It’s a go!

Rather than going through magazines and catalogs, I did an internet search: “When to Plant Herbs and Vegetables” and found a lot of information!

I like the Better Homes & Garden (BH&G) resource, their planting schedule for a variety of veggies!

Soon I will pop in our County Extension office and pick up some literature more specific to this area. An interesting tidbit I just read on their site (emphasis mine):

Lampasas County lies in the Texas Hill Country at the geographical center of Texas.

Anyhoo...

I LOVE To-Do LISTS!!! And BH&G site already prepared “Zones 7-8 Garden Calendar and Monthly Garden Tips” for me!!! Yes!

But, something else I need when planning and designing the garden is what to plant with what...
Companion Planting Chart for Vegetables is listed nicely on the BH&G site as well!

Of course, the Almanac is a great go-to and it even gave me the”30% probability of frost free after April 1" information needed! I do plan to also plant by the moon dates. I wish these charts had a print icon. Oh. Well.

Oh. My. Lots of studying to do over the next few weeks!

I have started pulling out the dormant grass and weeds from the Keyhole Garden. I mowed it all and gave to the chickens! They loved it! (oh, I need to put 2nd coat of paint on the Chicken Coop as well)

My dream is for our entire west yard to be void of grass and full of vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, fruit trees, and yard art (food for the soul).

Winter is here.

Pretend

One is never too old to learn something new! I am most certain research will back up my claim: It is a great way to stay mentally active!

When I say “new” I refer to acquiring knowledge totally outside my comfort zone. It’s not to polish up my skills, or learn a new technique or way of doing something I already know something about, but a totally new (yet I’ve always wanted to know about) aspect.

I will never actually seek a Masters Degree. It is most impractical for a 65+ me with zero plans on ever working full time again (especially to pay off the over $75,000 ridiculous cost to achieve such a degree). But I have spent the past few days of down time (while husband recuperates from double bypass surgery) coming up with a pretend degree plan through Texas A&M University!

Thank goodness for the Internet and folks/businesses that provide content!

I am very interested in land management (our own personal land and surrounding local community) by transferring the precious commodity into a permaculture landscape.

I started in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences area, then found the “Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Development” (ALEC) degree planner that lists the required courses.

For the “additional” ALEC courses and the “Support Courses” I found TAMU’s online catalog and simply scrolled down the list of course descriptions.

Everything and anything that peeked my interest, I right clicked “open link in new tab” and will read further, later. I have bunches of links open and pray my system doesn’t crash on me!

Oh. My. Goodness. For the first required course “Principles of Adult Education” I found a bucket load of online resources and read and read and read...

Anyway, while trying to keep a low profile around here, that’s what I’ve been doing... learning something new!

What are you learning today?



                   

The Process

As I shared back in September, we have now sold both houses in Dallas. We made the hard decisions.  I’m sure if we hadn’t had all the rain, and had had help, more would be here.

It is what it is.

It is done.

Now the process truly begins of merging all into one. Someday next year I will see my sewing machine, embroidery machine, the serger, quilting machine, and cutting table again! Right now, all are buried with “stuff” to sort through.

I’m focusing on the “common” areas first!

Now to get busy....

Left Behind

This time next month, the houses in Dallas (ours and Momma’s) will be forever gone to us. It’s a new beginning, I keep thinking. And, I gently explain the same to Momma. It’s been home for her since 1950. I cannot imagine the mixture of emotions she must be going through. I try. But, I’m going through my own emotions parting with my childhood home.

So much “stuff” I cannot leave behind. I’m doing well, I suppose, of what I am either selling, or simply walking away from. It’s been difficult, to say the least.

Momma’s treasures, her collections beyond what was listed on her (invalid) codicil and for the most part distributed, I cannot part with. It’s incredibly sad to me what was not wanted...

For me, everything I can place will be on display here at the ranch for her to continue to enjoy for as long as she is able. It’s the way I roll.

Once the dust settles, I plan on listing each item I’ve saved, and writing down its memory, the story left behind. It is obvious no one will want what I wanted. I know I have no one to pass along the hard earned treasures. To whomever settles my estate, it will be simply - stuff.

What a shame.

Two USN knives.
Daddy’s dog tags.
Momma’s high school annuals.
Daddy’s high school annuals.
All the photos. Oh, so many photos.
China Daddy bought Momma and mailed from Japan during the Korean conflict.
“The” dominos
Driftwood from Arkansas
Daddy’s desk
Rocking Chair
Rose Tea Set from Japan Daddy sent his mother.
Pocket Watches
Shaving mug
Original Artwork

Oh, sometimes how I wish this was all.

But it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

While packing up our Dallas kitchen, Bud says we can’t bring it all. I asked him about a big Texaco insulated cup I found in the kitchen that neither one of us has used in about 20 years. He said, “No. That’s a good one." Give me a break, guy!

At least in a month, all decisions will have been made. It will be done. Over. It will be time to move on.
                                   
And the unpacking will begin.


        I need a shed for the She Shed!

Catch Up

It’s been a while since I last wrote an article for Lanetta’s Creations. So much has happened over the past few months.

I totally missed my February “promise” – I haven’t quilted the scrappy Veteran’s quilt. I did get the border put on, but moved on to another promised quilt for a friend out of her grandmother’s clothes. It’s not finished. I need more to finish its border and haven’t yet made the time to pick them up!

So many projects to finish…

I haven’t written/updated, the Journey in the Yolk Yard either! And, we brought home the baby chicks on March 16th! Another badly needed update! During the interim, I have posted pictures and semi-updates on the new Facebook page, Yolk Yard, if anyone cares to see what we’ve been doing.

As I shared on Lanetta’s Creations Facebook page, I did try the “Double Layer Slice Cake” pattern with the lovely fabric (Front Porch) I purchased while working at the Dallas Quilt Show a few weeks ago. After making the blocks with Trey’s twist (cutting both times 3.5” rather than in half on the second round of cutting), I just don’t like it! I haven’t yet sewn the blocks together because I couldn’t get the blocks arranged on my design board that I found pleasing. I’m not used to such big pieces.

I’m thinking about cutting them once again on the diagonal and sewing back together. Maybe that will better suit my fancy.

But, the new design/attempt has to wait a bit.

I have a custom order I need to get done. It’s making 18 pillowcases out of men’s t-shirts. The t-shirts have arrived!!! Now, to just get them cut out and stitched up and mailed! I’m waiting on a rainy day – which hopefully will be tomorrow or the next day if the prediction is correct.

What are you working on?

Whirlwind Week!

It’s been one of those roller coaster weeks we all have from time to time. The ups and downs of emotions that can overwhelm even the strongest willed.

But, it is what it is.

We move forward.

I must move forward.

I need to get back to my sewing room! It’s been over a month! The weather is getting a bit warmer so it shouldn’t take long to heat up the room.

I need to get the border on this 1080 pieces Veteran's quilt…

Then get it quilted! This will be my “February” quilt.

I WILL keep my promise!

Yard Art Plan

The yard art plan ~ every tree with a large enough branch will have a macramé project hanging, blowing in the wind. This is the first one out…

Several more are ready, including those I shared last week.

I have one in the window on the spring rod under construction! And, I have enough cording for one more. Then I will stop. I have to stop myself! This is so addictive!

I’m easily obsessed / entertained when it comes to learning something new!

I haven’t forgotten about the hand embroidery Chicken project! I started February before leaving Dallas and haven’t touched it since I’ve been home. That will change once the last macramé project is completed – which should be today!

Setting a 2018 goal of severely limiting my time on Facebook has been the best thing I could have ever done! I’m finding myself much more productive, and a lot less moody! Oh, and also, clicking that “unfollow” key on several folks has certainly helped as well!

Anyway, according to this morning’s 10-day forecast, it’s going to be a little longer before I will heat up the sewing room, or we start constructing the chicken coop. That’s okay. I’m keeping busy! 

How are you keeping busy?

Macramé Police

Last week I wrote about my Comfort Zone and how I planned on learning some new crafty type things. Well…

If there is such a thing as Macramé Police, they are going to be all over me for my first two project attempts! That’s okay. I’ll handle them, just like I’ve handled the “Quilting Police”!!!

The simple act of tying knots… who would have thought! This first one, I sort of followed along a video. Melissa at the “Crafty Ginger” channel makes it look so easy. She works her hands and fingers with such grace! I’ve found it mesmerizing to watch!  

 

I was all thumbs! Literally!

I used clothesline rope (I love the Dollar Store!) on a spring rod in my window. I quickly learned to adjust the height as I worked the project! Goodness! It will give a good workout to the shoulders! Lowering and raising, adjusting where I needed, worked beautifully!

Although Melissa’s video said “beginner” – I couldn’t get the knots going right. I’m thankful I also had also found Andy Newcom on the Hallmark channel. He SLOWLY shows the four basic knots. So helpful!

This second one, I did my own thing… focusing on balance. I need lots more practice to get the angle designed better aligned and balanced.  

Personally, I think they are lovely as is, but will be even more so after I embellish with beads and fabric scraps and feathers and buttons and whatever else I can think of adding! I will share final photos, when they are out in the yard… sending out Whispers in the Wind!

Over the past week I’ve done a couple of small weaving projects as well! Since the loom I’m currently working with is small, of course they will be small! 

Using the fabric strips I’ve saved over time while making quilts (I can’t toss out hardly anything), I created these cuties! 

I’m ready to get some cardboard and make a longer loom!

Perfect projects to do while it’s cold outside!

What are you doing this winter?

Back Home!

Back home and ready to get busy! What am I saying? I have been busy, just not sewing!

It will be a while before I get to the sewing room… it’s 32 degrees F in there! I do have an electric heater, but I’d rather do other things like I wrote about the other day in Comfort Zone!

Also, I need to make a supply list… for the Yolk Yard! And, read on my new book!

Just before leaving Dallas yesterday (after being there since December 21^st), I decided once I got back to the country, I would suspend activity on Facebook for a while. Although I enjoy keeping up with my friends, I’ve spent too much time and need to take a break from social media.

Receiving emails are wonderful.

Reading comments left here are fabulous!

Go ahead, make my day!

Comfort Zone

Sewing is my comfort zone. I love to sew. I love making quilts. I’m ready, however, to venture beyond the comfort zone!

It’s really a growing desire to explore different types of things to create, using different mediums. It’s exciting just thinking about it!

This is in addition to the monthly veteran’s quilt I promised myself I will create. I’m not forgetting my promise!

It is also a want to learn how to do more things well by utilizing the “stuff” I already have on hand. Over the years I’ve gone through phases, putting aside started projects and moving on, but never tossing it out.

I recently began (finally) the hand embroidery project, a pattern series bought about 15 years ago at the International Quilt Show in Houston. I came across it when organizing for the move into my dedicated sewing room! Because we plan the adventure of keeping chickens this spring, it’s perfect timing to get it done!  

Since it’s taken me about a week to accomplish “January” I’ll probably not pursue hand embroidery further once the next 11 pieces are completed! At least, not anytime soon! I remembered quickly how finger/thumb numbing holding the needle very long at a time can be! Changing it up, doing other things does help to get it done. But it’s not that pleasurable.

While currently having access to unlimited bandwidth, I have explored various creative sites on Youtube. I watched a few on knitting, and tried my hand ~ AGAIN ~ but got too frustrated ~ AGAIN!

I still can’t see the difference between a knit row and the purl row. As long as I don’t put it down, I can keep on switching back and forth – knit a row, purl a row. But once I stop at the end of a row, then pick it back up later – forget it! Something is just not clicking. At least, I have a small imperfect coaster now!

Oh, and while at Walmart last week, I bought myself a 10” weaving loom! Similar to this one I just found on Amazon.

NOTE: The included booklet is printed for a young person with good eyesight. I’ve tried several strengths of reading glass to no avail so I turned back to Youtube for help… success!

I quickly discovered I love to weave! I can hardly wait to do some fancy things with various types of yarn (even spinning my own roving!) and scraps of fabric I have in my stash! From the weaving projects I want to make Prayer Flags to catch the Whispers in the Wind.

Then I remembered “macramé”!

I briefly thought about teaching myself macramé during the rage in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, but it never really caught my interest.

I’m so thankful for today’s Youtube! Macramé banners will make perfect Prayer Flag projects to add an assortment of beads and items along the ropes and knots. A great purpose for that stash of mine!

In the wee early hours this morning, I stumbled across Shayda Campbell’s Youtube channel. A Canadian living in Iceland teaching us all who want to learn hand lettering, how to illustrate, paint with watercolors and pens, and draw, and so much else! I love her clean, crisp inspirational blog as well!

I’m excited!!!!

Will you be trying something new?

I Am Woman!

Happy New Year!

I’m so thankful 2018 is here! I am full of hope it will be a marvelous year! It is my wish for everyone reading this that you also will have a grand new year!

I have a feeling this year will bring major changes, but not focus. No matter what happens, I am strong. I will overcome any challenges that may come my way.

I have faith.

I have will power.

I Am Woman!

I’m spending this day preparing the 2018 to-do list I love to create! I could not function well at all without my lists. This is the way I stay focus on priorities.

Time gets away from me. I don’t want to waste a precious moment. Life is too short!

Hug someone today!

Cause someone to smile!

Be at peace!