After working all morning in the garden, I brought in my find and ate some of it. The B&B pickles are wonderful…little bit of sweet and a little bit of sour with a zip of spice! I sliced up a Dr Wyche tomato with cucumber and some pastured pork bacon on our favorite sourdough bread. Mmmm good!
The Dr Wyche tomatoes are meaty and juicy, however their Brix is very low. It is only 5.25….not anywhere near 10, or 13 for that matter.
The little Yellow Bells are 7.5 Brix….not bad, but not 10 or higher.
I’ve been gardening for half of my life and I’m still learning. Every year I realize things not just about myself but about growing food and how that plays into my life.
At Moutoux Orchard…well, they seem to have figured that whole Brix thing out. I hope to visit them for peaches in the next week or so. Can you imagine having fruit that beautiful without chemicals!
Moutoux Orchard's Photo
Next week I plan to mix up some raw goat milk, kelp and fish emulsion to use as a foliar spray in my garden. The corn is just coming on and oh my……I will need the extension ladder to reach the Flint Corn…..can you say at least 10 feet!!!!!! Holy Moly Bigoly, will there be any ears on those stalks? Good Golly Miss Molly!
Next to the Giant Flint is the “other” corn.
I’ve discovered that pumpkins need way too much room and when you consider that I’m the only one who likes winter squash (in front of the corn) or summer squash for that matter, it’s hardly worth allotting the space for it. The sugar pumpkins are blooming plenty, but not setting any fruit….oy, what’s happening there? I may need to uproot them now and save the turnips which they seem to be challenging for space.
The little Red Kuri’s are doing well. But, again, I’m the only one who will eat it….I think I’m gonna have to pull off some recipes that young moms use in getting strange veggies into their families!
The Celery and Celeriac are doing well, however did you know that you can cut the bottom off of the celery you bring home from the store, place the bottom part in a little water for a couple days, then plant it an inch or two under soil in your garden!!! YUP! I had one coming up but you know….Templeton walked away with it! Dang him!
Charlotte's Web's Templeton!
Here’s the most recent one I planted. It sure beats starting those TINY little seeds and transplanting those TINY little plants.
I’ve been struggling again with Malaria/Babesia (Doc & I aren’t sure which it is, they are related and both cause Hemolytic Anemia). It really knocks me off my feet with chills, fever, nausea, joint & muscle pains, diarrhea, coughing cause it’s in my lungs, shortness of breath cause it kills my red blood cells and eventually after going through this, I just kinda pass out. Once I wake up I’m usually ok, but worn out.
lots of weeds and wilting and yes, there is an empty bed there...covered with grass!
So, my garden, my home and my life have just been put on hold and nothing is getting done except what has to be done. Sweet Girl is a huge help and I made it official, she CAN’T move out! She cares so much for me and for my barnyard animals. She came running to my rescue last evening when Joy decided she wanted to play tag with me. Can you imagine a 7 month pregnant cow hopping and jumping in your direction truly believing you are her playmate….she thought it was rodeo time! We escaped out the back gate….but Sweet Girl had the key!
Anyway, I’m just hanging in there, trying to get done what has to be done. Other than that, I’m not doing nuffin! I’m upping my iron rich foods (I know there was no iron in my lunch above…I should of had liver! but I did have a raw milk and 3 raw eggs ( 2.73 mg (22%) iron) in a shake this AM with blueberries) and taking lots of Artemisian annua from Dr Zhang. In combination with an increase in antioxidants to help with the toxins caused by the dead RBC. Boy can you say fun! Not really. But it’s my lot. We all have one.
As I was working in the garden picking beans this morning (got to get it done when I feel good enough) I was praying. “Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me! When I am weak then You are strong. So give me strength, yet once again.”
What do you do when your picking and thinking?
If you think of it while your face is to the earth, please offer up prayers for me again.
Thanks.
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Malaria…goodness, Dianne. Well, you have managed worse and come out on top and you will this time too! You asked how we are doing? I recovered from the cancer surgery quite well but during that time the Lyme had a hayday along with the Bart….I was on Doxy, but our LLMD actually did the Buhner protocol with her abx and suggested I try it ~ Yahoo~! I went on herbs…Cat’s Claw and Resveratrol 5 weeks ago and we have been eliminating the bugs left and right I think. Hope to pulse with Cumanda and a couple of other Cowden herbs when my body can handle it. My neuropathy increased big time, but I think it is on its way down now. Joel is on both abx and herbal abx. I see a bit of improvement in him since then. I am stronger since getting rid of the cancer. So even with a few steps forward and a few back….we see improvement and are hopeful…always hopeful. Wishing you a swift recovery and plentiful garden this year!
Thanks Renee. I think we’re pretty certain it is Malaria and not Bab’s…not that it makes a hill of beans difference. This is what I “had” when I returned from India in 05. It just so happens that Lyme was also playing a part before and after India. But I never had this kind of stuff ever before India. At the time I just didn’t know, and had I called the doc right away, we might of caught it early on, but that’s hind sight now. I just have to do what I know works and hope and pray that it doesn’t hang around very long. Other than that I’m doing great. Thanks for your prayers, they are always welcome and needed!!!! How are you doing? I pray off and on for you and I hope you are hanging in there. xoxoxo
I am so sorry to hear you are fighting Babesia again. These bugs are relentless….Wrapping you in prayer for swift healing…Always enjoy your posts…
Thanks Nita. I know….I forgot my crop but she doesn’t really respond to a switch. I guess I need to switch her harder. Okay I’ll hit the wet part.
Hope you’re feeling better and your garden looks great BTW, amazing what a little warmth will do – our’s looks like a brand new garden, with little tiny sprouts
Start carrying crop of switch of limb with you when you go in the pasture – Joy needs a bop or two on the nose (the wet part) and a sharp reprimand when she does that. You don’t need her playing with you when you aren’t up to full strength. She won’t hold a grudge, but will remember you are the MOM
You welcome Gail. Wow, I’m sure that your farm/ranch is much bigger than mine! We have 1 head of cattle, 6 goats, and a hassle of chickens….50 less as of July 3! I do love this life and it really is a blessing. Simple Blessings Farm sounds great. I named ours Peaceful Acres, because I was so in need of peace in this crazy world that spins out of control. No matter how bad my days, I can always count on a brighter spirit once I’ve visited my critters.
Thanks for being a part of the craziness here.
Good morning ! Thank you very much for answering my questions! Your world must be just as busy as mine, but the little things of simple pleasures give us peace. I am married to a farmer/rancher and many days get planned by the farm/cattle/weather. But the little things give me pleasure. Many years ago I started calling my farm”Simple Blessings Farm” because to me it is. I went through your book list and I bought several you recommended. My 9 year old son and I love “The Goat Lady”. I hope your day is filled with many blessings! Gail
Welcome to my world of insanity Gail from Kansas! I dry small flower head like bee balm and calendula on a baking cooling rack away from direct sunlight. Once they are dry you can either store separately in a jar or mix the tea blends and then store in a jar. I hope that helps. Let me know if you need me to clarify. Just make sure it’s completely dry or you’ll have mold issues in sotrage.
Good afternoon! I have been reading your blog for several months and I really enjoy it. I am learning many new things also. Several posts back you talked about picking bee balm and drying to save for tea. I was wondering how do you dry the blooms? I have a dehydrator. How do I store them? Then finally, how do I use them in tea? I know several teas I drink had it in it. I would love to learn! Also do you know if I would dry calendula blossoms the same way for use? Thank you for all you share! Blessings from Kansas! Gail
Thanks Friends!
Okay, I’m totally drooling over your sandwich with those yummy pickles… I may have to serve up a copycat lunch today! I can totally relate to your health issues, as it seems I’m forever battling some ailment these days. I think growing our own organic produce (even when we have little energy) is good medicine for us. I refuse to let my scoliosis and Crohn’s get the best of me. And thankfully, His grace IS sufficient! Praying for you today. : ) Melissa
As I just we both just love orange tomatoes I am adding Dr. Wyche’s to my ever expanding list for next year. I can’t believe how tall your corn is getting, you will need a ladder to harvest the ears.:) Your gardens look great and I hope that you start feeling better very soon. We will keep you in mind while our heads our bowed in the garden or better yet looking up into the heavens while in the mountains.