Hello Dear Readers, the days seem to speed by, being filled with garden harvest, children, new calf and other projects of interest and creativity.
Elsie, my jersey, had her calf on June 17, a bull calf, I named him, June Bug, although he will become a steer in a few weeks, feeding him out for our own use, it never has bothered me to name the bulls, they get so obnoxious in a few months, they loose their cuteness. He is doing well, although had a bit of a time getting him to latch on for nursing, but finally, after 3-4 days of working with him, he did. In the while I bottled fed him. I have not begun milking Elsie just yet, there is so much other life going on.
The garden is producing. I have harvested cucumbers for pickles, sweet variety and that I do not have to can. The recipe is a 11 day long one, but they are so worth it. In a few days I will post the recipe. Yellow squash has not done very well, although the zucchini has. Potatoes, corn, are soon to be ready, also my sugar pumpkins. I have harvested twice the basil and made pesto. Beets did poorly, so I bought some from my Amish friend and pickled them. Our cantaloupe and watermelons are coming along.
The tomatoes, well, we and some others I have talked too, have had issues with them this year. The nursery we have purchased our tomatoes from for the last 8 yrs. is having an issue with the seed company they buy from. I purchased 40+ , supposedly, Amish Paste. I had intended to save my seed this year. I did get some Amish Paste, but also mixed in were Romas and Beef Stake, so no saving seeds. The other people I talked with said the same, they did not get what they thought they had purchased. The nursey owners have been alerted, they are a wonderful family, and I would hate to see their business be hurt by this. I also have had a great issue with Baker Creek Seed co. in Mo. I have bought from them for 13yrs, but will not any longer. This year makes the 3rd year the seed I have gotten from them have not produced. I believe they have gotten so big, have so many people saving seeds for them that do not know how and it is causing a great loss to the consumer, me. I am going to try another company, already sent off my order yesterday. I will wait and say which company it is next year, after I have planted their seeds and see what harvest I get.
Our corn and potato seed we bought from our local feed store. I am not stressed over these issues, as I believe God will allow us to have enough. I do believe it will get worse with the seeds, the things going on in the government, "He who controls the seed, controls the feed/food." Our trust, faith and hope is in Father God.
The blueberries are doing excellent; we have picked about 3 gallons thus far and more to be soon. I put them in the freezer for now and do my canning of them in the winter. We do eat them fresh now and I put them in our smoothies.
We have had good rains, of which we are greatly thankful. Lots of mowing and weeding. I am purchasing a scythe and am so excited for it to come and I can learn a new skill. If one were to ponder on it a bit, the weedeater is fashioned in style after the scythe. I have also made two hügelkultur beds to plant some fall greens in soon. This style of garden bed is so easy and I just enjoyed making them so much.
I am working on another doll, this one is Verity, from the Poldark series. I so enjoy making dolls, and have several other ideas for the next ones.
I did buy an inexpensive digital camera and have been taking lots of pictures. Now, to learn how to put them on this computer so I can share them. Perhaps in a few weeks.
Look not to the ways of the world, nor man, but look unto God our Father and Jesus our Lord, who is our in all. May it be so for each of you today and everyday.
IN JOY
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