Sprouting Veggies

Just a quick garden update.

Purple hull peas starting sprouting only 3 days after being sown. 

Cucumber took 4 days to sprout.

Okra took 5 days to sprout.

Yesterday I finally put in the lima beans. I still need to put in the squash and zucchini. I'm getting further and further behind on those. 

I need to take pictures of how well our tomatoes and peppers are doing, but they aren't nearly as fun to photograph as the others. 

I am hoping we will get our fence put up around the garden this weekend. The only animal problem we have now is a crayfish that has burrowed a home in the middle of my garden bed. GRR. I've read about crayfish traps, so it may be time to catch these things and then cook them! HA!

How is your garden doing?

Compost, Fruits & Veggies.. Oh MY!

Just wanted to give everyone a peek at what's been happening here on our little Feisty Farm.

Who would have thought I would be so excited about a pile of rotting food, dead grass and leaves? I love it! I love a challenge and composting is a challenge! The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is very significant. It should be about 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. My nitrogen level is currently higher than my carbon level, but I'll fix that tomorrow. This is a picture right before I turned the pile. The only downside to my compost pile are the fungus gnats. But really what can you do when they are naturally attracted to moisture and fungus? Luckily they aren't harmful and dangerous. I guess I will just have to learn to like them. HA!

These are our pepper plants. Banana, Poblano, and Serrano. The rest of this bed will be for squash, zucchini, lima beans and possibly green beans. Since this is the first garden I have ever done I have no clue what I am doing. It is definitely a learn as you go process.

 In the front is my one cucumber transplant. There are 2 hills next to this plant that obviously didn't photo well. They are also cucumbers. I noticed one of the seeds has a tiny sprout on it today. I was so excited. Let's hope it takes off. 

In the back of the photo are our two tomato transplants. We have a few more seeds in some peat pots in the house, but they are no where near ready for transplant. Again, I'm learning as I go. I am open to any and all advice!

Do you see that little white blob??? Do you see it?? That's one of my purple hull peas!!! Sorry that the photo is so terrible, but my point-and-shoot is all I have.

A picture further away of the pea. It's that white spec in the center. I can't wait to see what this does. 

I am looking forward to see what all these plants do in the next few weeks. We didn't plant much because we are not too sure what we are doing. We want to make our garden much bigger than this, so I have been thinking I may plant some cover crops in the areas we will expand next year. I am still reading up on how exactly cover crops work, so we shall see. 

The next big project coming to the Feisty Farm is our chicken coop. We really need to get this done soon if we plan to have chicks in the kids Easter baskets next month. 

*** I almost forgot about my fruit!***

We have peaches!!! At least that is what we think this tree is. It was here when we moved it, but was no longer producing by the time we moved in. The tree is COVERED in peaches. I don't know what I will do with all these. I guess it is still to learn how to can so these beauties can be used throughout the year. Maybe I can try some peach jelly?? We shall see. Anyone have any advice on canning peaches or making peach jelly?

Sharing something personal.

*Disclaimer - if there happen to be any men reading this you my want to go back to the other web page you were viewing and ignore this post. Don't say I didn't warn you.

At this age I didn't even know the words cancer, hereditary, family history, uterus, ovaries, and the like. But in the last 5 days all of these words have been repeated in several conversations. Including a conversation with my Doctor. Can we say SCARY!?
Now don't get me wrong, my Doctor has not been saying I have cancer. She does not even say she THINKS I have cancer. We just discussed the possibilities given my family history. Now what I know heard (by no means am I a Doctor, I am just repeating what I have been told) cancer can be hereditary. Especially cervical cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, "If your mother or sister had cervical cancer, your chances of developing the disease are 2 to 3 times higher than if no one in the family had it." Mom was never diagnosed with cervical cancer, thank you God. She did have to get a full hysterectomy with the removal of ovaries in her twenties, as did her sister. After the surgery she was told they had found 3 different types of precancerous cells. Odds stacking against me.
The reason for all this concern is for 33 days I have been having a menstrual period. 33 DAYS of bleeding, cramps, mood swings, severe cramps, more mood swings.. it has been 33 days of full on PMS HELL! My poor poor husband. I am pretty lucky he loves me because it has NOT been pretty around here lately.
33 days of a menstrual cycle, my family history and a phone call to my Doctor and talking to her nurse about my symptoms and a discussion about causes, I have been panic stricken. To say the least. 
Yesterday was my appointment, seeing my Doctor face to face and being able to talk to her about everything made me feel so much better. She said we will not even discuss the "C word" until a biopsy comes back with "C word" results. And in order for a biopsy an abnormal pap would have to come back. She said it is most likely my progesterone levels being out of sync with my estrogen and she will know more when my pap comes back. So for now I am taking progesterone pills and awaiting results. Thank you LORD, I had the first full night of sleep last night. You know I will keep you posted on my results!

Ladies, if you are reading this and have not have your annual well woman exam.. CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY to schedule this! A routine pap is the only way to check any problems early. So go... call now. I will wait here.

Now, if anyone else is having an type of an issue that keeps you awake at night, or upset during the day.. I have some advice CALL ON JESUS! The absolute best song that has helped me through a lot of not so wonderful times is  "Call on Jesus" by Nicole C. Mullen. She has so perfectly summed up Calling on Jesus! When you call on Him mountains are going to fall because he will move heaven and earth to rescue you. Watch the video and remember to always call on Jesus.

3 new recipes for dinner.

I am all about cooking new things. I am always scouting blogs and the food network.

Tonight I tried 3 new recipes, all from different blogs I follow.

First on the menu was a baked ham recipe from Southern Plate. You can find the full recipe here. I know some of you don't like to eat any form of pork, so just skip this part.

Now I LOVE pork. Pork chops with the bone in are my FAVORITE. My husband did not grow up eating pork, so he does not understand my love for pork chops. He will eat them if I cook them though. He prefers them pan fried, which is how I prefer them but it is so unhealthy. We are trying to eat healthier, more organic and natural, so fried pork chops haven't been on the menu for awhile. I have to find a healthier way to cook them that they still have that "fried" taste. HA! Bacon is another favorite. And sitting here typing this I would say bacon is my FAVORITE. I could eat bacon DAILY! Ham is my next favorite. I have ALWAYS loved hams from honey baked. But really who has $65+ to spend on one part of dinner? Not this Mama!

I was really excited to come across this recipe from Southern Plate. It is really easy AND it gave me a reason to buy Dr. Pepper! (That obsession is enough for it's own blog post) The only thing I added to the recipe was some honey.

My 10lb ham before! 

Brown sugar and mustard. I love brown sugar. This isn't organic though. I need to use up all my "non" organic things before I start buying organic.

This is the brown sugar, mustard mixture with 2 tablespoons of Dr. Pepper and a little honey.

Spread it all around. YUM! I am sure most people would use a brush to do this, but why should I buy a brush when a spoon works just as well?

I forgot to take a picture before I started cutting into it. It still looks yummy after being cut into though. 

I can't WAIT to make this ham again. Hubby said I will be expected to make this at all holidays now instead of spending money on a honey baked ham. I still haven't decided it this is a good thing or a bad thing. HA.

Next on the menu was this broccoli salad. It was super easy and FABULOUS! Nathan wasn't a fan of it though, he does not like broccoli. 

There is broccoli, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, walnuts and shredded cheese. The dressing has apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, whole grain mustard and some lime juice. The recipe calls for sunflower seeds and cashews but I did not have any on hand, so I used walnuts.

And for dessert....... SPICE CAKE! OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got the recipe here. I found this blog a month ago and ended up reading the entire thing. I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to placing an order with Yonder Way Farm soon as well and enjoying my first experience with grass fed beef. 

Oatmeal Spice Cake

1 1/2 cups flour (I used 100% whole wheat)
1 cup quick oats
1 cup brown sugar (I used organic)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, softened or melted
1 cup water
2 eggs
2 tablespoons molasses

Coconut Topping Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (I used organic)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons light cream or whole milk (I used raw milk)

Instructions:

1. Measure all cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, and then for 3 minutes on high.
2. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool cake slightly.
3. To make coconut topping, melt butter in sauce pan. Add brown sugar and stir over medium heat until sugar is mostly dissolved. Add coconut, pecans, and cream. Spread topping over cake and broil cake for 2-3 minutes, until topping is bubbly and browned.

These recipes will now be added to my recipe book so I can cook them more often. Now all I need are more recipes for this 10lb ham we have. Please share any recipes you have! 

Shopping at Munner and Gran's!

Is there anything better than going to your great grandparents house and finding wonderful treasures? And as soon as you see them you know they would look great at your house. This is what I have been experiencing for a month now.

My great grandparents were WONDERFUL people and role models. They made sure we were at church every Sunday morning, and most Sunday nights and Wednesday nights. Mom had to work late hours while we were kids so everyday after school we rode the bus to their house. Gran always made sure Munner had Blue Bell ice cream for us when we got off the bus. At least we thought they always had it for us, but I've since learned Munner always had Blue Bell in the house for Gran. :-)

I don't ever remember a morning that Munner didn't have Gran's breakfast and coffee ready for him on the table when he came downstairs to start his day. And if we were there for breakfast we all sat at the table together and ate breakfast. Dinner was always ready at 5:30, and there wasn't any of this make your plate in the kitchen then sit down to eat. Everything was put out on the table and not in the pots it was cooked in. She had a pretty bowl for EVERYTHING she cooked and that's what it was put in before being put on the table. Setting the table was done the same way too, place mats sewn by Munner, napkins sewn by Munner, plates, forks, knives, spoons and glasses. Nothing paper or plastic. No matter how many times I try to do this for my family, it rarely works. To this day I do not know how Munner managed to do all the things she did daily. I'm starting to wonder if she had a magic clock that would somehow stop time for her. Munner had already retired from Pearland ISD by the time Dusty and I were in school. But even when she was working she had time to make breakfast for her and Gran, work a full time job, cook dinner, sew anything and everything, clean the house, go to Church and read. She was amazing, and everything I strive to be as a wife and mother.

Gran was amazing too! I don't recall many weekends that he was not outside doing yard work. He was very particular about his yard. The grass had to be mowed a certain way, which wasn't the same pattern every time. It had to be edged a certain way. The American flag was hung outside proudly in the morning and taken in at night. (I don't think this was done daily, but I have very fond memories of the times Dusty and I were able to help put the flag up and take it down.) Gran had an office downstairs and Dusty and I were ALWAYS allowed to play in there. It's so much fun to get to play school in an office that had a chalkboard and tons of office supplies. Every time we sat down to eat Gran would say a blessing (or sometimes Munner would) and we were always allowed to say our kid prayer that he taught us, "God is great, God is good, let us thank him for this food. Amen"

Munner and Gran have left a great impact on my life. And every day I know they are looking down on me and smiling knowing how great of an example they were for me. One day I will find this time stopping clock Munner had too so I can cook breakfast, work, clean, take care of the kids, sew, good dinner and read, all in a 24 hour period.

Take a look at some of the awesome things I found at their house.

My first Singer sewing machine is an antique! I am not sure if this works. I know the light works, but I'm waiting for Mom to come over and take a look at it first. The "project" on it is a bible cover that I found that Munner made. It isn't finished yet, but I will be finishing it.

Isn't it fabulous? The spot it is in was made for this sewing machine. And I love the it folds back into the table in case Jackson wants to play with it. Luckily that hasn't happened yet.

Oil lamp! Need I say more! I love these things! I have another one, but I need to find a top for it. 

I can't wait to go on a picnic now. This basket is most likely older than my Mom. It's amazing how things from the past can hold up better than things being made now.

This is exactly how it looked when I opened it up!

I am going to see if I can find anything on Google about this. Maybe I can get more information on when it was made.

My favorite piece yet! This was OFF LIMITS to little hands when I was growing up. Which made it even more fasinating. 

Here is what is inside the cabinet! AND it works! Now I know why Gran didn't want us to touch it. It probably would not be working still if I would have been able to play with it. 

It was the perfect lamp for the record player cabinet. 

I like this lamp too, but I do not know anything about it. The top piece is barely hanging on. I need to find someone who can fix it for me. The piece that screws on was rusted and turned to DUST when we moved it. 

If anyone knows anything about this lamp, or someone that could fix it please let me know!

Today someone turned 7!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOPE!


Today is my beautiful step daughter's 7th birthday. I thank God every day that he hand picked her to be my stepdaughter! 


I wanted to share some pictures from the family birthday party we had for her on Saturday along with some of my favorite pictures of her.

Wal-Mart has some really cute cupcake cakes!

Mmmm... cake and ice cream!

Papa showing the kids how to hula hoop!

Isn't she beautiful?

She was saying this weekend that she wants to be 13. Why do they want to grow up so fast?

Look out Jefferson there are a couple of bank robbers on the the loose.

And my all time favorite picture.... 

LOVE IT!

1st grade field trip - Houston zoo

Today was Nathan's class field trip to the Houston Zoo. I had taken a bunch of really good pictures, but when I hooked up the camera to the computer to download them everything was erased from the memory card. Needless to say I am one heart broken Mommy right now. 

Here are the pictures that were downloaded before everything was erased.

Mrs. Fiesinger's class waiting to go into the zoo. Yes Nathan is in a Texas Longhorns shirt. Each first grade class had their own class shirts and his class was burnt orange, HOOK 'EM. Unfortunately, not all the shirts were delivered to the class in time. Nathan volunteered to wear a Longhorn shirt because he has so many. 

Nathan and Carson playing in the prairie dog area of the John P. McGovern Children's zoo area. The children's zoo area is full of ways for the kids to burn energy. Petting zoo, water play area, carousel, coastal pool, bat cave and much more. Nathan would have been happy staying in this area all day. HA. Or the reptile and amphibian exhibit. 

Not sure what he was doing here. 

I had several other better pictures of the new baby Masai giraffe that was born Friday March 4th. But as you read earlier most of the pictures on my camera's memory card were deleted. BOO. There are plenty of great pictures on the Houston zoo's website though.

Overall the field trip was a great success! I had forgotten how much I actually enjoy the Houston zoo. We will be taking Hope, Nathan and Jackson back soon. And I'm really hoping those pictures don't get deleted off my memory card.