Busy busy as a bee...

 I had so much to do this weekend.  Even though it wasn't warm by any means, but gardening had to begin.  Even if I had to wear long johns.  I did take time to enjoy the daffodils and primroses.  How could you not be inspired by their vivid colors?

My wonderful husband got me a hummingbird fountain that was solar powered.  I know it looks crooked in the picture, but I assure you it isn't.  He is very sweet, and we kept our eyes open all weekend for a hummingbird, but they aren't here yet.

My raspberries finally came in the mail.  I was super excited and glad to get them in the ground.  I know you are all thinking it looks like I planted them in the shade.  The thing is my neighbor had an amazing raspberry patch and it was in gravel, no water, and on the north side of his house.  I'm hoping for the same results.  Half the patch is some of his raspberries he gave me and the bottom row is some I planted 2 years ago.  All are doing well, so now with these additions the patch is done.

The orchard was filled with dandelions and that means dandelion wine.  I don't know why, but time spent picking dandelions or berries is very soothing for me.  I loved sitting in the sun, smelling the black current blooms, choosing the biggest dandelions, and listening to the bees at my feet. Heaven on earth.

My greenhouse is doing good.  I have to put collars around everything to keep the voles from munching them.  They did get my lettuce.

This is my herb container.  Filled with rosemary, sage, and parsley.  Some of my favorite herbs.  

My Pak choi, banana pepper, and giant pumpkin are all doing well.

Despite the cold winds, I was able to plant my outside bed with corn, beans, broccoli, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins.  I have to put collars around the squash and pumpkins.  With all the wind it took quite a bit to anchor them down.

I got the bears out to do their annual fishing.  I love the sound of the fountain.  Sitting on the porch with a cup of morning coffee the world sounds grand.

I made my mom's amazing rhubarb crisp recipe. I forgot to take a picture of all the rhubarb I harvested and there is more to be picked and chopped. 

Dakota Rhubarb Crunch

4 c. dry Rhubarb
1 c. Sugar
2 T. Cornstarch
1 c. Water
1 t. Vanilla

Topping
2 c. Flour
1 1/2 c. Oatmeal
2 c. Brown Sugar
1 c. Melted Butter
2 T. Cinnamon

Put dried rhubarb in 9x13 glass cake pan. In a small sauce pan combine sugar, corn starch, water, and vanilla. Cook until thick and clear stirring constantly. Pour over rhubarb and cover with topping. Bake at 350º for 1 hour.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes to make and probably 1 hour of baking

That wasn't the only good food.  My husband brined and smoked one of the turkey breasts from the turkeys we hunted and harvested.  Delicious.  He cut them into chunks and made kabobs with peppers, onion, and tomatoes.  I never liked wild turkey until he started brining and smoking them.  Now it is one of my favorite meals.

I am thankful to all veterans, especially those that laid down their lives for our country.  If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be enjoying such a peaceful life.  If there is one thing I have learned, it is that freedom isn't free.  I hope you all had as fruitful a Memorial Day weekend as we did.

Out and about...

It has been a busy two weeks.  My niece held a graduation party last Friday.  They had a band and good food.  It was a great time. It is always a good thing when family can get together in celebration.  She enjoyed her quilt, but as the norm, I didn't get a picture of her opening it. 

After that we drove on to Minnesota to see my husband's family.  We had a good visit.  My mother-in-law told me that Darlene had turned 80, so we had to go see if the barn was painted in celebration. 

I can't wait to check in 10 years and see how they make it into a 90. 

I did some goat wrangling with my niece, Maya.  I found that it is much easier than trying to deal with cows when calving.  My years of goat tying as a kid came in handy.  I really dislike goats but have to admit those little buggers were pretty cute.

My husband and I went for a little walk.  I was joking that I would find some morel mushrooms.  Turns out I wasn't joking.  I found four monsters.  If you have never had a morel mushroom, I promise they are amazing.

We got home just as the daffodils and tulips were blooming.

My bees are looking good.  Luckily, they have plenty of apple trees, a flourishing crabapple, and several currents to keep them fed.

The wildflowers are blooming like crazy just down the road.  I love walking that way as every weekend the blooms are different.

My sister got me a soil test kit for Christmas.  I tried it on my outdoor vegetable beds.  It seems I am deficient in Nitrogen.  It also shows the beds could use some more potash.  We will see if it makes a difference.

Every year this rose-breasted grossbeak wanders through for a few days.

The sapsuckers are doing their yearly mating dances and rat-a-tat-tats.  

The grossbeaks are settling in and the Western tanagers are also found their way to my feeders this weekend.  I had a mountain blue bird fly through yesterday, but I'm sure he was on his way to somewhere with bigger meadows.

Wow.  A lot happens in a couple of weeks.  What spring birds do you have flying through?

Will Wonders Never Cease...

 Unbelievably, it is done...

Nor only that, I  still had time to plant the greenhouse. 

I can't say enough how happy I  am to get it done in time.  Amazing the difference when things go right.

Did you have any big accomplishments this weekend?