The Tomato Taj Mahal

 I planted the Tomato Taj Mahal yesterday.  I transplanted the tomatoes, peppers, luffas, basils, and okra.  Then I planted carrots, peas, spinach, lettuce, and bok choy.

I love my square foot seed template.  I just put it down and stand on it.  It works like a charm.

I like cherry tomatoes and last year the purple bumblebee tomatoes were exactly what I wanted.  My favorite thing to do with tomatoes is quarter them, roast them, and enjoy them on pizza.  I also planted a couple of Sasha Atlas for fresh eating.  

I went back to the forks and corks method of labeling my carrots and lettuce.  I'm trying to be scientific about which carrots are the best.  We'll see how that goes.  I'm known for a lot of things.  Being scientific has never been one of them.

I'm afraid I may have to put a little heater in the greenhouse as today it has rained and the temperature has dropped. As long as it doesn't snow I am happy.

Do you have anything planted yet?  What are you veggie garden go to plants?

Strawberries...

 Today I planted my strawberries.  I had 25 Earliglow and 20 Mara Des Bois.  

I mulched them with some leftover alfalfa.  Then I covered the water tank with a fine mesh screen.  The boards are holding everything in place.

Hopefully, I will get a few strawberries this year and a ton next year.  

I was lucky enough to have my friend from college and her husband swing by this weekend for supper and a few games of pool.  She has lived out of state for several years, but they recently moved back.  It was a wonderful evening and I am so happy she is back.

Do you have any strawberry tips?  Do you still keep in touch with any of your college friends?  I hope you had a fantastic weekend.

Close to completion...

 All that is left on my nephew's quilt is the binding.  There is enjoyment in sitting on the couch hand sewing.  I miss hand quilting, but it bothered my wrists too much.

I made some raspberry jelly and bacon jam this weekend.  The smokey bacon jam turned out perfectly.  

First, put a pound of smoked bacon in a pot and cook.  Then remove the bacon and put it on a plate covered in napkins.

Remove all but two tablespoons of bacon grease and saute one sweet onion for 8 minutes.  Then mix in 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika.  Pour in 1/2 c. Water, 1/3 c. Maple syrup, 1/2 c. Brown sugar, 1/2 c. Apple cider vinegar.  Boil 10 minutes.  Pour into a mixer and blend until small chunks.  Spoon into jelly jars, seal and refrigerate.

Delicious!  Excellent on toast, patty melts, and bagels.  Nobody said this was a healthy living blog.

This weekend kept me pretty busy.  I'm waiting for good weather.  I think next weekend I will put my seedlings in the greenhouse.

Have you ever had bacon jam?  If so what do you enjoy it on most?  I hope things are melting where you are.

I'm a wanderer...

 I did a lot of walking this weekend.  My husband and I met up with one of his friends to look for antler sheds.  Ella and I also went for our weekly jaunt.

We met Tom and his brother (Charlie) at the Wickham Gulch Campground in Montana.  It is on the Custer Gallatin National Forest.  It was a perfect day for shed hunting.  

There were many valleys and peaks.  The pasque flowers were blooming everywhere.  I didn't do a very good job of taking flower photos.  I was too busy looking for antlers.

I was lucky and found several sheds.  Most of all we enjoyed visiting with friends.  

I've never been in that country and it was beautiful.  I would love to explore it horseback.

Meanwhile, the weather at home is cold.  We had quite a bit of snow.  In fact it is snowing again.  Argh!

It was great to get out and see friends while enjoying the outdoors.  When was the last time you went somewhere new?  What did you do there?  

Potatoes and planting

 Yesterday I planted Adirondack Blue potatoes.  The best luck I've ever had with potatoes was when I planted them in a wire tower.  Thanks to some leftover alfalfa, I'm able to give it another try.  

Take a wire cage and press straw on the outside.  Fill the middle with soil and potatoes.  Slowly building your way up.  I put some wayward chives on top.  Who doesn't like chives with their potatoes?

My first batch of seedlings are ready to go.  Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, pumpkins, okra, squash, and I forget what else.

I also spent yesterday putting up birdhouses.  Every year I am hopeful and every year I am disappointed.  I have had squirrels, chipmunks, and even bumblebees, but never birds.  Maybe this will be the year.

Don't they look inviting?  I hope so.  As I write this I am listening to the weather lady talking about snow.  Drat.  Maybe, just maybe, she will be wrong.

How many bird houses do you have?  Do you get tenants?  Any tricks I should know?  Hope everyone had a happy Easter.

Progress...

 Finally, there has been progress.  The weather warmed.  My rose bed and the front flower beds melted off.  I was able to go in and clean them out.  Luckily, there were no signs of any garden pests.

It feels like we are coming down the homestretch.  Once the earth is showing and soaking in the sun the snow melts pretty quickly.

The other progression is my nephew's quilt.  Today I finished quilting.  I'm not quite finished in these photos, but it is done.  All that is left is the binding.  I really enjoyed this one.

It feels good to be moving forward.  Hopefully, the weather will stay consistently warm.  I am ready for spring that is for sure. 

When this quilt is done my next task is spring cleaning.  It is also getting close to seed starting time.  Actually, it has been hard to hold back because the greenhouse has been super warm.

Are you finishing up your winter work?  What is next on your agenda?

got nothing...

 It snowed and I quilted.  That's all I have to contribute.  I hope you had a more eventful weekend.