Gone fishing, hunting, hiking, bowling, card playing, and vacationing...

Spring turkey hunting is a Fuller family tradition.   Our nephew came from Minnesota with his family and Kelly's mother for a family vacation.  Since the kids missed school, homework dictated the 5 year old keep a journal of the weeks activities.  He had a lot to write about.  We kept them all busy. Tradition also dictates that the weather is horrible while they visit.  Luckily, this time we had a great amount of sunshine. 

On Friday we drove to South Dakota.

On Saturday we hiked around Devil's Tower.  Then we seen prairie dogs.

 After a long road trip, we went hiking the next day.  I chose Devil's Tower, but this time we took the shorter route.  I learned from last year's mistakes.  It was a nice hike and we saw many rock climbers.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch afterwards.  Then we drove the scenic route home making a stop at the 100 year old store in Aladdin.  Meanwhile, the men had a successful turkey hunt.  

On Sunday we went to Friendship Tower. Then we played giant Jenga.

 Monday the men had another successful turkey hunt.  When they returned we all hiked to the Friendship Tower at Mt. Roosevelt.  We went out for a nice Mother's Day dinner and then the games began.  We played giant Jenga and bean bag toss.  Later that night we played a mean game of Deer in the Headlights.  The worst part is the game was only for ages 8 and up and we were all beaten by a five year old.  

On Monday we went cat fishing.

 We had another successful fishing trip.  Everyone caught fish.  It started slow, but things picked up.  We even caught the turtle that has been living quite well robbing our bait.  The turtle did get a reprieve.  Afterward, we enjoyed a catfish dinner.  Not as good as my mom's, but we tried.  Then a few more rounds of Deer in the Headlights.  

On Tuesday we went bowling because it rained all day.

 Bad weather finally caught us, but it didn't slow us down.  The ladies went antiquing.  We found all sorts of treasures for garden decor.  Then we went bowling.  Unfortunately, nobody got a turkey.  It was sad to see their vacation end.  We enjoyed the company.  Ella enjoyed all of the attention.  It is always good to spend time with family.   

Do you have any visitors coming?  What activities do you enjoy with company?  

Birthdays, racoons, pelicans, tulips, and dandelions...

My husband and I had a fabulous weekend.  We celebrated his birthday.  We went out to eat and enjoyed the day.  My husband is an amazing man and I am thankful that we are able to share our lives together.  

This weekend we went turkey hunting.  We didn't see a turkey, but we sure saw plenty of other creatures.  It isn't about shooting something.  It is about sitting and listening to the geese and meadowlarks.  It is about watching what goes on out in nature, when nature doesn't think you are around.

 Rocky lives in the cottonwood right next to our hunting stand.  He isn't a very large raccoon, but is always ready to provide us some entertainment when hunting is slow.  I have never seen a raccoon that is so painfully pokey when he is going down a tree. 

 After a fruitless morning hunt, we swung by the fishing hole on our way out.  It may be a bit light on fish the next time we go, as this group of professional fishers have been in the area.

 Those two male mallards hung out with the pelicans the whole time.  I could only wonder if they were discussing their travels. 

 I cannot believe that huge horn and hook on the bills.   They are impressive birds.  They flew over me as I was leaving and the whole group was silent.  That was interesting.

I was watering my newly planted apricots, when I noticed the plethora of dandelions. What the heck, that wine was pretty darn good.  I started picking them.  Yes, I don't learn.  Preparing dandelions for wine is the biggest pain.  You have to separate them from the green stuff and that isn't easy.  My loving husband even came out and helped me for a bit.  He doesn't even like wine.  Hours later 6 cups of dandelion petals.  Then the problem.  Those of you who follow my blog know I lack when it comes to scientific notation, or even the most basic of notes.  Well, go figure.  I tried to decide what recipe I used for the perfect wine of last year and there are problems.  The recipe from my tried and true wine recipe book says to use white grape juice.  The thing is I'm somewhat of a purist and rarely add to the original fruit.  I highly doubt that I added white grape juice.  If I kept good notes or had even mentioned something in last year's blog I could repeat the success of last year's batch.  Alas, all I did in last year's dandelion blog was complain about what a pain they are to prepare them.  Very similar to this year's blog.  Only I am going to mention that I did not add any juice or raisins to this batch.  Only 1/4 cup of lemon juice.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is similar to last year's experiment.

My bulbs are blooming like crazy. Sitting on the porch pulling dandelion petals isn't so bad when you are surrounded by flourishing flowers. I took a risk and transplanted my eggplants, melons, pumpkins, and flower seedlings outside.  I hope it was a good decision.  This is probably the earliest I've put seedlings out.  I also planted my corn, cucumbers, and beans.  I also divided some plants and watered everything.  It was supposed to rain today, but that didn't pan out.  

I have to show the fish windchime my brother made for me.  He calls it my early detection tornado warning wind chime.  It took awhile to put everything together and I love how it looks.  It makes a pretty cool sound, but he is right that there may have to be a rather strong "breeze" before it chimes to life.   I've been trying to add more art to the garden and his fish creation is exactly what I was looking to incorporate.  

What types of art do you have in the garden?  Is there something that is difficult to make, but you still make it because it is so good?  Have you ever seen a pelican up close?  Hope everyone had a wonderful a weekend as we did.

We're committed now...

It wasn't a warm weekend.  In fact, it was quite chilly.  That didn't stop me from planting some of my seedlings in the greenhouse.  It is supposed to warm up.   If the temperature does dip, I have a little heater.   I planted tomatoes, pumpkins,  luffas, and a few broccoli plants.   I'm not really that committed,  there are still seedlings in flats and continue to bring them in and out.  There are tomato seedlings coming out my ears. Somehow they seem to have popped up all through my seed starts. The lettuce and spinach I planted is also coming up.  I'm hoping they are staggered enough from the ones that are up already. Last year I had horrible luck with trying to stagger plantings.  It got too warm too quickly and things didn't come up.  My lettuce and spinach was ready in early spring and that was it for the rest of the summer. 

 

 I planted a sunflower with the pumpkins.  My hope is the pumpkins will crawl up the sunflower and out the window.  It has been done before.  Now looking at this photo, I see a little tomato coming up under the pumpkin leaf.  They are determined buggers.

I added soil and seeds to the windmill bed.  A few irises were also transplanted.  I am very pleased with the outcome.  Lawrence County e-mailed this week and my plants were in. Three apricots, 5 lilacs, and 5 raspberries were promptly planted.  My orchard is complete.  It has apples, pears, cherries, currants, gooseberries, buffalo berries, plums, sand cherries, nanking cherries, juneberries, chokecherries, blackberries, raspberries, and grapes.  The only plants that haven't produced yet are the sand cherries, plums, gooseberries, chokecherries, and buffalo berries.  They had a major set back when the blizzard Atlas flattened everything. 

I wish you could see the trees better.  Everything just blends in.  It looks great.  Things aren't leafed out yet.  They are being smart and waiting until the chance of frost is past.

  I have a dream that someday we will have a lilac hedge.  Lilacs don't seem to like it here.  Probably because they need full sun and that is somewhat difficult to find in a forest.  Despite the shade in the picture, this is the sunniest spot on the property.  After planting my little twigs, I surrounded them with wire to keep the deer away.  

Not much else is happening in our neck of the woods.  I was somewhat glad for the cool temperatures.  It helped to motivate me to get a majority of my spring cleaning done.  Are you planting your garden?  Are you done with your spring cleaning?  

Easy come and easy go...

We went fishing yesterday.  We caught several catfish and a few mooneyes.  My husband had the biggest fish of the day.  It was a very enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning. 

Sunday was nice and sunny.  I cleaned the flower beds then planted some carrots, lettuce, and spinach.  Finally, I tackled the job I'd been dreading all winter, putting a border around the windmill.  It turned out pretty good.  I will get some fill and plant a plethora of orange flowers.  

 My daffodils are putting on a show.  I absolutely love how the sun shines through their petals.

 I wish you could have heard this bumble bee.  The trumpet of the daffodil was like a speaker and his buzzing was heard loud and clear.  I love getting close ups of bees.  Especially when you can see the pollen on their legs.  If you look closely the bees knees are full.

 These crocus are very cheery.  I'm afraid they won't last long as we are supposed to get snow tomorrow.

 As I was writing this post, this jackrabbit entertained my husband and I.  He went up the road and down the road.  Through the garden then just sat forever at the edge of the lawn.  We couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.  

It was difficult to hold back from planting my seedlings.  I have to keep reminding myself it is only April.  These are the same crocuses around this time last year.   Easy come easy go.  I'm not even going to pretend it isn't going to snow.  I'm sure it will.  I hope everyone is enjoying nice weather.  Do you have snow in your future?

A cool spring weekend...

Although the sun was shining all weekend, it wasn't super warm.  We went turkey hunting and saw every bird possible, except a turkey.  We saw hawks, wood ducks, other ducks, geese, kingfishers, meadowlarks, robins, black birds, and even heard some pheasants.    We only heard one gobble far far away.  Still it was very fun to sit and enjoy the sounds of spring.  

 I got some quick shots of the geese as they swam away.  They nest along the river.  

 At the home front, my orchard is blooming.  I'm pretty excited about that.  I thought they were fickel to keep as a houseplant.  This fella has been a pretty easy keeper.

 My seedlings look great.  At some point, I need to transplant them.

In the Black Hills the snow has melted and the pasque flowers are making their appearance.

Another weekend flew by.  We kept busy.  I hope everyone had a happy Easter.

Back in the swing of things...

It has been a rough start to the year, but hopefully we will be back on track.  It was warm this weekend and I got a lot done in the garden.  I am not pie eyed, it is supposed to snow 8 inches tonight.  

 The seedlings are up in the greenhouse.  The spinach, lettuce, and peas are all looking good.  Please no comments on the careful spacing.

 I was able to till up the garden using a good old fashioned shovel.  I was very excited by the amount of worms in the soil and the progress of my garlic and onions.  I even had a couple of carrots overwinter.  My asparagus is also starting to peak out.

 I need to plant more crocus.  They are such happy little buggers.  The problem is they start to show and then get crushed by snow.

 The orchard looks wonderful.  The garden looks good.  The flower seeds I sowed are coming up.  I'm ecstatic with how things are shaping up outdoors.   On the house front, I am keeping busy.  It started raining heavily and I was stuck going indoors.

 When it started to rain I had to do something inside.  I settled on pumpkin cake.  An odd choice for spring.  I also bottled my Giggling Gooseberry wine.  I am super happy with it.  I was afraid it would be teary eyed tart, but it is just right.  

It is getting harder to work on indoor things, as I love being outdoors.  Next weekend I will be turkey hunting with my bow.  Hopefully, we will be able to do a little fishing.  What is going on in your neck of the woods?   I leave you with a few beautiful sunsets.  

Wishing you a beautiful spring!

Spring has sprung...

Spring has sprung between squalls of snow.  I'm going to remain hopeful, although I know we are bound to get a few big snows between now and the end of May.  My seeds are up and looking good.  They are getting shuttled between the greenhouse and the cabin.  Our weather has been wild.  We go from 30's to high 60's at the whim of Mother Nature.  

 Once the seedlings get a little bigger they will be moved to the greenhouse permanently.  My father got me a little heater so they can stay toasty during our cool evenings.  I'm very happy with my germination rate.  They only thing that hasn't shown life are the peppers and I've never been lucky with peppers.  Every year I plant them despite eminent failure, because hope does spring eternal. 

My husband has been working hard on his barn project.  The grand unveiling will be next week.  He has done an amazing job and I'm super proud of him.   Other than that, life is slow in the forest.  One day it is beautiful and I do a little raking and the next it is snowing like crazy. 

Are there any projects you are working on?  Are there any plants that you try every year and have yet to see success?  Hope everyone out there is getting a taste of spring.