WOODEN RACKS TRASH TO TREASURE FIND

 Regular readers know that I have a favorite place to look for bargains...our downstairs trash area!  Our building has trash chutes on every floor and they feed into a separate room, but for boxes and other things that people can't put in the chute, there is an area (indoor) near the loading dock, where people can put the things they don't want.  

I've found several cool items so far.

Here is the latest!

Found these downstairs a couple weeks ago.  I'm not sure what they were, probably part of a shelving system of some sort.  When I saw them I immediately imagined them to be of use somehow, much to 2nd Man's chagrin, ha.

There are three and they don't hook together.  About 3' long and 12" deep and very sturdy.  I'm not sure I'd use one as a shelf though, items could be unstable.  I was kind of thinking of herb drying?  It would require some more attachments of some kind to hook them together or hang them but I think it might be worth it.

Any other suggestions?

ARBOR SITTING AREA INSPIRATION THURSDAY

Every Thursday we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm. Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and someday, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!

Image courtesy of Southernliving.com

Another sitting area.  Kind of cute the way it's just a little spot, an arbor/trellis around it.  We like anything that could become a focal point or a hidden discovery in some random spot on the property.  

Again, we aren't going to be building these anytime soon, way too much else to do.  But when we see something we like, we like to post it here as a way of saving it.  And the idea of a couple of chairs tucked under a trellis surround by climbing and flowering vines is nice way to accomplish a hidden discovery.  

Be inspired!

1ST MAN HAS A BIRTHDAY

OK, so I'm turning over blog control for this post to 2nd Man. He picked the picture & is writing the post.

No, I didn't get you this tractor, but I know how much you like your Zen Machine so here's the ultimate Zen Machine, haha. When I have to work weekends and you have to venture out to the farm by yourself to work on everything out there, I know it's for our future and I want you to know I appreciate all your hard work.

Thank you for all you do for us!

Homemade lasagna this weekend!

Happy Birthday!

RED METAL FIRST AID KIT DIY

So.....here is a fun (and ongoing) project.  What is it?  Read on!

Red Excel metal tool box

We started with this metal tool box.  Heavy, sturdy, seals up nicely and definitely mouse proof.

Purchased here at Amazon (affiliate):

Excel TB137-Red 1-Tray Steel Tool Box

$16.72.  Not too bad for heavy duty quality.

It's a nice size and has this removable top tray that adds more storage.  

It holds a lot of tools in the bottom. But wait?

Are we going to put tools in it?

No, we have other plans.

I ordered some stickers online.  Three "white cross" stickers and 2 "first aid kit" stickers.  They threw in a 9/11 sticker which we thought was kind of a nice touch to add to our new first aid kit.  

Red metal First Aid kit

I put one of these on the front and another on the lower part of the back side.

Then I put a white cross on each end of the box.

And just like that, voila!

A heavy duty first aid kit for the farm!

We've started buying some things to put in it.  The lower portion will hold quite a bit.  So far we've got rubbing alcohol, and some wraps and bandages in different sizes and shapes.

Still room for more of course.  

The lift out tray now has some band-aids, antibacterial ointment, hydrocortisone cream, and some aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.  

Still room for more here too.  

We are thinking of buying a second one to have one for minor incidents and one for major things that might come up.  This is all for us to have at the farm for routine day to day possibilities and/or post hurricane or other disaster where we might need some longer term supplies.

So with space left in this one and possibly a second one, what items are must haves when prepping a good first aid kit?

Feel free to make suggestions below!

WEEKEND PLANTING AND GARDEN

Weekend update!

 

It was a good weekend.  I did some work inside the barn but more on that in a future post.  Side note, it's so nice to have a yard where we can just pull up to wherever we need to be, ha.  

Anna apple

I planted the two trees that didn't make it last Summer.  Not the freeze, they just didn't make it through the heat for some reason.  They are the two that seemed to be struggling while in their black plastic containers so it didn't surprise us.  

The first was this Apple. I brought in a couple of bags of soil to fill the beds and got them planted.  This is an ANNA apple the best for our area (low chill hours).

Tropic Beauty peach

The other is a new peach, this is a TROPIC BEAUTY peach.  A hardier version well suited to our climate.  

New peach

Speaking of, the other peach tree has peaches on it! We pinched off a few but left a couple just to see what happens. Fingers crossed.  

Raised bed garlic 

Garlic is the best looking we've ever had.  Let's just hope "underground" is as good as above ground.

This is just a picture of one of the beds to show how they look great after a week of automated watering.  We think the straw is the magic helper.  It keeps them moist and eliminates weeds.

One of the peppers already had blossoms on it.  This is the sweet banana pepper.  

Blueberry blossoms

Speaking of blossoms, one blueberry bush has flowers and some fruit on it.  The other three however just barely have green leaves.  Not sure if the freeze harmed them or what.  Hoping they bounce back, we have four of them and in the same spot (in clay pots).  Strange that this one is going crazy and the other three are struggling.  

Beef stir fry

2nd Man made some beef stir fry.  Beef, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, snow peas, and peppers.  It was a great cap to the weekend.  

GIFT OF CANDIES FROM INDIA

One of 2nd Man's coworkers visited family in India and she brought back this box of candies.

The basic white box belies the beauty inside...

The candies are incredible works of art.  We take for granted here in the states how different things like even candy can be in other parts of the world. 

We're always amazed at how the same ingredients we might have access to can be turned into something so completely different. There are lots of unique flavors here, cardamon, rosewater, pistachios, a sweet caramel type flavor, even gold leaf. 

We'll be honest a few are a bit "unusual" but most so far have been just wonderful.  Wish we knew more about them but we'll just sit back and enjoy.

A PLACE TO SIT, INSPIRATION THURSDAY

Every Thursday we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm. Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and someday, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!

Image courtesy of Davesgarden.com

We like this little "respite" in the middle of a yard/property.  Sure it's construction but it's SO neat.  With the property having 11 acres total, there are so many places we would need spots like this to just stop and soak it all in.  

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't seem too complicated and how nice it would be to discover something like this as you wander around?  A quiet place to sit and relax will ALWAYS be welcome.

Be inspired!

PORK CARNITAS WRAPS RECIPE

Remember a few weeks back we had a post about the Pesto Chicken Wraps?

Here is another one we make that we really enjoy and it's more of a TexMex spin. 

Once again, it starts with lavash wraps.  Should be fairly easy to find in a larger grocery store but if not, they are very similar to tortillas (but thinner) or even pita bread (but without the pocket).  

2nd Man made a batch of pork carnitas.  That recipe will have to come another time but it's a pork butt, seasoned and roasted in the oven for a few hours, and basted in its own juices until browned.  We make a batch and eat on it for a few days.  

Then instead of the more Italian leaning tomato onion mixture like we had on the pesto wraps, this is a more Mexican style of mix, called Pico de Gallo.  He chops up tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro and mixes it all together.    

We spread the lavash wrap with guacamole (instead of mayo or mustard). 

Put on some carnitas, top with the pico de gallo and some sour cream and then roll it up.  

Cut it in half (easier to eat, ha) and serve.  In a way, it is a cross between a burrito and a sandwich. But oh my, it is so good.  Enjoy!

BACK ON THE ZEN MACHINE

 The mower is back!  Or as I more commonly call it, for those new to the blog, my "Zen Machine".  

It was time for its annual maintenance.  They have free pickup and delivery and then we pay for them to check everything out, oil and lubricate parts, change filters and oil, etc.  

This time they found that the engine belt was cracked and the tensioner posts were worn out.  They also replaced the battery and battery terminals.  

It's worth it to get it good every year.  They even detail it and get it looking brand new.

They delivered it back to the house and I left work early to go out and move it into the shed.  Then I decided why not go ahead and mow, it was cool and the weeds were tall.

I was low on fuel, but had some in a can in the shed.  I started mowing the front yard and around the barn and house.  Above you can see the progress during the front.  While the sea of white flowers (weeds) was pretty, it's time again for nice, green grass. 

It looks so nice and serene when it's done.  Here is looking from the porch toward the driveway. For some reason, it's so calming to see the grass mowed.  I still need to edge but didn't have it in me that day.  I had to get a jump on the rush hour traffic.

Also have a new fun thing connected to mowing that I'll have to post about the next time. 

Mowing season is back!

RAISED BED GARDEN DONE

Right on schedule (well delayed by a day but more on that in a bit), we were able to get the garden planted for this Spring.  

A couple of weekends ago I got the beds emptied of weeds and added compost and soil so that they were ready for the next part...

Then we planned out where the irrigation would go...

And lastly we planned out what we wanted to plant and where... 

Last weekend I bought the plants (and a few more yesterday on the way out) and we babied them in town until we could get out there and plant. 

"R" from 2nd Family spend the day Saturday getting out water fixed up.  He replaced a six foot long section of pipe under the house and added a new faucet to the back of the house to make it easier to water the fruit trees in the backyard.  So we figured it was easier to stay in town and make sure we had everything together and stay out of his way.

Sunday I got the plants in the ground, the water set up and...

All the straw mulch put down (this stuff is amazing for weed prevention and keeping the soil moist).  I watered it all by hand just to give the new plants and soil a good soaking (no rain forecast this week). It was a bit windy so the straw was blown around on the ground but I'm guessing by next week it will be gone with the wind. 

Raised bed garden 2018

And here it is, done!  Planted, watered, mulched and, hopefully, growing.  I told 2nd Man we just have to close the gate, drive away and have faith!  

After all, isn't gardening always just an act of faith? 

NEW BABY NEXT DOOR

Squeal!  

Baby donkey and Mother

2nd Family told us to be on the lookout for this new addition ("J" sent this picture to us to let us know).  The family next door that has the goats and donkeys and cows, well, they have now have one more...a new baby donkey was just born Thursday!  

 Could this possibly BE ANY CUTER?  

I hope to get some good pics (if I can find the Mom and baby) when I go out tomorrow to get the garden planted and set up.

Today was garden center day and finalizing the preparations for the garden while "R" from 2nd Family is fixing the broken water pipe that we lost in the freezing weather.  It's a safe bet THAT weather is over for at least 8 or 9 months.

2nd Man thanks everyone for the birthday wishes and he will take over the comments later and reply to all.

He's been feeling a bit under the weather, it's all the pollen in the air here, OMG it's horrible this season.

So he's self medicating...by baking, LOL!  A cheesecake is in the oven as this posts. 

2ND MAN'S BIRTHDAY

I just wanted to share with you all that today is 2nd Man's birthday.  It's 50 something, ha.  

Happy birthday to the man I love!

Thank you for coming along with me on this crazy farm adventure.  I know it's slow going but you are patient and supportive and I can't imagine my life any other way.

FLOWER GAZEBO, INSPIRATION THURSDAY

Every Thursday we like to post a picture of something we've found online that inspires us to do something similar at the farm. Sort of our own blog bulletin board so that we can eventually look back and someday, hopefully anyway, recreate it...enjoy!

Are we going to do this anytime soon?  LOL, no, there is way too much else to do/spend money on. But this is just too pretty not to share.  Love the idea of putting potted and hanging flowers all inside a gazebo like structure. With the open top, it's not really a place for protection from the elements but it sure would be a nice spot to relax and read a book!

Be inspired!

CABBAGE WITH BACON AND ONION RECIPE

We made some traditional cabbage with bacon and onions using our fresh from the garden cabbage.  There isn' t much of a recipe.  Cabbage, onions, bacon and balsamic vinegary. 

Cabbage

First we cut out the core, the tough center part. Easiest way is to cut in half and then remove a triangle shape at the base. 

We used two of the smaller heads.  Just took a knife and shredded it up.  

Next, dice up a small onion.

Set all aside.

Fry about six slices of bacon until cooked.

Remove it from the pan but leave the bacon drippings.

Add the diced onion and sauté until golden and softened.

Add the sliced up cabbage.  Don't worry if it looks too full, it definitely cooks down. 

Turn it in the skillet so it gets coated in the bacon fat and the onions get distributed throughout. 

Cook about 10 minutes over medium heat until the cabbage is softened and starting to turn golden. Add about 1 TBSP of balsamic vinegar and stir.  It's a great combination.

Break up the bacon and add while the cabbage mixture is still hot.  Stir a few times to mix everything up in the pan.  

Cabbage and onions with bacon

Dish it up and serve as a side dish. Here we had it with some pork chops and gravy. Oh it's so good.  It's actually good enough to be its own main dish.  We could eat this for lunch or dinner any day.

Enjoy!