Thursday, February 23, 2006
Jesus Mosaic
I decided to do a mosaic on the side of my home about three years ago. It is mostly a religiously inspired piece 2' wide by 20' long at this time. This photograph is part of the mosaic and is the face of Jesus done in river stones and stained glass. I will be showing other parts of the mosaic in the future.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Another Rainy Day
It's been raining for days now with no hint of the sun. The skies are all overcast and fog rose from the farm pond this morning like something out of a horror film. It's warm and misty. Good for the complexion but hard to walk when the grass is so slippery and the ground so soft.
I ordered ten top hat chicks and two penguin ducks yesterday from the hatchery I use in Texas that has no real minimum orders. Most hatcheries want you to order at least 25 chicks or eight ducks and I just don't need that many. Really don't know why I ordered the ducks. Have had a few before and they always wonder out into the woods and get eaten by coyotes before the year is up. This time I ordered a pair. One male and one female so hopefully they will stay around the homestead instead of searching for a mate like the others who were not paired.
There is much I need to do before they arrive next week. Clean out the large tupperware container I raise the babes in, buy a new lamp reflector to keep them warm, find my waterer and feeder and buy more liter. Next week is supposed to be nice. Sunny and mid to upper 60's. Wonderful weather for their arrival.
The Ensete seeds are bursting forth so will be re-potting those soon for the spring sales. They are a lovely banana, though uneatable. Their tall leaves that reach for the sky with the red midrib and red coloring in the stalk (pseudonum) give a distinct tropical feel to any place they are grown.
I guess I best get to work so later gator!
I ordered ten top hat chicks and two penguin ducks yesterday from the hatchery I use in Texas that has no real minimum orders. Most hatcheries want you to order at least 25 chicks or eight ducks and I just don't need that many. Really don't know why I ordered the ducks. Have had a few before and they always wonder out into the woods and get eaten by coyotes before the year is up. This time I ordered a pair. One male and one female so hopefully they will stay around the homestead instead of searching for a mate like the others who were not paired.
There is much I need to do before they arrive next week. Clean out the large tupperware container I raise the babes in, buy a new lamp reflector to keep them warm, find my waterer and feeder and buy more liter. Next week is supposed to be nice. Sunny and mid to upper 60's. Wonderful weather for their arrival.
The Ensete seeds are bursting forth so will be re-potting those soon for the spring sales. They are a lovely banana, though uneatable. Their tall leaves that reach for the sky with the red midrib and red coloring in the stalk (pseudonum) give a distinct tropical feel to any place they are grown.
I guess I best get to work so later gator!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
The Bamboo Jungle
The Bamboo Jungle It is a cool, rainy, day in south Alabama. Lousy Saturday for sure when you would like to be out working in the gardens.
I have been getting seeds started the past few weeks, but with electricity costs so high this year it is very difficult to keep heating mats going with any concience. I cannot even imagine what this is going to do to the cost of plants coming in from the northeast this spring.
I made some nice, comforting, chicken and dumplings for supper tonight when Db gets in from his shop. I know it will be a very welcome meal after being chilled all day. At our ages you have to be more careful about your health. Your immune system is not as strong as it was when you were younger and you can easily catch anything that is going around.
Chad-e is home with some kind of bug. Forgot to take his homeopathic Nosode for the flu two weeks in a row so I am assuming that is what he has. I started giving it to him and he is much better, but I still took him to the doctor on Thursday just to make sure it wasn't something really serious since his fever was spiking. He has a heart murmer so we take no chances. Strep and Flu both came out negative, but that could have been from the Colloidal Silver I was giving him every two hours. It was already probably knocking it out of him. Good to know, at least.
Well, I think I will go take a hot bath with my new book; Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast by Bill Richardson. It is light hearted, funny, and just what I need for a nice long soak. Later gator!
I have been getting seeds started the past few weeks, but with electricity costs so high this year it is very difficult to keep heating mats going with any concience. I cannot even imagine what this is going to do to the cost of plants coming in from the northeast this spring.
I made some nice, comforting, chicken and dumplings for supper tonight when Db gets in from his shop. I know it will be a very welcome meal after being chilled all day. At our ages you have to be more careful about your health. Your immune system is not as strong as it was when you were younger and you can easily catch anything that is going around.
Chad-e is home with some kind of bug. Forgot to take his homeopathic Nosode for the flu two weeks in a row so I am assuming that is what he has. I started giving it to him and he is much better, but I still took him to the doctor on Thursday just to make sure it wasn't something really serious since his fever was spiking. He has a heart murmer so we take no chances. Strep and Flu both came out negative, but that could have been from the Colloidal Silver I was giving him every two hours. It was already probably knocking it out of him. Good to know, at least.
Well, I think I will go take a hot bath with my new book; Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast by Bill Richardson. It is light hearted, funny, and just what I need for a nice long soak. Later gator!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Kefir
I am a nutritionist/horticulturist so my passions in life center around food and plants. One that I am seriously getting into at this time is the making of my own Kefir. What, you may well ask is 'Kefir'? Well, it is many things to many people, but basically it is a fermented milk drink with wonderful health giving properties. About five different friendly bacteria and two friendly yeasts live and thrive in Kefir. It is not difficult to learn how to make your own Kefir but first you must obtain what is called, "Kefir Grains" from a friend or commercial source.
When you receive your Kefir Grains they will come either dehydrated or in about a cup of whole milk. In order to re-hydrate the dried type you will need to put the grains into a cup of milk after rinsing them of any dry milk powder that may still be on them from shipping. Let sit for 12-24 hours at room temperature and another 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. Strain the Kefir Grains and then add these to another cup of milk (1 t. Grains to one cup milk each time) You can store the excess grains in a qt. of milk in the fridge or give away to friends or family.
If your Kefir Grains arrived in a cup of milk, strain and rinse the grains, place in a cup of whole milk and continue as described above.
Always use a glass jar and a coffee filter held in place with a rubber band. The Kefir will produce a gas than can cause a sealed glass jar to explode. Only very experience Kefir makers can use the lid process and is not suggested for those just learning.
Eventually, you will have enough grains to make 1/4 cup Kefir Grains to one quart of milk. With any and all of the Kefir you have made, you can make delicious smoothies or other recipes. You will be helping to keep your digestive tract healthy and your whole body in a state of good health. There are many forums and websites where you can discuss Kefir and get some wonderful recipes. Do yourself a favor and consider this ancient healing drink for you and your whole family.
When you receive your Kefir Grains they will come either dehydrated or in about a cup of whole milk. In order to re-hydrate the dried type you will need to put the grains into a cup of milk after rinsing them of any dry milk powder that may still be on them from shipping. Let sit for 12-24 hours at room temperature and another 12-24 hours in the refrigerator. Strain the Kefir Grains and then add these to another cup of milk (1 t. Grains to one cup milk each time) You can store the excess grains in a qt. of milk in the fridge or give away to friends or family.
If your Kefir Grains arrived in a cup of milk, strain and rinse the grains, place in a cup of whole milk and continue as described above.
Always use a glass jar and a coffee filter held in place with a rubber band. The Kefir will produce a gas than can cause a sealed glass jar to explode. Only very experience Kefir makers can use the lid process and is not suggested for those just learning.
Eventually, you will have enough grains to make 1/4 cup Kefir Grains to one quart of milk. With any and all of the Kefir you have made, you can make delicious smoothies or other recipes. You will be helping to keep your digestive tract healthy and your whole body in a state of good health. There are many forums and websites where you can discuss Kefir and get some wonderful recipes. Do yourself a favor and consider this ancient healing drink for you and your whole family.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Water Gardening
Water gardening is one of my favorite forms of gardening just like it is for many folks today. It is one of those pastimes that is very relaxing and not riddled with too many bugs to contend with.
In the future I will be sending in some photos of my water gardens and of course this one of my big sport fishing pond.
The Bamboo Jungle N Gardens
The Bamboo Jungle N Gardens is a ten acre paradise in southern Alabama. This is where I live and work with my husband, Db-stb-63 and our son, Chad-stb-20. I just turned 57 on Groundhogs Day! I will be adding to this blog, hopefully on a daily or at least weekly basis. I will be discussing my business which is growing rare plants for collectors, making funky art for gardens and interiors, our many projects around our place, etc. I hope you find it fun and interesting. Y'all come!~
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