Gardening in April

Gardening in April on Hummingbird Hill

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I have a really strong desire to have a garden this year.  I just feel that with the economy the way it is I will be glad we did.  The economy isn't the only reason.  I an tired of eating packaged and overly processed foods that are laden with chemicals.  Our health will benefit from this too.  I ordered from Heirloom Seed this year.  I wanted to be able to save my seed to plant each year.  I also ordered some from Burpee.

These are my tomato, strawberry and marigold transplants.  I went ahead and bought plants for this year because my seed did not come in in time to start them from seed.

 Here are my cabbage plants, cucumber and sunflowers.  I planted 4 o'clock seed where the sunflowers were planted but they did not come up.

These are some of the containers that we are using.  My son-in-law got these for me from where he works.  They are 55 gallon barrels that we split and drilled drainage holes in.  I hope these work for some of the crops any way.  I hope Mr. Hummingbird will till up a larger area in the yard for some corn, squash and pink eyed purple hull peas.

Gardening Update

Just a short note to say that the cucumbers are pushing up.  The 4 o'clocks are a no go but that's okay because you can't eat flowers.  I am so excited about my cucumbers.  I need to decide where I want to put them and get a place prepped before its time to set them out.

Remember the seeds were 3 years old.

Hope you have a great day!

Linda

Gardening On Hummingbird Hill

I am having a hard time deciding how big I want my garden to be.  If we camp a lot like we usually do then it will be difficult to have a large one.  Maybe I can just have a couple of raised beds and grow a few things.

It is time to start seed indoors.  I am attempting to start some cucumber seed and some four-o-clock seed.  I used what I had on hand and didn’t purchase anything new to do this.  I am really not expecting a lot from this because my seed were packaged to plant in 2010.  I started them in empty toilet paper and paper towels rolls.  I saw this on Pinterest and some other sources.

 

This the garden of my dreams.....maybe one day.

http://www.ronamag.ca/news/companion-planting-tasty-harvests 

As you can see when they rolls get wet they come apart.  I tied some of them with string.  This might have worked better if I had used a smaller tray or packed it fuller.  We will see if they sprout.  If it fails then I have lost nothing but a little time.  I made the tray out of an old shoe box lid and aluminum foil.  I had the starting mix from 3 years ago.

I only planted 4 cucumbers because I think I will be planting them in a raised bed and with a trellis.  Maybe - if I can get someone to help me build them.

I tried the four o’clock seed in 2010 and had no luck so I don’t expect anything this time either.  By taking small steps at a time I am hoping to get a little closer to being more self-sufficient each day.



Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Linda
  Update:  I decided to add 4 more cucumbers to my starter tray.  If I do the square foot garden it says I can plant 2 plants per square.  This will fill up the back squares and I can run them on an attached trellis.

Hummingbird Hill - A Way of Life

New Challenges

Made in America

Today I read a post on Facebook about using things Made in America.  It started me thinking and I looked around a bit.  I haven't really thought much about where the items that I purchase are made and how it affects the USA and its citizens.  According to ABC News if I just spend $64.00 a year on American made items I will have helped create 200,000 jobs.  Wow!  I can do that.  In light of that I think that from now on I will choose American made whenever it is possible.  I can not afford to throw everything out and start all over but I can certainly be more aware of what I purchase in the future.  I can also grow more of my own food and make more of my clothes.

Join me in this challenge.  We need to support our country.  Start today!  I will attempt to post my efforts and research here.  Please post your finds and comments I would love to hear them.

l

Vacation Time

Vacation Time

We have been on vacation for the past week so I haven't had a chance to post anything.  We went to Miramar Beach in Florida.  It is so beautiful there. 

My oldest daughter and her husband took their camper down.  Jimmy and I stayed in a little cabin that my sister-in-law owns. 

Our lodgings.

We had a great time and of course got way too much sun.  The first full day we were there it was cloudy and rained.  What do you do at the beach when it rains?  Go shopping!!!  We love to shop Old Time Pottery......

...and walk next door and eat at Landshark's Pizza Co..

Eating at Pompano Joe's at least once when we are in Destin is a tradition.  It is within walking distance of the cabin.

Jimmy and me at Pompano Joe's.

Jimmy looking for "treasure".

We were there 4 days an came home and stayed at the Hummingbird Hut to finish out our vacation.  We also enjoyed a little pool time with the grand daughters.  I didn't get any good pictures of the pool time. :(

The hummingbirds finally came to the hill. Jimmy washed all the feeders out and filled  them with the sugar water that they love so much.  Maybe if I am lucky I can get a good picture of one to post in the future.  I hope each of you have a great vacation.

Loving life,

Linda

Welcome To My Nest!

Welcome!

The Nest in the summer of 2011.

Let me tell you a little about how the "Nest" came to be.  A few years ago my daughter and her husband put their house on the market.  Jimmy and I had always wanted to try living in our RV full time.  The decision was made.  We would rent our house to them and put our stuff in storage and live in the RV.  We had purchased a 12 X 24 ft. metal storage building a year or so before. 

Jimmy and I decided to insulate and run electricity and plumbing to the building so that I could put the washer and dryer in there.  One thing led to another and we set it up as an apartment.  It was fun doing the work to it.  Jimmy and I did most of it our selves with a little help from our son-in-law who did the electrical work.   I wished I could say that I was a good bookkeeper and kept up with all the expenses but I didn't so I really don't know how much it cost us.  It is worth every cent though.

We put down sheet vinyl for the flooring that looks like hardwood.  I wanted a rustic feel to it so we used outside paneling for the walls.  It is insulated and cooled by a window a/c unit and ceiling fan.  In the winter it is heated by a small propane space heater.

The Tour Begins

As you walk into the nest you see the sitting area.  It is large enough for a love seat or two chairs.  I reupholstered the love seat a few years back for my oldest daughter. 

The kitchen is to the right as you walk in.  It isn't a full kitchen yet. The refrigerator and the table are where the washer and dryer used to sit.  I am currently looking for options to make better use of this space.

The bedroom is on the left.  There is a closet on each side of the queen sized bed to hold our clothes.  The television is mounted on the wall and can be turned to watch from every where in the room.  One day I will replace the book shelf that you see with a chest of drawers.  I am always looking for ways to make it work better for us. 

That concludes the tour.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Come back often.


Loving the simple life,

Linda

Family Time at Hummingbird Hill

We love to cook out on Hummingbird Hill.  That is exactly what we did Saturday night.  We grilled (almost burned) hamburgers.  It is so nice to be with the family.  The granddaughters are such a joy.

We also love having a campfire to help with mosquito control and for warmth in the winter.  During football season we set up a projector screen and watch good old Alabama football.  Last year we had a luau for Jimmy's family it was a lot of fun.  So Hummingbird Hill means a lot to us.  I hope you enjoy my ramblings about the "hill" and whatever else is on my mind.

Thanks for letting me share with you.

Linda