The Beauty of the Compost

 Even though I took these pictures last week, I still feel it necessary to note the differences between the plants that I treated to the compost from my little electric composter, and the one that I did not feed.  This two are planted next to each other and are treated exactly the same except for the initial addition of the compost to the plant to the right.  Since then, I have treated both in the same manner and they are now both bearing fruit (yellow squash).

I love that my honeysuckle is growing dramatically and is covered in blooms and bees.  I am not sure that I am happy that little plants are spouting all over my lawn!  They are as abundant as the weeds that have spread throughout my grass.  I feel that it is necessary to treat for the weeds - I am not happy about the chemicals that I will be forced to use but I have lost control trying to pull them all.

Poor me....

It is days like this that I really wish I had finished my teaching degree, no one wants to be in the mall today!  On the other hand, I wouldn't have wanted to miss one moment watching my girls grow!  Tomatoes are starting to show their color and it is a struggle to keep from picking them just to get a preview.  Only a few more days and they will be at the peak of sweetness.  The yellow squash is well on it's way as well.  I am not sure what is going on with the zucchini plant - all leaves, no fruit.

The honeysuckle are blooming beautifully.  The bees are busy harvesting their nectar and look like they are having fun, flying in and out of the trumpets and gathering their goodies.  I hope they make it over to that zucchini plant and do some pollinating there!

Tuesday in Paradise

Today has been the perfect day off.  Beautiful weather, good conversations on the phone with friends who live to far away, and floating on the raft with my knees dangling in the water.  I am paying very close attention to the progress of my fig tree.  There seems to be a lot of competition at work as to whose tree will bear the most fruit.  Sal has an unfair advantage because his Dad's tree is established.  Paul, Mary and I are behind but willing to put up the good fight.  My tree is looking more and more like a fig bush than a tree so I will be investigating how to properly trim.....after my fruit has been harvested of course!

Cornelius

Yesterday Amber and I went to Emerald Green Acres, the organic farm in Lockport.  We went to buy our organic meats and eggs, but as usual, we were also blessed with several learning opportunities.  We toured the new buildings that will house the animals.  First stop, Cornelius, Cornie or as Pat calls him - pigpigpigpigpig!

Second stop was the new chicken/turkey coop.  We were able to witness the chicken relocation.  Pat and Kieran grabbed the chickens by their legs, held them upside down so they would go to sleep and stop wiggling, and then transported them down the road.  Amber got an extra lesson as to why you hang chickens upside down.....

the Creation

As I was watering and taking notice of the changes that have occured in my garden, I felt the need to chronicle those changes.  I wish I had been inspired a few months ago when things were beginning to take shape but, as we all know, looking back does little good.  So I am beginning now, trying to figure out this blog thing, how to make uploading pictures simpler, and keeping a record of my thoughts and feelings when in my yard.  I look forward to tomorrow when I will have the opportunity to connect my camera and begin logging my successes and (as they put it in the corporate world) opportunities.