Life in May

Life is in full swing here at Girasole Farm. 

Remember the ORCHARD we planted several years ago? It's finally getting big enough for us to reap the benefits of fresh fruit.  Plums, Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Persimmons, Pomegranates. 

We've added chickens to the farm this year. 

I can hardly wait for them to start laying eggs. 

Ah yes- the staple of the Farm, horses. 

The 'boys' are doing well, and are fulfilling their duties as field ornaments. 

It wouldn't be home without them. 

The vegetable garden is small again this year, using the four small raised beds from last year. 

Just the basics, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Isley & Jalepeno peppers, Radishes, and some Carrots. 

The rest I need comes from our local farmers in the area. 

Everything else at the moment seems well here. 

The Girasole Lady

Moving Right Along

Spring has officially arrived here at Girasole Farm. 

Everyday there is something new outside, and each day I am excited to venture out and soak in everything bursting with life. 

Peonies are a favorite Spring flower. 

Even more-so when it grows in your own garden. 

There was a lovely patch of wild Lupines growing in our field. 

We took our first trip to Farmer's Market for the year. 

 Caveman is recovering nicely, and things are getting back to normal. 

There is always so much happening. 

Today is Beth's bridal shower. My last little girl, my baby, is getting married in just a few short weeks. I've been up since 4:15AM. There are several things I need to finish up here, before heading up to Tonya's for all the final preparation for today's festivities. 

The skies are a little gray this morning, and we may see some rain. 

I'm looking forward to a day spent with family and friends, and of course my baby girl. 

I'm going to try and keep my journal entries shorter, in hopes I'm encouraged to write more often. 

The Girasole Lady

This & That

We have a 30% chance of rain here and there for the next few days, so I went out to the garden this morning and scattered some seeds of Marigolds, Carrots and Radishes, in the raised garden beds. 

I'm settling into the comfort zone of having a smaller garden and less work. 

On the average day I spend 15-30 minutes pulling a few weeds, mulching up the soil, and adjusting the sprinkler heads. I have a timer on the faucet, sorta like a kitchen timer, that I turn to whatever amount of time the plants need watering, and then it shuts off automatically. 

I'm coming to terms in regards to my limitations as to what I can, and cannot, accomplish. 

Our local farmer's Market, and surrounding road side fields, have been filled to the brim with all sorts of local berries. 

A Summertime favorite here at Girasole Farm is Blackberry pie...

Fresh berries...

Homemade pie crust...

YUMMY pie! 

I made some yummy Blueberry muffins too--- (sorry no pictures) 

and while I was in the baking mode, I made some homemade pizza too...

I'm not really sure what happened, but I started to take pictures of the pizza process, but apparently only got as far as the recipe. hmmmm  

My nephew, my sisters boy, graduated from High School this year, so we headed to the Bay Area last weekend for a graduation party!    

Whaoo---- I took 2, as in  t.w.o., pictures-

Bubbles

(my sister was obsessed with the bubble machine)

and Miss Mia swinging in her night clothes, with crazy morning hair.

Way to go...NOT... 

I just couldn't find the picture inspiration, which I now regret. boo-hoo

But I can say we all had a great time, and the memories will just have to stay in my heart. 

I've been sewing, and spending lots of time outside. 

The weather has been just lovely. 

Caveman and I are still working on the back porch addition. 

Last night we finished the plumbing for the water, and the line for the electrical. 

It's been a slower process than I would have liked, but Caveman has been working 73.5 hours a week. 

That's right!

 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, and 6-2:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. 

And yes, he is TIRED, really tired. 

(we're not as young as we used to be)

I hope this afternoon/evening we are able to level the gravel and set the re-bar.

That should just about finish up our part.

We have hired someone to do the concrete pour and finishing. 

As far as the roof to cover the addition, it will probably have to wait until our slower time in the Fall.

Speaking of the Fall... we will be Grandparents again! 

Tonya is having BABY # 3! 

due to arrive in November.

We get very excited about every baby that gets to join our family. 

That will make 4 Gran-babies....

we already have 3 gran-baby girls...maybe a ... boy?

Tonya will find out next month. 

Be good to yourself.

Even if that means accepting your own limitations. 

I know, for me, that I cannot DO IT ALL. 

The Girasole Lady

Redecorating with ASCP

Feeling inspired after the Roses & Rust Vintage show a couple of weekends ago,
I've spend the better part of the past 2 weeks giving a face lift to some pieces in my home. 

I've kept cookbooks in this cabinet forever, so it seems.
It began years ago as a very simple pine cabinet, (which I had painted with a red stain). 

I painted over the stained cabinet with Old White ASCP,  then after some sanding, went over it with clear wax on the cabinet base, and used dark wax on the doors. 

As a final touch I buffed it with very fine steel wool for a glossy and smooth finish. 

I'm not really sure 'the book' says to do it this way, but it worked for me. 

 Using the same Old White ASCP I used on the cookbook cabinet,
I painted over what used to be an aquarium table.  

After the painting, I added a coat of clear, then dark wax, then did some sanding.

 I'm looking for something to cover the open top it has, but haven't decided what it is I want to use. 

For now it is just open, and I'm in the process of  figuring out how/what to decorate it. 

The final project was a pine hutch I've had for, well who knows how long. 

I stained it some dark color many years ago, but decided to brighten it up using 

Emperor's Silk ASCP, then finished it up with some light sanding, and a cover of clear wax. 

You know it's amazing what a little paint can do.  

Watching the transformation is so exciting. 

While I will admit some find the price of the ASCP expensive, about $40.00 per QUART,

it goes a very long way, and is super easy to work with.
Come on really...If I can do it...anyone can!

It's just about time to start getting the vegetable garden planted. Spring certainly has arrived early this year,
and Summer is soon to follow.

Yesterday the winds outside were terrible.
Let's hope for just a gentle breeze today.
I'm cleaning and scrubbing inside this morning, then working out in the gardens this afternoon. 

Have a lovely day. 

The Girasole Lady

High Hand Nursery & Spring Gardening

Saturday Beth and I took a road trip to the  High Hand Fruit Sheds in Loomis. 

To start the day we attended a class on irrigation systems.

The class was very helpful in understanding the actual mechanics of irrigation systems, watering tables and times, soil conditions, and what not. 

We had been to the Nursery once before, but this was the first class we attended. 

The class was free of charge, and we are already planning on attending another class in May about attracting beneficial wildlife life to your garden.

I learned something too, that I had forgotten for a bit, and that is - I really love learning, and how empowered it makes you feel. I've always been a sort of self teacher, in most aspects of my life. 

After the class we spent hours shopping in the Nursery.

When one shops for plants with Beth, you will learn ALL the scientific names of everything! 

Beth is passionate, really passionate,  about plants, and extremely knowledgeable as well. 

We both came home with arm loads of plants.

Upon returning home from the trip, I planted in the garden for the rest of the evening. 

I was so happy to have gotten everything, except one bush,  in the ground  as we had a good amount of rain on Sunday. 

My purchased included....

Ornamental Strawberries

planted in the raised bed in the small garden. 

Dianthus & Erysimum planted out front in the walkway. 

Lamium

Georgia Blue Veronica

and Waterperry Veronica

Sedum

Bleeding Heart

Sorbet Raspberry Viola

These were all planted in the little red bed in the small garden

This is a Ninebark 

I haven't decided exactly where to plant it yet. 

A few other things, not new, but looking good are my Japanese Maple and Sweet Peas. 

 This Maple tree began a number of year ago as a sapling from my Mom's garden. 

I never expected it to grown into a 'real' tree, but boy did it ever, and I love it. 

And Gosh... I never knew how expensive these trees were until a few years ago...wow! 

We ended the day having a wonderful lunch at the

Conservatory . 

It was a very good day indeed. 

In other news...

this week I need to plant a few more seeds and fertilize the Orchard. 

I've been working on a quilt

(that should have been done in February)

Best of all..

My sister will be arriving this weekend and will be staying here for a week!!

I'm so excited, and can hardly wait for her to get here. I haven't seen her since New Year's. 

I'm hoping for sunshine next week! 

"We get up in the morning and we do our best, and nothing else matters"

The Girasole Lady

The Good Stuff

We have been incredibly busy these past few weeks. 

The good stuff around Girasole Farm...

Tomato seeds and Sunflower seeds have been started and growing well in the green house. 

 A few weeks ago Caveman built a couple of planters for me out of an old 55 gallon drum that we had hanging around, and yesterday I planted seeds in them.

 I planted Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, and Oregano, along with Carrots and Radishes. 

 When we added trees to the Orchard, I got some Blueberry bushes too.

Eventually they will be planted out in the orchard as well, but for now I will keep them in a container until they are a little bigger. 

They even have some small blooms.

The Summer garden area has been plowed up

The soil will need to be worked up a few more times and some compost/mulch added before planting time. 

The field is green and has been mowed. 

Soon enough it will be brown from the Summer heat. 

 The Peonies are happy, and doing exceptionally well this year. 

 and one more thing, something you probably wouldn't expect me to post a picture of....

 Caveman has been working on this Shelby Cobra car for about 3 years, and finally it is completed. 

He is waiting for a CHP inspection and then file the DMV paperwork. 

He built it from scratch! It was a kit car from Factory Five. 

I'm excited too, and looking forward to a road trip together. 

I also had the pleasure of having my Cousin Candy, and Cousin Aletha,  each come for a visit. 
It was fun having family here with us, and we had a wonderful time. 

The sun has continued to shine for us, although the few days Candy was here we did have some rain. 
During her visit we took a trip into town and had a visit at 
Mary's Store. 

That about sums it up for now. 

On Saturday Beth and I are heading to the High Hand Nursery in Loomis for a class on irrigation. 


Enjoy the good stuff.

 The Girasole Lady