Remember my setup for making homemade yogurt? Well, how about making gift cards to go along with the homemade yogurt theme! I made this 3.5" square gift card using images from my recently released Whipper Snapper cling set called Garden Fresh. And speaking of yogurt, I'm all out! Time to pull out the ol' canning kettle and heat pad! Mmmm, good!
A peek at the garden reveals that things are slowing coming along. But I have to tell you, I'm battling insects like you wouldn't believe. Cucumber beetles are in numbers like never before, squash bugs have been spotted (and removed) from zucchini plants, and a couple pepper plants have been victim to caterpillars. I'm vigilant at night and do my best bug patrol in the dark, wearing a headlamp and gloves. Squishing cucumber beetles and cutting various plant eating/sucking caterpillars in half isn't my calling, but I do it. ...or maybe it is?
The pole beans (center row) are hinting about climbing the trellis. The bush beans (outer rows) look healthy! I still can't get over how crinkly the first plants look! Something got to them early on, and they still look so strange! We did have the big hail storms and crazy wind that gave them a good beating. The newer plants look "normal" at least!
The flowerbed along the chicken yard is filling in nicely. I noticed a couple volunteer tomato plants, and some volunteer been plants have come up along with lots of seeds I planted for sunflowers, zinnia, and gourds. Should be pretty when it's in bloom! The little tin flower in the photo used to be a rain gauge... but the rain gauge vessel broke. So now it's just a cute tin flower in the garden.
In other news, this coming Friday is my Mom's birthday and I'll be flying up north to spend a long weekend with her and Dad. I'm looking forward to it, for sure! Alan will be staying home on the farm, taking care of all the critters and the garden. It's a lot of work for one person, and he'll have earned BIG HUGS when I get back!
Garden is looking fantastic, Anna! Have a wonderful time at Mom & Dad's this weekend. You and your Mom and Aunt Patty crafting a day away? Don't forget to post, if you do!
Posted by: Sherri D. | May 13, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Oh my word! Love the card and LOVE LOVE LOVE the photo of that chicken (or rooster) looking through the wire fence at the zinnias. Hilarious. Have a safe and uneventful trip and hurry back. Hug your Mom for me, please. And don't forget! I'll find out, you know. I have my sources.
Posted by: Gabriela | May 11, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Darling card and colors, Anna! I would like to taste your homemade yogurt someday--my first experience with homemade yogurt was not good, but I'm sure yours is delicious. Way to clear out the bugs in your garden! That's funny that you work at night! So glad you get to visit your mom and dad for your mom's BD. The weather is glorious up here (your dad is actually telling the truth). :)
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | May 11, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Wow, I'm so envious of your garden. Our weather has been so bad this spring that nothing has been planted yet. Soon! Have a great trip to see your parents & Happy Bday to your Mom. Good wishes to Alan - that's a lot to look after, but I think he's pretty capable. Hugs.
Posted by: Troy Louise | May 11, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Cutting bugs in half....little does she know that when one of Anna's critters is in danger serious "stuff" is about to happen! Commando knife, guns, nerve gas, yup, serious stuff. Take for instance the famous "raccoon in the hen house" incident..WOW! close range full auto gunfire! Bugs dont have a chance if she sees "em. Hasta la veesta Baby! (I know where she gets it too) I almost "went to guns" on a bat in our house once..bad scene, I had a bad experience once as a lad...I'm still freaked out, shesh. Alan is very brave...
On a better note, the first 70 degree day of the season today! 74 on Saturday, Hip Hip hoorah!
Posted by: DK Wight | May 11, 2011 at 10:29 AM
Wow your garden does grow. Life here is slower this year so plants are just starting to take off. Have a great time with your mom and dad.
Posted by: Ida P. Krause | May 11, 2011 at 09:16 AM
You CUT catapillars in half?!!? *shudder* I'd never make it on a farm - you're so tough!
Have a fun weekend away :)
Posted by: Jennifer | May 11, 2011 at 08:07 AM
I can't believe how much stuff has grown since I last visited right after you posted your red neck tomato bed! Really enjoyed your videos, which obviously have sound, but you need to narrate them! Here's Dixie, here's Junior, etc., so we know who we're seeing. Then, they would be perfect! So glad you got some rain and that the garden didn't suffer too much from that awful hail. Have fun this weekend with your Mom up in God's Country.
Posted by: kathynruss | May 11, 2011 at 07:03 AM
Your garden looks wonderful. Wow! Such dedication to it. Enjoy your time with your parents.
Posted by: SueB | May 11, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Your garden looks amazing! You are so far ahead of us. Our peas are not evening coming through. (It has been dry since planting.) I have not had time to buy flowers let alone get them in the ground. A friend gave us June bearing strawberries that had outgrown her bed. :) Reminds me to go water them. It was SO HOT here yesterday we broke the heat record for the day :( YUCKY.
Have afun weekend with Mom and Dad, hugs to all...
Posted by: Carol Dee | May 11, 2011 at 04:52 AM
Ahhh, bug patrol! Don't you wish you could teach those chickens to eat all those gourmet bugs without wrecking the plants? You need a chicken whisperer! Have fun at your Moms and wish her a happy day from us too!
Posted by: Dee in N.H. | May 11, 2011 at 03:05 AM