The garden is looking fantastic.  Cameron who's been helping us for the past three weeks has done a fantastic job! We are so grateful for his help and will miss him when he leaves.  We have one more week of his help before he's off to another farm. 

I had Cameron make four small tipis for our cucumbers.  We are using hemlock branches from a dead  hemlock that was cut down last year.  We are also using the hay twine from the hay bales that we get each week to feed our critters.  As we work in our garden we try to think about the materials we need and make sure it's materials that we can re-use (like the hay twine and cardboard in the raised beds) or create from the property (like the hemlock branches or cedar poles).
 
 

The tipi master,  Cameron Lovejoy

Most of our tomato plants were planted along the fence line.  The fence will help to support the plants.  I had Cameron make some supports for the tomatoes that were not along the fence line using hay twine and hemlock branches.  I'll be using cut up pantyhose to tie the plants to the fence.  I have a drawer full of pantyhose from my corporate days when I used to wear suits and pantyhose.  Boy am I glad I don't have to wear pantyhose anymore!  I'm also glad I saved it versus filling up a landfill somewhere.

Fence line with tomatoes.  We still have more to plant in the middle area of the bed. 

We are having a few pest problems and I've been busy squashing bugs.  Particularly squash bugs and potato beetles but we also have quite a few snails this year.   I just made a spray that I hope will help deter these bugs.  I made if from Calendula flowers crushed and soaked in water for 24 hours. You strain the flowers,  add 1/4 teaspoon of castile soap and water.  I'll let you know if it works.

Another lovely pest in our garden.  At least he is not laying on any plants in this photo.

Cameron and Joshua checking out the Oswego tea in the medicine wheel.  Last evening while I was in the garden, I noticed  hummingbirds going to the Oswego tea.

It really is beautiful.

This bed is doing great.  It is gladiolus, chamomile, borage, calendula and basil.

I can't wait until the borage blooms.  I think our honey girls are going to like it.

We have quite a bit planted and I'm hopeful we have a good year despite  a little too much rain and the pests.

So far,  we have planted:

Patty pan squash                                                                       
zucchini
yellow crookneck squash
Native American Hubbard Squash
cheese pumpkins
pie pumpkins
giant pumpkins
delicata squash
spaghetti squash
Mexican pumpkins
watermelon
sweet corn
pop corn
Mexican blue corn
lentils
black turtle beans
kidney beans
anasazi beans
black-eye peas
2 varieties of cucumbers
three varieties of onions
5 varieties of tomatoes (4 which are heirlooms)
8 varieties of potatoes (4 heirlooms)
nasturtiums
broccoli
cauliflower
leeks
kale
collard greens
eggplant
3 varieties of peppers
2 varieties of carrots
red beets
golden beets
fodder beets
dill
cilantro
spinach
sweet peas
garlic
4 varieties of lettuce

Everything is intensely planted in raised beds.  Each bed is co-planted with the intention of the plants benefitting from it's neighboring plant.  The beds were created with layers of  kitchen compost, manure from the barn, cardboard, leaves, straw and dirt.

Purple finger potatoes that are part of the NOFANY potato trial.

Chieftan and Eva potatoes also part of the NOFANY trial.

I am looking forward to the milkweed pods again this year.  Last year,  I picked a few and made a brine for them to soak in.  WOW,  it was like eating capers.  We are looking forward to making more this year.  I like to leave the milkweed for the monarch butterfly caterpillars to eat.  Of course they are going to have to share those pods with us.

Milkweed blooming

Last year,  I noticed a very strange looking spider on one of our rose bushes.  He's back!

   

I think he's so cool looking. 

We are blessed with a lot of black raspberry bushes/vines that the birds planted for us.  I love them.  As a matter of fact,  I have a huge messy bramble of them right in front of the house.  Many folks who visit frown upon these brambles in front of our house and wonder why we haven't "landscaped" in front of our house.  I smile and let them know just how many berries I can get from there.  We love it!  As far as we are concerned it is landscaped by Mother Nature,  can't get any better than that in my eyes.

 

Look who was "hanging out" where I was picking berries!

I loved the colors of this bug.

As you can see,  I'm not the only one who loves berries!

We went to the zoo the other day.  Although we were only there a few hours,   we still had a great time.  We loved seeing the Lemurs.  They were quite comical.

The Lemurs were part of the new exhibit called Madagascar.  It would not have been complete without....

Ewwww  Madacascar Hissing Cockroaches.  They are pretty neat.

Ahhh baby ducks with their mama.  There were many babies at the zoo.  I really wanted to see the baby lion cub but by the time we got to the exhibit,  they had went in for dinner.    Oh well,  as Joshua exclaimed,  "there is always next time mom!"

Where to next?  The map says we are here.

This wall has been created by very small tiles.  Very beautiful.

We discovered some very strange looking creatures at the zoo.

The butterfly exhibit is wonderful.  Not only are you surrounded with beautiful flowers and butterflies,  who knew you can also see coy fish in the same exhibit.

Speaking of insects,  we always have to ride the gorgeous bug carousel.

Joshua really enjoyed his lady bug ride. 

We also saw some very interesting birds.

This guy is huge!  He's taller than Joshua.

We have been harvesting milk, chicken eggs, turkey eggs, strawberries,  garlic scapes, spinach, mustard greens,  lettuce,  lamb's quarters,  purslane, kale,  and chickweed.  Our strawberry patch had a huge die off  over the winter.  I think it was because of all the crazy black radish plants that sort of took over the bed.  We've been diligently nursing the few plants we had left so next year we hope to have another awesome harvest like we experienced last year.  I discovered a very nice sized wild strawberry patch yesterday and was busy harvesting those little morsels of sweetness.  Our mulberry tree is heavily hanging with mulberries.  I think next week might be harvest time and we are hoping we get to the berries before the birds.  I am also hoping to make mulberry jam.  The black rasperries are starting to ripen and we are looking forward to a large harvest of those delicious berries.  Hmmm maybe I need to also make some black raspberry jam. 

Garlic Scapes

I've been trying some new recipes with the garlic scapes and lamb's quarters.  I made a lovely lamb's quarter spread the other day and last night for dinner we had pesto made with garlic scapes, spinach and lamb's quarters.  Oh it was delicious.

Pasta with our pesto

Salad with boiled turkey eggs.  Tomatoes, onions and cucumbers came from another local organic farm. 

The rain is slowing down our work a bit but I'm still very excited about the progress we've made so far.  It's rained every single day.  I need at least two days of dry weather to start making my medicinal oils and tinctures.  I'm sure with all the wetness if I tried, the plants would just mold.  I've been a bit frustrated with not being able to make these oils/tinctures. 

For the past few weeks we have a lovely person helping us with our farm chores and the garden.  Cameron is doing a fantastic job and we are so grateful for his help.  Although I can't believe he was almost attacked by our resident Velociraptor.

The peas are growing nicely and have started to bloom.

Potatoes, garlic, sweet corn,  mustard greens, peas, kale, basil, black turtle beans, parsnips going to seed are all in this picture.

Purposely thickly planted sunflower to have a block of yellow color.

 

Gladiolas, chamomile, borage, calendula

 

  Lavender

 

   

 

Oswego tea just starting to bloom

Last week,  Joshua, myself and our dear friend Margaret attended the  We Shine a Celebration of  Unschooling Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.  WOW,  what a beautiful, fantastic, loving conference.  As we all say....  All children shine for being exactly who they are.  Yes,  they do. 

We all had a blast and enjoyed the sites, the fun, and most importantly the connections we made with the most positive, fun, loving group of people I have ever met.  As many stated,  it was hard to leave our Shiny Bubble of bliss.  Unfortunately,  we had to leave a day early because I was sick. 

This is the view from our balcony.  We took this photo the first day we arrived.  It rained all the days except one.  We were waiting to sit out on our balcony and eat.  Despite the rain,  we were often out there taking in the views.

In one of the parks across from the falls,  we saw the biggest black walnut tree,  we had ever seen.

This little guy/gal was very interested in our bagel crumbs.

The New York Falls.

Each night they would light up the falls with colored lights.

Joshua and Margaret busy working on some art projects while we listened and watched the Talent Show.

Finally,  a sunny day and breakfast on the balcony!

Oh the views were beautiful.

 

Watching an artist make beautiful hand blown glass.

Getting wiggles out!

The Maid of the Mist boat ride.  Yes,  we rode on one of those boats.  It was amazing.

Canadian Horseshoe falls taken from the boat.

New York falls taken from the boat.

No we are not smurfs,  just Maid of the Mist passengers.

We had such a treat at the conference. Bird  Kingdom brought a few critters to the hotel for us to see, touch a few, and learn all about them.   Later,  the lady giving the program said she just loved our group.    I know our group was enthusiastically peppering her with great questions.  Joshua rose his hand several times to ask a question but she just did not see him toward the back of the room. 

Friday night we were going to meet others at a park to blow bubbles and watch the fireworks.  But we were all feeling tired and Joshua had fallen asleep early.  We sat on the balcony and enjoyed the beautiful fireworks. 

Comfrey

Oh it smells so sweet

Who knew that kale blossoms were so nice.

Honeysuckle

Wild Roses

   

Chives

Carolina Allspice Bush

Oh wait,  Sweetheart is not blooming....but she's sweet as a rose petal.

I've planted a lot but still have more to do.....

A bird's eye view of the garden.

So far I've planted the following seeds:

-Patty Pan Squash                                           -Kidney Beans
-Black-eye peas                                              -Lentils
-Scarlet Runner Beans                                    -Anasazi Beans
-lettuce                                                           -Dill
-Fodder Beets                                                -Sweet Corn
-Potatoes (from last year--five varieties)          -NOFANY Potatoes for 09' Trial (three varieties)
-Sunflowers     (four varieties)                         -Morning Glories
-Chamomile                                                    -Borage
-Poppies                                                        -Arnica
-Calendula                                                     -Cosmos
-Black-eyed Susans                                       -Red flowering Vine
-Nasturtiums                                                  -Turtle Black Beans
-Peas                                                            -Giant pumpkins

From our greenhouse I've transplanted to the garden:

-Broccoli                                                                  -Cauliflower
-onions                                                                     -Kale
-King of the North Peppers                                      -Brandywine Tomatoes
-Basil              

 I have only planted 1/4 of what  needs to be planted.  Joshua loves to go out each day and see if anything has grown or sprouted.  We planted his sunflower house and we both are very excited about this project. 

These two raised beds are near our barn.   In these beds are three varieties of potatoes as a potato trail for  Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFANY)  Chieftains,  Eva, and Purple Fingers are the three varieties we received this year. 

Purple Finger being held by little dirty fingers. 

I have also planted Fodder Beets in those beds.  Fodder Beets are a huge beet that are perfect to feed to livestock.  We are trying to grow a little bit of food for our animals too.

Yesterday, I harvested beautiful spinach  for dinner.  For dinner,  we had salmon cakes over a bed of spinach.  It was delicious!!  I've grown spinach for years but for some reason never really had much luck with it.  This year it is perfect!  I purposely planted the spinach in a bed that is shaded from a large white pine tree through the hottest part of the day.  I know spinach does not like the heat so my plans worked beautifully.  I am always trying new things each year so I can make notes and adjust for next year.  For example,  the lentils, kidney beans and black-eyed peas were organic beans that I had kicking around the house and thought why not?   My parents gave me a big bag of Anasazi Beans and we really liked them.  I saved some of the beans and I planted them on Sunday.  I didn't know much about these beans.  Taking a break from planting I decided to sit down on the internet and learn about the Anasazi Beans.  Well.....  I found out that they are climbers not bush beans.  DARN!  I planted them in beds that would be for bush beans.  I promptly went out dug them up and moved them to the base of our tipis and tall fence posts.    I only planted about 50 beans or so,  no biggie to dig back up.....LOL.  Why I didn't research them before planting?  Oh well,  lessons learned and now I know. 

Slowly but surely we've been getting all the beds ready in the garden.    It's really starting to come together and now I need to plant, plant and plant.

 

Garlic, mustard greens and peas.  Pole Beans and Morning Glories will go on the tipis.

 

Medicinal Wheel

More of my Medicine Wheel

Iris blooming.

Today, I planted 30 gladiolas bulbs,  arnica, chamomile, borage, sunflower, black-eyed susans, cosmos, poppies, calendula, violas, Esperanza Star (thank you Ashley).  

Yesterday, I planted a row of potatoes.  The potatoes were left over from last year's NOFANY trial.  I primarily worked on the beds yesterday.  I still have a lot more mulching to do but I'm really pleased with the way the garden is looking. 

We have expanded the garden and I have eight more beds than last year in the garden area plus two very long beds in another area by the barn.  Out of the new beds,  three are quite long.   I'm also using the fence line this year as support for tomatoes, beans, cucumbers etc. 

I find it all very exciting! 

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) opened at 6:00 am.  We heard  that  traffic  would be a  big  problem on  launch days even though  we were just 15  minutes away.  We  were told that 15 minute drive could take up  to 2 hours on launch day.   We had  to  be there  by 9:00 am.  We  arrived before  7:00  am.

 
The sunrise from  the  causeway on  the way to  KSC.  The largest building on the left is the  rocket assembly  building. In the middle of this  picture (where  you  can't see)  is one of  the launch pads.  Both  shuttle launch pads were  loaded.  Atlantis would be launching on this day and Endeavor was ready  in case of an emergency.  This was going to be the last  time we would see two space shuttles loaded  on  the launch  pads.

The first thing we did was take advantage of  their bus tours because KSC would be shutting the tours down at 8:30 am.   KSC is  a very big complex that  includes a wildlife refuge.  On the  day of the launch,  many things are not available like touring the launch pad.  Also, once you are at the  complex and the gates close,  no one gets in or out during that time.  Security is extremely tight. 

Rocket  Assembly building

 On the  tour we  went  to  a building that housed the Saturn V Rocket.  The biggest rocket  ever made. 

Lunar Module

Breakfast  under the lunar module

We  also went  outside because our little tree hugger wanted to  hug a palm tree.

The  closest we  were  going to get to   launch  pad.

Did I mention that  KSC had over 10,000 people visiting that day.  Yes it was a zoo and it was also very hot!

Back at the main visitors  center, Joshua could not wait to go  see the  Rocket  Garden.

There was a stage with  astronauts  speaking throughout  the day.   A large  video played showing the  astronauts being loaded  into  the space  shuttle.

Our little boy loved every minute of this day but it was so  hard waiting on the launch. He like his parents does not really enjoy large crowds of people or long lines.     The  waiting was  becoming almost  too much to handle combined with the heat and  lack of shade.  I could not imagine how the astronauts felt as the
Commander was loaded 3 hours before the launch. Could you imagine being strapped in your seat for 3 hours? Thankfully for us, near  the rocket  garden  there was  a  play area  with a water feature.  All was well with  us!

Can  you  believe  we  were  the  only parents  enjoying  the water?   After  we  played  a Grandpa joined in and  few other people. 

Launch time was getting closer. We were  all cool and Joshua was dry, changed and ready for  the launch.

Waiting

More waiting

And then the count down........

Our little boy's joy was  incredible!!! I see it,  I  see it!!!!

Then we heard  it. We have a wonderful  video  of  Joshua and  the launch. 

Stay tuned for  Day  2  at the KSC.....

We finally were able to go on vacation last week.  It is very difficult to go away when you  have so many that need daily care.  We are  very grateful for the help we employed in order to do this trip.  It was also not the best time of the year for us to go either.... as it's the busiest time of the year on the farm with Spring planting.    However,  this vacation was for Joshua.  He is consumed with everything NASA.    Last week, we witnessed the Space Shuttle Atlantis  lift  off  on it's  last  mission  to repair/upgrade the Hubble Telescope. 

Our trip started with  an  early morning departure  to drive approx 350 miles to get on the Amtrak Auto train  in  Lorton, VA.   We arrived  30 minutes before our mandatory check in.   We stood and watched Amtrak load  our car onto the train. 

We waited around until we could board the train.  Once on the train,  we were quite pleased with our accommodations.  We loaded up with some wonderful snacks and hung out in our bedroom car.  It was a wonderful way to travel! 8:30 the next morning we were in Sanford, Florida,  only 35 miles to our final  destination.  Joshua announced on the train,  it was the best day of his life.

 The dining car.

Sunset from the train

The "boys" in their bunk beds.

Arriving early,  we decided to to visit  a nearby zoo and botanical garden using our reciprocal  membership from  an arboretum. 

Outside the  zoo, they had an awesome ropes course.  Joshua was their first customer.  Joshua was fantastic, and I do  believe he learned something from the monkeys he saw inside the zoo.

After  a long day, we retired to the hotel for some pool play and early to sleep.....the next morning was the big day.