After the storm

 Today, we were supposed to get some pretty severe storms heading our way. Out here in this cove, we don't see a whole lot of really bad weather like they might get 20 miles North of us. We're in a valley with lots of little ridges and hills. We had been getting some rain during the day, but I kept wondering where all that bad weather was.

Then, about 4:00, it started getting really dark. I could see toward the east, over Pigeon Mt. the sky was so dark. Crazy clouds. It got so windy all of a sudden and lots of rapid lightening, so close together and really fast. The wind was crazy. Trees nearly sideways. Then really hard rain, then hail. For about 10-15 minutes it went on like this. So scary. I said I bet there was a tornado somewhere close, with all that. Then, just as soon as it started, it was over. Still. No rain. No wind. Nothing.

Then this. It was bright, the sun came back out. Beautiful. It got a bit foggy to the North East. Surreal.

Then out back, looking West, was the prettiest blue sky with pink wispy clouds. Hard to believe it had just been crazy storming  a few minutes earlier.

I did hear that there were really strong tornado like winds that did some pretty bad damage to the East of us about 20 miles away. About 4000 homes and businesses lost power from wind damage. So this was a pretty fierce storm. I didn't hear of anyone injured on the news tonight. Just trees down all over.

And all is well with our little piece of the world again. Thank you, Lord, for being with us and keeping us all safe. Again.

Gardens, pigs, kids and more kids

The past several days have been like a whirlwind for me. Rushing around, trying to get the early garden planted. And grass and clover seed planted. Grand kids here. Worked all day Friday. Just running, running running. Trying to beat a rain storm headed our way. It's been sprinkling on and off part of the day so far. Which is fine because I really don't want a flooding downpour like we have been getting all winter. Just enough to get all the things I've gotten planted a good start.

If you can see to the left, which is how I am planting this year, there is collards, kale, mustard, radishes, lettuce, beets, onions, broccoli, cabbage and onions so far to the left of the horribly neglected grape vines. To the right of the vines, my grand daughters and daughter helped plant 5 different varieties of potatoes. 40 pounds worth. An All Blue and a Corona organic and then Kennebec, Yukon Gold and red. So that is my early crops so far. Planted and ready to grow for farmer's markets. And I am pooped! And SO out of shape it's not even funny y'all. I am hurting right now. But not really too awfully bad, like I thought I would be. Gardening gets a person in some really amazing stretches and reaches. It's the best exercise ever.

Also this weekend, I got 2 pigs. They are out working in the goat barn for me right now, mulching up the 6' deep hay mess the goats have wasted all winter. The pigs love this. Keeps them busy and helps me out. Kansas named them Bob and Joe.

Also took the 2 goat kids, Ira Joe and Ella Belle, to get their horns burned off. So that chore is done.

This will be a busy week too. A farmer's market meeting Tuesday evening, a bee keeping class Wednesday evening, and a backyard wine tasting event Saturday evening with some fellow farmers. Sounds like some fun to me!

Garden season 2013. Officially started today.

I got out in the garden today. Finally. Tried to crank the tiller. Nothing. So I had to park her in the sun to warm up. After awhile  she started right on up. And away we went! I got a good deal done. And now I have my seeds ready. But as you can see, I have some unwanted visitors at the moment. If I plant seeds now, they would be all snatched up in no time. So I'll have to wait til they go to bed later. I am swapping a stanchion for a chicken tractor, so they should be in that soon. But right now, they can be out there.

This is my Cub Cadet tiller Cadie. I got her last year, so we are going into our 2nd garden season together. I really like this tiller. Usually just one pull and she starts. I have to go over the ground a lot right now though. It was a little wet so I let it dry out in the sun a few hours, then went back over it again just now.

So I am going to plant some kale, collards, mustard, lettuce, 6 different radishes, onions seeds, Swiss Chard.  Probably a few more things. I'll wait a few more weeks to plant potatoes. I need to get more onions. But I am excited to get going! I knew once I got out there, I would be on the way.

I am also going to get 2 pigs Saturday from a friend in Alabama. I think I am ready for a few more. They'll go into the first big stall in the goat barn and mulch up the 6' of hay in there. It's so deep I hit my head every time I go out there any more. Very irritating for sure. There are 3 more stalls for the goats.

 I sent my application in for the main St. Farmer's market. I so hope I get in. It's on Wed. from 4-6 Spring summer and fall. It's a really good market in downtown Chattanooga. I already know some of the farmers.

So here I go!