Cursed Basil!

Sometimes I wonder what I'm going to do with me.

Until yesterday, I had planted two whole seed packets of basil this year without getting a single sprout. Now I was getting a little upset about it, and the kids were too, so I told them that they should ask their Pap what we are doing wrong.

See, I remember my dad telling me that when you plant basil, you have to stomp and cuss. I even gave a half-hearted little curse and sort of lifted my foot a little after we planted the second seed pack. And sure enough, when the kids asked him about it he said, “You have to stomp and cuss when you plant basil.” But then he looked at me and said, “It can’t be pretend, either.”

OF COURSE, the kids wanted to help then! So I picked up a couple different brands of Genovese basil seeds, and this weekend, we gave it a try. Before we started, I gave the kids a free pass for cussing - while planting basil only! - a privilege that was quickly revoked! They each only had two turns before I called my own foul. I won’t even repeat the things they said!

I did, however, mark the little section of seed starter that we did Pap's way… just to see if it makes a difference! 

Let Me Show You Around

Mammaw's Miracle Bleeding Hearts

This poor flower has survived this growing season, which began in February, through several frosts and broken stems - and even last week's out-of-nowhere snow! If you look closely, you can see a couple of the flowers have been 'blanched' by Mother Nature, but this flower has Mammaw's spirit: she is nothing if not a survivor.

A lot of my childhood days were spent here with Mammaw and Pappaw. Although *some* of what she taught me sank in, I sure was stubborn! I was never an eager student of botany until luck (fate? my fiance?) brought me back home to the family farmstead last summer. I've learned a lot, but I have quite a ways to go.

Freak of the Week: Late April Snow Threatens Blooms

The winter wonderland pic was taken on April 23.

This poor azalea bush has been put through the ringer this year, too. In February, when we had our first stretch of 70-degree weather, I gave her what I thought was a much-needed haircut. It seems to have been not-the-best timing though, because the branches I pruned are blooming weeks later than the rest. (Out of respect for this proud azalea, I will only be showing pictures from her good side.)

And here she is, just four days later. April 27, 2012. 

I think the snow being SO heavy and wet probably saved the flowers from the freezing overnight weather. And you were so SCARED! 

Here are some more flowers from the same bed:

These columbines are PROLIFIC! For two years I have been giving away volunteer columbines and hostas that have sprouted in the yard. I call them 'jumpers,' but that seems a little dramatic. (Did someone call Me?! Dramatic?!?!)

Meet Mrs. Bradshaw. My son adopted this geum from Lowe's last year. (Good choice, Quentin!) My daughter chose strawberries, but we have a little issue with a family of groundhogs...

One more survivor before I sign off:

Mom loves to tell this story: "One year your Uncle Paul David didn't have money for a Mother's Day gift, so he walked down to the river and came back with this dogwood tree."

He is no longer with us either, but (just like with all of Mammaw's beloved flowers) his memories live on -- literally!

OMG! Merit Badges!! No Way!!!

MAY 24, 2012 IS THE DAY!

First Official Meeting of the Almost Heaven Sisterhood - 7PM 

Not long ago, Mom gave me her most recent issue of MaryJane's Farm Magazine. I spent the whole afternoon devouring every word, until, near the back I stumbled across a full-page ad that read: 

JOIN UP TO JOIN IN

EARN MERIT BADGES 

(think Girl Scouts for grownups)

for stitching, cooking, gardening, 

carpentry, community service, 

and more!

What do 2000+ women all have in common?

MARYJANE'S FARMGIRL SISTERHOOD

We are Sisters - a sisterhood of farmgirls. We're country, we're city, and every texture and stripe in between. It's not at all about where we live, but how we live. We stay in touch in an active online chatroom, where 500 new posts are added daily, and form in-the-flesh Farmgirl Chapters and even virtual chapters called Henhouses. We love to share stories, to craft, to garden, and to nurture the next generation of Farmerettes and Young Cultivators. And when our work is done, we get together to go camping, fishing, and "glamping" as Farmgirls on the Loose. Learn all about us!

www.FarmgirlSisterhood.org

I've either already been doing, or 'secretly' wanting to do all of those things! (One thing I Don't lack is gumption.) I signed up within a week, #4069, and I'm proud to say that I've already earned SIX merit badges in three separate categories. And I'm working on several more. I find it perfect for someone as scattered as me: I can always be doing something different, but as long as I'm doing ANYTHING, I'm accomplishing something that I can check off my to-do list. It would be equally perfect for an uber-organized  woman, or for that matter, anyone in between.

I have been flirting with the idea of taking on this leadership role since the day I found out about it. Then last week I had the good fortune to receive an email from Michelle, a lady who lives here in Barbour County and found me on the Sisterhood forums. She has the prestigious honor of being the first Charter Member of the Almost Heaven Sisterhood!

Although Michelle isn't yet an official member of the MJF Sisterhood, she is a Farmgirl to the core. And one cool thing about our local club is that you don't have to be "official" to join! You can have all the benefits of belonging just by showing up. We can't give out merit badges, but even the merit badge handbook is free to all!

One more thing: Almost Heaven Sisterhood is Our club's temporary name. I have thought of a few other names that would be just as great, so I'm planning to put that to vote as a matter of business at our first meeting. I'd love to see some ideas for the Chapter's Official Name, if anybody has any. (But I would be pleased as punch if AHS turned out to be the winner.)