Farmgirl Friday blog hop # 58

 

Welcome back to the fun and fan-tab-u-lous Farmgirl/guy Friday Blog Hop! 

The place where pitchforks and frilly aprons go hand in hand!

We welcome new friends and follower's each week to this hardworking and talented community of urban, rural, suburban, mountain and coastal homesteaders!

 Corral your cows, goats and chickens; grab your garden gloves and join the fun!

Here's an update from our BACKYARD FARMYARD this week! 

  I harvested the first stocks from our Rhubarb yesterday here at home and at the cottage. I didn't have enough to make a pie ( 4 cups ) but I did have just enough to make Strawberry- Rhubarb Date Compote  to smother vanilla bean ice-cream with last night for dessert! It was oh so delicious, fast and easy!

Here's the recipe!

 2 cups chopped rhubarb

2 cups sliced strawberries

4 dates chopped

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 table spoons water

Mix fruit, sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then lower heat to a simmer stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until fruit is softened. Add vanilla.

Serve warm over vanilla bean ice-cream, pound cake, waffles or pancakes!

The Cottage Hens got dessert too! 

Did I mention how wonderful the compote was drizzled all over the ice-cream with just a dollop of whipped cream on top? 

YUM!!!

Now it's your turn to share what's happening in your farmgirl/guy world!

Tell us on the hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the Mr. Linky space to your Farmgirl Friday post.


3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

Have a great week everyone and thank you so much for all you share here every Friday! I'm in the garden much of the time ( as most of you are ) with little time for commenting regularly, but please know I am reading and learning from all of you. I appreciate your comments and wisdom when you have time to share it!


 Farmgirl Blessings to all!
 
 

Oh My Garden

 

Dear friends,
I hope this post finds you all enjoying some warm late spring weather and plenty of time in your gardens too! I was thinking of hanging a sign on my blog that says, 
" I'm in the Garden " but I figure that's where most of us are these days!  Today, I got up bright and early to check on my tiny seedlings in the greenhouse and do my morning garden walk. Max came with me of course...

My first year with a greenhouse has had some ups and downs. Mostly ups. As with any new project there's a learning curve but I'm not going to let it keep me from enjoying the process! So far I love my shelter logic greenhouse. It is sturdy, and heats up nicely even on overcast days which we have often here along the northeastern seaboard.

 Here's what's UP in the greenhouse
Three flats of Drop Dead Red Sunflowers have sprouted and look very healthy!
  The Vanilla Ice Sunflowers are popping up as are the Pumpkin on a Stick!

 Just look at my sunflower babies reaching for the sun!

The Cosmos also sprouted in good time and look strong and I'm seeing signs of life in the tomato flats  as well!

 And what's NOT!
 The Zinnia's have given me a challenge... I didn't use any heat to start my seeds and some of them just have not germinated. I'm relying on the heat of the greenhouse to get my little seeds to sprout... One entire tray of Envy Zinnia's didn't sprout and the others have a few popping up here and there! If they don't pop up soon, I'll direct sew them right into the raised beds. Maybe things take longer with out heat? Maybe I didn't water them enough after planting?  Maybe some of them were bum seeds? Or, maybe that cooler  weather  we had last week slowed things down?  What ever the causes were, I have overcome the disappointment and have continued planting seeds anyway! I've made a note in my garden journal to plant more than what I think I'll need just in case I lose a few next year.

 Did you know there is a wealth if information inside the Botanical Seed packets which includes planting, growing and harvesting tips alongside botanical names and how to make your cut flowers last longer. I am loving learning about each flower and vegetable I plant this way.

image from my garden notebook

 Next on my " to do list " is to implement a way to my garden notes and seeds/seed packets. Little Farm in the Big City shared a wonderful tip in her farmgirl Friday entry last week that I love!
Be sure to check out the link for the entire post where she shows a great tutorial. It's easy- peasy and efficient too!

I've kept a garden journal/binder for years to keep track of what I plant ( and a plant wish list ) but I love the idea of  lined note cards that would include information about:

Name of Plant
Spring, Summer or Fall bloomer
Date Planted  (Inside or Outside )
Days to germinate
Days to bloom
Harvest date
Diseases/pests/ life span
Sun/shade or both

Garden Notes

 I would also add notes at the end of each season.
Ratings as a cut flower and what it looks nice paired with .
More, less or none next year...
Was it a WOW bloomer?
Heirloom/ Organic 

Sweat Peas doing and overnight soak in water for planting tomorrow in this hanging basket.

 That's the view from the greenhouse today!  Come back soon  to see what's growing everywhere else!

Daydream Window from the rear of the greenhouse.

 Oh, what the heck. Here's a sneak peak!

My Lady Banks rose is going strong on the side of the hen-house! 

Happy Growing and as always, DANDELION WISHES!

 How do you organize your garden notes?I'm taking today's garden notes over to Heidi's Country Garden Showcase! You should come too!

 PS. I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! I shared some of my " Mom Moments "
over at the MJF Beachfarmgirl Blog in my last post! Come on by for a chuckle!

Saturday Scenes with Boz

 

A Saturday Scene for your enjoyment~ with Boz 

 Happy Mother's Day Dandelion House mom's! 

You all deserve a beautiful day of what ever your heart desires!

Love,

Deb and Boz