I'm trained for this ... kind of, sort of... Okay not really

I am trained in sterile technique, so I'm thinking I outta be able to figure this out.

I have to get THOSE peaches, in THOSE jars in a way that keeps botulism out of it.

Okay so, I don't know what I'm doing ... but I'm gonna try canning.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Meet Daisy-Mae

Our next foster is Daisy-Mae.  She is a 5-6 month old lemon/white little girl.

She was with her breeder until she was about 4 months old, and then has been in another rescue situation for the last month.

Her breeder did NOT socialize her.  She is timid, but not really scared.  It's just that everything is new to her and she has to learn.

She thinks she is the "Great White Hunter".  She loves things that fly, and holds a beautiful point.

She loves the water, unlike any pointer I've seen.  She lays in it, at times with only her nostrils out.

Transporting a dog by ground and air

Once in a while I help out with a transport.

This is where we move a dog from one place of the country to another.  Sometimes it involves 3 people, sometimes 20.  This time it took a bunch of people and A PLANE.

 Pointer Rescue had tried to move Waldo twice before, only for such a long transport not to fill. This time a wonderful gentlemen stepped in and offered to fly him from Indiana to Maryland for us.

I was on the Maryland side to pick up Waldo.

When I asked the Pilot "Where you coming to Hagerstown anyway"?  He said "No, I just wanted to save people a bunch of driving".  He was turning around and going back home.

If I didn't already have a foster coming to my house, Waldo would have stayed with me.  He was such a gentlemen.

Thank you to everyone that helped plan, beg, drive, put up and fly Waldo to us.

Forced Early Harvests

I planted most of the potatoes and onion in these "Grow bags"

The biggest advantages to these should be being able to plant anywhere and harvesting

 

Since the bugs ate all the leaves off, I thought that I should harvest one of the bags of potatoes.  I will leave one bag to see if they can survive.

I dumped them out on a tarp and started spreading it out.

 

This might be part of the reason my onions didn't make it.  

It is the only garden thing he got into.

 

My bug forced harvest

  

I might add, these potatoes were fabulous!

More hungry garden pests

F&!GO*%$!!

Now, what the heck are these bugs? They kinda look like big lightening bugs, the first night they ate all green on my potatoes, and now they've cleared a tomato plant.

Bugs seem to love my organic ideas.

An eaten tomato plant

Eaten Potato plants

I've found that garlic oil (from Costco) with baking soda (for my white powdery mold), and milk seem to work the best.

The problem is that I didn't pre-treat so by the time I realize they are there - they've cleared a crop in one night.  I guess I need to just start spraying every few days.

.... Why would you put a nest there?

Really?  You put a nest with 3 baby birds in this small tree, with this at the bottom?

This is what bird dogs do!

Piston goes home

Piston found his forever home and headed to Tennessee today. It was sad to see him go as we were just thinking about keeping him.  Ollie loves Piston

That is Ollie growling.  He sounds like he is viscous, he's just playin

Piston's new name is Smithey Piston.  I'm told it's because in the south you have to have two first names.

We found him a wonderful home were he will be spoiled and go to doggie daycare.  I hope to post some updates on him soon.

It was sad to hand him off today to his new Aunt and family.  They were leaving DC from a vacation and are taking him to his new mom.

... Be a good boy Piston.  We miss you already.

Today's Haul

Turns out some day I just might be able to be self sufficient.

Squash - or - Watermelon?

I need help identifying what is growing in my garden.

Is this acorn squash - or watermelon?  I know the little green one is just a small gourd.

Actually... what's the difference between a squash and gourd?

You eat one and not the other?

2010 Baby Chicks

We purchased another batch of baby chicks.  I think there are about 40ish. The post office called me today to ask me if i wanted to pick them up early.

We learned alot about chickens with our last batch.  How better to care for them, protect them, and how to get colorful eggs.  We lost a couple to dogs and a lot more to foxes, but ended up with many many wonderful eggs.

 We purchased quite a variety this time, but it's hard to tell based on the chicks.  We purchased white and brown egg layers, green and really dark brown egg layers.  Less chickens with "head gear", because they can't see well and aren't the smartest things.

These chicks will be living in the coop fenced off from the big chickens as it is warm enough for them to survive with just some extra heat.

DEATH TO THE GRASSHOPPER!!!

 WTF?  

The grasshhoppers have eaten my squash, literally overnight.

Last night when I watered they looked perfect (and I've been harvesting lots!) and between last night and now the grasshoppers have found them!

I have a huge locust investation, this is just a small picture, they are covering my fence, all the tree trunks and anything green I have.

How do I get rid of them?  I'd like to be "green" about it, but I'd be up for about anything right now!

 

If they go near my tomatoes, I'm pulling out the pesticide!