Spring Has Sprung

This is the view just outside our deck in the back yard.  Yesterday evening it looked like a river was running though it because rain was pouring down.  This morning is cloudy and a cool 64 degrees.  I grabbed my camera and headed outside. 

back yard

this little guy didn't want me to get very close.

wood pecker

Yeppers, Spring is busting out at the seams here.  

Starting a Sweet Potato Using Slips

There are four basic little things you need to start growing sweet potato slips.  A sweet potato (of course), water, a wide mouth jar and toothpicks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspect several potatoes for little buds like the one pictured above.  This is where the slip will start to grow.

As it grows it will get greener and will turn into leaves.  The potato will also have other places on the top  and side that will sprout and grow.   It may take a week or so for the potato to start growing roots and sprout.  I set my potato in a sunny window and keep the water lever the same at all times. 

When the length of the sprout is ten to twelve inches long you will need to dig a small portion of the sprout out of the potato.  Plant the slip as soon as you plan to cut it.  It won't take long for the slip to adapt to the soil and take off.   Last year I had vines as long as 15ft. and they were everywhere in the garden.  The vines make a great ground cover or cover crop to keep down weeds and keep the soil shaded.

I think this would be a great project for kids to do. 

Have a great day!!
Teresa

Our Neighborhood Wolf

Her name is Sky.  She is a Timber Wolf and we think she is so beautiful.  She is well mannered, house broken, loving, smart, and playful.  Sky is somewhere around 11 or 12 yrs. old. 

Sky and Jake

The black lab is our dog Jake.  They are playmates.  Sky can get kinda rough when playing but that's the way Jake likes it.  This pic was taken last year.  She thinks I'm dinner!  Look at her licking her chops!  LOL  

Sky and B.

She is so sweet.  I know that sounds strange, a sweet wolf, but she is.   The 2 pictures above were taken a few days ago.  B. let her come inside the house for a little while (the little dogs did NOT like her being here)  and now she thinks she should come inside every time the front door opens.  

She really suffers in warm weather because her fur is so thick.  My dogs have a coat but she has fur.  Isn't it strange that they are from the same family of canines and yet so different.  We live in an amazing world.

Quilt Blocks for March We Be Learning Beginner Bee

This is the earliest I've finished a monthly block.  This one was fun to make.  I was afraid of points and triangles ( yikes, I still am).

Wonky Star #1

Very Wonky Star #2

I really didn't like how this one turned out but I'm not tossing it.  I'll keep this and use it in the monthly quilt block I'm making for myself.  The only thing about finishing the block so early in the month is that it is a long time until the next month.  

Quilt Blocks and Bees

January Block for Bee Member

I joined We Bee Learning Beginner Block Bee in January of this year. Try saying that real fast 10 times.  LOL   I really didn't know what I was getting into or what to expect but I must say I have really enjoyed being a member of this group.

Each month we make a new block that has been selected by one of the members of our group and when we finish the chosen block we then mail it to the member who selected it.  What a great way to get a quick quilt!!!

February Block 2012 made identical block for myself

My Jan. Block 2012

I decided to make an identical block for myself and that way I will have a quilt for every month.  Isn't that cool!!   This month's member chose a Wonky Star Block for her quilt.  I have never made a wonky star but I'll give it my best shot.  

Have a great day!!

Our Newest Addition

I have been in New Mexico visiting with family and friends.  A very special family member arrived on Feb. 6th.

Dreaming of Angels

Her name is Rebeka Raey, and she is a red headed little darling.

Sisters watching over sister. 

I truly love being a grandmother (Mimi).

Something I've always wanted but..........

never thought I should buy because it was expensive.  It's a 24 Qt. canner.   It is Big.  I've had my eye on one at WM for over a year now.  The price for the largest one at WM was $64.00 and it was only a 16 Qt.  I found this one on sale at Tractor Supply for 49.99.   I'm so tickled to have one now. 

24 Qt. Canner

I have always shied away from using a canner because they could be potentially dangerous if not used correctly.  I also have a Ball Blue Book of Preserving.  It contains 124 pages of canning information and recipes.  So I'm feeling somewhat liberated. 

I like using the water bath method too but there are somethings I think I'll need a canner for. 

Do you use a canner?