Things are growing

We've been having a lot of rain here in GA lately.  It seems like every other year is super rainy and the others are dry and hot.  Hey, at least there is less watering to be done.  And more water is conserved.

Things are starting to grow.  I container garden because my husband is picky out the yard.  The only thing in the ground is some cucumbers and pole beans.

I am shocked with how easy everything is to maintain.  Thankfully there haven't been any bugs or pests yet.  I had a problem last year with the birds eating my stuff so I stuck an owl in the yard.  Not had problems since.

I don't know why I have rosemary.  I never eat it.  But it keeps the mosquitos away, right?

These are some heirloom tomatoes my husbands grandfather grew.  He just passed so hopefully I can keep the heritage going.

I am going to have to learn about strawberries.  It may just be the timing, but I have had to throw away 10 so far because they looked...wrong.  I would never have eaten them.  They were split and rotten looking but oddly still plump.

Cannot wait to harvest these guys.  And I should get 2 harvest in a year.  I got just a basic carrot, but if I am successful I would like to try some heirlooms.  Carrots seem so much cooler purple.  You should read up on the history of carrots, its pretty interesting.

I am one proud mama with these beauts.  I see a lot of salsa in my future.  especially since I have 5 tomato plants going.  That was not my intention, but that is what happened.  I plan to make the most of it.

Short series to rethink life

I love watching documentaries.  Generally, I would choose something educational than a drama or sitcom.  I do get wrapped up in them... SOA, Breaking Bad, Walking Dead.  Yeah, I am just like any other show junkie with those.

I recently watched a mini series called Pioneer Quest.  It is set in Canada where two couples live one full year just like the pioneers did.  Of course, you can never really escape the 21st century, which they discuss in the show.  The 21st technology saves lives when their water tested for Ecoli and one of the men gets a heart condition.

They go through typical struggles of pioneer life-- building their own cabin from scratch, growing and hunting for their own food, and battling time and weather.   It doesn't really teach you any one particular skill, but it definitely allows you glimpse into a life very few would ever brave.   Uh, especially in Canada, where it is much, much colder than Georgia.  Negative degrees?? No thanks.

The best part about the show?  They are happy.  So incredibly happy and positive throughout all the trials and tribulations.  Take some time to watch and appreciate all our 21st century comforts we take for granted while doing so.

This Year's Bucket List

I hate resolutions.  Whoever keeps them anyways?  I ran across a homesteader wanna-be's list of skills to acquire for a successful homestead.  This intrigued me so I fused together the idea of resolutions and a bucket list to create a yearly bucket list.

I have this fear the world is going to end and I will be stuck with no survival skills what-so-ever.  That would not be good.  I would die very quickly.  So my list, this year, is more or less revolves around this fear.   It would be good just to learn some basic "pioneering" skills regardless.  It's just amazing to think how people survived with so little but yet with so much happiness back in the day.  I envy that a little. 

I hope to chronicle my list and share with you the results. Gotta tell ya, went fishing a few weeks ago and it took me all of 20 minutes before I got bored and quit.  Maybe I should add learn patience to the list...

Staycation, Joyous Relaxation

My husband and I really have not had any time off since purchasing the store so we made a pact to have a staycation (since we couldn't actually get away 100%).

He has been wanting to go to Rock City forever now...and for some reason I always thought it would be lame.  IT WAS NOT!  We had a great time!!  I didn't know there were so many types of hydrangea and rhododendron.  There are tons of arches to walk under and rock walls to squeeze through.  We took the swinging bridge to the falls-- I could've kicked my husband who was jumping up an down.  (I have just recently gotten an uncontrollable fear of heights).  It was beautiful, but I will be honest, I was a little disappointed to learn that the waterfall was fake.

We also rode the incline.  It was relaxing and definitely something that you would not be able to do anywhere else as it is the steepest in the world.  I would recommend if you can't get in the very front seat on the right side to skip the next 3-4 rows and sit further in the back.  The way down we were in the second row and couldn't see much of anything.  But we learned our lesson quick and got wonderful seats on the way back up.

And, of course, there is Ruby Falls.  

WV has cooler caverns but they have nothing on this underground waterfall!!  They really make it amazing with the transitioning lighting.  The guide said that dye tests have been done and no one can figure out where to water comes from.  There is so much of it, how could they not find a source?!   Mother Earth is amazing.

Our day trip took about 5 hours but I would give a little more time for those who really stop and enjoy every little thing.  We went through it casually checking out all the stuff.   I wish we could've planned out lunch for the bottom of the incline.  Just a few blocks over is a little burrito joint with AH-MAZ-ING food.  We had it for dinner but it would've been great to add to the incline experience.  What a delicious way to end the day.