Well, my grass looks really sad so far this year, I think it is time treat my yard with some fertilizer to perk it back up. If you are finding yourself in this predicament you should know that before you fertilize that it is recommended that you’ve mowed the grass a couple of times before you apply fertilizer to your yard. I’ve mowed exactly twice so far this year, so I think it is ready. I’ve just got to get out my Earthway spreader, clean it up, buy the fertilizer that will be right for my yard, and get going. I’m hoping that they guys at the nursery will be able to help point me in the direction of the right fertilizer for me, I’ve never been great at picking it out.
Hopefully my grass will go back to looking like this:
I’ve also been working on my garden, which is my favorite part of this year. Watching the plants grow and morph into vegetables is amazing to me every year.
Well off to get some chores done so that I can have the afternoon to lounge in the sun and listen to the song birds.
Farm work tends to seem a bit harder in the winter. It is cold, which makes anybody a bit stiff, then on top of that you are dressed in layers and it makes it hard to move around without being at least a bit clutzy. Which is double awful for me as I tend to be a natural clutz anyway. So with all the clutziness that abounds with me, my winter barn work plans seem to be spilling over into the spring, so this job is going to be taking a bit longer than I had originally anticipated.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working on our barn which is a bit outdated. I’ve installed some corner hay racks, done a lot of cleaning and sweeping up of the place. I’ve also organized everything, I’ve got the feed, hay, and bedding in the middle of the barn so it is easier to get to and move around. We’ve been lucky that the barn structure seems to be in good standing, so hopefully we won’t have to redo anything major.
I’ve also repaired boards that were getting to be out of shape in the stalls. I’ve also been debating on installing automatic waterers, but I’m still doing a little bit of research on those to decide if they are worth the investment or not.
Over the summer we are thinking of adding some skylights to the barn to optimize our daylight so that we can cut back on our electricity usage. But I did install some new lighting that helps a lot and is supposed to be more energy efficient. We’ve also patched any places on the exterior walls that were getting worn and letting in cool air, definitely want to keep it warm in there this time of the year.
I can’t wait til the warmer days of spring are here. It’ll make a difference in how much I’m able to get done around here and maybe I can play some catch-up and get back on schedule.
Occasionally, here in Saint Paul, we lose power in the winter months. This is when my fireplace and oil lanterns come in really handy. I will make a confession to you, I sometimes hope for the power to go out, it is so nice sitting by the fire and everything slows down, no distractions from the internet or television. I grab a good book, cuddle with my pets and just enjoy the calm.
Some of my friends are worried about me using oil lanterns. They feel that they are dangerous. But as long as you use them correctly, never leave them unattended, and follow instructions then you shouldn’t have a problem.
How to use your oil lantern: <- of course if the instructions that came with your lantern say anything different, follow those not me!
Take the oil container off of the base of the lantern.
Remove the glass lantern “chimney”, that’s the clear glass part that surrounds the burner.
Fill your oil container about 3/4 full with your lamp oil.
Take the burner off of the rest of the lantern.
Put your oil container back onto the lantern, then reattach the burner with the wick in it.
It will take about 30 minutes for your wick to become saturated with the oil enough to light your lantern.
Use a nice sharp pair of scissors to trim the wick in a clean even cut, the wick should just barely reach out of the wick tube.
Carefully light your wick.
Replace your glass lantern “chimney”.
Set your lantern in a safe place.
Be sure that once your lantern is lit that you do not touch the glass “chimney” as you will burn yourself. It gets very hot.
When I’m done with my lantern I put out the flame by blowing over the top of the “chimney”.
I try to keep extra oil lantern wicks on hand in the winter months in case the power goes off any or stays off for an extended period of time.
My favorite source for oil lanterns http://www.woodstove-outlet.com/lighting/oillantern.htm they have wicks for them too http://www.woodstove-outlet.com/lighting/wickoil.htm
Pinterest has been my friend while I’ve been looking for ideas on my outdoor room that I’ve been working on this summer. Hubby and I have had a neglected patio for a few years now, mismatched furniture, and barren as all get out. It can get quite stifling there during the heat of the summer, since it is uncovered. And trust me this summer it was unbearable some days to even think about being out there.
A few purchased trees and large shrubs that we placed in strategic spots has helped cut down on some of the heat from the sun, by providing some great shady areas. Can’t wait until the trees get a bit bigger, the shading will be perfect then!
I’ve also added some new outdoor furniture and a really colorful outdoor rug.
I purchased the above rug in Bermuda blue for the patio. It contrasts really well with our deep green trees and shrubs.
I have also bought several large orange buckets for container plants. These are placed around the patio depending on the type of plant and how much sun it needs. I drilled holes in the bottom of the buckets for drainage, filled with about 2 inches of gravel before placing the dirt and plant in them. Right now I’m growing different herbs and smaller veggies to supplement my cooking needs. One day I’d like for my patio to look like this:
But it will take some time to get to that point. For now, I’m thrilled with what hubby and I have gotten done thus far.
I love my Case pocket knife and it travels with me nearly everywhere I go. Working and living on a farm I am always using my knife for one task or another and in my neck of the woods there is only one brand of knife that a person will admit to carrying in his/her pocket. And that would be a knife by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. Since 1889 this American manufacturer has been making quality knives in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Today Case is owned by another well known American company, Zippo Manufacturing.
When William Russell (W.R.), Jean, John, and Andrew Case began fashioning their knives and selling them it was along a wagon trail in upstate New York. This makes Case one of the most collected brand of knives in the world.
To create one Case knife it takes 125 pairs of hands. Artisans shape handles from rare Brazilian cattle bone and Buffalo horn to more delicate substances like rosewood, mother-of-pearl, and stag. Metals like brass, nickel, and silver highlights each form, bringing together a knife that’s not only beautiful, but one that will stand the tests of time and use.
Case knives are sold exclusively through a national authorized dealer network of hardware and home improvement retailers, specialty cutlery shops, fashion accessory shops, catalog retailers, and others.
Today, Case credits its associates with maintaining its industry position by blending innovative design with an inexhaustible array of materials. Case’s pioneering spirit is shown in several of its original knife patterns, like the CopperLock, Baby Butterbean, Sod Buster, XX-Changer, Baby Doc, Tiny Trapper and the all-new Hunter Trapper, Tiny Muskrat, and Jr. Scout.
Case has been called upon to make military knives for the United States Army during World War I. Case knives have even flown into space upon the “Molly Brown.” Case knife collectors have inspired specially made knives, like the Eisenhower made for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
For almost twenty years the Case Collectors Club has become the world’s largest knife collecting association. They provide their members with inside information about new products, Case history and consumer events. Case has become the undisputed favorite of knife collectors for a variety of reasons including the rich heritage, quality and variety of knives. The Case dating system also adds to the collectable appeal. These knives can easily be identified and dated. Case has been marking its knives with tang stamps since the very beginning. You can find all the tang marks and the years they were used online.
What is about a Case knife that makes it so different and worthy of such esteem?
- Case is made in the United States.
- Each knife is hand-crafted
- There are over 160 steps involved in making just 1 knife
- Case knives are handed down from generation to generation
- Temper testing, not once, but twice – XX
- Case handles are made from natural fibers found around the world
- Time tested – When you’ve been making knives for over 160 years, you’re bound to get it right
Case has perfected making steel blades and cutlery. With more than 27 various knife blades to choose from I’m sure you can find a Case knife that will fit your needs. Each blade is tempered twice to make sure each blade has been properly and fully treated. Which is why mine says Case XX.
paulinarusher 