Idle Hands Are The Devil's Workshop

The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest,
for he has not earned it.
John Lubbock

Hi Ya'll.  Don't think I have been idle just because I haven't posted for a couple of days.  Let me give you a snapshot of what's been going on.

Moved furniture in every room trying to reorganize (hate it when stuff just falls on me when I walk by. a sure sign of too much stuff that is just stuff with no real purpose).  I am buying a  small chest type freezer (it has a purpose) to store our homegrown veggies in.  In a small home, to move one thing, you have to move everything!  I cooked and froze potatoes, onions and homemade dog treats so the  freezer on the fridge is full and I still have other things to put up.

Becky created this lovely vegetarian pizza.
I supplied the homegrown veggies for it.
Look for this upcoming recipe on Becky Cooks Lightly.

Pushka went missing for two days.  I was so upset!
Becky drove all over the neighborhood searching!
He finally came home all skinny and remorseful.

Yesterday, I had to go into Muskogee (ya'll know how bad I hate that).  I stopped at the feedstore for dog food for the boys and a flea collar for Gypsy.  
K-Mart for tons of pet and household supplies.  Pedigree can dog food was on sale for .65 but they only had 23 cans in store (like that's going to last long around here) so I got a rain cheque for 4 cases. Yes, you can do that. Just ask. (Also, the other night I stopped at a drive through Mexican Food place and when I got home part of my order was missing.  Called them to voice my frustration. Yes, you can do that.  Got rain cheque  for free platter plus my 3 missing cheesecake items. Told you not to make me mad)
Then I was off to Sav-A-Lot to restock our pantry.

Can vegetables will do until I can preserve our own.
Nothing taste as wonderful as fresh garden veggies.

But today is a new day and I have much to do before it becomes fry your brains hot.  A storm blew through last night and took out the greenhouse.  The plants are still fine but the covering is tattered and torn.  Oh, well.  I'll just fix it.  No time to get into mischief around here. There is always plenty of work to do in the country.  Those who say the country is relaxing, obviously don't live there.  

Greenhouse with a sunroof?

You put it up, the storms take it down!

Red, Green and Yellow Bell Peppers,
Eggplant and Zucchini Squash  ready for planting.
No, it is not too late.  Why not? Because I said so.
The onions hanging in background were a gift from a neighbor. 

 Nothing good comes from boredom. It's said that idle hands are the devil's workshop, an old saying dating at least as far back as Chaucer in the twelfth century who called idle hands the devil's tools. (can't argue with that logic)

Some parts of my yard require a push mower (inside the greenhouse for instance).  However; my push mower had to go home with Brother Dave for some rest and relaxation. I fouled (fowled?) out the plug he said.  Now, wait a minute! I fouled out the plug sounds like an accusation to me.  I don't even know what that means but I must have done something wrong (imagine that).  Did I hit it, spit on it, leave it out in the rain, use it too much? What? What did I do wrong?  And why is it always my fault?  Everyone knows stuff just happens! 

O.K. All the plants are back in place now.

The greenhouse is now an open air market!  Stuff Happens, ya'll!

The happiest of all lives is a busy solitude. ~

    Voltaire

Read more: http://www.finestquotes.com/quote_with-keyword-Busy-page-0.htm#ixzz1PMWh7Xkk

Harmony Acres In Bloom

Ann Morrow Lindbergh (Gift from the Sea)
I have learned by some experience, by many examples, and by the writings of countless others before me, also occupied in the search, that certain environments, certain modes of life, certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification of life is one of them.

As if by magic, Mother Nature released her personal color palette upon Harmony Acres, our home.  Each day brings forth surprises unsurpassed by anything the human hand can create.  It is with great joy and anticipation  that I step outside each day to see what awaits me as daylight breaks.  This is what I see:

After a lot of hard work, my rock garden is now ready for a new gazing ball and colorful annuals to be added.

We wanted to plant peach trees this year, so my friend John suggested we plant Red Haven.  I purchased the new trees at Lowe's because they have a one year replacement guarantee.  Now when a friend who happens to own an orchard, gives me advice, I am certainly smart enough to take it!  So, Red Haven it is. Becky also wants to plant blueberry bushes and cherry trees.  Will have to check with John to see how cherry trees do in our area.

Even the birds awake with a song in their heart and a cautious eye on the cats.  Cats seem to have a real problem understanding the 'do no harm" philosophy we have here.  

Pushka hates the "do no harm" rule.  She thinks I won't miss a couple of birds.

On Monday my brother David and his wife Vicky helped me put up a new fence for the puppies. I would have blogged about it yesterday but I couldn't move any part of my body without discomfort (translation:  I hurt from head to toe).  The puppies are so excited to have so much room to run and play.  

I really appreciated their help even more because I know David was in a great deal of pain with his knees (waiting for a knee replacement) and ankles (bone spurs). But they kept their sense of humor. Vicky kept me laughing as she declared over and over again to her husband "you knew when you married me I wasn't a country girl." and I finally told David, "just because I am the one driving most of the poles into the ground doesn't mean we need one placed every two feet." He was enjoying my pain a little too much.  You know how big brothers are.
If you look closely, in the background by the trees you will see a blue tarp.  It is attached to the greenhouse frame which the high winds sent belly up.  Someone (David) took a couple of the stakes out of it when we were building fence on Monday.  There is no sadder site that a greenhouse belly up in the wild rose bushes and timber.  Especially if your the one that has to fight the thorns to retrieve it! 
I have found there is nothing more satisfying at the end of the day than to feel physically exhausted from doing the things that bring joy to my heart, a new song for my soul to sing and pure bliss and harmony to my tattered state of mind.  Simplicity really is a gift!  The Secret:  Do the things that bring you joy and true happiness will follow.  It comes from within not from having the most "toys".

 John Burroughs
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter ... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life.