From the Farmer: Seeds!!!

The end of the renovation is near. The light at the end of the dusty, dirty, frustrating tunnel is growing. I can now turn my attention to what has brought us to this wonderful farm in the valley; growing things.

I have never considered myself obsessive or even particular. Then I started growing things. I have a fever and the only cure is more seeds. I have a spread sheet with everything that I have planted in the last 3 years and everything I want to plant this year and next year and rough seed counts.It has germination rates and times. Producing percentages and failures. It will spit out raw data a botanist would spend days looking at. It’s a sickness man, a sickness.

Some quick data for you. I have planted 31 different types of vegetables and fruits in the last 3 years (a couple are the same but different verities) with about a 70% germination rate. As of last night I have 46 different type of seeds right now (some from previous years) and I ordered 15 more. I harvest seeds, I save them and I buy seeds.  I have a seed count that exceeds 1100. I am not obsessed enough to count every seed.  I found seeds I forgot about in the freezer from 2013 and I am keeping them. Oi. I need help.

These are some of the seeds. The rest of them just came in the mail. 

I will try to grow anything (that is legal). I have people tell me “I have a brown thumb” or “I just don’t have the time.” I tell them, true some people can kill a cactus, looking at you Shannon, but it only takes 30 minutes on a Saturday and 2 minutes every day to start a small patio or window sill garden. You don’t need a 20 acre lot or even an outdoor space. 

Getting the kids involved.

Here is what you do: go to Lowes or Home Depot get a couple of 2 to 5 gallon pots, get enough top soil or potting mix to fill each 2/3s, and here is the most important get 2 or 3 of your favorite herbs. Not strawberries or some hybrid tomato that produces fruit the size of a dinner plate but herbs. Herbs are weeds. They grow like weeds. Most are perennials (you don’t have to plant them every year).  And DO NOT START FROM SEEDS, get the seedlings. It’s easy to kill seeds.

Plant your herbs in the pots and put them in a window sills or back porch and keep the soil damp. All you have to do is water them when you drink your Ovaltine in the morning. And you will have fresh herbs in about 3 or 4 weeks. Cut them and cook it. If you have too much hang them with dental floss to dry and you have herbs all year. 

I am always curious of what fresh produce people really like or what you want to try but do not know how to prepare. Let us know!

Comment on Facebook or below and I will give you some pointers or ideas

Mud on the tires

Brad Paisley’s song Mud on the Tires was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts in 2003, and it describes our weekend perfectly.

Written in the lyrics – and then with a little luck, we might just get stuck. Let’s get a little mud on the tires.

Ours wasn’t so much luck, but it made for an exciting 20 minutes!

Michael drove his truck through the front field to take some tools to the garden. He was ready to start tilling so in a few months we could start planting.

On the way out, the truck was stuck in mud. 

Stuck.

No one was around to help Michael except me.

Now, I am good at a lot of things, but I really hate driving. I told you before – driving the John Deere lawn mower was a little wild for me.

But we took the UTV and drove it in front of the truck. Michael tied some tow rope up between the two vehicles, and I took my place in the driver’s seat of the UTV.

Tying the tow rope

Michael yelled for me to go. I gunned it. Mud was flying everywhere. Engines were roaring.

Moral support from cousin Leslie.

Getting some mud all over the truck.

I was actually towing the truck out of the mud while my children looked on with wide eyes.

Instructions were given to stop, but when Michael tried to go again the truck wouldn’t budge. In the end, we used some hay, he gained traction and everything was great.

Hay saved the day.

I felt like a billy bad a though. I now felt confident in the driver’s seat.

But the best part was when the girls came over to me to talk about what they saw.

Madi said sweetly, “Usually you go really slowly when you’re driving us in the UTV, but that was cool. I guess you’re a pretty good driver.”

Big compliment coming from a six-year-old who has a big sense of adventure. 

Raking after mowing.

Look at our muscles.

First mow of the year.

Playing on the farm.

The girls built a bridge.

Looks like spring.

First time eating Pop Rocks.

She wasn't a fan at first.

Stopped by Tractor Supply and learned about baby ducks and chicks. 

The smell of paint keeps us going

Hal Borland, American journalist, once wrote: “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

In this case, I am not sure we had a real winter, but none the less, I am anxious for spring.

We are moving right along with remodeling.The great flood of 2017 won’t stop us. 

In fact, it motivated us to start a few more projects. (Thanks for the kick in the pants exploding water pipes.)

Faux wood, usually a no for me, but in this case I got wild and said yes. I love it. 

We finished painting Abby’s room and the master bathroom. Abby originally wanted grass green for a wall color, but we gently nudged her to a more subdued color.

A light teal for Abby's room. 

No more bunny mural. 

I talked Michael into a gray palette for our bathroom and bedroom. So trendy. We are even using some ship lap. (Insert a girly scream!)

This is the shower tile. We will use a light gray grout. 

Brown ceiling be gone!

A little white paint makes the whole room bigger. 

This past weekend Dad came to visit, and we took him exploring. He is a big Bailey fan, so we all loaded up on the UTV and gave him a tour.

We don't know what to do with Shale Hill yet, but it makes a great place to hike. 

From this view you can see a few mountains. We need to figure out which ones. 

On Friday we wore tank tops, but this day we wore hats and coats. 

I have adventurous babies.

On top of Shale Hill are lots of rocks. Might be a good spot for a bonfire. 

Gorgeous!

They go together like peas and carrots. 

Taking a walk in the woods.

Enjoying our ride while Bailey chases us. 

Exploring the property.

So only three more rooms to paint and a hallway…you’re welcome Lowe’s executives for all the money we spend. Just think of us when you are on spring break in Turks and Caicos.  

Why?

Many of you know my mama passed away two weeks ago. And some of you know during this time the farm house flooded. 

My beautiful mom, Barbara, or as the girls call her Bibi.

One of these can be fixed – the other is permanent.

When tragedy occurs one can start second guessing everything in life. At least that is what is happening with me.

Why do I believe what I believe? Why do I do what I do? Am I a good wife, mother, friend, colleague? Does Jesus love me as much as I thought He did? The list goes on and on until I start drowning in self-doubt.

But the more I dwell on these thoughts some of the lessons my mom taught me stand out:

• ·         Make a decision and stick with it.
• ·         Trust your gut.
• ·         People will remember how you make them feel.
• ·         Forgive, forget, move on.
• ·         Give 100 percent.
• ·         Yes, Jesus loves us unconditionally.

Mom was able to visit the farm a few times.

The first time she sat on the front porch, enjoyed the cool breeze and said she was so excited to come back and relax.

The second time she visited was for Madi’s sixth birthday party. Not so relaxing, but she loved watching the kids run around.

She had an eye for design and decorating and gave me input on remodeling. She also had a green thumb and was anxious to help me in the yard. Many people have given me trees and shrubs in honor of her to be planted at the farm. They don’t understand just how fitting those plants are.

So as we move forward with the remodeling, I know she would be proud. I want our home to be welcoming for all those who are weary and need rest, those who want to explore nature, those who need laughter and a good meal and everything in between.

Just a few more months until our move in date and we can make this dream a reality. Pray for healing for my family. Pray we can finish renovations so we can quickly move in. Pray for all those who have lost someone and reach out to them. It can make a world of difference. 

Remember how the dining room was done...here it is now after the water damage. 

We weren't going to remodel the girl's bathroom, but after a big leak now we are. A blessing in the long run. I chose faux wood floors and sea glass tile for the shower. 

The water came through the office. This will be painted a gray blue. 

This is the beginning of the custom master shower. This use to just be a tub. 

Everyone need a shower seat. 

Let it Snow!

Anthropologist Franz Boas claimed Eskimos have hundreds of words for snow. Some people consider it a myth, although some recent evidence may prove Boas right.

But I, Shannon Ryals, have only two names for snow – wanted and unwanted. Think about it. 

There are perfect times for a wintry wonderland. Other times, it is horrible and no one knows if they should try to go to work. Then memes are posted about milky sandwiches and how Southerners can’t drive in snow flurries.

But the snow we had a few days ago came at a perfect time. It started after midnight on a Friday, so we could wake up and be lazy. But then the roads were cleared so we were able to get out to the farm for some fun.

And the day didn’t disappoint. 

The snow by the house was deep and perfect for making angels. The sled run on the pasture hill was amazing, as long as you stayed on the path. One false move and someone was sure to lose and eye. Bailey ran up the hill at least 50 times, while most of us opted to ride the UTV.

I love the pop of red!

On top of the hill.

The girls love riding with Papaw.

The infamous mattress sled that ended up going way faster than expected. Mamaw and Madi ended up in the creek, and it was Madi's favorite run of the day. 

Even Michael took a few turns. 

Bailey is a cold weather mutt.

Abby would only sled with the twins. She trusted no one else. 

Evidence we take sledding seriously. 

Getting our sled on.

Such a gorgeous place. I want to get snow shoes for exploring next snow. 

Bailey gets so close to the sleds.

Snow angels

My pictures don't do it justice. It was so quiet and peaceful. 

It didn't quite freeze all the way. 

Until next snow!

Hope we have at least one more good snow that shuts down the town and everyone has off of school and work. And maybe I can add another snow word to my vocabulary – acceptable.