The Inadvertent Farmer

If You Can't Beat Them... Photograph Them!

I have long given up on keeping weeds out of the 'lawn'.  This is mostly due to the fact that our lawn is just pasture grass we keep mowed down right around the house.

Even if we had a real lawn there is no way to keep the weed seeds from the fields that surround the property from blowing in and sprouting up in it...so we don't try.

So instead of worrying about dandelions I enjoy them for the photogenic nature.  This was taken at dawn on a morning that had quite a bit of dew.  The moisture made the seed heads less 'poofy' than usual, making it so you could see right down into the dark ball at the middle.

It is so easy to love a dandelion when you relax about your yard!

So don't freak out about weeds...photograph them!

Although I will admit it makes mowing a bit conflicted!

 

Life is Like a Tomato

Life is like a tomato...

Sometimes it is red and warm and perfect from the garden...until...

 

Until you turn it over and realize that a slug has eaten a hole in it and left slime in the crack...I for one hate slime in the crack!

As with life there is nothing to be done but to eat around the bad stuff and enjoy it to its fullest anyway! 

So here is to he very first (non-cherry) tomato of the season, imperfect but delicious none-the-less 

Kinda like Life!

 

KinderGARDENS week 13 Rainbow Hunt

When I was talking to my kiddos this week and we were brainstorming how we could do a scavenger hunt for KinderGARDENS, they came up with all kinds of ideas...

Baby Boy:  Garden Bugs, Garden Monsters, Slugs, Garden Super Heros.

Sweet Girl: Prettiest Color, Favorite Vegetable, Nicest Bugs, Most beautiful Chicken

I decided to go with one of Sweet Girl's ideas, but instead of looking for the prettiest color we have decided to see how many colors we could find in the garden!

Of course things like green and yellow were easy to find but I had the darndest time finding black or grey...maybe you will have better luck! 

And to make Baby Boy happy, we are going to see who can come up with the most colorful insect this week!

So here we go, let's find the rainbow!

Purple Cauliflower, Potato Blossom, Chicken House...

Blue Berries, BlueMan Scarecrow, Blue Borage an herb planted for our bees.

 

Field Daisies, Early Girl Tomato, Nasturtium Leaves...

 

Sweet Meat Squash Bloosom, Sunflower, Broccoli Blooms...

 

SunGold Tomato, Nasturtium, Marigold...

 

Pink Swiss Chard, Pink Dahlia, Cosmos

 

Red Raspberry, Red Bucket,???... I don't remember!

 

White Rose, Cosmo, Guara... or "Whirling butterflies" (thanks Eileen!)

 

This is for Baby Boy, Bugs! 

Sorry Baby, no super heroes.

 

Well maybe just one...

Captain Pajamas to the rescue...on guard!

 

Rain Photos and New Alpacas

I was not going to post anymore rain pictures...

But I just had to show you these.

Rain rocks on pansies...

 

And cosmos!

 

Just in case you ever wanted to know what bird netting looked like in the rain!

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Breaking News: We just received our new alpacas...3 mamas, 3 babies, and neutered male named Mojo!

Come back tomorrow for pictures and find out what our resident llamas thought about the whole thing!

 

Photo Study of Raindrops

Well it rained all last week and this week is not shaping up to be a heck of a lot better.

My greens are in heaven, the chard and lettuce and kale are loving their little wet universes!

My eggplant, tomatoes, melons, and peppers have gone on strike refusing to grow even one more inch until it warms up...seriously it has only been in the upper 60's and very low 70's.

The only upside to all of this wet weather is that raindrops make for magic when photographed!

So while my tomatoes are pouting I will just keep wandering around with my camera in hand!

How about you? 

Are you baking in the heatwave or like me are you keeping your umbrella handy?

KinderGARDENS week 11 its Raining again

Well we have gone from this...

All sunshine and loveliness...

(as a side note of complete honesty...that is my compost pile behind Baby Boy.  Hmmm, I'm thinking I need to do something about that, good grief!)

 

With all our little pollinators so covered with pollen they could hardly fly...

 

To this... everything being all wet and droopy.

But we do have a few exciting updates!

So come on in and take a look around...

 

The Scarlett Runner Beans are blooming!

 

And twining...

 

The cucumbers are finally blooming.

 

The maze is slowly starting to fill in.

 

As are each bed...this one has from front to back...eggplant, lentils, heirloom bush beans, early tomatoes. 

I have completely mixed up all my beds this year with a variety of plants from different botanical families in each bed.  It should make crop rotation a nightmare next year!  But I like the mixed up look better than the one bed, one crop, look of past years...much more fun!

 

On a completely different subject may I just suggest that everyone have this in their gardens?  Yes everyone needs a chicken or two, or twenty...they are just so much fun to listen to and watch while you're out their weeding!

And if you have chickens you have an excuse for a chicken yard, which leads to a reason for having these growing on said chicken yard fence...

Which of course in turns leads to an excuse for...

Taking a little break from weeding, to take a few photos of the roses blooming, on the chicken yard fence, all because you have chickens in your garden...see my logic?

So until the sun comes out and we are back to doing this...

I'll be doing this...

Taking pictures of sad, sad flowers that have tipped completely upside down due to moisture overload!

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Next week look for the new button in the sidebar for our 'Grow to Give' campaign for giving our produce to those hungry in our communities.

I can't wait to see how many pounds we can give to those in need!

*****

 

Life in a Word...Wet!

I'm sorry for all of you who are in the grips of the horrible heat wave.

For us here on the left coast it has been in a word...

WET!

We can handle a couple of days of rain.

But dear sunshine...don't stay away too long or my tomatoes will get a bit grumpy and my eggplant will pout!

 

Although my peas are lovin' life right now!

 

 

 

Photo Editing or Straight out of the Camera?

Some people are highly edited.  They always have perfect makeup, clothes that are hip and modern.  They watch what they say and do and usually drive cool cars.

Other people don't wear makeup, have no clue what the is 'in'...and frankly need to edit what comes out of their mouths before speaking just a little bit more.

I will let you all guess which camp I am in!

Well photos are often the same...

Some are highly edited with flashy colors and high contrast.

Some are not...they are straight out of the camera.

I don't usually have time for dinking around with photos, so after a little tweaking of the brightness or contrast I'm done.

Today is not that case!

Today's are highly edited...flashy and highly contrasted.

 

Its fun to be flashy once in while!

 

Although I wouldn't want to make a habit of it...

 

 

 

 

So what about you? 

Are you highly edited or straight out of the camera? 

How about your photos?

KinderGARDENS week 10 Up Close

First I want to share with you my favorite quote from the KinderGARDENS posts last week...

"I'm dressed like a vampire because I sunburn faster than a naked hen"

Pretty much had me chuckling all week! 

You'll have to go through the links from last week to find out who said that...you are supposed to be visiting everyone anyway, ahem.

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This week I did something I haven't done in a looooong time.

I got out my macro lens...

I forgot how different the garden looks when you get up close.

As a gardener I tend to take a longer view...I rarely take the time to appreciate the beautiful nature of a leaf or an individual blossom.  I am more concerned with keeping ahead of the weeds, killing slugs and watering.  I forget to take the time to look, really look, at the wonders that are in my garden!

 

This is what the tiny blooms from buckwheat look like!  I rarely give them a second thought when I plant them as a cover crop for the bees.  Frankly until today I did not realize just how lovely they were.

 

This is what a green lentil seedling looks like at 4 days old!  I have never grown lentils before, I can't wait!

 

Baby yellow zucchini!

 

Baby green zucchini.

 

I rarely take the time to stop and look at a pea tendril...the are very cool!

 

Even the showiest of flowers takes on a whole new dimension when seen up close.

 

What I thought was a plain white blossom is not so plain from here!

This is going to be your assignment for next week.  Take the time to look at your garden not as a whole but as lovely individual plants.  Get out your cameras and document the wonder of the up close world of gardening!

Even weeds can be beautiful up close!

 

As can be the first tomato of the season that you do not share with your kids...not that I know anyone that would do such a thing!

So have fun with it! 

Photo tip:  I have found that with macro-photography the best trick is to hold very still.  Propping your camera on something whether it be a tripod, piece of wood or your knee, helps tremendously!  And you don't need a macro lens to take tight shots, just get as close as your regular lens will allow and be still!

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KinderGARDENS Kids and Cameras your Assignment

Welcome to week 8 of KinderGARDENS 2011...on the right day this time!

This time last year our assignment was to hand over our cameras to our kiddos and let them loose in the garden. I loved the results so we're doing it again this season! This gives us an opportunity to see the garden through their eyes, to find out what captures their interest!

So come back next week and share photos that your kids have taken...and if you babies aren't old enough yet them let them direct you as to what they want you to take pictures of.  Make sure to share the finished posts with them!

I can't wait to see what they come up with!

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We finally had an 80 degree day here...it lasted one day and then we plunged back into the 60's.  The weather man is messing with my brain!

But we do have...

Pea blossoms...its about time!

Which invariable will lead to the invasion of...

the Pea Monster! 

Our beans are up...now to keep the crows and rabbits out of them!  Speaking of keeping things away...

Our scarecrow has gotten himself a new pair of boots and is doing a fine job just standing in the raspberry patch doing nothing!

The bees are enjoying the raspberry blossoms, we have three kinds of bees out in the patch, hubbies honey bees, mason bees, and some kind of big bumble bee.  The kids have been avoiding going out there due to the invasion...I could not be happier!

Sorry about the big alien finger in the shot!

Our tomatoes have a few green babies growing...my mouth is watering just dreaming of the first from the garden tomato this year...yummmmm!

We're growing purple broccoli for the first time this year and I must say the kids are completely intrigued.  This one is growing in their maze and they check on it every day!  We've also planted purple and orange cauliflower...can't wait!

Can't wait for these little guys to ripen too!

When my mom moved up she had lots cute little decorations from her garden that Sweet Girl has been having fun adorning our garden with!

Finally our beets are up!  I do not do well with root crops.  We have heavy soil that I have worked hard to ammend but still root crops are a huge challenge for me, which it too bad because I love them.  Hopefully this years beets will do better than last.

Do any of you have any tips for growing root veggies?  They seem to allude me...

*****

For a little KinderGARDENs housekeeping!  I am going to go to each of your blogs and grab your buttons to put here for the blogroll.  If you don't have a button not to worry I will put up your name as a link.

*****

 

 

 

Photo Tips From Down Under

OK, I'm cracking myself up with the title...no I'm not talking about Australia.  Although I must admit I would be thrilled to be writing from 'down under' but alas I have not had the privilege of visiting that wonderful place...yet.

No I am talking about taking photos from 'down under'...getting down low with your camera.

Here is what I mean...

This above photo was taken leaning over the top of the flower. I love the background of this with the leaves and moss,  I really do like this but...

The feel totally changes when I get under the same flower and shoot up. I missed so many charming details when only looking down upon it.

The little turned up bell shaped petals, the hanging stamens like clappers would all have gone unnoticed from above.

High...

Low!

High...

Today's tip is to get down low with your cameras.  You never know what you'll find!

If you have any photos taken from a low angle I would love to see them, feel free to leave a link in the comments

 

 

Tip Junkie and Chickens in OverDrive!

I'm excited to announce that I'm over haning out with Laurie at Tip Junkie starting a series on beginning a garden...

Organic Gardening From the Ground Up!

I would love it if you could come join me and encourage all those beginning gardeners out there!

******

I've got some very busy girls.

Chickens in overdrive...gotta love it!

Have a Happy Weekend All.

Snow Covered Camel and other assorted Critters!

While the kiddos around here (and most of the adults) loved the break from the usual wet soggy Northwest weather, the animals on the other hand seemed perplexed and annoyed with it!

The big guy hates, HATES the snow.  He stands in his house glaring out, waiting for it to go away.  The only time he ventures out is when someone comes near the fence...he is hoping for a treat.

Sorry buddy, no apples...just my camera.

Your stinkin' camera does me no good...seriously I left the shelter of my house for a camera?  Where is my payment for this photoshoot?

I guess your payment is me putting up with you destroying the fences, eating my garden and costing a fortune in hay, grain, and worming medicine.  Really your payment is not being made into a very large rug for the family room!

Well....I've never!

At least take a picture of my good side.

Some of the critters are much sweeter in disposition...and cute to boot!  Baby Dolly Llama seemed to get a kick out of the snow, she loves to jump and run around in it.  She also gets it on her nose and then wiggles and shakes till she gets it off!

While the chickens hide in their house the ducks seem unaffected by the cold and snow...they make just as much noise as usual.

May we talk a minute about ducks?

I have never in my life had a group of animals make as much racket as a few ducks do.  When they hear us crack open the back door they start setting up such a fuss you would think they were being eaten by coyotes or something!  It is their subtle way of letting us know that they want to be fed first.

What is funny is that if they are indeed fed first the camel comes and leans menacingly over their fence and they are too afraid to go near their food bucket until he leaves...which of course is not until he gets fed. 

Maybe they are actually saying,

"Feed the camel first, feed the camel first so he will leave us alone!"

And finally there is one particular critter that has simply buried his head in the snow whilst praying for spring! 

So what about you?  Are you embracing the last remnants of winter...or are you praying for spring to hurry up and get here?

Life in a Snapshot

Sometimes life is a series of random snapshots...

Power outage shenanigans!

 

Playing with my food.

 

Don't worry its just a BB gun and he's too little to pull the trigger...yet!

 

Reflections in BB's.

 

Newest cookie recipe...coconut, coconut, oatmeal...oh my! (I'll share next week)

 

Book 'em Dano!  Taking the prisoneer to lock up...

 

Farm Princess!

 

Newest Baby.

 

The end...because the 3 year old said so!

Have a great day! 

I'll 'see' you all tomorrow...

 

 

 

 

 

Freaky Friday a New Photo Series

I'm starting a new photo series that will run throughout the winter months.

I'm calling it

Freaky Friday

It is a photo of something that is unique in either perspective or subject matter.

Sometimes like today it will be a single photo. Sometimes it will be a series of photos of something a little strange.

Here is today's photo...

This is the top of our aviary covered with icy snow at sunrise!

I know Friday's are slow in blogdom so if you want to join me on Fridays feel free to leave a link and a description of an interesting photo you have in the comment section.

Have a great Friday and enjoy this wonderful weekend in the midst of this holiday season!

 

Snow Ducks and Roses.

OK...I'm gonna make this short and sweet.

We have SNOW!  We never have snow before January and even then its not guaranteed...

So the kids and I are headed back outside, we had to come in for lunch and to put wood on the fire and now we're headed back out to sled and play.

Here are some pics from earlier today...

Some of us like this weather...

Much better than others...

QUACK!

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If you are interested in learning how to make and use leaf mold head on over to Not Dabbling in Normal to see my post on this amazing soil amendment!

Regarding Old Trees

Seeing a young sapling is like seeing hope for the furture...

But seeing an old tree is like looking into the branches of history.

Something that has been around for ages and with a little luck will be around long after I'm gone.

There is just something about trees that I find peaceful...there is much to be said about something that just is.

Something that does not worry about schedules, or chores, or expectations.

Sometimes it is good to just be.

Moving Day and Grass!

The apartment is almost finished...the sun is out.

So we are taking this break in the rain to move mom into her new digs above my garage!

I will be back with pictures at a later date.

But for now I'll leave you with some grass...

Grass you say?

Yep grass can be cool...even when it has nothing whatsoever to do with anything in particular to do with my day. 

 

Backlight for High Drama Photography

I am always hesitant to share photographic advice here because I have never taken a class, nor read a book...heck I don't even shoot in manual...that would require reading my manual...which I haven't gotten around to.  I've only owned my camera for 3 years...ahem.

Sigh

Someday.

But when I find something that I know and love I feel the need to share it with my beloved blog readers.

Yes I just called you 'my beloved'...

Which I suppose is not quite as weird as 'my precious'

Which would indicate some kind of weird obsession.

Something akin to Gollum and his ring fetish.

But I digress.

Here is my photographic tip for the day.

If you want high drama then go for backlighting!

Here is a perfectly lovely head of queen anne's lace from my garden.

But wait and see what happens when I change my position to put the newly risen sun closer to behind a flower.

Then directly behind...

Garden drama in the highest order!

Then add a spider web and you just about can't top it!

So go out today and take a photo of something that is backlit...

 

Preferably with sunbeams!

And may I also recommend whole=heartedly watching the Lord of the Ring Trilogy...it pretty much rocks!

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Bilbo Baggins

That is all...

Carry on.

 

Reflecting on the Season

I like to whine and complain about all the dag-gum rain we get here in Western Washington...but there are some small perks from all the drippiness!

We pretty much have puddles on the driveway for at least 8 months of the year...

 

Which makes for some fun reflection shots...

Not to mention some of this...

So I will probably still grouse about the weather...I will also remember that behind every dark, stormy, gray cloud there is at least a small silver lining!

 

Sunbeams and Whiners

Ever have one of those mornings?

You know...the kids hate breakfast, the make a mess of the floor, they bicker, they whine, they drive you crazy!

Something like the line "the doggies are a yellin' and the kiddies are a biten'" (name who sang that)

I needed a break...

Before I started yelling, or throwing things, I walked out my back door...and only slammed it a little.

This is what I met me in our Eastern pasture...

Thank you God...

After spending a little time outside with just my camera and myself...

I felt like I could take on the world...

Bring it on Mr. Whiny pants!

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Update

Jimmy Buffett sang this line in the song 'Frank and Lola' about a couple overwhelmed by their life and are trying to recapture the romance...but almost got run over by the lifeguard's jeep!

Here is a link to the lyrics for the whole song!

 

Hey Noah. Got an extra Ark?

May I just say that when the Pacific Northwest decided to turn on the rain faucet she really doesn't mess around! 

 

No this is not a lovely forest pond...no, it is our driveway!

Hey Noah...could you lend me those plans for your ark? 

By the end of this winter we may just need one 'round here.

Yes the last of summer is being drowned and battered...

Sigh.

I Miss Summer

Its doing this.

So we're doing this...

Although I wish we were doing this...

But since we still have these

I won't complain too much!

But for the record...

I miss summer,

A lot!

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So how about you?  Do you miss summer or are you looking forward to the autumn?

Me...I'm a warm weather, feet in the sand, lemonade kind of girl.

Autumn is ok but summer is the time of year I live for.

I'll take hot weather and sunglasses over crisp mornings and sweaters ever day of the week.  And don't even get me started about our cold, damp, wet, gray...yucky winters here in the Pacific Northwest...

Bleck!

Double Bleck!

 

 

 

 

An Apple a Day on this Silent Saturday

We've got a very busy day planned today...it looks to be the last bit of sunshine around here for a while.  So enjoy your weekend all...I know I will!

Apple cake recipe here...

Ver perky Applesauce recipe here...

 

 

Sunflowers. Call me Officially Obsessed

Stick a fork in my I'm done...

I'm completely utterly obsessed with the sunflowers in my garden.

My hard drive is overflowing with photos of bright yellow flowers.

Photos of yellow against blue...

With honey bees...

In all different stages of development...

Even macro sunflowers!

I've even gone so far as to adorn my only daughter in them...

 

Yep...I'm pretty much a goner, there is no hope for me.

The only remedy for what I have is to plant them again next year.

Only more of course!

So do you?

Do you grow sunflowers?

Or do you grow something else that completely captures your imagination?