Woodshed Wisdom

There are some things I was thinking about as I split wood on Mother's Day. I started telling these bits of knowledge to my daughter as she watched me work. I realized I was spouting off some pretty good "Woodshed Wisdom" I ran to get a piece of paper - good thoughts are rare these days, wouldn't want to let them go to waste!

A lot of what holds true to logs seems to hold true to people:

* Anything will break if you hit it in the right spot

*The logs that are the hardest to deal with are those that are spoiled rotten inside

*Letting go at just the right time is key to not getting hurt

*Read a log before trying to split it- it will tell you where to hit- much like people

*If you are too tired to do the job it is near impossible

*Start with the biggest, hardest logs- you will be too tired at the end to split them.
Conquer the toughest task first

*If you keep your eye on the target and swing hard you won't miss. Closing your eyes or being hesitant will lead to failure.

*Use momentum

*A log much like a family- is strongest where all it's branches come together.

*You have to work around a knot, you can not break it.

*The base of a tree is toughest for it has the most experience/years on it.

Manual labor can give a person perspective

Warning- You are about to see my "mom pants" also known as my work jeans.... they keep everything where it is suppose to be.

Yes, logs were hurt in the making of this slideshow- deal with it!



Pictures taken by Addie with Nikon D60
in three separate attempts (to get the whole sequence)

Let the games begin

Home Sport and Travel Show is over.
It is like the opening ceremonies to the dock season.
We made it through again for another year.
Now the busy time begins with installing docks and boat lifts
and delivering what we sell.
Let the games begin.

Recovering the house from a week of neglect was on the agenda today.
I did sneak outside for about 20 minutes and walked to the garden.
It was gorgeous. I had to be forced back in.

May Flowers- a bit early, like everything this season.

Excuses, excuses

Update: As you can see I did get the header done. Changed font colors for Fall too. (plus hey, I finally gave myself some "elbow room" around here) Enjoy the changes. Hopefully you will feel more like hanging out and putting your feet up on the coffee table (go ahead, it's ok)

Original Post:

I am working on a new "Fall Seasonal" Header for my lovely Just Jules blog (Let's all just pretend we think this blog is lovely)

It is taking me a bit more time then I was planning.

Excuses-
(I will keep this short)

#1- I got sick. Full out, lay me down, dead to the world sick. The flu- NO, not the swine flu - just the flu. Aches, chills, fever, sweats, headache, sore throat, kill me now misery - the flu.

#2- Hubby was goofing around working on the computer for most of the afternoon and evening.

#3 - It started pouring rain when I drug my not fully recovered self out to snap some pics for said header. (what I won't do for you people!)

#4 - I suck! Time we just admitted it. I suck and let you all down. Sorry, unfollow now. I will close my eyes. It is fine.

To try to kiss butt make up for this injustice I did post a few of the pics I took (in the rain, while sick, just because I care that much.)

That is it.
The End.
No more excuses.

I will be working on this project today (Monday).
Look for it soon or more excuses to follow.

How To Time: Raspberry Jam

Some of the raspberries are ripening! I am so excited. The best thing to do with raspberries (in my never to be humble opinion) is to make freezer jam to enjoy on the cold winter mornings on hot toast.

Freezer jam is easy and takes under
1/2 hour if you know what you are doing.
See instructions below:

flowers in pic from here

Prep Time:

30 min

Total Time:

24 hr 30 min

Makes:

About 5 (1-cup) containers or 80 servings, ...

What You Need

2 cups prepared fruit (buy about 2 pt. fully ripe red raspberries)

4 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl

1 pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Make It

RINSE clean plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly.

CRUSH raspberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. (Press half of pulp through a sieve to remove some of the seeds, if desired.) Measure exactly 2 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.

MIX pectin and lemon juice. Add to raspberry mixture; stir 3 min. or until sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy. (A few sugar crystals may remain.)

FILL all containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or freeze extra containers up to 1 year. Thaw in refrigerator before using.

While I am working on this quick project I have left the sprouts out in the garden to pull weeds - oh the weeds are plentiful as the complaints (about weeding).

Sunshine Saturday Morn' - picture collages

wild flowering tree, the garden needs a weedin', raspberries starting to grow, dandelions clocking out

Hammocks come out of storage, garden shed awaits,
wood ready for bon fires, swings awaiting passengers

pretty purple petunia, monkey with me, to light your way,
purple columbine to remember the time in CO

collages made at picnic.com

I am not here, I am here

I am not here in the blogosphere today
The real world has called to me through the rays
of some long overdue sunshine.

It whispered my name in the faint breeze yesterday,
but screamed in my ear this morning.

While we have been inside waiting for the earth to warm
The earth has been secretly prospering
under the cover of clouds
apparently ideal growing conditions for grass.

After that these guys are gently nudging me toward the garden shed
they would like more permanent housing.

Maybe, just maybe we have skipped Spring and Summer is here ?

Oh fiddle me riddle me that?