Signs and Times

Gardening the old-fashion way. (Zinnias in one of our vegetable gardens.)I've been scratchin' and diggin' in the dirt and harvesting way more (emphasis on way) produce than expected and loving it to pieces. I haven't mention this before, but heretofore, we'd never planted by the signs. Yes. The signs.  With the economy wobblin' like a fresh egg on a brick wall in an earthquake epicenter, Goodman and I decided to till and plant by the signs in the heavens. We used a farmer's almanac as our guide for the best days to till, plant, water, weed, etc., and the result is well... simply astounding. And I have Biblical backup lest you think I've gone around the bend. Check out Genesis 1:14. There are over 30 tomatoes on this plant alone. You can count nearly 20 if you look closely at this one-sided view.Did you know according to the signs of the moon, etc., there are days that are best or worst for a a lot of different gardening related activities? Have you ever heard that potatoes should be planted in the dark of the moon?  Well, I'm convinced it's not. As a matter of fact I think it would be better classified as much needed wisdom.I was skeptical in the past, but truly, y'all, older folks know best. My garden, full of large healthy vegetables hangin' heavy on the plants speaks for itself...
Tell me, do you plant by the signs? We took a li'l trip up to Virginia over the weekend. Not far from where our youngest lives in Virginia there is a magnificent overlook view of Draper Valley. If any of you have the book, The Frontiersmen (Time Life or just look it up on the 'net.), there is a great, true-life story about the Draper family of Virginia in early American history.
Here's a picture of the historical marker (sorry about the angle) to offer a bit of the history.Hope your week is full of lots of plump, natural vegetables and everlasting wisdom from above. :)

Linking to The Art of Home Making Mondays, From the Farm Blog Hop, FarmGirl Friday

How Does Your Garden Grow?

With a lot of work, that's how! Goodman and I have been gardening more this year than in the last few years. I do love my garden, but I say again, it's a lot of work! And hungry bugs are everywhere just waiting till you turn your back so they can chomp the young, tender plants. Oh, and if you're not used to it the bending, stooping, tugging, hoeing and watering makes muscles and joints scream for extra rest at night. We've been hitting the hay pretty early lately. All that to say that I'm sorry I've missed some of your blog posts. This is my wild red rose on the old walk-through gate post.I wanted to try crocheting another worsted weight doily to look like a daisy, but I couldn't find any green yarn without going out of my way to find some. Dying yarn is not my forte. I was forced into it. Then after all that..I found a ball of sage green hiding in a basket so I used all three shades for the doilies in the next picture.
Here's the results of the yarn dyin' and the daisy thought.
I'm not finished writing the pattern, yet. I hope to do that soon...maybe it will rain...I sure hope so. I figured out the border for the crochet shawl, but it's too much to work on at the moment. Here's to a wonderful week, Y'all!