Lettuce! February 14, 2019

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, February 9, 2019

Thankful to have home-grown lettuce in February! I planted Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce in large plastic tubs in September. I cover them with old bath towels when our temperatures drop below 40F (4C). There have been stretches of cold weather that I have had to keep them covered for several days.

Lettuce grows slowly in cold weather, but it does grow!

I have to add a lot of store-bought ingredients (peppers, peas, cheese, carrots, cucumbers, croutons, etc.) to make a salad, but picking my own lettuce makes it special. And I add canned chicken or canned tuna for enough protein to make a salad a meal.

But what I am most thankful for today is that my doctor referred me to a Diabetic Foot Care Clinic. It was a very pleasant experience, and my feet look and feel much better, but I knew you did not want to see before and after photos of my feet!

Have a blessed day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, January 11, 2019

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. A Sunny Day! (Sky Watch Friday)

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

We have had a long string of rainy days, so when Sunday dawned bright and clear we had to get out and go somewhere! We drove up to Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River to check the water levels and look for birds. Only a few of the spillways were closed; most of them were open to relieve the high water upriver.

There were a few Great Blue Herons fishing in the turbulent water, and we saw a flock of Coots on the other side of the dam.

2. Favorite Photo of the Week (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, January 6, 2019

Great Blue Heron: living life on the edge!
If you look closely, you can see that one of the heron's toes is exactly even with the end of the tree limb.

3. Growing Lettuce in the Winter!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 8, 2019

I sowed lettuce seeds in large tubs in September. I did it as an experiment to see how long I could keep them alive during the Winter. I cover them at night when our temperatures are below freezing.

We have had days of milder temperatures with plenty of rain. It encouraged the lettuce to produce enough new leaves for us to have salads earlier this week.

4. Possum in a Pear Tree! (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, January 8, 2019

When we went outside early Tuesday morning to see why our dog was barking, we found an opossum in a tree just outside our back door!

Our dog settled down after she got our attention, but she was still keeping a close eye on it. We told her what a good girl she was, and petted her, and praised her. We let her keep it treed for about an hour, then we tied her in the front yard so that the opossum could escape back to the woods.

5. Birdwatching is Fun!

female Belted Kingfisher, Lee County, Mississippi, USA, January 3, 2019

I see a bird...

… and the bird sees me!

Have a wonderful weekend!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, November 23, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. Thanksgiving Day (Sky Watch Friday)

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

We had pleasant temperatures and beautiful blue skies on Thursday.

2. Good Food!

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 22, 2018

In September I sowed lettuce seeds in large plastic tubs. Since our nighttime temperatures began to drop below freezing, I have covered them each night. Now I am picking home-grown lettuce - in November!

3. Animal Shelter

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, November 7, 2018

The Tupelo-Lee County Humane Society recently moved into their new building.

It includes a clinic where the animals can be spayed or neutered before they are adopted.

4. Camouflage (Saturday's Critters)

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA, November 5, 2018

A pony trying to hide from my camera!

5. Eagle (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Pickwick, Tennessee, November 5, 2018

Because of the mottled brown and white feathers on its back and its dark beak, I think this is a juvenile Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

The young Bald Eagles do not have the white head and tail feathers of the adults until they are about five years old.

Have a wonderful day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday, please visit Saturday's Critters and I'd Rather B Birdin'

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Lettuce! November 12, 2018

Harvest Monday and Through My Lens

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, November 9, 2018

I planted Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce in September to see if it would grow here in north Mississippi in the Autumn. Yes, it will! I planted the seeds in large tubs to make it easier to protect the plants from frost.

When the weather forecast for last Friday night was for below freezing temperatures, I picked most of the leaves, and covered the plants by draping a thick layer of old towels over the tops of the tubs.

Some of the lettuce leaves went on ham sandwiches for Saturday's lunch, and I used the rest to make salads on Sunday night.

We have rain today, so the lettuce plants are uncovered, getting a good drink of water. By covering them on the colder nights, I hope to get another picking or two of lettuce - in November!

Have a wonderful week!

For more garden harvests, visit Dave for Harvest Monday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Mersad for Through My Lens: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Thankful Thursday, November 1, 2018

Thankful Thursday and Little Things Thursday

Black-seeded Simpson Lettuce, Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, October 27, 2018

I am thankful for a slow, drizzling rain - very good for my lettuce!

I sowed lettuce seeds in September, but the weather was so hot and dry that they barely grew. But now with rain, I am more hopeful of picking my own lettuce for my salads. I am growing them in large plastic tubs to make it easier to cover them for protection from frost.

Have a blessed day!

Let us know what you are thankful for, visit Thankful Thursday: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Little Things Thursday: Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Willy Nilly Friday, September 14, 2018

Willy Nilly Friday 5, Sky Watch Friday, Floral Friday Fotos,
and on Saturday, Saturday's Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

1. We Need Rain (Sky Watch Friday)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 12, 2018

Some parts of the world are getting too much rain, but we are not getting enough. I have noticed that the water levels are getting low on a lot of the small ponds. All the mud you see here is usually underwater. However, our temperatures are cooler now, and we are thankful for that.

NOTE: Please keep those in the path of Hurricane Florence in your thoughts and prayers.

2. Fall Gardening

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 11, 2018

The cooler weather makes me want to plant something! On Tuesday I sowed seeds for 'Black Seeded Simpson' Lettuce. It is a leafy lettuce that can be picked a few leaves at a time. It will continue to make new leaves until the cold weather kills it. I planted it in tubs so it will be easy to cover for protection against an early frost.

3. Moth (Saturday's Critters)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, August 31, 2018

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hemaris thysbe. Despite wing damage, it was flying just fine.

4. Morning Glory Vine (Floral Friday Fotos)

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, September 11, 2018

Common Morning Glory, Ipomoea purpurea. According to Wikipedia, there are over 1,000 species of Morning Glory worldwide.

5. Hummingbird (I'd Rather B Birdin')

Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA, August 28, 2018

I think this is a juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Most of our Hummingbirds have started their journey south. I expect they will all be gone by the first of October, but we will keep the feeders up awhile longer just in case a few stragglers come by.

Have a wonderful day!

For more weather-related photos, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more flower photos, visit Floral Friday Fotos: Click Here!

For an interesting variety of photos, visit Willy Nilly Friday 5: Click Here!

And on Saturday,
For more animal photos, visit Saturday's Critters: Click Here!

For more bird photos, visit I'd Rather B Birdin': Click Here!

NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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American Coot, September 30, 2015

ABC Wednesday, Wild Bird Wednesday, and Wednesday Waters

ABC Wednesday
L is for Lettuce -  Lactuca sativa, a leafy green vegetable with many varieties that are eaten in salads and sandwiches.

Lettuce is easily grown - a container on a patio or balcony is sufficient. However, it requires cool temperatures to keep producing edible leaves. I sow the seeds early in the Spring and cover the containers on frosty nights. It bolts (goes to seed) when temperatures warm up. Lettuce seeds can be sown again in the Autumn and covered at night as temperatures get colder.

Wild Bird Wednesday

American Coot, Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, September 14, 2015, SOOC

The American Coot, Fulica americana, can be found all across the United States and parts of Canada on lakes, ponds, marshes, coastal bays and inlets. They build their nests in or next to clumps of reeds that grow in shallow water.

I think the water appears green because trees were casting their shadows on the water.

They eat grass, seeds, grain, and various aquatic plants.

Wednesday Waters

Pickwick Lake, Tennessee, USA, September 14, 2015

A view of the lake where we saw the American Coot, a Great Blue Heron, a flock of Canada Geese, several ducks, and a few turtles.

Have a great day!

For more on the letter L, visit ABC Wednesday: Click Here!

For more wild bird photos, visit Stewart for Wild Bird Wednesday: Click Here!

For more water photos, visit Gemma for Wednesday Waters: Click Here!


NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.

Sunny Days and Frosty Nights, November 22, 2013

Pecan Tree

This week has been sunny, but with a cold wind blowing.
And on several nights we had below freezing temperatures.

Spirea

Many trees have lost their leaves, but a few plants are still holding on to their Autumn colors.

Limestone Bibb Lettuce

Just two words on growing lettuce in the Autumn: Mulch and Cover.
Lettuce does grow much slower in Autumn than in Spring, but it is good to have something still growing in the garden in November.

Have a Wonderful Week-end!

To check the weather around the world, visit Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

If you like the color ORANGE, visit Orange You Glad It's Friday: Click Here!

To see what gardeners are growing, visit Veg Plotting for Salad Days: Click Here!

October Salad Days, October 26, 2013

'Grand Rapids' Lettuce, October 5, 2013

'Grand Rapids' Lettuce seeds were sown the last week in August
First harvest was October 5th, very near the '45 days to maturity' promised on the seed packet.
Now the weather is getting much colder, I'm covering the plants at night.

'Limestone Bibb' Lettuce, October 26, 2013

The first sowing of this lettuce failed to germinate, probably because the weather was still too hot.
'Limestone Bibb' Lettuces sown again on September 18. They are growing very slowly.

'Fooled You' mild Jalapeno Pepper, October 26, 2013

I've been covering the pepper plants at night hoping to coax a few more to get to eating size.
The rest of my garden (beans, tomatoes, okra) is finished. I'm already planning for next year!

First Frost, October 26, 2013

The view this morning at breakfast - first frost!
The field in the background is Soy Beans ready for harvest.

Have a beautiful day!

To be inspired to grow your own salad ingredients, visit Veg Plotting: Click Here!

Planning the Fall Garden August 23, 2013

Sky Watch Friday

Cloudy skies all week. Finally the rain came on Thursday night.

Salad Days

Sweet 100 (red) and Sun Sugar (yellow) tomatoes can be sliced in half or added whole to a salad.

When these two tomato plants first began to fruit in July,
I was getting about the same amount of tomatoes from each one.
But now the Sun Sugar has slowed down production and the Sweet 100 has speeded up!

Lettuces and peas will be planted next week.

Now that the worst heat of the Summer is over, I can plant cool weather vegetables.
I am planning to plant two types of lettuce:
Grand Rapids is a loose leaf lettuce, and Bibb is a butterhead variety.
I have not grown either one before, so I am eager to see how they do.

Another cool weather vegetable I am trying for the first time is Little Marvel peas.
The packet says "8-12 days to germination, 61 days to harvest"
Little green peas can be cooked like any other pea, but we like them sprinkled raw on our salads.

Have a wonderful week-end!

For more Sky Watch Friday: Click Here!

For more on Salad Days, visit Veg Plotting: Click Here! and learn about using seed tapes.




Our World Tuesday and End of the Month View April 2013

Welcome to my world!

The Hummingbirds

The first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird arrived on April 13.

Now at the end of the month we have about 20 birds.

Standing in the shadow of the porch and shooting towards bright sunlight created this silhouette.

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The Vegetable Garden

I built a new bamboo trellis for my pole beans.

It was thoroughly inspected and approved by Big Jay (a cat scan!).

In the background you can see the place I am preparing for tomatoes and peppers.

40 Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans planted on April 15.
The germination rate was 80%, I planted the gaps on April 26.
Marigolds are supposed to ward off insect pests.
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We have been picking lettuce for our salads for a couple of weeks.
This container was sown with lettuce, carrot, and onion seeds on February 18th.
Subsequent plantings in March are growing very slowly.
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The Wildflowers

The native wild ferns are unfurling their fiddleheads at the edge of the woods
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Of course, Thistle is an undesirable plant. Look at all those sharp thorns!
We mow them down after they bloom.
Even wildflower enthuasists find them difficult to love.
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But I am sure everyone loves these tiny wildflowers - Violas!
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The Flower Garden

The Iris are beginning to bloom

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We have been blessed with April showers - just a fraction over 7 inches (18cm) this month.
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The Wisteria has recovered from last month's freeze (lost all its first buds),

and is producing the most amazingly fragrant flowers.

The butterflies and bees love it!
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The promise of things to come - Azalea buds!

Happy Gardening!

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