It is really hard to believe it’s November 1. And with the time change, it says that my sunset is now at 5:38. That seems a little early to me, but I will be thankful to not be navigating the steps and going to work in the dark. Never know what kind of critter you’re gonna run into on the way to the greenhouse. My onions are harvested in the summer are sprouting so I had to chop up over half of them to save them and I am currently cooking them down in a large skillet. This electric skillet my daughter-in-law gave me is really dream. It has the double wall oil filled stainless steel. So it’s kinda hard to burn anything. After they get done cooking, I will bag them up and put them in the freezer so that I can have caramelized onions at a moment’s notice. My red onions I want to do some fermenting. Now that I’ve got the temperature regulated here. I think it would be safe to ferment. I like the pickled red onions the best. I’m slowly getting settled here. I really need my shelving and my freezer and refrigerator here. I have to go back to my tiny house on Tuesday. I’m gonna pick up some more crates for my nephew and pick up some more things from the house. I really want my plants here but with this puppy, I am not sure that it’s a good idea to move all them here. We got less than a half inch of rain the other day we were forecasted for five days of rain and that did not happen again so I will water the orchard really well tomorrow. Everything else is looking great popping up new sprouts inside and outside, so I am encouraged.

Kim, do you have a new puppy? Is your older dog okay?

I really enjoy pickled red onions too. I should look through my onions and see how they look. I've been using them since June and have had maybe a couple that were bad. They're been on the dining bench in baskets waiting for it to get cool enough to go into the utility room. But, this year it's not been cool yet. That room stays a lot cooler than the rest of the house during the winter and late fall (usually). But a lot hotter in the summer.

I've had a weird feeling of disconnect regarding my garden and property for the past few months. So much that it makes me sad. It doesn't look like it did. And my poor broken tree. Eventually it's going to need to come down. I'm not going to do it yet. Even tho we lost half of it, it will still give me a little shade in the kitchen garden. Once it's down, my way of gardening will change.

Kim, once you get settled in and things arranged, you'll have to explain your home set-up to us. I'm always interested in things like that.

I'm at work, so better get some tasks done before staff meeting. Have a good day.

I do not have a new puppy. The new place I am living has a one year-old livestock guardian dog. And he is already 100 pounds easily. He likes to dig and chew and tear things up so I don’t feel like my plants would be happy there. When Sophie passes, I probably will not get another dog. She is such a good dog and I really don’t know if a person is allowed two great dogs in their life. I feel like the next one would probably just be a hot mess. She is so easily trained to new things which is been such a blessing.

I think the puppy would like your plants too much.

How old is Sophie? Josi is 12. She will be 13 in February. It's doubtful we'll have dogs again.

Over the past few days, we've gotten just a hair under an inch of rain.

In the garden, all the sweet potatoes are dug. Ended up with just 3 good sized one. There's probably enough for 3 meals/recipes. What a difference from last year when they did so well.

The calendula started blooming and the snapdragons look so happy. I didn't get enough calendula to do much with it, but am considering make a snapdragon salve. I've dried quite a bit of it. I'm honestly pretty impressed with this plant. It held up (but wasn't necessarily happy) to our extreme summer weather. It's used medicinally but it's hard to find much info from trusted herbalists.

I bought a Joy blend from an herbalist in Colorado. A tincture and also a tea blend--which I added a couple of things to. I'm going to start that today. I'm struggling, y'all.

Sophia is 12 or almost 13 years old

I went to the tiny house and dug up my sweet potatoes and my mallow. I had two containers and I planted two slips in each container. The big potatoes giant huge ones got water and full sun the not so big ones got a little water and not as much sun. The MALLOW was an empty pot. There was no roots at all. Well except a few grass roots so not sure what I did wrong there. I will definitely be doing some research on that.

Those look nice, Kim!

That's what happened with most of my mallow. They were huge, bully plants and they died back this summer with the drought and heat and all. BUT, I just assumed they would rebound once it cooled down. There were no roots. Maybe they dried up? It's weird.

I'm gonna try again. I did get a couple of roots from the volunteer plants, tho.

Also, need to dig some horseradish and make fire cider.

So much to do. Plant garlic and plant pansies. And clean up.

And about the mallow....I thought I had seed for that and can't find it. Maybe gave it away because just assumed they would come back each year. I know a lot of it came from a plant you gave me, Kim. Maybe they all did. Hmmm....it was in an area that I no longer use as an herb garden and maybe I dug it and moved it to where it has been. Just can't remember for sure.

I have seed for the MALLOW. I will put some aside for you and put your name on it for next spring.

It’s such an unusual year. I just planted more greens, lettuce, and I had about a gallon of little potatoes sprouting so planted those too. Probably won’t make but may come up next Spring. I usually leave the marble sized potatoes when I dig and they come up later, they seem to winter over. This won’t be much different. I have fresh dill and basil coming up everywhere. And zinnias! Thousands of zinnias and those about a foot tall are blooming. I picked about 1/2 gallon of peppers, sweet Marconi and jalapenos. I got a few plants moved inside the greenhouses

Not much left to save.

My daughter got me an everblooming lilac for Mother’s Day a few years ago. I was so sad because even though I watered it over the summer between the deer, heat, and drought I thought it was dead. Now it’s green and making blooms! I collected seeds from the salvia that are gorgeous now and scattered them everywhere.

I had a MOHS skin cancer procedure on my temple Monday. Thankfully he got it all and no radiation needed but I have a bulky bandage for a few days and can’t wear my glasses. Also need to stay inside out of the wind and sun for a few days. Trying to use the inside time cleaning out a few drawers. I definitely have too much stuff that at one time I used but no longer. I would like to donate it to someone else but seems the younger generation isn’t interested. We’ve been replacing the radiator on the 4020 and finally got the hood back on and all the hoses hooked up. My husband said if anyone asked about my face he was going to tell them I was working on the tractor and a wrench slipped

Glenda, I'm glad you're okay and it wasn't worse!

I like how you're spending your indoor time productively. I sure need to go through my cabinets and closets. Normally do that twice a year but didn't get around to it this summer.

I've got the same situation with zinnias. They are so pretty but I can't let them take over all the spaces next year.

I'm not working today. Had planned on working this morning for a few hours but the woman with the key can't go... and our boss is at a sale in Chickasha today. So...I'm home. Honestly that is a good thing because Josi got a much needed bath. She has so many growths on her. One of them is bleeding slightly. I was able to put styptic powder on it after her bath. It's not bleeding badly....just ever so slightly from time to time. She should probably go to the vet but seems happy and hungry and wants to go on walks and all. At this point, I'm just going to let her be happy because it's possible those growths could be something. Right now they're not making her feel bad. We won't do treatments to extend her life, so I would rather just let her be and enjoy life until she's not.

About to get the floors cleaned. I'm picking up Gray this afternoon to stay the weekend with us. I wish it was going to be better weather tomorrow. It looks like the coldest day of the next few days. Of course. Anyway, our floors get dirty so quickly and Josi sheds badly. Being a toddler G plays on the floor so they need to be cleaned often.

Speaking of weather, it really rained here last night. We got another half inch. More than what they were expecting.

Has anyone had luck with rooting lemon grass? Does anyone know Sal Cariaga? Seems like a lot of people know him. He often brings plants and seeds to share. The last stalk of lemon grass he brought didn't take, but my friend's did. I picked up 2 stalks this time. I'm going to try one in water and the other in soil. I'm not sure if it's stuff from the Philippines or what. I wouldn't think he would be allowed to bring that stuff in. I also got a piece of ginger that has buds on it already. And some turmeric. And moringa seed. Need to get some potting soil. Maybe I have some. Should check that.

Rambling.

I went to the tiny house and dug up my sweet potatoes and my mallow. I had two containers and I planted two slips in each container. The big potatoes giant huge ones got water and full sun the not so big ones got a little water and not as much sun. The MALLOW was an empty pot. There was no roots at all. Well except a few grass roots so not sure what I did wrong there. I will definitely be doing some research on that.

Just curious - anyone had luck moving basil or dill inside for the winter? I have so many plants sbout 1-4” and they are stout healthy plants. The basil is clove basil snd smells amazing. I’ve moved it inside before but it didnt do well. Think I’ll try again - nothing ventured - , nothing gained. Right?

Go for it, Glenda!

I had a couple of hours outdoors today. SO nice. I enjoyed it a lot. Felt good to get my hands in the soil. Got the garlic planted. Incellium and Musik.

The henbit is showing up big time.

Wow, just checked in again. I SO miss growing and gardening. I might have to get after it! Our dog Titan, is 11 (12?); and is as big as his name. And he is old for a big dog--about like Garry and me. Twilight years. HJ, same. We won't do vet care for the elderly dogs/cats. But love them and will care for them, just the same.

Lemon grass, don't think rooting lemon grass would be very doable. However, so easy to grow from seedlings that it has always produced large quantities. (I could be wrong--often am! LOL) .

Nancy, do you still have your striped, gray kitties? Tom and Jerry?

Rooting lemon grass isn't doable for me apparently! LOL But other people--both around me and online--seem to get it to root! I might just need to get some seed or buy a seedling.

Yes, Nancy, grow a few pots of things. It feels good to grow stuff. I'm downsizing a lot next year.

I just planted 50 strawberries and four blueberries at work. I hope they all make it because in the spring I planted strawberries and none of them made it and the company never did reimburse me so I found a new company.