10 Years

I was thinking about this today… I started this blog in October 2009. That seems like a lifetime ago. This blog has seen me through dating my husband, marriage, having kids, losing my job, grad school, you name it, it’s probably there. That’s a super crazy and scary thought really.

A question that people like to ask is, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” I’m torn on how I feel about this question. Back when I graduated high school, I was 17 (going on 18) years old. I truly think it would have been crazy if we would have had to write ourselves a letter that was either sent to us or given to us at our 10-year class reunion. It would have been fun if it had been titled, Where You See Yourself in 10 Years. Could you imagine what we would have written to ourselves?

10 years from high school graduation, I was getting married. Well… technically 9. I hit our 10-year class reunion the same year as my 1 year anniversary. In that 10 years, I never would have pictured my life the way it went. The thought of that almost makes me laugh really. Then 10 years after that… would be this year (I graduated in 2001). First off, let’s address the elephant in the room…  WHO would have predicted 2020? Seriously. Not me… that’s for sure. But it could have been interesting to see what I thought would happen in the last 10 years. 

I’m pretty sure in my 101 in 1001 I wrote myself a letter that was supposed to be opened and read in 10 years. I’m not sure I want to read it honestly. I really don’t know how I feel about reading it. Last I knew it was in our safe. Maybe I threw it away. If not, maybe I should. Again, I’m a little leary about what I wrote. 

This blog has served a great purpose to me. It has reminded me of things I totally forgot about. And I know there are a lot of cobwebs around here. I’ve debated tearing it down so many times. I don’t think anyone reads it. There’s a lot of information I question about having on here these days. Etc. Etc. And it doesn’t help that over Labor Day Weekend my Facebook account got hacked… I lost 2 pages I was an admin on. We’ve gotten one back, the other is gone for good I guess. I get a lot of spam messages on this blog. I’m almost tired of social media-type sites. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I haven’t gotten rid of them or even quit checking them, but I’ve tried to be a lot more present. I’ve stayed off them quite a bit.

I never could have predicted my life in the last 10 or 20 years. Not even a part of it. Some of it I remember, I was going to go on to be an Ag. teacher, possibly go on and become an ag. pharmaceutical rep. Heck, why not? I also toyed with the notion of going into Ag. Business. It always revolved around agriculture. I was going to be married by the time I was 23-25. 1-2 kids probably. I could go on and on… but I’m here to tell you NONE of that happened that way.

Don’t take my None of that happened that way as a bad thing. On the contrary! There might be a few things I’d like to change. A few things I can’t seem to wrap my head around… but I really like my life. But 2020 and Covid-19 can suck it… just throwing that out there.

Just remember… Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is the present. Live in the present!

Seed Calendar for MO 6b

Here is where I update and archive our yearly gardening seed calendar for Missouri & Hardiness Zone 6b.
This changes slightly every year depending on the current weather in Missouri.

Are your seeds still good?

Seed Calendar for Missouri 6b

Plant = Plant Name
Seeds = Date that seeds are planted inside unless otherwise noted. 
Transplant = Date that seedlings are planted outside.

2021

Last Estimated Frost Date: April 18

Y’all, I got carried away with seeds this year… Just saying… WOW!

Missouri 6b

Plant | Seeds | Transplant

Spring:

Artichoke | March 8 |
Amaranthus (Autumn’s Touch) | March 9 |
Amaranthus (Perfecta) | March 9 |
Asclepias (Bloodflower) | March 8 |
Aster (Crego Mixed Colors) | March 29 |
Aster (Starlight Formula Mix) | March 8 |
Bachelor’s Button (Classic Artistic Mix) | April 6 |
Bachelor’s Button (Double Mixed Colors | March 10 |
Basil (African Nunum) | March 9 |
Basil (Dark Opal) | March 9 |
Basil (Genovese) | March 9 |
Basil (Large Leaf Italian) | March 9 |
Basil (Lemon) | March 9 |
Basil (Sweet) | March 9 |
Basil (Sweet Italian) | March 9 |
Basil (Valentino) | March 9 |
Begonia (Viking Red on Chocolate) | March 8 |
Black-eyed Susan | April 6 |
Broccoli (Calabrese) | April 6 |
Broccoli (Rapini) | April 6|
Broccoli (Waltham 29) | April 6 |
Cantaloupe | April 6 |
Carrots (from Atwoods) | April 7 |
Carrots (From Amazon) | April 7 |
Celosia (Dracula) | March 9 |
Chives (Baker Creek) | March 8 |
Chives (NK Lawn & Garden) | March 8 |
Cilantro (Coriander) | April 6 |
Citronella | April 6 |
Coleus (Wizard Mix) | February 18 |
Cornflower (Blue Dwarf) | April 6 |
Cosmos (Daydream) | March 29 |
Digitalis (Excelsior Mix) | March 10 |
Digitalis (Strawberry) | March 10 |
Eggplant | April 6 |
Evening Primrose | April 6 |
Foxglove (Mixed Color Digitalis) | March 29 |
Garlic (I know I planted this late!!) | March 2 |
Habanero Pepper | March 29 |
Hollyhock (Summer Carnival, Mixed Colors) | April 6 |
Johnny Jump Up (Viola/Helen Mount) | April 6 |
Lavender | March 8 |
Leeks | March 9 | April 7
Lupine (Pixie Delight Dwarf) | March 29 |
Lupine (Russel) | March 29 |
Marigold (Jolly Jester) | March 29 |
Marigold (Orange Hawaii) |March 29 |
Marigold (Queen Sophia) | March 29 |
Marigold (Sparky Mixed Colors) | March 29 |
Mint | April 6 |
Mixed Seashell | April 6 |
Nasturtium (Orchid Cream) | March 29 |
Nasturtium (Purple Emperor) | March 29 |
Nemophila ( Five Spot) | April 6 |
Onion | (Sets) March 7 
Onions (Yellow Sweet Spanish) | March 8 |
Oregano (Baker Creek) | March 8 |
Oregano (NK Lawn & Garden) | March 8 |
Ornamental Grass (Pampas) | April 6 |
Pansy (Black King) | March 29 |
Pansy (Brush Strokes Viola) | March 29 |
Parsley (Dark Green Italian Plain Leaf) | February 14 |
Parsley (Moss Curled) | March 8 |
Pepper (Craig’s Grande Jalapeño | February 14 |
Pepper (Orange Bell) | February 14 |
Pepper (Poblano) | February 14 |
Pepper (Rainbow) | March 29 | 
Pepper (Zulu) | February 14 |
Petunia (Sparkler) | March 8
Phlox (Cherry Caramel) | April 6 |
Phlox (Sugar Stars) | April 6 |
Poppy (Amazing Grey) | April 6 |
Poppy (Black Swan) | April 6 |
Poppy (Great Red) | April 6 |
Poppy (Lady Bird) | April 6 | 
Poppy (Park’s Black Peony) | April 6 |
Purple Coneflower | April 6 |
Pumpkins (90-100#) | April 6 |
Pumpkins (129#) | April 6 |
Pumpkins (Small Decorative) | April 6 |
Ratibida (Prairie Coneflower) | April 6 |
Rosemary | March 8 |
Rudbeckia (Marmalade) | April 6 |
Sage (Livingston) | April 6 |
Salvia (Sirius Blue Sage) | February 14 |
Stocks (Anytime Mix) | April 6 |
Sweet William (Singl Mixed Color) | April 6 |
Thyme | April 6 |
Tomatillo | February 18 |
Tomato (Beefsteak) | April 6 |
Tomato (Chocolate Stripes) | February 18 |
Tomato (Green Zebra) | February 18 |
Tomato (Italian Heirloom) | February 18
Tomato (Red Zebra) | February 18 |
Tomato (Roma) | February 14 |
Tomato (Roma) | February 18 |
Tomato (Martino’s Roma) | February 14 |
Tomato (San Marzano) | February 14 | 
Wildflower (Perennial Mix) | April 5 

Summer:

Cherry Tomatoes | April 10  |  May 16
San Marzano Tomatoes | April 10  |  May 16
Bell Peppers | April 10  |  May 16
Highlander Peppers  | April 10  |  May 16
Marigolds | April 10  |  May 16
Potatoes | May 2 (directly in ground)
Cucumbers | May 31 (directly in ground)
Carrots | May 31 (directly in ground)
Microgreens | May 31 (directly in ground)

Fall:

Broccoli   |   August 21 | October 11
Kale   |    August 21 | October 11
Onions   |    August 21 | October 11
Brussels Sprouts    |    August 21 | October 11
Garlic | TBA

2020

Spring:
Artichoke | April 17 | Didn’t sprout
Basil | April 17 | Didn’t sprout
Beans | April 25 (Directly in-ground)
Broccoli   |   March 30 (Directly in-ground) (Didn’t sprout) | April 21 (in trays) (didn’t sprout)
Brussels Sprouts | March 30 (Directly in-ground) (Didn’t sprout) | April 17 (in trays, 2nd attempt) 
Carrots | March 30 (directly in-ground) | April 17 (in trays, don’t do this, but 2nd attempt) | April 25 (directly in-ground 3rd attempt)
Cauliflower | March 30 | (Directly in-ground) (Didn’t sprout) | April 21 (in trays) (didn’t sprout)
Cilantro | April 17 | Didn’t sprout
Corn, Peaches & Cream | April 25 (Directly in-ground)
Cucumbers | April 21 | June 4
Okra | April 21 | June 4
Onions | April 25 (from starts) (directly in-ground)
Parsley | April 17 | Didn’t sprout
Pumpkins | June 4 (store-bought starts)
Rosemary | April 17 | Didn’t sprout
Yellow Squash | April 21 | June 4
Zucchini | April 21 | Didn’t sprout

Summer:
Bell Peppers | June 4 (store-bought starts)
Corn, Incredible | June 3 (directly in-ground)
Marigolds | June 4 (store-bought starts)
Potatoes | June 4
Tomatoes, Cherry | June 4 (store-bought starts)
Tomatoes, Solar Flair | June 4 (store-bought starts)

Fall:
Green Beans | August 12 (Directly in-ground)

Cast Iron Pan & Walmart

Over the Weekend I had to question what year we were in… Here’s the story…

Saturday we wound up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma at The Pioneer Woman’s places… (the Merc, her new store, and of course the Lodge where she films her show). You are invited to the Lodge on the days that it is open, you just have to get a ticket at the Merc. We wanted to eat at the Merc, but we had to put our name on the list. It was a 2 1/2-3 hour wait to get in and we arrived at 10:45 a.m. We got our ticket to the Lodge and the guy told us we had plenty of time to go to the Lodge and come back. We were like 68 on the list and at about 15 you needed to head back this way. Cool. (more…)

What to Say?

Here we are again… I sit here trying to come up with words to say and yet they elude me. They are not there. 

Just a few weeks ago my family was headed to a tumbling competition. Halfway through our drive hubby got a phone call. A friend of ours needed help and we weren’t able to assist. We weren’t home. That was the last time hubby heard his voice. The last time I heard his voice was a couple of weeks prior to that when he came to my house and I loaded him up with freshly made candied Jalapeños.

When they say life is short, that’s truly how it is… Life is short. There are days when I think, oh I can put that off until tomorrow, but there is no guarantee that tomorrow will come. That is a scary thought. (more…)

Our Snow Apocalypse

My truck was totally cleaned off when I went to bed last night…
Saw this on a friend’s Facebook page… oh so true (haha) (It is meant to be harmless fun…):
 
Public service announcement for Missouri 😆 🥶❄️🧊😳
 
All of you transplants that are new to Missouri are about to experience a “Missouri Winter 🥶 ”. This is 6 or 7 days of cold 🥶 , maybe some ice 🧊 and snow ❄️ with single-digit temperatures and with a wind chill, it will be well below zero. The weatherman will threaten snow ❄️. Know that it may snow ❄️, and it may not and if the weatherman says 2 inches then it could be 10 or it could be 1/2”. It doesn’t really matter how much snow ❄️ it is, we’ll all freak out because we don’t see snow often.
 
The threat of snow ❄️ (or ice 🧊 ) from the weatherman is your prompt to head to the grocery store and buy milk 🥛, eggs 🥚, and bread 🥖. It doesn’t matter if you need these items. It’s just what we do. Everyone in town will be there.
 
You’ll also need to make a mad dash for faucet covers and finding them and getting out of the store will be like an episode of the hunger games. You’re in the redneck district.
 
Don’t look for a sled 🛷 . You won’t find one. In the rare chance, we get enough ice or snow to sled grab some cardboard or a trash can lid, and go find the nearest hill. You may become alarmed by the fact that you’re “sledding” towards a ditch, fence, tree 🌲, or maybe into a road. Just go with it. You’ll be fine.
 

(more…)

GBB Bucket List

Those blue smoldering eyes. Gosh… They are almost intimidating. But the handshake would be awesome, am I right? Not a clue what I’m talking about? Well… The Great British Bake Off obviously. And who has those eyes? That would be Paul Hollywood, duh. haha. 

Truth be told, I’d love to go to culinary school, but it’s not an option. That doesn’t mean I can’t learn to cook/bake at home, right? I’ve really gotten into watching The Great British Bake Off. Actually, the first one I saw was the American version when Jeff Foxworthy was the host. Man, that was a few years ago. Then I saw there was a British version and it seems to have taken off better than the American version. I’m ready to move to Britain so that I can join in… however, I’m definitely not as good as those guys. Wow! So impressive!

I’m pretty sure that if I were to get some of the technical challenges that they do, I’d cry because I wouldn’t have the first clue where to start. And while a lot of them say, I don’t know what that is… they do a very good job! It’s impressive.

The Judges

Paul Hollywood & Mary Berry were the original judges of the British version. Then starting with series (I assume season ;)) 8, Prue Leith took Mary Berry’s place. But those blue eyes are still wandering the tent. While Paul Hollywood is older than me by a bit, he’s still a very good looking man! And those eyes… wow! haha.

Technical Challenges

If you’ve never watched the show… They do a signature bake, a technical bake, and a showstopper.

Each week has a theme. The contestants can practice the signature and showstopper, but the technical is done blind. No one knows what the technical challenge will be. The looks on everyone’s face and their reactions are quite priceless really. And some of that is the editing department/videoing, but you know that’s how the contestants reacted… It was just caught on tape and edited correctly to make it even more entertaining.

I really want to be on this show… but until then, especially because I’m not British, I can always try to make their technical bakes. And my husband has blue eyes… maybe he can give me those smoldering looks. haha.

Technical Challenge Bucket List

(more…)

Look for the Good

Here we are… the last day of the year. We’re about to complete another trip around the sun. And while there is a lot to be upset about in 2020… there’s a lot of good that came out of 2020 as well. What?

One thing that keeps coming running through my mind was a fight that my husband and I had. It revolved around time. Not enough time. Not enough time to do what we wanted. It was a bad fight and I truthfully don’t want to go into detail… but still… it was a bad fight. I can’t remember when it happened. I know it was after Christmas, but before the shut down in March.

You know when they say, will the fight matter in an hour, a day, a month, or even a year, should you fight for it? This particular fight really did seem to matter. It kind of feels like it still matters. (more…)

Friendsgiving 2020

Let’s just put a disclaimer out here because… I know most people’s feelings about get together this year. They aren’t popular. I would also like to state that most of the people that were here have had Covid. No, we didn’t give it to each other… all at different times… so during this event, we had the immunity and no one got Covid at this event. Now that that is out of the way…

Friendsgiving 2020

So KW’s mom has a picture very similar to this at a Thanksgiving when she was about 18 months of age (so a bit younger than he is here…). We decided to recreate the picture. I really wanted to put the pictures side by side, but after digging through all of Deb’s photos, we couldn’t find Shaye’s picture like this… It also took a little convincing KW that this was okay to do, even though apparently he likes butter just as much as his momma did.

They’re not Leggins, They’re not Jeans, They’re jeggings… aka Turkey eating pants! (think Joey from Friends) (more…)

I have Covid-19

It’s taken a while to convince myself it is okay to say that. Why? There is a certain stigma around it… It feels like I am the plague. Not that I have it… but that I am it. People want to avoid me…

Ooo you didn’t follow the “rules.” Oooo you’re dirty. You aren’t clean. You don’t know how to wash your hands.

Really, whatever else someone might say. There are a lot of things out there too. But I’m here to tell you… I’m personally on the verge of being a germ-a-phobe. I’m not quite one but I might as well be… My hands are so dried out from washing them sooooo much. I carry hand sanitizer in my truck, in the pocket of my pants, always.

The mask you ask… what is my stance. I think it’s stupid. BUT before you yell at me, I wear it. I don’t want to… but I do. I get pissed off every time I have to put the damn thing on. I have it in my back pocket at all times. I spray it down with hand sanitizer every time I take it off because, Hello… I don’t want all those germs up against my face all the time. Think about it… you go to a bathroom, especially a public bathroom, a toilet flushes… particles fly as they say. You breathe in and it gets on your mask and bam… you’re walking around with other people’s shit on your face. Congratulations whoever thought masks were a good thing. I hate public bathrooms in the first place. Then that thought makes me want to gag.

Through the 7 stages of grief… I bounce around as many people do.

  1. Shock/denial
  2. Guilt
  3. Anger/Bargaining
  4. Depression
  5. Upward turn
  6. Reconstruction
  7. Acceptance

Shock/Denial

(more…)