Our Little Fathers Day Celebration

Fathers day, Just like any other day except we get to go ecstatic for any amazing male role models / figures in our life. I apologize in advance for not taking photos today to share with everyone.

Today, I started some beef jerky for my husband. I say some, But I am curing 4 lbs of some amazing beef to soon be transformed into jerky that will not have a long life span in my house.

My husband is an amazing father, my boys are so lucky, as am I. He took the boys on the 4 wheelers, the older two are now of age to ride the little 50 by themselves. We have very a very hilly piece of property, so they only get to ride with strict adult supervision. I BBQ'd both lunch and dinner for my husband. It is very rewarding that the sides to our main dish are fresh, straight from our garden. We are finally settling into our lives. We also fired up the hot tub (heat off of course since we live in Texas and Texas doesn't need any more heat) and the kids (all 4 of them, husband included) have enjoyed swimming with the jets on and playing together, yay for being able to get the kids off of video games! Earlier this month, as an early fathers day gift, I paid off all but one credit card and cancelled all of them. I am done owing other people money, doing the best I can to pay off that other card quickly so I may be free of Credit card debt. :)

Right now, I am sitting out on the hot tub deck, watching my two oldest sons Jaden (age 7 1/2) and Demitrius (age 5 1/2) swimming and using their imagination to make long lasting memories imprinted deeply so they may forever reflect on them.

Two other people I want to recognize for fathers day that have been a huge positive influence on me in my life would be my Papa (Grandpa Gore) and Grandpa Wilken. They are both positive and inspiring to me. I really wish that everyone was as lucky as me in this aspect.

Although my biological father does not have anything to do with my life, I pray that his chemo and radiation is healing him and he can regain strength. I also hope that today he was spoiled by his loved ones and is able to enjoy himself.

And to any other fathers out there that take the time to be a positive influence in a childs life, GOOD FOR YOU and you too are my hero. Happy Fathers Day to you all.

CORN! ... And more about my garden.

     Today, after spending a quite boring day at the farmers market selling my organic skin care, my son Jaden and I went down to our garden and harvested 37 ears of corn. YAY! I then was thinking, maybe I didnt plant enough corn after chucking it. Boy was I wrong! I blanched* the corn, froze a dozen corn on the cobs and then took the other 25 ears of corn and removed the corn off the cob after blanching them and filled a gallon size bag half way standing up! then I lay the bag flat and froze it flat :).  Enjoy these pictures of the corn I took today...

My garden is completely organic, and boy are the weeds loving it too. I am very pleased and impressed with my corn harvest, I am not impressed with the cucumbers I picked out this year, they are too bitter, and I am not completely impressed with the beefsteak or black krim tomatoes. I guess it is because I have never had Black krim tomatoes, but I am not a big fan. I am defiantly going to order some Celebrity Tomatoes next time, and some different cucumbers. we will see how our watermelon does. it is vining everywhere, but i guess I planted late, they should have fruits already. I am still learning, mostly I need the experience and that will come with time. 

Does anyone have any Gardening stories you want to share? I would love to read about them. 

* Blanching -- When you take the corn (or other veggie) and boil it in water for 7-10 min then submerge it in ice water for 7-10 min before freezing it. Plus I had read that blanching also kills the enzymes that produce bacteria in the food, therefore boiling them will kill any bacteria that may be on it therefore making it more sanitary.