What's blooming? Foraging ~ New Gadget

 A few snippets from the flower beds.  It's not everything, but some beauties right now.  I took these on my phone, so the photos are not that great.  I have yet to replace my actual camera (soon I hope).

One of our regular's from the herb garden - two types of sage.

We have  had this one for over 20-some years, and moved it twice.  Love it!  It already bloomed this season.

Added this sage about three years ago.  I believe it is called Greek Sage.  We love sage in homemade breakfast sausage, teas, medicinal teas, and tincture.  Sage tea (as well as ginger tea), is great for a sore throat.

The heat index was not as bad yesterday, as the day before, but we did get up to 96°F.  All  of the seeds, that I replanted in the vegetable garden, are sprouting but a scant few.  It will be hot again today, and then possible rain moving back in (we need it too).

I found a wild growing mullein plant growing in the yard, so I dug it  up and moved it.  It's bad timing the heat, but I took a chance. It was growing where we mow.

Oregano is definitely the "star" of the herb garden this year, but I do have new plans to try with lemon balm, and if we get more chickweed in the fall.

First picking this season - wild black raspberries and mulberries.  Not enough to make a jam, but enough to enjoy or use in an oat breakfast bake.

There is a lot more going on in the summer months, and I tend to let my coffee go cold.  I was out looking for canning labels, and found these wide mouth screw on lids.  I bought them for salad dressings, but found another use for one.  Cold coffee.  Not to waste that brewed coffee, it works great.

By the way, after 4 stores I finally found the dissolvable labels for canning.  I could not find a shelf label for them.  The 60 count box is now $6.47!!!   I could not believe it!  Even more expensive on Amazon.  Although they make storing so much  easier, I'll be using a sharpie marker on the lids when our current supply runs out.  The labels would be great for when one is gifting a canned item, or labeling tinctures, oils, vinegars (when using a lid that cannot be written on).

What's blooming?  Foraging ~ New Gadget  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day

 

The heat index was 105°F yesterday.  Today it is said to be a record breaking day.  I have yet to hear what they actually do expect today.  Yes, we did outdoor work yesterday, but very early.  AC is on, but one system has to be worked on before we can turn it back on.  The sunrises are still smoke hazy sunrises. 

A heat wave means it's officially salad season again. We were gifted some garden romaine.  I made us a big salad (apples added later) - chicken, apple pecan salad.

Something new (a first for us) this year - growing a Meyer lemon plant.  I have wanted to do this for several years.  One blogger I used to follow was going to mail me seeds.  When that didn't happen, I bought some on Etsy, and not one seed sprouted.  Years later I found a plant and wa-la!  We have some lemons on it this year.  

I have a lack of photos, partly because I have lost my blogging mojo (numbers show a lack of interest anyway), and partly due to the heat wearing us out.

The chickens have been treated with some chipped ice, and will be until this heat is over with.  They are being treated with some sprouted peas, and maybe later some frozen veggies.

Of course, there is nothing ready to harvest from the actual garden but I have harvested lots of oregano from the herb garden.  I am waiting for the heat wave to end, before I continue to cut more.  God provided us with a lot of oregano this year, so I have more plans to utilize it soon.

The dehydrator is off during this heat wave, but we have lots of herbs to dry for the season this year.

We located more local strawberries and peaches, but there will not be jam made (so far anyway).  It's been nice not to have to can/bake/cook for more than us two. I also located a lemon balm plant (I dug ours out of the garden a few years ago, and the new location is not doing well).  I may have a new way to enjoy lemon balm this year.

I finished a few baby washcloths, and completely used up this crochet yarn (discontinued).

Miscellaneous blog thoughts:

- I miss reading an actual newspaper in my hands.

-we attempted to donate to a free little pantry, but the door was missing and the items inside were old.

-I'm looking into new tinctures to make

-making lists for new home projects, home repairs, new "try-its"

-I really miss the bloggers I used to follow (no longer blog), as there was a connection to homesteading, preserving, home remedies, eating real food and the like.  In fact, we have zero family/friends that are like-minded and I have been having acquaintances tell me to stop gardening, saying it's too much work.  Funny thing is, is that once the garden produces, I suddenly get text messages asking for "free" produce from our garden.  I love to share, but I'm done with people who are negative and who offer nothing but negative vibes (or help in the garden).

-still looking for lemon verbena seeds or a plant

Heat Wave ~ Record Breaking Day  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart