Liberty Ranch and Country

I think I'm going to begin all these posts lately with: Yes I'm still here, still alive and kicking. Still busy keeping the garden in order, still collecting seeds, still putting together a garden book with information about our garden layout and planting schedule along with tips, tricks and such. I've harvested one green bell pepper along with seven cayenne peppers and I have some pumpkins that are pretty big (at least as big as they are going to get).
I am still writing in the mornings too, getting up at the magic hour of five am but lately my story has slowed a lot. I'm trying to get out of the third chapter and I can do it if I just sit down and get serious about it.
I've been getting my food storage back in order too although I might have mentioned that in a previous post. I store freeze dried foods as well as foods that have to be rotated, which with my system, works for me. I have Aspergers which makes it hard for me to keep up with something like that, but I have created labels that go on the front of every item and have clear expiration dates right out in the open so it makes it easy. Another thing that makes food storage and seed saving fun for me is creating labels for everything. I love doing graphics and it allows me to be be creative.
The other project I will be starting deep into the fall (as soon as harvesting and canning are done) is a recipe book. I will be including some recipies that we have used for years along with any unique recipies I can find.

I was thinking the other day how interesting it is that I have gotten so seriously into gardening. Granted, the reason I do it is because I have been told that I need to learn how to do it so that my family will be provided for in years to come. But it isn't as though gardening is something that I have never been around in my life. My dad asked me the other day how it is that I have become so interested in gardening and I told him "well, you and mom always had gardens growing up". My mom would use every space she could find to grow different things. There was one house that we lived in where there was a thin strip of dirt between a sidewalk and the house, she grew spearmint there and I am sure there were other things that I cant remember. She loved spearmint and even learned how to make jelly from it. They probably never thought that one or more of their children would use what they learned and expand on it.
You never know sometimes what a good influence you are on your children and the fact that it may enable them to do something they are supposed to be doing later on in life.

Anyway I just have to show the latest pictures of the garden progress. I'm so happy with it.

Cayenne Peppers (In a Maverick drink cup because I had nothing else and you cannot touch these with your bare fingers.)