MicroGreens - Grown Indoor

Swiss Chard

Cabbage

I might of mentioned growing Microgreens indoor before but it's worth repeating.

They grow very fast and are packed full of nutrients. Just snip and toss in your salad or on a sandwich. The Swiss Chard you can let grow until it has 4 leaves but the others, snip at will. I grow, Turnip, Beet, Mustard, Radish, Chinese Cabbage and what ever lettuce seeds I have. Use regular potting soil and wala!

It was 60 degrees here yesterday. All of Chicago was outside and of course, wearing shorts. Crazy weather.

Abandoned Graveyard

Old Abandoned Graveyard

I guess old graveyards could be abandoned if you no longer add anyone to them. This small spot is on a section right before the closed off road that makes me stop and look each time I walk by. Someone mows the grass in the summer but all the stones are really old except for the large gray newer stone. Someone replaced it as you can read the names and dates. Caroline Erb was only 47 when she passed. Her husband lived on to the age of 87. They must have family still in the area that replaced the stone. Hmmm.... Interesting.

Abandoned Road

Closed Road

This is a picture of a road that was blocked off about 15 years ago. No one drives on it anymore. It was a through way side street that for some reason, the city decided to block from traffic. Not exactly sure why but it makes for a nice walk in the morning.

As you can see, nature is taking it back. This was taken on January 1st, 2017 and it was a quiet and crisp morning. I'm walking a lot every day to prep for spring running. I'm hoping to once again, "Run like the wind".

A road without cars will turn back into it's original field.

New Year Touching Base

Christmas Breads

Mayne Farm's Tree

At Christmas, I baked some breads for our Neighbors. They looked so pretty I thought I'd snap some pictures. They contained little pockets of sugar and cinnamon and were delicious.

The tree is up the road on Mayne's farm. It is beautiful in the Spring and this shot was taken on January 1, 2017. If I remember, I'll snap a shot when it's in full bloom.

Still Nicotine gum free but the emotions are sometimes out of control. I can cry at just about anything. I heard a song on the radio yesterday that brought open the flood gates. I'm not sure why but without the nicotine, I am extremely sensitive. I count to 10 and then it passes.

Crazy but I'm going to push through it.

Enjoy your week!

Merry Christmas

Christmas on a Farm

Good Day to all on this fine Christmas Morning. Our weather is rainy today and no snow in the forecast.

I'm looking forward to this year to end and the new one to begin.

67 Retirement Age

My 5 year Old Self - Before Work. Look how Happy!

67 is the new 65 retirement age. I have 12 years to go. I also read that to maximize your social security benefits, you should wait to the age of 70. What? Go back - I want full benefits, maximized at 65 - NOT 70!

I have been working full time since the age of 18 . I've actually been working since the age of 12 - babysitting then at 16 I worked at McDonalds. So - by the time I'm 67, my total working years will have been 55 years. It's a wonder I can still think for myself. I've been giving myself to "The Man" for more than my whole life.

My plan from now until then is to figure out how to make 67 into 57. We should retire Earlier Not Later. At 70, my knees won't do me any good. I have about 3-4 years on them now.

Just some thoughts I've had lately. I need to retire - now comes the "How" part. The Farm will be the income so get with the act old self and do it!

End of Year is Near

Luffa - 6 Made it But Read Below

Garden in Fall 2016

Begging Ducks at the Office

First Snow

Close Up

First picture is of the Luffa. I was so excited that I had 6 quite large luffa. Problem is, the first frost forced me to pick them prematurely. They needed to dry on the vines and completely air out. Meaning all of the moisture needed to naturally extract. BUT because frost freezes, the luffa will rot on the vine. So - brought them in hoping to dry them indoors. It didn't happen. I only received one out of all the beautiful gourds. All the others rotted. I even baked the 2 largest in the oven on a low temp for 4 hours but nope - they rotted too. Maybe next year.

Garden is long put to bed but I captured a fall picture.  I like the sassafras in the background. They really have a pretty color combo.

While lunching at the office this fall, there is a large pond with ducks and geese. I fed the ducks once and when I walk the path to the lunch area, they come a waddling and beg for crackers. They are the cutest things ever and so tame and friendly. During this shot, there were 8 or 9 of them. So close I could touch their heads. I went through an entire box of saltines taking my lunches outside. So worth it. They are adorable.

Snow pictures from last Sunday's first snow fall. It was so pretty I took a walk around our condo complex and snapped some shots.

Christmas and the end of the year is around the corner. Time is flying by. Enjoyed it while you can.

Peace