Author: Julia

I am a retired software solutions architect. I have been married to my husband, Bruce, for over forty years. We have a 12-pound dog, Nox, who we love dearly. She has been with us since 2009. We went full-time RVing for 3.5 years and saw much of the United States. We bought a ranch house on a hill in the middle of five acres. We are working on creating our homestead. I love cooking and enjoy sharing recipes. I am also an artist and I’ll share my current projects. Reading is my favorite hobby.

A Busy Weekend

July 13, 2025 Yesterday (Saturday, July 12), we went into town to pick up Bruce’s high blood pressure medication. When we got back, I checked the garden while Bruce headed out to mow. He finished up mowing. The pumpkin is orangier than it was yesterday. In the evening, I sprayed soapy water on the Eastern […]

Starting to Build a New Long Garden Bed

July 13, 2025 On July 7 (Monday), I was heading to the garden when I heard the ratatattat of a woodpecker. I spotted him on the power pole. I couldn’t get a good enough look at him to get a good identification. Bruce and I rode the motorcycle to the bank so it would be […]

The Bat Is Back with a Friend! Bruce Gets the Chipper Running!

July 13, 2025 On July 4 (Friday), we had a busy day around the homestead. Bruce cut many branches from pine number two and I spent a lot of time moving them. Pine number two was the largest and tallest pine that fell, plus it had two full-sized trunks. This was a good use of […]

A Tomato Hornworm Munching Away on the Peppers

July 12, 2025 ***Warning Dog Poop Picture in Post*** On July 1 (Tuesday), I discovered a tomato hornworm had been munching on three of my pepper plants. It had eaten part of some peppers and several leaves down to the stems. I caught it in the act of munching and sentenced it to death by […]

Butterflies and Blackberries

July 12, 2025 On July 1 (Tuesday), I checked the garden. I saw a Hackberry Emperor butterfly on the inside of one of the garden beds. The okra plants had baby okra and beautiful flowers. I walked to the north fence and picked blackberries. I saw this beautiful common buckeye butterfly on a blackberry. I […]

Walking Down to the Mailbox

July 11, 2025 On June 30 (Monday), we enjoyed our walk down the driveway to the mailbox. We saw several of our neighbors’ cows underneath the Bardford pear tree. Butterflies fluttered on the driveway as we walked down to the mailbox. Later in the day, I took some pictures of my bucket garden. I checked […]

Bruce’s Birthday Dinner

Dinner Party Menu from June 29, 2025 Appetizers Charred Shishito Peppers from the Garden Salad Greek Tomato, Cucumber, and Pepper Salad from the Garden Dinner Boilded Corn Roasted Potatoes Grilled Porterhouse Steak with Lemon Pepper Butter Dessert N/A

Married to an Older Man Now!

July 11, 2025 On June 29 (Sunday), Bruce turned 61. I am now married to an older man until November! We had a busy day on Bruce’s birthday. In the morning, I checked on the garden. I was pleased with how well the watermelons were growing. As I looked at the zucchini plant, I noticed […]

Fried Squash and Squash Blossoms

Have you ever wondered if you could do anything with all the large squash blossoms? I love them fried to a crispy crunch. Serves 4

Turkey Flock Beside the Road

July 8, 2025 On June 27 (Friday), I had a follow up doctor’s appointment in Florence, AL. On the way home, just south of the Singing River Bridge, was a flock of wild turkeys next to the road. I tried to get a picture of the flock, but fumbled the phone. I did manage to […]