Finally, the Weekend

I am so glad it's Friday.  I am really ready for the weekend.  Nothing really major happened this week, but it has dragged out so much.  It's just after 3:30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, and I am exhausted.  I wish I had a nap today.  I'm guessing an early bed time tonight.  It's gonna be a busy weekend.  I haven't had much time at home the last few weekends.  Three weeks ago was Christmas, two weeks ago was New Years.  Christmas was at my parents', and I had planned to stay home for the new year, but went to take care of gimp Dad and sick Mom.  Last weekend I had drill with the army reserves.  So this weekend will be try-to-catch-up weekend.  My nephew had a birthday last weekend I couldn't make it to because of drill.  I ahve another nephew having a birthday this weekend.  I'll be there because it will be at Pizza Inn just down the road from my house.  But the list is long of things to get done.  Mike is smoking a Boston butt roast for Saturday.  I want to drain and clean the fish tanks.  Max needs a hair cut.  I will probably (try) to move a dresser and rearrange clothes this weekend.  The list is endless.  But next weekend I will be flying to Orlando, Florida for a Yellow Ribbon Campaign for the army.  It's mainly a suicide prevention class, but they also hook up those who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with resources for benefits, school, employment assistance, etc.  If I pass this Physical Training test next month (that reminds me, I have to run tonight) I will probably be going to school in South Carolina at the end of next month.  Wow!  My plate is full! 
Mike was talking to farmer last night.  He was over visiting when I got home from work.  They were discussing the up coming planting season and (what else) chickens.  He's got Mike hyped about it all!  He wants to make some sort of business out of it all.  He wants to plant peppers for vinegar sauce, and other veggies to sell at the market.  Not to mention, breeding chickens to sell.  Oh, breathe........I need prayer!  LOL 
Well, got lots to do.  I'll try to get my camera from my mom this weekend at the party.  Everyone have a great weekend!

Flora

My garden didn't do as well as I hoped it would this year. But it's my first real garden that

wasn't in containers. My canteloupes did fairly well. They just took forever to grow. This is one of my ripest melons, and it's not quite ready to pick. I didn't care for canteloupes when I was younger, but I love them now. My grandma loved them, and now that she's gone I think it has something to do with my liking them now.

My banana peppers were planted late, and they are just now putting out peppers. I haven't even had any yet. This is one of the first. I will be picking it this week. I love to put them on my salad.

My watermelons did okay, too. I planted seven plants and six survived. One is still pretty small with only a few leaves on it, but it didn't die!! They were slow growing, too. This is my largest one, that ain't ready for a picking yet. Soon, though. It's a Jubilee. I hope it's nice and sweet. It will be great for a Saturday afternoon cookout with my nephews and nieces.

My jalapenos did great! One plant put out peppers later than the others. But that's because it just kept growing! It's not huge by any standards, but it is larger than the others. Mike makes these great jalapeno popper things. Slice a jalapeno in half. (canned, pickled jalapenos work, too, and are not as hot.) Scoop out the seeds. Spoon in a little bit of cream cheese. Cover with a raw shrimp. Wrap with a piece of bacon. Grill on the grill or bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the shrimp and bacon are done enough! I love these things!! They are great right off the grill or out of the fridge, cold!!

This is one of my sad (also planted late) straight neck squash plants. I have neglected that end of the garden. All the grass and weeds have grown up around them and my cucumbers. My okra is okay, but I still don't have any okra yet. I planted my crook neck squash early, and thy have fizzled out. That is, the ones that the worms didn't kill. My tomatoes have not faired well, either. Worms got them, too. :(

This is my garden partner. Prissy loves to follow me out to the garden. She hides in the grass, then jumps out and runs down the rows. She also loves to pounce on and eat all the bugs. I have never seen a cat that loves to eat bugs as much as she does. That's why I sometimes call her Silly Cat.

Well, I better get my nose back to the grind stone. It's a wonder I even have a nose left, as much as I keep it there. Why do people say that, anyway? Why would anyone even put their nose on a grind stone? Well, y'all have a good day, and I will see you all on the flip side of blog world.