Farm Photo Friday (June 2, 2017)

Welcome to Farm Photo Friday at LL Farm.

These pictures show  the 'real life' stuff that is going on during this busy season on our homestead.

All of these pictures were taken on my cell phone and have not been edited.

Warning!  I didn't even crop out the weeds.  ;-)

Deck With Corner Pergola

Finally, I give to you...the deck with corner pergola!

I know, I know, it's about time I finished the finale of this 4 part series.

If you missed them, or you forget, you can read about the process here:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Starting Sunflower Seeds In Eggshells

Why wait to plant seeds outside?  You can start sunflower seeds today, right inside your home.

Tall, beautiful sunflowers are a welcome sight around my chicken coop and run.

The sunflowers add a burst of color to our landscape and some needed shade for my ladies.

Although sunflowers grow fairly quickly, I just don't want to wait.  So, I got a head start this year, and you can too!

Read How To Start Sunflower Seeds In Eggshells  and the best time to start seeds indoors here.  It is my recent article for Community Chickens.

No expensive pots or lights are needed!

And please, gain some knowledge from my past failure.  I certainly have.

Happy Spring Planting! 

The Traveling Lilac Bush

It all started twenty some years ago...

I purchased my first home over twenty years ago.

In the yard was the most beautiful, big, fragrant white lilac bush.  

A start of that lilac bush has traveled with me throughout the years.

I have planted, nurtured, and watched a piece of that original lilac bush grow many times over.  

This is my fourth property to have a start of that lilac planted.

Starts have also been given to friends and family throughout the years.

Its growth and beauty never fail.

This picture is from my parent's property.

This beauty had humble beginnings...

It was just a start, many years ago.

We have been having quite a mix of weather this winter...

Frigid cold with snow.
Ice and sleet storms.

Chilly rain with high winds.

Warm, Spring like temperatures.
Only to be followed by cold again.

This tender start is just 1 1/2 years old.

She is excited, yet confused...

She has started to bud.

I had a little talk with her, explaining that she needed to continue to rest for a couple more months.

She doesn't need to be budding yet...it's not time.

I blew her a kiss and told her that I would welcome her with open arms in the Spring.

I hope she takes my advice to rest a little while longer.

Deck Progress (Part 3 of We Are Building A Deck)

Yep, we are still at it!

Handy Hubby works on the deck in his spare time (and when the humidity is not 950 degrees).

A lot has been done since my last update... 

We Are Building A Deck (Part 2)

Handy Hubby worked on the deck some last week in the evenings and more this past weekend.

Let me just say it has been  H-O-T...we're talking temps in the 90's!

We've also had some rain out days and a busy life...

Here's a recap of what was accomplished since I last shared:

We Are Building A Deck (Part 1)

We are finally getting around to building our back deck.

Four years ago when we were building our home, the deck is something that we decided to not do at the time.  The money (and time) was used for other things in the home and on our homestead.

Over the years, it was two things that never seemed to line up for us to do this DIY project...

Time 

and 

Money

One or the other (and sometimes both) seemed to be an issue.  Well...we are diving into it!  

We are building a deck.

Now I know what you're probably thinking...

the bird bath on top of the aerator system and the dog box look just fine right?  ;-) Ha!

The plan (which is in our heads) has been discussed and decided...

A Young Landscape

Our front landscape is still young.  It's a work in progress (aren't most things around here).

My original plantings (oh, those holy bushes) were ruined the first winter.  Last year I shared with you how I LANDSCAPED THE CHEAP AND FREE WAY.  This year I thought I'd share how the front landscaping is looking this Spring.