Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[jvls1942]

thanks Barb. we all are hoping for a good new year
our farmer neighbor died on Sunday. he was 89.
I am so glad I went to visit him last week.
one of his sons drove here to tell us about it.
we both moved into this neighborhood at the same time 60 years ago.
on the lighter side, I am researching sourdough.
it doesn't look too difficult.
the big difference is, I am used to coming up with the idea of cooking something that will be eaten the same day. with sourdough, I will have to come up with the idea today and bake it tomorrow. that is ok for bread, but it will take some getting used to with pancakes/waffles..
yesterday I cut up a huge ham. Annie bagged the pieces and put them into the freezer. the pieces are even too big for the two of us to eat.
I left a lot of meat on the bone for making pea soup.

 

[jvls1942]

Happy New Year

 

[Cebarmlds]

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Happy New Year

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 

[Sequel]

Happy New Year!!!

 

[Callender Girl]

Jim, glad you got to see your neighbor. How's the sourdough project progressing?

As tradition dictates, I attended the annual New Year's Day auction and came away with a few small things. I've finally taught myself not to bid on beautiful pieces of furniture that are being sold far too cheaply.

It doesn't help that the auctioneers know me. When I worked at the newspaper, I wrote a column about one of their auctions before I had met them, and David tracked me down because he liked the piece. He, especially, tries to goad me into bidding -- like yesterday when he was selling a gorgeous wood buffet. I told David that he's sold me so much furniture over the years I would have to build an addition onto the house if I bought any more. David said he had no problem with that.

I am debating taking down the Christmas decor, although the weather is finally becoming more Christmas-like. Rain at Christmas just seemed weird.

One of my goals for 2025 is to improve my veggie gardening skills and add one or two raised beds high enough to keep out the bunnies. No strategy yet on keeping out squirrels.

I'd also like a strategy for sleeping through the night. That would be amazing!

Hope everyone's year is off to a good start!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Auctions are nothing but trouble Barb. Too easy to get caught up in it all. My husband almost bought a horse once and he doesn't even like them.

My Christmas decorations are gone. I didn't put much up so it was pretty easy.

I'm eyeballing the strawberry plants in the Gurneys catalog. I might plant another box with them this year. I'm definitely do less tomatoes, so there's room.

I am sick yet again. Hopefully with the holidays over it will be the end of it.

 

[Callender Girl]

Gee, I can't figure out which emoji to use

Sorry you're sick again. But congratulations on getting your Christmas stuff put away.

More strawberries is ALWAYS a good idea. Place that Gurney's order!!

I'm hoping my strawberries have a good year. Last year, all but three plants got destroyed by critters. This fall, those three had thrown a bunch of babies. I mulched and erected a protective dome of hardware cloth. Fingers crossed, the berries will survive.

 

[jvls1942]

i don't know how I missed all of these posts.
I am cau ght up now.
I had strawberries in two beds. all I got was weeds.
I had the containers on the ground and too far away from the house to properly take care of them.
going to cut back on tomatoes this year.
only having six plants. going to plant buttercup squash much earlier than last year.
might plant some pumkins in the compost pile.

\