| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jun 01 2023 : 11:53:04 AM
Howdy from South Carolina! I'm Tara.  My husband and 2 Siamese cats live in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Garden zone 7B.
I named my property Sweetgrass Pond. I love Sweetgrass and want to plant some in this space. I'm going to add a cottage garden to part of small space between side porch and corner of house. I thought I'd bring you along for my journey. This is my project, I'll be doing all the work myself. And this project will take months. I'm waiting on a potting bench to be delivered and that will go under the 2 windows. I have to work around meters, hose reel and cable lines. The 165 gallon pond has been installed in the back yard, 1 of many projects and my husband and I added a small beachy area.  I'll take a picture of the pond and share it with ya'll soon. I'd like to plant flowers in colors of peach, coral, pinks and white
I love seashells, sea turtles, dragonflies and frogs. I can't live at the ocean , but I'm happy to be in the mountains again.
And I may share pictures of other projects or what's happening on the property. Suggestions are welcome for garden ideas..jpg?v 99761409)
Today's good mood brought to you by coffee
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Sep 16 2025 : 1:46:52 PM
Sara, I agree the 2nds make excellent applesauce
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Sep 16 2025 : 12:20:10 PM
Tara sounds like you had a good time. Good job on picking apples. One thing about seconds once canned, dried, or baked in a pie the apples taste great.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Sep 16 2025 : 11:11:31 AM
My husband and I drove along the Blueridge Parkway in western NC yesterday. We stopped here and hiked a trail. The air smelled so fresh and clean. There was a stillness in the air. Along the trail we saw many wildflowers, acorns and interesting rocks and boulders.
Yesterday was a great day to pick apples. We like to visit Justus Orchard in Hendersonville NC, about an hour from our home. The drive is beautiful. We picked half a bushel, 22 pounds. No 2nds this time and we will return in Oct as the 2nds will be half the price.
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Sep 10 2025 : 1:14:16 PM
That sounds wonderful Tara. I love anything pumpkin flavored. The bugs are killing my large pumpkin plant as well. I just hope they can survive long enough to make it until October for the kids.
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Sep 09 2025 : 08:46:19 AM
Cooler weather has arrived. Not for long in SC, we are having a false fall. The cooler weather coming in and I want to bake.
My hubby cut up this pumpkin. I roasted and pureed , got 9 cups. pests took out the pumpkins I was trying to grow. I had to buy 1. I'm hoping neighbors will let me have their leftover pumpkin decor. I'll cook them too. Pumpkin muffins to be baked this weekend
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Sep 05 2025 : 1:00:12 PM
Tara, I am right with you on the crippling heat that has been making up our summer down here in Florida. It is the worst I can remember for over 40 years. At least Ohio will cool down soon. Florida won't cool off till late October or early part of November. We have the forever summer!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| nndairy |
Posted - Sep 04 2025 : 12:56:00 PM
What beautiful pictures!
~Heather
I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. George Washington
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Aug 28 2025 : 5:08:46 PM
Another visitor to my garden
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Aug 28 2025 : 5:02:59 PM
.jpg?v 10761277)
Finally was able to get close enough to photograph a hummingbird
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Aug 04 2025 : 1:56:16 PM
Tara, your tomato sauce looks amazing!
I am growing Big Boy, Large Red Cherry, Super Sweet 100, and Yellow Pear. I harvested my first Big Boy yesterday and we put it on our hamburgers. It was delicious.
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Aug 01 2025 : 4:02:35 PM
Oh the tomatoes look so yummy Tara. How I love homegrown tomatoes and tomatoe sauce with too!
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022
My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean. Lord Byron
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Aug 01 2025 : 3:38:11 PM
I'm excited to have 5- 1/2 pints of seasoned tomato sauce. I can easily turn this into pizza sauce when needed.
Krista, what varieties are you growing?
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Aug 01 2025 : 2:48:02 PM
Your tomatoes look wonderful Tara. My tomato plants are full but they are all still green. I am excited for when they start going red!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jul 31 2025 : 4:56:30 PM
Blessings from the garden. We need rain in SC.
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jul 24 2025 : 11:09:05 AM
Just too hot in SC. I am struggling to keep up with garden. Since yesterday and today I harvested 5 pounds of San Marzano tomatoes. The plants not doing well but I am grateful to get something. I have another 4 pounds of San Marzano in the freezer. If the heat and pests don't destroy more, I should be able to harvest 2-3 pounds by Sat. I will use a few beefsteak tomatoes in the tomato sauce I hope to make this weekend. I have AC but am not feeling up to processing.
My MIL said tomato plants never bloomed. What is wrong with the atmosphere? My MIL always had a plentiful garden.
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Jul 15 2025 : 08:05:25 AM
Bless his heart I hope he gets cooler weather soon. The heat wears a body and soul down.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jul 15 2025 : 07:45:10 AM
Lord Montague 0f Mushroom Limehouse Purrsmore and his opinion about the stinkin' heat
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jul 14 2025 : 12:48:46 PM
Tara, your garden goodies look amazing! I love bringing in all those fresh veggies!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
| nndairy |
Posted - Jul 12 2025 : 12:47:28 PM
Looks wonderful! It's been hot and humid here in OH as well.
~Heather
I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. George Washington
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Jul 09 2025 : 1:16:29 PM
Tara your herbs and veggies are beautiful. Today we have been blessed with low 80s for most of the day and now at 3 p.m. it's 88. Low for Texas in July. I hope your area cools down so you can enjoy gardening again.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jul 09 2025 : 11:11:52 AM
Sara, I feel our summer is rougher than last year.
Garden blessings: .jpg?v 45984114)
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 05:50:33 AM
Tara, I understand about the heat & high humidity doing a number on our bodies and brain. Outside work now is for early mornings and dusk. I don't know if dusk is used anymore, it's when the sun is going down right before darkness.
I've never used store bought apple juice to make apple jelly but I have used it to make jalapeno pepper jelly. I can see where it could be too sweet for apple jelly but your jars sure look pretty.
Sara
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jul 07 2025 : 04:39:55 AM
Where have I been? The summer heat is bothering me more than last year. I am outside early and then inside rest of the day. The heat and humidity make me feel tired and even my brain is too tired to think.
I haven't shared many photos. I'll be more mindful of sharing what is going on here at Sweetgrass Pond July 5th I made apple jelly from store bought juice. A new adventure for me. There is a bit left over and into the frig to enjoy this week. A bit too sweet. The half pints are gifts.
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| lovecatsandsunshine |
Posted - Jun 13 2025 : 12:08:19 PM
My husband and I went hiking last weekend. We went to the Va Creeper Trail in Damascus Va. Hurricane Helene caused major destruction of this trail. The hurricane wiped out the trail from an area known as Taylors Valley. The day was quiet. Also took a few steps on to the Appalachian Trail. We went into down town Damascus to walk around and visit some of the shops. We saw Morgan Wade walking out of a grocery store. She is a country singer and lives in the area. If you want to see the damage look up Beautiful Virginia on YT. My husband and I make a brief appearance about 11:15 into the video named Creeper Trail clean up, Yeti race June 7. That is me in the pink hat across the gorge. We also saw a young bear run out of woods.
Today's good mood brought to you by a lot of coffee!!!
Farmgirl in SC
Farmgirl #8548
FGOTM April 2023 |
| nndairy |
Posted - Jun 01 2025 : 10:37:17 AM
WOW! 10 feet!!! I didn't know that tomatoes could get that tall. Your raised bed looks wonderful.
~Heather
I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. George Washington
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