Hints on When to Plant the Garden

 

Sometimes we get a little warm here in Michigan but really it's still Spring and it's mostly cool weather here.  The frequent question asked on a lot of gardening pages I visit is, when to plant.  They are excited and just can't wait for the fresh vegetables out of their gardens.  With our high temperature  in the mid 50's to low 60's during the day here in our part of Michigan and dipping down into the high 30's and low 40's at night,  it's too cold in my opinion for most plants to thrive, except maybe for some cold weather crops like onions, garlic (planted last fall), lettuce, cabbage, etc.   

No matter where you live one of the main reasons not to jump the gun is because the soil has not warmed up yet for the warm weather crops.  The soil needs to be at 65 to 75 degrees and needs to be somewhat dry.  With our frequent rain our soil here is nothing but mud.  Hint:  If you can make a ball of your soil like we can then it's too wet.  It's hard for seeds to germinate in cold and mud if they do at all.

To combat our gardens wet soil we've decided to put in two raised beds at the back a couple of years ago and we will have two more this year in the front that way we can plant more of the earlier crops.  

So far, I've planted cabbage, marigolds, onions, and garlic.  I'm taking a chance on the Marigolds but they seem to really help with worms on the cabbage.   Sometimes, I take chances.  

Your know my best advice to ask your neighborhood gardener.  They usually will not steer your wrong about when to plant.  Get friendly and you will learn a lot. 

So, when do we plant our warm weather crops in our part of Michigan?  We have a short season and usually aim for Memorial Weekend.  We might be able to plant the week before or we might have to wait for everything to dry and plant the week after, but that is the weekend we aim for.  

Just a couple of more weeks guys and we will be ready!  With the high price of vegetables, we need our gardens and there is no sense in losing our crops.  

I hope no matter where you live this gives you some helpful hints on when to plant. Have you planted yet in your area or are you having to wait a little longer like we have to?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

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Review and Giveaway of Anne Wilson's REBEL CD #REBELAnneWilsonMIN

 

One of Nashville's most inspiring young trailblazers, Anne Wilson is a revolution in modern music. The Lexington, Ky. native, known for her transcendent vocal and down-to-earth storytelling, recently released REBEL, fusing the heart of Contemporary Christian Music with the sound of Country. A bold musical statement with an even bolder message of faith, REBEL features her hopeful, healing debut Country single “Rain In The Rearview” as well as chart-topping Christian radio ballad “Strong.” The genre-bending album follows her GRAMMY-nominated 2022 debut My Jesus, with the title track becoming a PLATINUM-certified No. 1 hit on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart. Since then, Wilson has tallied over 900M global streams, made her Grand Ole Opry debut and wrapped her entirely sold-out headlining My Jesus Tour. Already named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch, one of CMT's Next Women of Country and a 2024 Opry NextStage Artist, she has made high-profile appearances on TODAY and ACM Honors, while earning her first-ever CMT Music Awards nomination, as well as a Billboard Music Award. Unapologetically real, Wilson approaches her craft with a purpose and conviction that sets her apart, declaring, “I am who I am — I'm Anne Wilson. I love God and that's my everything, but I love Country music, too, and I can have a beautiful mix of both.”

You can also listen to Anne Wilson's album here now

REBEL Album Track List:

1. “REBEL” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)

2. “Rain In The Rearview” (Anne Wilson, Matthew West, Zach Kale, Jaren Johnston)

3. “Strong” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)

4. God & Country” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Trannie Anderson)

5. “Praying Woman” (with Lainey Wilson) (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lainey Wilson, Trannie

Anderson)

6. “Songs About Whiskey” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)

7. “Sinner's Prayer” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)

8. “The Cross” (with Chris Tomlin) (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Jonathan Smith)

9. “My Father's Daughter” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Emily Weisband)

10. “Red Flag” (Anne Wilson, Jonathan Smith, Casey Beathard)

11. “Country Gold” (with Jordan Davis) (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)

12. “Southern Gospel” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)

13. “Dirt Roads In Heaven” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Nicolle Galyon, Matthew West)

14. “3:16” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)

15. "Milestones" (Anne Wilson, Nicolle Galyon, Lauren Hungate)

16. "Out of the Bluegrass" (Anne Wilson, Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband)

ANNE WILSON SOCIAL LINKS:

 ● Instagram:

 ● Facebook: 

 ● TikTok:

 ● X:

 ● Website:

My Review:

I love Anne Wilson's powerful voice and lyrics.  She speaks to my heart and I find myself singing along (with the windows closed).  

I think we've all felt the words she has sung.  We have all been there and that's what makes her music so special.  What a powerful message she can deliver!  

GIVEAWAY!  Anne Wilson REBEL Signed CD ● Limited to US winners only. 

● How to Enter: To enter for the chance to win an Anne Wilson REBEL Signed CD, participants must create a post on socials that uses/tags any song from Anne Wilson’s album, REBEL. Post must include #REBELAnneWilson. Post can be on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok. Entrants will include/submit their post link via a field on the giveaway entry form in addition to providing any necessary information the giveaway administrator requires (i.e. name, email, country, mailing address, etc.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: Many thanks to Anne Wilson and Momentum for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Spring! We are on a roll!

 

It's been a beautiful Spring here in Michigan.  It's raining here today so I'm catching up on laundry and cleaning.

The garden was dry enough to plow.  Well, he had a little bit of trouble with the mud but he got it done.  This will help it dry up a lot and we will plow again closer to planting time.

I was able to plant onions in the raised bed in the back this past week.  I bought the onion plants at the farm store two weeks ago and stored them in the fridge till I was able to get back there.  

The greenhouse is getting full.  You see that red planter in front?  It's like a greenstalk.  I bought it at a garage sale for $5.00.

I planted one of the raised beds we bought for $10. this past winter.  I planted some cabbage and marigolds.  We have another one but the chickens have to get out of it before I can plant it.

We've been watching our daughter's dog and the cat is pretty mad about the whole situation.  I can't believe the face my cat can make.  The dog is pretty scared of him, poor thing.

How is it been going at your house?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, Free Kindle books, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Virtual Book Tour and Review for Two Polar Bears by Crystal Beach and a $10 Amazon/BN Giveaway!

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.  Crystal Beach will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

                          Two Polar Bears

                                         by Crystal Beach

What could possibly be better than One Polar Bear? Two Polar Bears! Join this charming polar bear couple as they try to have a peaceful soak in the tub only to be interrupted by four very dirty cubs! This delightful rhyming story chronicles a lovable polar bear family as they go through their nightly bedtime routine. Celebrating individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities, readers are introduced to early learning skills such as bedtime routines and grooming. With fun and humour, this book also helps children establish healthy sleep habits. Two Polar Bears is an entertaining story and a beautiful addition to your child's own bedtime routine.If you can be anything, be inclusive.

My Review:  

What a cute story..family time in the bath tub.  I can just hear the little ones asking for this book over and over.  The illustrations are perfect.

Author Bio:

Crystal Beach is an adoptive mother and caregiver of two adoptive children who have complex medical needs and disabilities. Her children are often represented in her work as strong, caring individuals with special gifts and powers. Her writing projects are intended to ensure financial support for her children's future.

 

Crystal has a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Her focus is in children's literature, publishing, and journalism. She has had many careers including ten years as a MedA with the Canadian Naval Reserve, advertising with a daily newspaper, communications and marketing, training as an EMT, and continued studies in developmental psychology.

 

She and her family live in Regina, Saskatchewan in a simple little house with two giant support dogs.

 

For more information visit www.crystalbeachauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalbeachauthor

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway!  

Crystal Beach will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, Free Kindle books, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Freeze, Frost, Death in the greenhouse, and Meet the Tillers!

 It's been a busy week:  

Wednesday night it came a freeze, not a frost mind you, a freeze.  I think they said it got down to 24 degrees.  You can see in the background of the garden where we desperately tried to  cover the fruit trees with old sheets.  We are short people so this is the best we could do.

Some trees really are too young yet to worry about but the apple and the peach were looking good before this.  Time will tell if are efforts worked.  

This is Friday -we left the sheets on last night for a frost.  I'll take them off later this morning.

The freeze got one of my tomato plants in the greenhouse.  I believe it's because it sits right under the vent. No other plants in the greenhouse were harmed.

That makes two deaths -I also had a cabbage plant also wither and die for some reason. There is life and death in the garden and greenhouse just as in our lives.

The plants in the greenstalk are growing fast.   I picked just enough lettuce to go on our hamburgers a few days ago.  

Meet the tillers.  I let them out to roam the yard and they go out all over the yard but they always end up in the garden, tilling for worms.  This will have to stop once the garden is in.

I made some Keto peanut butter cookies that disappeared fast.  Since this, I've also made some Keto chocolate chip cookies.  

How is it been going at your house?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, Free Kindle books, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog

Book Review: Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

 

                     Miracles at Promise Lodge 

                                                  by Charlotte Hubbard

Returning to the fan-favorite world of Promise Lodge, the small-town Missouri setting for her beloved Amish inspirational romance novels, Charlotte Hubbard charms readers with a Mother’s Day themed tale perfect for fans of Shelley Shepard Gray and Beth Wiseman!

A season of change has blessed the Amish of Missouri’s Promise Lodge, as mothers-to-be anticipate the arrival of their little miracles and one young man’s life is about to take an unexpected turn as he sheds his bad boy reputation and embraces the value of faith and hard work.

Long-time residents of Promise Lodge welcome a wave of newcomers that includes a pretty potter who’s come to help an expectant couple, and a hard-working dairy expert ready to manage the herds on the expanding Burkholder farm. Then there’s Isaac Chupp, the handsome, charming son of a notoriously unyielding Bishop from nearby Coldstream. Isaac has recklessly rebelled against his dat, and his bad boy reputation precedes him. Now he seeks a fresh start, applying for work at Dale Kraybill’s bulk store.

Proving himself reliable while Dale takes off for his wedding trip is Isaac’s bold first step. But more miraculous awakenings may come as he settles into the warm new light of the faithful community. And while Promise Lodge celebrates an abundance of newborns as summer turns to fall, Isaac discovers a kindred soul who has her own share of challenges. In helping her, he just may find his true purpose in loving selflessly, building up, and giving back 

My Review:

The last in the series Miracles at Promise Lodge was a page turner.  A troubled youth Isaac applies for a job thinking no one from Promise Lodge would know of his misdeeds.   He spends a lot of time trying to remake himself.  It proves to be a hard road.

I loved the forgiveness, the second chances, and the hard work of all the charactors.  I also loved the romance, the couples are not who I thought would pair up for sure.  I guess the one part I didn't like is the suggestion of the .. heat in the romance.  I'd rather not hear about that part.

Otherwise a great read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

 Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, Free Kindle books, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog.

**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here).  Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden

This week on the Homefront, Great deals, Spring, and Grilling out!

 

Tulips and daffodils are blooming!   Spring has Sprung and it won't stop raining.  The backyard is just a flood.  It will be awhile before we garden..it's just too wet.

I made my youngest daughter a cake for her birthday. 

 I realized then I no longer had a turntable.  I bought one at a church garage sale today for $1.00.  It came with a bag of cake decorating tips and bags, icing spatulas, and silicone cupcakes holders.  Brand new!  

I picked up two bales of hay on the curb just before trash day.   Man they are heavier than I remember!  I like to use this in betweens the rows of the garden.

We bought mulch for $2.00 a bag at Menard's.   Now to get it done! 

 Although it was windy we grilled out  today.   It was enough for 3 days, steak, hot dogs, and pork chops.

I used my garlic butter I had frozen and we are in love with the taste.  I'll be doing this again at harvest time for sure.

How is it been going at your house?

Thanks so much for helping to support Vickie's Kitchen and Garden**As a Amazon affiliate I earn a small percentage when you purchase items from one of my links (the item doesn't have to be what I have linked here). 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook,and Bloglovin where I share my frugal list, gardening, recipes, Free Kindle books, and more!  You can also sign up for my email list on the top right hand side of the blog