Secret Painting

So, I am working on a secret, commissioned painting and I cannot risk releasing any information about it so that the recipients(or anyone else) don’t see it and ruin the surprise.

Secret Painting Video

Instead, I’ll share some pictures from my organic farm and a recent family visit.  Plus, a bonus recipe to naturally repel critters from your garden produce.

4th of July Celebration

So, I took a mini vacay to Michigan to celebrate the 4th of July with extended family.  One morning entailed a three mile run/power walk (I don’t run on asphalt) and at the end I asked if anyone was up for a session of yoga.  And many said, “YES!”.  So we did a few Sun Salutations, Downward Dogs, Planks, Tripods, Lunges, Warriors, Twists, and more.  Ending with a Childs Pose.

Then, I and one of my cousins decided to end with 15 minutes of meditation.  The cacophony of singing birds and children playing in the pond filled the background for a very peaceful, relaxing session.  

I had a chance to share my celery juice and green smoothies and organic salads amongst the vast spread of food provided, to a great extent, by the hostess, my sister.  Everyone pitched in and helped with grilling, food prep, and running to the store for more food.

One evening, we watched a movie on a outdoor screen stretched between two trees alongside a huge bonfire.  Too cool.  Saturday evening was capped off with a boatload of fireworks.

A lovely weekend celebrating the 4th of July with family.  I hope you were able to celebrate with friends and family as well.

Garden

My garden has had it’s challenges and rewards this year.  This spring, I repaired my deer fence and added a 2′ chicken wire fence along the bottom to keep out the box turtles and rabbits.  Well, the critters have still found a way in.  One day, I arrived at the garden gate to be greeted by a box turtle wanting OUT!  How he got in, I don’t know.

They were loving my broccoli, green beans, cucumbers, and sweet pea plants.  So I made up a garlic hot pepper spray that seems to be working to slow them down.

Simple, All Natural, Garlic-Hot Pepper Spray to Repel Critters Recipe

• 1 gallon water
• 10-12 hot peppers, chopped fine, or 5 T dehydrated pepper flakes
• 10 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
• 1 t. olive or vegetable oil

Simmer peppers, garlic, and water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cool.  Allow to sit and marinate for 24 hours.

Strain the peppers and garlic out.  Layers of cheesecloth work well and can be washed and reused.

Place the liquid in a gallon jug that can be sealed.

Add the vegetable oil and stir or shake.

Apply with a fine mist from a sprayer.  Apply after a rain or every 3-5 days without rain to remain effective.

Big yummy garden salad

Just made a big salad tonight with broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, onion chives, zucchini, basil, thyme, mint, and wild picked greens from the garden.  Wild black raspberries and blueberries have been a staple the past three weeks.  So wonderful to have fresh picked, organic, garden produce.  Nothing better.

I also pick a big bowl of wild edibles every day for my green smoothies and salads.  They are super yummy, extraordinarily nutritious, and easy to grow.  Although, the deer seem to love lamb’s quarters, dandelions, and purslane.  I have to keep those in my fenced garden areas if I want any.

Short Reel From My No Till Garden

 

Wild Edibles and My No Till Garden

Purslane

This lovely succulent that looks like a star burst is Purslane, a delicious wild edible chock full of nutrients you won’t get anywhere else.  There is also some Pennyroyal, the little round scalloped leaves, in the picture.

Cabbage, Tomatoes, Garlic Chives

The wild edible, Pennyroyal, fills the aisles.

Short video demo about my Stihl battery powered lawn mower.

A couple of years ago, I got a great Stihl, battery powered mower that is so easy to start and use that I can actually use the catch basket for grass clippings.  The old gas mowers I always used were impossible to restart if I stopped to empty a basket.  So I just kept going without a basket.  With the Stihl, I get two basket fulls on one charge.  Then I use the clippings as mulch on the gardens.

Online Summer Exhibition and Sale.

Be sure to visit the Online Summer Exhibition and Sale.  I am not sure how long I will leave it up.  Maybe until mid-August which will be here sooner than we think.  After that, I’ll be getting ready for a heavy, fall show schedule.  You can peruse and purchase directly from the website or plan a visit to the studio/gallery and see the paintings in person.  Arranging a home visit where I bring a selection of paintings to try in your home and work spaces is really fun, too.  Sharing art with everyone is a passion so don’t hesitate to reach out and let me know what will work best for you!

I need to get back to work on the secret painting.  So, that’s it for today!

I love and appreciate you very much!  I hope you are having a fabulous summer!

Happy trails,

Charlene

P.S.  If you come to the studio/gallery, I would love to give you a farm tour complete with a wild edible identification tour and a sample green smoothie.