Garden finally planted

A bit late on the blog post, but finally got veggies planted. I have peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and planted some pepper seeds.

Also have spinach, lettuce, basil and parsley planted by the house.

Saya hanged with me while I planted mainly looking under the shed for animals and then lay on the dirt for a bit.

Few days later something ate one of the broccoli and so I had mom get pepper spray. We always forget the spray when we buy these plants..

So far three broccoli have been chewed on three are OK. I have the pepper spray on them so hopefully the rabbit or whatever animal stops.

I want to fence the whole garden eventually make it easier on keeping rabbits out.

I cute some of the spinach for egg omelatte and it tasted pretty good with it. Can't wait for the lettuce and spinach to grow good so can have it as salad.

finally gotten decent picture of the crawfish in the hole. They usually go down it pretty quickly.

The holes are not even in by the pond its on the side of the yard that stays bit more wet.

tilled the garden

this pic is before picture haven't taken a after.. I tilled it today dad was supposed to till it, but he is horrible about not doing things he says he will do. He said he'd take care of the weeds at the house for my mom, but it been a week so I had to do it along with other chores I do. Laundry, dishes, weeding the garden and keeping house clean. Bah.

Ah well I kinda prefer it that I do the stuff as I know it'll be done 100%.

The garden looks great all tilled up and just need get plants and seeds to grow. Sadly Grandpa took a bit of turn for worse and had a small stroke which affected him a lot.

When we went to see him he was pretty much paralyzed, then was able to move right leg and squeeze right hand, but left not so good. Then he started to moan like he was trying to talk.

By the time he was moved from ER to main hospital he looked better and could semi talk some and moved left arm and legs better.

It has been a few days and he's much better. Day before Yesterday he passed his swallow test so he could eat pureed food, but still some weakness so he needs to work on strengthening his muscles in his neck.

My mom is pretty tired due to this so we haven't gotten anything to plant for the garden.

Staying at the hospital for 7hours in two days in a row will do that to you.

Anyways hope he gets better.

I plan to cook some deer brats and broccoli maybe some potatoes too for dinner should make mom feel better having a yummy meal.

Saya had honest kitchen zeal today she really liked it so far she does good with it as a snack or meal..

This week I plan to order some beef thymus as I'm out of it and if we go to the farmer's market I'll probably get some beef heart and tongue and lamb kidney if they have it.

I still got decent amount of boneless meat and bone in so mainly need a bit of organs..

Hard work still to come

                                       Today had nice short walk and brought camera pretty flower growing here.

Day before I finally got all the weeds pulled out in the veggie garden and then I burned the dried weeds and dried grass from mowing. Once all the way burned I raked the ashes then spread coffee grounds and finished compost.
Lot of work! I then put the compost that is still composting into the other compost bin I just emptied.
I layered it with dried grass and leaves I saved. layer of compost then layer of grass and leaves and then compost and so on..
Turning the compost helps it compost better also mixing dry items like dried leaves and grass is good if you add too much wet green stuff like fresh grass clippings, fruit, veggie scraps or whatever can't be good.
A good mix of both green stuff and brown stuff is important.

I could be wrong on that, but that's what I've read.

Amazing how the finished compost looks so nice and rich. Before it's banana peels, Jack O lanterns from Halloween, corn husks, dried leaves, ash from burn pile, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and various other scraps from cooking and stuff.

The unfinished stuff I turned was looking good still not fully composted yet, but now I turned it should help.

I plan to get third compost bin can never have too many haha.

It does help keep trash low as any veggie, fruit scraps and coffee grounds goes into it and not the trash. We also add egg shells too.

recent close up of Saya's black tongue spot it's tiny bit bigger..

Saya had good short walk it's gotten pretty warm recently and Saya finally decided to blow her coat few days ago so she is getting nice brushing sessions.

About time too for while she has kept her winter thick coat so she gets bit hot in this warm weather.

Saya spotted a squirrel up a tree it stayed up there doing squirrel things.

Saya was on leash for most part of the walk and on the way to home I took it off she followed and looked up at the tree and stared.

She's into squirrels and has chased and treed them three times and one of the three times she caught up to the squirrel and had a bit of combat with it, but the squirrel fought back and it got to the tree for safety.

She's doing good about not chasing when told not to, but squirrels are pretty dumb even with her and Bella walking in the yard with bells on the squirrels sometimes wander in. Most times they stay away maybe they forget the dogs are there when they come over. hehe

Veggie garden fully weeded and stuff just need to till it up.  I have to weed the pebbles by the house. Dad kept saying he'd do it, but hasn't for week and the area looks yucky..

I'm taking break for a bit since I did heavy lifting on compost and pulling weeds at the garden.

Can't wait to get the weeds in order I wish dad would have helped as I still have weeds to pull in the garden by the apples and blueberries..

Yesterday Saya has had the honest kitchen zeal food and so far she loves it and still no stomach issues.

Today she fasted except for some treats and tomorrow she'll get yummy pig head.Well yummy according to Saya.

Saya approves of zeal

Today Saya had belt fish for breakfast and after our walk I got tiny bit of the THK:Zeal food for nice snack also added in couple spoonfuls of caned mix of caned salmon, sardines, dog food and cooked veggies and two eggs all mixed together.

I'll give her just a snack of zeal tomorrow to see how she likes it alone. From the smell of it hydrated it smelled fine I seen some people complain of the zeal stinking like fish, but I didn't find it too bad.

I mean it's fish formula what do you expect plus can't be too bad..

Saya seemed to enjoy it and she ate it up.

Today is pretty cloudy and cool, but sun comes out once in while. I played with Bella and worked on recall some and she ate dinner. I plan to weed the garden some more had to take a break because it started to rain a decent bit, but now it has stopped so I plan to continue weeding almost have it done.

Saya enjoyed laying in the grass and exploring things.

I hope weather continues to do well.

Tomorrow Saya will get a small boneless steak about 2 or 3oz and bone in dove breast. Yummy. :)

The honest kitchen zeal

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

No camera at the moment mom has it in Louisiana.. Taking pictures of the trip, baby, and alligators.. hehe

Well few weeks ago I got Honest kitchen zeal the 10lb box had $10 off coupon by doing a survey for honest kitchen. It is valid from April 15 - May 11.

Well tomorrow is May 11th.. I wanted to post about the survey sooner, but got a bit busy.

The formula I fed before was Love I liked the ingredients, but now that I been feeding it for while I decided to try different one and Saya loves fish.

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Ingredients

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis

• Protein, 35.50%
• Fat, 8.50%
• Fiber, 5.80%
• Moisture, 8.90%
• 437 calories per cup

- See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Ingredients:All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein, 35.50%
Fat, 8.50%
Fiber, 5.80%
Moisture, 8.90%
437 calories per cup






Ingredients:All ingredients dehydrated: Beef, sweet potatoes, potatoes, organic flaxseed, organic coconut, parsley, dandelion greens, papaya, cranberries, pumpkin, honey, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Protein, 31%
Fat, 18.5%
Fiber, 7%
Moisture, 7.8%
514 calories per cup

I mainly feed raw and I don't plan to feed full kibble or honest kitchen, but I do enjoy having it on hand in case of power outage or need to travel for long time, camping or something.

It makes nice quick meal if I'm in hurry or small meal. I usually feed it alone or add either caned fish(sardines, mackerel, salmon), egg, ground meat, liver, or kidney.

Bella who is kibble fed I use it as kibble topper reduce bit of the kibble and give bit of the honest kitchen so far both Saya and Bella do well on the love formula stomach wise.

I'm sure they'll do fine with zeal. There is a bit of love still around so I plan use it up before starting the zeal as small snacks to get Saya used to it.

Well grandpa went to the hospital for a day or two he's back in the home, but I'm not sure exactly how he is doing, but he is pretty weak from what I heard.

My uncle had to take him for doctor visit this was before he had go back to the hospital for the stay..

My uncle was like I can't believe how weak he has gotten!

Well if you would visit him more often then you would believe my mom that he is getting worse.. Ah well. I really hope my two uncles help out and I hope he recovers, but I dunno how much he will recover.. :\

Today 5/10/2013 I'm now a aunt.. My older brother's wife gave birth to baby girl name Amelia. Named after Amelia Earhart. From pictures I seen Amelia looks so adorable!

I wish I could have gone, but no way due to leaving the dogs home.. They'd not get walks they need daily or none at all.

Eventually my brother will visit and might bring the baby once she is bit older.

All ingredients dehydrated: Haddock, whiting, sweet potatoes, eggs, organic coconut, organic alfalfa, apples, pumpkin, parsley, cabbage, bananas, salmon, cranberries, garlic, rosemary extract, tricalcium phosphate, choline chloride, zinc amino acid chelate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, potassium iodide, potassium chloride, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate. - See more at: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/zeal#sthash.H43gvLuF.dpuf

Cost of things in April

Pear blossoms.

• FOOD: $3.99
• TREATS: $0
• ACCESSORIES MISC: $0
• VET/MEDICAL: $178.98

TOTAL: $182.96

Food:Bought a pack of pacific saury it was kind without the head and organs. I plan to try cooking one or two and give the rest to Bella and Saya. four fish in it so not bad price.

Found nice looking recipe for this kind of fish so I'm interested in trying it plus lots of asparagus growing in my garden so free veggies to have with it.

Treats:No treat purchases this month I'm down to one bag of fish fudge so I'll make some soon which I have all ingredients so no cost to buy anything.
Accessories: No toys or accessories yet

Vet/Meds:Vet visit went fine Saya got weighed(21.60lbs)
Complete physical exam:$42 used to be $31 or $35 last visit guess things gone up.
DHLPP:$20
Rabies:$34
HW Ag/Lyme,Ehrlichia Test:$38
Heartguard Sm 6months supply:$40.98
Fecal test for parasites were gone, but paid for it already from last visit forgot price..

I think I'll be changing vets soon as service isn't as good. The staff are good with the dogs, but with listening to the owners they are lacking in it.

The receptionist asked if we wanted to give lyme vaccine, k9 influenza shot, bordetella plus the rabies and DHLPP..

I said I don't want to give those just the rabies..

The lady said OK.

I see the vet brought in rabies vaccine and another type of vaccine it was the DHLPP which I asked if she could just get the Rabies as I'm following the AHHA vaccine protocol guidelines.

"Revaccinate 1 yr after initial vaccination
and then at 3 yr intervals with
a 3 yr rabies vaccine as
for pet animals as long as the
dog remains in the facility."

 I figured the vet having AHHA accredited would mean he would know what I meant.

He went on how I'm wrong and not vaccinating at all is bad and how parent's are doing the same with their own kid's etc.

Since I haven't bought a tick/flea preventive in long time from them he asked if we need any.

I told him about Saya having reaction to k9 advantix 2 how she lost outer coat due to it. It's now grown back so it's not bad look wise.

He goes why not try vectra 3D. I asked about frontline plus as I wanted to try that to see as she didn't react to that, but ticks didn't die, but maybe it'd work since it's been a few years.

Well they no longer carry frontline plus only vectra 3D he said he uses it on his dogs fine no issues and it's waterproof.

I check the vectra 3d box for Bella as mom wanted to try it, but I opted to wait to research the ingredients and stuff.

Box says water resistant not waterproof says on site OK to bath or swim after product dries, but I dunno.

I didn't get it as Saya had reaction with k9advantix and vectra has similar and some same ingredients that k9advantix have so I didn't feel it was worth trying.

I also have been reading that same company that owners hartz also owns vectra 3D so I'm a bit cautious with that.

I'll probably go try frontline plus from petsmart and make a essential oil spray to put on her bandana as repellant. I know essential oils don't work the best compared to chemicals, but better then nothing and it'll be on bandana so easy to take off and on..

So far haven't had tick issues yet.. Bella seems to get them a lot luckily she has zero issues with tick stuff, and she is short coated and white so ticks are spotted quickly.

I don't know what to do right now I'm still researching things and probably by end of this week get frontline plus to try.

Saya wishes I would let her search for rabbit nest, but not this year..

 Grandpa have been doing bit better he remembered my mom and still a bit confused, but better so that is good.

My mom went down to visit my brother's and to see her first granddaughter be born. She'll be there for two weeks from what I hear she is having fun being with them which is good.

I didn't go since saya wouldn't be able to make this trip, but that is fine. I hope to meet her when she is bit older so maybe she'll remember me a tiny bit..

I think my brother might come up sometime this summer since grandpa has been taking a bit downward spiral with health wise so he can visit him.

Grandpa is in no shape to travel by plane or car. Even when he was healthy and strong he didn't want to go down to visit he was too afraid he would die down there like his wife did..

To me if I was him I'd be happy as he really enjoys Louisiana and loved visiting there. I mean if your going to go might as well go where you love visiting.. If you don't die you had great trip visiting with family.

Anyways I'm glad he is doing a bit better I hope my mom's brothers and sister helps more and visits. All mom and her sister ask for them to visit one day a week not every day just one day the minimum and more if you want to. He enjoys watching TV or talking or sitting in the sun room.

Since he is doing better I've had more time to get things done around the house.

I've mostly been weeding the gardens and keeping yard looking decent.

Coarse soon as I get rid of all the weeds by the roots it fills up after a rain. haha
Country weeds are tough to deal with..

Down pour!

Asparagus in the garden is growing good. Cooked bunch this week and tasted yummy.

I need to fully weed the veggie garden then pour the finished compost on it mix it up and plant some stuff soon. As usual the compost was my dad's project he gave up and I took over and kept it going same for the veggie garden he started big veggie gardens didn't keep it up weeds got nuts despite him saying he can handle it.

I learned to not trust him and do it myself. I prefer to pull the weeds as they pop up not when the weeds fill the garden. too hard of work to do. I rather keep ahead of the weeds..

Coarse I only pull the weeds using chemicals work, but since I plan to plant seeds and small veggies I try to go natural route on weed control.