Where Have You Been?

Hello, friends!  I am so sorry I have deserted my blog!  To be honest, I have just been uninspired.  In the midst of being uninspired, my dear husband thought it would be a good idea to order a bunch a sod with no forethought as to how to keep it all living.  The reason for wanting to put it out was very valid.  Each time he cuts grass weeds, the dust is horrible!  He can hardly breathe.  He is also hoping the aggressive growing grass will choke out some of the weeds.  BUT, I have been so tied to that sod!  I am guessing the sod is spread over an acre, and it has been so much work to keep it alive.  The ants have also had a hayday with my feet!

I am standing on the first piece of sod, and it stretches to the back edge
of the shop.

These are the pieces that get neglected the most since it is so hard to wind that heavy hose uphill back onto the reel when I am done.  Lazy, huh?  :)

This is the view from the other side of the house.  You can
see how the older, established sod is struggling since we
have had to cut back on watering it to water the new sod.
Thankfully, the established sod is on a sprinkler system!

That is just in the back yard.  The sod is also around the barn.

This sod stretches back to the pig pen.  All of this sod has to be watered by hand.  I thought a lot of this was going to die, and I have had to start watering it twice a day.  Notice the sand.  It does not hold water at all. That is the reason so much watering is required right now.  Once the sod is well established, and the roots are deep, so much watering will not be necessary unless we go through another dry spell.

The sod squares are spaced out with the hopes that they will eventually grow together.  This is a method my husband used one other time on a much smaller scale using small plugs from already established sod.  It worked, but it did take time and patience.

Each morning, watering begins around 7:00 and continues to around 11:30 when the sun is too high, and it is too hot.  Then, in the evening, water resumes around 4:30-5:00 until around 9:00-9:30.  The funny thing is that last year the area we live in was in an exceptional drought.  Well, we have had so much rain that drought was declared over.  In fact, the two or three weeks leading up to putting it down, it rained two or three times a week.  Since we put it down over two weeks ago, it hasn't rained more than a few drops!  We have very bad timing, huh?!

So, now you know where I have been.  :)  I am still here, though!  There have been a few good things to come from all of this.  I have started trying to lose weight.  Having to get up and water has made it much easier to get motivated to move.  Being in the sun a little everyday has given a hint of color to my pale face and arms.  Lastly, spending so much time alone outside in quiet has given me the chance to enjoy God's blessings in nature.  Having time to observe all those blessings has given me time to thank him for all he has done for me and given to me.  For every situation that could be viewed as bad, there is always opportunity to look for and see the good!

What projects do you have in progress?  I would love to hear from you!

Until we meet again, may you be blessed!