I finished the Winter Woodland Magpies by Silver Linings Originals. So I’m linking up with Elm Streets Another broken weather record
This is an interesting year. We had a record rainfall this spring and now another broken weather record with today’s heat. It reached 96 which beat the 86 record 11 years ago. Many in this area don’t have air conditioning because it would only get used maybe 5 days a year. For us, that isn’t worth the expense. Beside which if you have a daylight basement which is common in this area, it is cooler there. My studio is on the lower level, so I spent some time there today, and actually had to come up to the main floor to warm up.
Between the rain this spring and the early and higher temps, the gardens and weeds are not on a predictable cycle. In fact, this is the most out of control weed season we have had. Some of us have had trouble with a few seeds not germinating and/or growing as we are used to them doing. Nature likes to keep us guessing. Yesterday, we did pick our first tomatoes from the hoop house. They were a smaller variety, but oh, how good the vine ripened tomatoes are.
For lunch today we had a red, white, and blue potato salad. The blue are potatoes from the garden this spring. Red peppers were in the freezer from last years harvest and the white was tofu. It was good and there will be enough for another meal.
We do enjoy sitting in the pasture with the dogs and sheep. At least when we aren’t trying to keep everything watered. It’s a lost cause with the weeds.
Gym, dogs, groceries and heat
I was off to the gym this morning and when I returned, it was to a mind exercise. I had to trick the dogs into going into the upper pasture that is now secure so they would be with the sheep. They’d so much rather be close to the house. So I felt that I had exercised both the body and the brain.
Then it was time to read email and download the grocery freebie. Our grocery store offers a free item every Friday. It can only be downloaded on Friday. Often it is something we don’t use, so I pick it up and it is always welcome in the food collection basket at the church. Some of the items are things the grandchildren will enjoy – like the gummy bears.
By then it was lunchtime. So that accomplished, I went to the grocery store and bought some petunias for the front yard as well as the few groceries. Petunias always look so happy. I will try to get them planted Monday, because it is forecast to be in the 90s for Saturday and Sunday. So I’ll leave them in the shade until I plant them.
Does heat encourage you to take a siesta? We did and then it was time to feed animals again. I am not complaining about the heat, but I do go just a bit slower. The weather is certainly not typical as June is often a very rainy month. These are August type days. So I just keep watering and try to keep up with the most important things and my sewing/quilting has to take a back seat, just as the plants did during the winter.
Grandson’s visit
The grandson’s visit was a treat. The weather was perfect, with the sun shining, and for a bit we sat on the deck and visited with our daughter while they went into the pasture to visit with the pond, the geese and the new ducklings. (tragically, there are now only three). Then I took them (they are nearly 12 and 13+). up to the barn so they could help catch sheep and read number tags. They had a lot of fun doing that. Of course whenever we have to catch sheep, it is a circus which the boys enjoyed. The Cormos don’t mind, but the Shetlands do not want to be caught.
The tomatoes took some time, because they haven’t had all the attention they needed, but they now are standing straight without suckers. The cucumbers are trying to take more space than I have allowed them, so they need at least every other day attention. The rest of the plants in the hoop house are doing what they are supposed to do, except for the beans which need to be replanted. I’m not sure why they didn’t want to grow.
Later today, the fence was electrified and the dogs tested it. No, they didn’t get shocked as they are smarter than that, but they pushed over a weak fence post. It is now repaired and time will tell how long it will take them to figure out a new way to go visit neighbors.
The garden is watered and has the added attraction of slug bait, since the slugs have eaten all the squash and pumpkin plants. Sometimes It is difficult to keep up with everything that needs doing.
Summer solstice
Summer Solstice! My life seems to run in cycles – crazy fast and hectic at times. At other times, like now, it is a bit more restful. Today, I attended a class on beekeeping. Yesterday, I spent time relaxing outside. It’s too nice to be in the studio, and it seems summer doesn’t last very long. By mid July, it will be time to start the winter vegetable seeds. The watering season may be about to start although it is still a bit early for that.
Tranquility, ducks, and hoophouse
The pond is drying up, but I still love being on the deck taking all this in. The last two days, this scene has been a place of tranquility for me. The temperatures have been good, with just the slightest bit of breeze as I sat on the deck and took this in. It is so peaceful in a world that isn’t.
Mother duck did a great setting job and today she was off the nest just long enough to show me these 5 cuties.
And then it was time to pick a few strawberries for DH.
I got a bit carried away planting lettuce this spring. It’s the first time I actually planted enough and then I planted too much.
And once again, there is a tomato jungle. I only put in 12 plants and then the volunteers started coming up like crazy. I have a difficult time throwing them out, and the next thing I know is there a jungle in there.
Here is some Swiss chard, celery, and walking onions.
In the front are watermelons, then individual sized cantaloupe. Further back, are the zucchinis. On the other side of this row we will be planting winter broccoli and cauliflower and cabbage. Across the back are currently some potatoes, that will be coming out soon to make way for the beets and carrots.
Sunbonnet Sue #1 is quilted
Sunbonnet Sue #1 is quilted and ready for binding.
In this photo on the left, you can see the daisies. I used this Rainbow thread from Superior for the top and a prewound So fine for the bottom.
It was a gorgeous day, in which I was able to be outside part of the day just enjoying the lovely weather. The new sheep are all coated and the baby shots are finished for this year. The garden is fertilized. It was a wonderful day.
Happy Father’s day and birthday
It was a “Happy Father’s day”
And a “Happy Birthday”. These towels, I embroidered as a requested birthday gift.
Sunbonnet quilting
Not only have I decided on a pattern for the Sunbonnet quilting, I actually have begun the quilting. It isn’t the pattern that was #1 on my list, but I went with the second idea of all these little daisies and I like it. Maybe I’ll squeeze a bit of time on Father’s day to finish the quilting. Then I want to put something in her hand, but haven’t decided on that yet. After spending the morning at the eye doctor and another appointment, I very much needed to do something creative and was happy to have this quilt ready to go. It feeds the soul to work on something pretty.
I picked a few strawberries today, but I am not happy with the quality, so I may pull them at the end of the season and put new ones in next year.
I also managed to get in a quick trip to the grocery store and pick up the chicken for the dogs, get it in ziplock bags and freeze it.
This very full day has come to an end and so have we, so I’ll say, Shabbat Shalom and have a terrific Father’s day this week end. Those of you with families, love and cherish them.
