Friday! Again. Just in time.

Just when one thinks they cannot survive another day...Friday arrives, the week is over, rests is in sight. 

Happy Birthday to Krista! 

Stacia and I were discussing one of those very raw and difficult passages in Genesis when something new took place. Keep in mind twice a week I am in this cafe having Breakfast and Bible study. Our waitress told us she'd like to join our study. She went on to say she was going to talk to her mom about the two of them doing what we do. She said our study seemed interesting. I told her NO, start with something other than the Old Testament. LOL  I told her we'd done the New Testament in 2021. 

We stopped at Freddies on the way home to rectify my repeated error of buying fabric conditioner instead of detergent. LOL  We also stopped at BreZaak's. I picked out some summer outfits out a week ago for them and they have been riding in my car waiting for a chance to drop in. It all started with the cute overalls for Annie...and I couldn't get Annie something without getting the others something. I did skip JoJo as I didn't think he'd care. 

📷by Bre Mission Accomplished - they liked them. 

Look - apple blossoms have joined the cherry blossoms! Maybe we'll get a few apples this year. 

The wild roses are blooming, too! 

About a month ago I made the comment I disliked gardening, and Allie questioned me. She was sure I loved it because I did it, because Michael keeps making and buying greenhouses....When we moved here five years ago I'd not often had a garden - we moved before the habit could take root in those years. I discovered gardens are a LOT of work and there were other things I'd rather do in the summer.  But we have a big space...and if we don't do something with it, it reverts back to a wild jungle of invasive weeds.  Two years ago Dad had surgery and when he came home he needed much more supervision. I discovered having a garden allows me to get outside daily...even when I can't get out for hikes, water play etc.  We've been using Stacia's suggestion of an hour a day together in the garden for a month...and I must say I LOVE gardening when we do it together. I'm not sure if I love gardening or if I love the hour in the garden with Stacia and Allie as her schedule allows. I told Stacia I may be starting to love gardening or maybe it's just the time together. She agreed.  

Today we began to tackle the parts of the garden that are not covered with raised beds. 

People kept telling me to use black plastic to keep the weeds at bay. I don't love doing this. It KILLS everything under it - to include worms....I prefer using cardboard or paper as it will break down and feed the worms and soil BUT,  I can't keep up with the weeds....and so Yes, I HAVE used LOTS of black plastic, and carpet, boxes, roofing tile, paper....anything for a weed barrier...look how well it works. ::snort:: After an hour the above had morphed into this.  We will  plant squash here...the dirt  under the back row of tires won't grow a thing...not even zucchini. Eventually, I'd like to see it terraced with raised beds. The tires are holding the plastic in place. Those little garden clips did not stand up to our wind, so I have rocks, bricks, tree branches and tires throughout my garden. This year we'll probably just keep the weeds at bay and not place a bed back there until we have time to terrace. 

When we have the garden lay out set...I would like to put black plastic on the WALKWAYS between the beds and top that with wood chips.  For now, I laid down plastic here in hopes of killing some weeds while we continue to work on the growing spaces. I'll get back to weeding around the beds again when we have the rest of it under control. 

I'd guess about 1/3 of our growing space is now whipped into shape. LOL  This spot behind the garden house and on up past that big bush in the background and over is "garden" space. Much of that space has carpet under it....carpet has not proven to be effective long term. LOL 

 

Stacia commented on the beauty of the dandelions in the garden. I took a picture as they will soon be gone. If only flowers would grow this fast. 

We pulled a lot of weeds in an hour. I think we're getting good at this. LOL 

I stayed out after the hour to water, transplant some petunias to hanging baskets and generally putter around the place. I checked for sprouts in the beds we seeded on Monday, 4 days ago. The radishes were up almost immediately. Lettuce and the first beets are popping through. These are the swirly, candy cane beet...the Red Ruby Queen doesn't have any sprouts at this point. The packets says 7 - 14 days....so this is hopeful on day 4.  The carrots are still not showing. 

The lettuce planted 2 weeks ago is starting to look like honest to lettuce. I will eat some as baby greens and let some grow into heads. 

Allie and Nolan were both off work today. Nolan spent the entire day in his room finishing up another class - 3 more credits. We've been missing Allie, our unofficial plan was to hit the Friday Fling. It began to rain just as we were ready to leave...the girls suggested Michael's instead. Michael asked me to stop at the feed store for chick grit (which they still don't have). We left to run those two errands. 

Allie drove us home as I was simply too tired to drive. I went to bed and took a lovely nap while Michael grilled steaks and steamed artichokes which they all ate. When one is too tired to eat, one should sleep. 

GG, the four Gherkins and I watched another episode of Obi Wan Kenobi. Michael is a purist. He didn't care for the new Star Trek and he's not going to get into this either. LOL 

We seem to congregate in the entry way. WHY? GG went to bed. Alex was playing video games. We ended up visiting in the entry way. From the top behind the rail, Stacia, Nolan on the stairs, Allie, Michael...I could probably write a book, "Wit and Wisdom from the Entry," based on our shared wit and wisdom. 

It's been a good day. No, I will not always write copiously about the garden, but this is what we do this time of the year.  I am EXCITED I've managed to blog through May and June. We often go silent in the summer.  

Once the garden is in, maybe we'll just need an hour a few times a week and we can make it to the lakes and trails. 

The Day That Went Off the Rails

This day went off the rails, and it started so well. I was surprised when Allie wanted to get up and go ahead with our breakfast Bible study. She's been working late, and I thought she'd opt for sleep. I thought we'd move our outings to lunch studies. LOL We have been working through some Old Testament passages which have led to interesting discussions and a bit of wrestling with a description of "faith."  I keep telling the girls, "These aren't your typical Sunday School stories."  

After study, Allie drove me to the hair salon and then to the bank.  The rest of the day was to include an hour in the garden, lunch, yardwork and work for Allie.  We stopped at the mailbox on the way home and found two package notifications for Allie. She has been eagerly waiting for the one, and the other was her diploma. It had been sent to the post office in Wasilla...and arrived 3 days earlier...we didn't want them to ship it back.  We drove on home, picked up Stacia and Millie and headed to Wasilla.  Millie thinks she must sit up front...though we did get her to ride in the back as the day wore on. 

Our first stop was the Wasilla post office where Allie picked up her high school diploma! 

We were all in the car and decided to stop at a favorite spot...Krazy Moose Subs. We snagged an outside table and Stacia got to work with Millie in this setting. Millie did great. 

We all ate 1/2 of our entree... We didn't order the chips and such. These are yummy. 

Our next stop was OUR post office... The line was LONG. Great was the excitement when Allie dug into this box. Guitar stand, picks, strap, and bag. It was a productive mail call. LOL 

Allie had just enough time to get ready for work, and then she and I left the house again. Michael had asked I buy some of the special laundry soap we need to use; Dad had meds I needed to pick up, and I wanted to buy some moleskin and inserts for Allie's aching feet... I ended up grocery shopping. I came home and discovered, once again, I had purchased "fabric conditioner" instead of fabric detergent. UGH. 

Stacia and I got dinner on the table for those at home. I believe Michael and Alex finished the "weed and feed" treatment on the yard.  Yes, I make salve...but honestly, we have a LOT of dandelions, and this year I'm focused on the garden. 

Weeds are dying! 

We have cherry blossoms. It was 81* today! 

Even though we didn't get the things done we had planned to do, there are some things that must be done every day. One must tend to chickens and chicks. Look how big they are getting. I love the spikey feathers on the top of the "colored egg layers"  - the top right is an example. I'm still so bummed we didn't get all our colored layers. 

The garden and greenhouse plants must be watered. I do truly love to watch watering. LOL 

We have our first teeny, tiny beets popping through the soil...and radishes - always radishes! They are quick... This is the bed planted a couple of weeks ago. The soil is much warmer now which I think is why seeds are sprouting so much faster than they did in the bed below. I actually took the following pictures mainly to show the sunlight late at night. 

Taken at 10:23 p.m.

The basil is going WILD in the greenhouse. I went ahead and trimmed it down, these will soon have roots and I'll plant them back in the planter... or maybe in a garden bed...

Taken at 10:30 p.m. 

I bought this little birdhouse at Friday Fling last year. It was my very first thing to buy for the yard that was simply because I liked it and not because it served a purpose. However, Michael reports a bird has taken up residence inside. I guess it does have a useful purpose after all.  Look at this - I caught the sunset in progress. 

Taken at 11:20 p.m. 

Tomorrow, we'll try again to tame the jungle so we can plant squash and pumpkins. 

Brit Lit Tea Party

Today was THE day to host our End of the Year Brit Lit Tea Party! We finished school on May 1st, but I had ordered a special trinket for the tea and shipping.....

Everyone was home from work today - so before the garden work and such...I got up and made cookies and scones. After the garden work Stacia and I hit the shower and Allie cut up apples, cheese and set out crackers. 

Nolan and Grandpa were using the table.  This turned out to be a great motivator to think outside of the box. I grabbed the china from mom, Gram's old lace cloth and headed outside! I've been dreaming of a garden with a gazebo and a spot to enjoy tea with the girls and/or friends. We are not near ready in the garden...but this table outside the garden was a wonderful start....and now I'm even more determined to create a fun and whimsical garden tea area. LOL 

The yellow Dandelions add a nice pop of color! 

Here they are...I got a set of earrings with the cover of their favorite book from the year. Frankenstein (on the right) for Allie and Hamlet (on the left) for Allie. I chose The Secret Garden. 

Checking out their gifts

The least favorite reads were Gulliver's Travels for Allie and I, and Dubliners for Stacia.  Emma came close to being the least favorite of both the girls. WHUT? They said Emma was incredibly shallow and they had no sympathy whatsoever for her. 

Stacia's favorite Creative Writing assignment was an persuasive essay she authored titled, "Merry Christmas You Joy Junkies!" Allie's favorite assignment was a short story she wrote called, "Dancing on the Pennsylvania Gallows

Both girls liked creating Cento poems. 

The weather was perfect, and our outdoor party was much fun. It was good to sit together and chat about every little thing. We miss Allie now that she is working full time. 

It's Truly Summer

 June 1st and the lilacs and wild roses are blooming! This sight out the window greeted me early this morning.  Note our new-found summer privacy as all the trees, hedges and such show off. 

It's summer!  Michael and I have been observing how summer rushes in all at once in Alaska.  Winter lingers into spring. Spring struggles to break through all the snow, slush and mud...eventually things green up and then BOOM...one looks around and all the trees are full, the road and neighbor's houses have disappeared, the lawn is growing, the weeds are racing away, and the sun never sets. Summers are glorious. 

Grandpa (Dad) and I had a rough night. He was up at midnight, 4, 5 and 6. He was confused and that leads to issues.  He doesn't seem depressed at all, but he told me at 5 to shut the door and proceeded to say he thinks its about time for him to go. I didn't catch on. He often thinks we should be heading up the freeway or out to various barrios as he wakes up. I said, "Dad, where do we need to go this morning?" 

He pointed up and said, "I think it's time for me to go see Jesus and Jan." 

Ah, we talked about our loving Father who numbers our days. We can trust him to determine when it's time to make the transition. I told him as long as we are breathing God has a purpose for us to be here and we weren't going to rush things, but we know the day will eventually come and we don't have to fear it either. It's a moment of victory to cross the finish line. I asked him if he was afraid. He isn't.  There have been times in the past when he has seemed depressed and afraid at the thought of dying. He is neither, but very matter of fact. I encouraged him he may rally and feel like himself after the iron infusion.  That's where we are. He sleeps most the time these days.  Honestly, I can remember several times as a teen when I would get a telegram saying Dad was in the hospital and it looked serious. He always rallies. 

Nolan's shifts have changed to closings again. They seem to move him back and forth every 3 - 6 months...."The morning or closing (fill in the bank) are struggling, we need you to change shifts." We love when he opens. He's home for dinners, it's easier for him to get college completed, he seems to have more times for social outings... anyway, as he shifts his schedule, he came up at 0800 to work on college at the table. I made pancakes for Dad and Nolan agreed to warm them up when Dad was up and ready for breakfast. 

Stacia and I raced across town to take Millie to the groomers. We love the young gal who grooms Millie, but we aren't crazy about the actual cuts she receives. Ah well...I love her long locks...but it is impossible - even with the cool brush and blowing her hair out after baths - to keep it all from matting. They said her legs, body and face were clear of matts...they had to shave her ears and tail. Her tail is like a whip.  I think she looks odd after grooming., all fluffy...I need to google some photos. We are thinking of booking another groomer and seeing if we like the style a bit better...in about 6 weeks, maybe she can go 8 weeks. 

Not happy to pose - "Lets GET OUTTA HERE!"

Millie is always subdued when she gets home from the groomers. The change in her personality is stark. 

Allie was up and working on a few projects when we got home. She stayed inside and kept an ear/eye out for anything Grandpa may need. This allowed her to continue working on what she'd like to do before she headed in to work. Stacia and I made our way to the garden. 

All the things

We planted cucumbers and tomatoes in the garden greenhouse. We'll need to get some trellis' set up, but at least the starts are planted. I've NEVER been successful in growing tomatoes from seeds.  These are at least still alive. We'll see if they get big enough to do anything. I have my doubts and have considered buying a few in buckets to hedge my bet....then I remember...seeds want to grow. Michael is thinking how to get heat to the new greenhouse so I can start things like tomatoes earlier in the season.  This year I planted three kinds of cucumbers - all from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I planted some dragon eggs, because I think the grands may get a kick out of them. I don't need to make a lot of pickles this year, we still have a lot from last year's huge crop. I did want to try some munchers and ordered a packet of seeds. Baker's sent me some free seeds called Beit Alpha which was developed/harvested on a kibbutz in Israel. They are supposed to be good for slicing or pickling...so I planted a bit of all of them to see which we may prefer. 

This bed is all cucumber

I planted Bonny Best tomatoes from Baker's Creek on the left and had more cucumbers so put them in on the right. I'm using the planting guide. I thought this was way too much in these beds...we shall see. Next year I may cut back on cucumbers and add some peppers to the rotation. I don't have any peppers started and so far am avoiding buying lots of starts. I did NOT start zucchini and can't find a plant to buy. I thought we were all sick of zucchini but Stacia would like one hill. One hill they say - that's what I had last year and it still took over. 

At this point the hour Stacia gives me was up and she went inside. I continued to weed all the beds which are planted, water the new beds in, place another garden flag, up-plant the few cucumbers I couldn't find space for and also up-planted six more tomato plants.  I should have probably thrown them out. I never know how many will germinate and so I plant extra...and this year I am ending up with extra of most things...I need to find someone who would like the little starts.  I may continue to let the tomatoes grow, up - plant them a few times and finally put them in containers as there is some space between the beds and the back wall of the garden house... Thinking of seedlings ALL my sunflowers failed to germinate - as well as the green beans. Bummer. 

In other news Stacia reached a milestone today. She completed her novel. I'm not sure how to define or describe the genre...but it's a fun read. It is currently 365 pages long. She said she has to write an epilogue and she's done. I have no idea if she'll let us edit it....I found myself stopping often and saying, "How do you KNOW these things?" as I read. LOL 

Michael started work on the yard and needed to run to Lowes for more supplies. We are trying to weed and feed our entire grassy yard (not the woods, obviously).  I think we need a flame thrower for the devil's club and stinging nettle. We had bought two large bags and he needed to go back for more. He also bought a walk behind spreader. He is set to tackle it again tomorrow. 

Stacia and I grabbed dinner, left dinner for the others, and headed to church.  Allie was at work, we miss our Allie. When we came home Michael and Dad were watching Zuthura. We were more interested in taking some hot drinks out to the porch. Can you believe THIS? Warm enough to be outside AND bright sun at 9:30 p.m.?

OK - next time without the zombie look, Stacia. 

Crazy Tuesday

 This was a crazy Tuesday!  

It got off to a wild start with Grandpa, then I didn't really love the passages I was reading this a.m., and I kept dropping everything, I got out of the house a bit late but managed to get to CoRielle's in time for her to make it to the staff meeting and to spend some time moving classrooms and closets. 

I got breakfast for the boys. Danny had been up as early as Grandpa and my goal was to get him to take a nap today. I finally texted Arielle for some pointers, and we GOT HIM TO TAKE A NICE LONG NAP. While he napped Benny and I went fishing off their front porch. We threw everything we caught back. 😏

Danny woke and we had lunch. We went for a walk...and finally we settled in to watch Encanto...or maybe we watched Encanto during the nap....it's all a blur. 

Arielle got home with just enough time for me to make it to a doctor appointment. Everything was fine...numbers a bit elevated but all still within normal.  We discussed my hands. Seems it is not carpal tunnel. I'm to try braces and an anti-inflammatory at night and see if that helps. If not, I can choose between a neck x-ray or some needle and nerve test. Or I can keep putting up with tingling, stiff, weak, numb hands...I may go this route as I don't like the options. LOL  I need to do some research. 

I ran to pick up Chick starter and grit. 

I got home to discover it had been quite a "day" around here with Grandpa. We couldn't do what we do if Michael and I weren't both able to be at home. Stacia had spent an hour plus in the garden - even though I was gone. She'd weeded the beds in the greenhouse and hauled dirt to them. Allie, Nolan and Alex were working most of the day. 

Nolan's hand was burned pretty significantly at work. I mean just a few blisters, but it is swollen and still painful. He had to go back to work to fill out a worker's comp claim as he may well end up going to the doctor tomorrow if it is still swollen. 

I was itching to get into the garden. Stacia and Allie made dinner so I could do just that. I spent an hour outside watering, a bit of weeding, a bit of picking up storm trash and planting these beds...melons. We shall see. It is plenty hot in the greenhouse.  I followed the guide and ended up planting way more than I thought I would plant in this space. 

The weather has been amazing! 78*...no rain for a couple of weeks. This is our second week of nice weather...I'm about ready to admit a transition from spring to summer...because really fall comes early around here so it's best to move on to summer. LOL  Memorial Day has come and gone and the weather is as nice as we get in summer....yeah, it's summer. 

I was finishing up in the garden when Stacia called to say dinner was on the table! What a great way to end the day....well actually all the at home Gherkins turned the living room into a theater and we watched Obi Wan Kenobi. 

They all headed to bed. It's still light out so I'm still puttering...guess what? I wasn't supposed to quit taking Vit D when the sun began staying up all the time.  Who knew? 

Both Productive and Restful

Michael and I opted to skip respite today as it was a holiday and we knew Arielle would appreciate the time with her guys. We had jobs we wanted to get done more than we wanted respite care this week. We also have several in our gang who don't love crowds. Focusing at home made sense. 

Allie cleaned the inside of the house, while Stacia and I hit the garden for an hour and a half. We planted one of the shallow beds with a Japanese carrot, Scarlet Nantes carrots, Red Russian kale, Dinosaur Kale, radishes and spinach.  Both types of kale were starts we had begun a couple of weeks ago, the rest were direct seeded. 

Things I had read said to cover the rows seeded with carrots with boards. This would keep them from washing away or birds from getting them. The clear plastic seems to do the same thing - so we covered all the seeded areas. 

We moved on to one of the deeper beds and filled it with beets. 

I must say I am planting WAY less in each bed with this little planting gadget. This is, by far, my best sleep shopping purchase. We got 30 rows in the bed...Everything we direct seeded today used the little red spots...16 per foot.  The kale was one plant per square. 

Stacia and I came inside and showered. GG woke from nap 2 of the day and I got him settled with lunch. Nolan was working on college at the table and kept an eye on GG while the girls and I enjoyed our "end of the year" tea party. I'll blog that next. 

Michael and Alex worked on getting this mini hoop house set up...we still have the other 1/2 to figure out how to salvage. This may not be a permanent plan as we really liked the idea of the big house Michael had made...but it will work for now...and we are ready to get things out of the greenhouse and into the ground. We'll put some warm weather crops in here...

CoRielle came by!!!! It's always fun when they visit. Benny stopped in the greenhouse...shew it's hot. 

Danny checked in on GG!

One of the fun parts of the boys' visits is finding little reminders of their visit after they go home...like these in the greenhouse.  This boy sure does love to surprise the gals in his life. 

Benny and Allie were here! 

Flowers for the dinner table. 

Flowers on the windowsill. 

Danny picked his first flowers for me today....

Oops - he pulls the heads off before gifting

Sweet boy! 

I fixed pork loin on the grill while Michael and Alex finished with the hoop house. The girls made broccoli, asparagus and chopped melons, and washed berries. I sautéed some Brussel sprouts. Yummy meal. 

The older 3 headed for bed as they will all be working in the a.m. 

When I went out to close up the greenhouse, check on chicks, turn off the sprinkler and make sure the fence was plugged in...I noted the completed hoop house. I don't like the way the placement blocks a sweeping view of the garden plot...but it hides a lot of the jungle mess behind it. LOL  AND this will make it possible to grow cucumbers and tomatoes.  I'm excited to start to salvage the mess the storm left behind. 

Tomorrow, I have a couple of appointments out and about...but I can hardly wait to start planting melons in the greenhouse and cukes in the hoop house. I've up-planted the tomato starts to a 2 inch cup....probably need to wait a bit before putting them in the beds....maybe. I'm not sure. LOL  I usually buy established pots of tomatoes.... I should probably hedge my bet and look for one in a 2 gal bucket to plant too. LOL 

Michael, Stacia and I stayed up and visited for a bit.  It was a good day...productive and restful. 

Why is it still light at 11:15 p.m. I really need to end this day.