A slower day

Happy Saturday, everyone.  Today was a slower day for me. I woke up not feeling quite well.  Not BAD but just not well.  I didn't sleep well because the animals didn't sleep well last night.  I wonder if it's because not everyone is home.  I had a bit of a headache and my stomach was upset most of the morning.  I may have been a bit dehydrated, even though I tried to keep well hydrated all day yesterday.  I was up early but went back to bed after letting the dog out and slept until almost 9.
I didn't get the early start I wanted, but it was a lovely day,  hot but not as humid and with a nice breeze.  I did get my vining crops weeded this morning.  Then I took a bit of a nap while I cooled off.  Later in the afternoon, I got the goth garden mulched and did a bit of mowing.  For some reason, the lawn tractor is refusing to start.  I put the rest of the gas from the can into the tank, thinking it was out but it still wouldn't start.  Who knows.  I did use the push mower to get a bit more done until I ran out of gas.
Then, this evening, I did something I thought I wouldn't have to do this year.  I actually watered the garden.  For all the rain we had a month ago, it has been really dry lately.  All the showers that have come through have missed us and things are starting to look a bit stressed, especially the cucumbers.
I also planted my freebie marigolds.  I had thought to put them in the garden but I ended up putting them along the south side of the house.
Inside the house today, dishes and kitchen clean up, a bit of laundry and packaging up the dried strawberries. but not much else.
So, like I said, a slower day.  I took it pretty easy and made sure to drink plenty of fluids.  Tomorrow, I14 has to accolyte in church,  I'm not sure if we will all go or if I'll do a drive-by.  If I can manage to get up early enough, I can get a few things done outside, take a shower and still have him there by 10.  We'll see what happens.
And just so you don't think I'm all work and no play- we are trying to pick a time to go see the new Transformers movie.  Should be fun.  I haven't been to see a movie in a theatre for a long time.

Messing about

Today was day 1 of my staycation.  I didn't get quite everything on my list accomplished.  I slept in this morning, not getting up til 8.  So I didn't get an early start outside and it got hot quickly today.  I did manage to get the peppers weeded in the garden.  I also got the goth garden weeded and edged with the push mower.  I was impressed- the push mower hasn't been started in over a year but it started on the first pull of the cord.  I got too hot to do much else outside though.  Don't worry.  I did take a break mid morning.  The boys and I watched the final launch of the space shuttle.   

I made jam this afternoon.  I was just shy of enough black raspberries so I added a few blueberries from the freezer- the last of last year's storage.  

 Yummy jam!  But, in  response to Erin's challenge.  Here is my mess!

 She noticed that we all tend to show our lovely jars and finished products but don't show the mess that goes into it.
I also had another preservation project this afternoon:

I'm trying dehydrating strawberries, at K11's request.  A local store had a great deal on strawberries so while I was out getting more sugar (I didn't have 7 cups to make jam!) I picked up some.   I've dried lots of things but not strawberries.  

And another first:

The first cauliflower.   A yellow one.  It wasn't very big but it was good.  We had it for dinner, stir fried with the last of the broccoli and a carrot.  Mmm...
I did try to do a little more work outside before dinner.  It was really steamy outside- still mid 80s.  I was going to mulch the goth garden.  While I was out there a robin was scolding me most viciously.  Then I noticed that a baby robin was hiding in the grass nearby.  So, I decided to knock off until they got it safely away.  There is always tomorrow to mulch.

Gearing up

Tomorrow is the start of my staycation.  I can hardly wait.  This afternoon/evening was busy.  Lots of running around. First, I had to work today but I had to get everything done by 2pm so I could leave early.  I actually drove to work today and parked in the ramp (not supposed to do that as staff but... since I ride the bus my car isn't registered). It cost me a small fortune to park there but I had to get out of work, get home and pick up the boys so we could be to the dentist by 3.  All three of us had appointments.  I'm happy to say that none of us had any cavities.  Yeah!
Then we headed to Roger and Sharon's house.  Sharon went to Waterloo today to help Roger get settled in at his rehab facility and was worried about the dog being left inside all day.  So, the boys and I took Dixie for a walk to let her do her business and burn off a bit of energy.
After walking the dog, we headed off to the mall to a game store.  Both boys have been pulling weeds for me to earn some money since there are games they would like.  So, this evening they cashed in their earnings.  We picked up a pizza and headed home.  Then the fun stuff began.
Our first blueberries ever!

Not many but they're good!  Notice my stained fingers?  There is a reason for that:

1 pound, 12.4 ounces of black raspberries.  Even more than on Monday.  So, tomorrow I'll be jammin' in addition to the other tasks I've assigned myself.  I've got a mix of inside and outside things planned so can stay cool in the heat of the day.  There will be some weeding, some mulching, some kitchen stuff and some general cleaning.  Hopefully my list is manageable.  I have a bad tendency to overload my days.  But I've got 5 days coming with my to-do list spread out over all of them.
I'll keep you posted.

Score!!

You've gotta love FREE!
OK, I'll admit it.  I didn't really NEED any more plants, especially annual flowers.  But they were free.  How could I pass them up!  See...

I swung by the grocery store on my way home this evening.  They are closing out their garden center.  All the shrubs are 75% off (I resisted- probably only because they were closed already)  But sitting outside the fenced-in area was what was left of their annuals with a sign posted: Free Plants.  How great is that.  So I got a few.
I got two trailing verbena plants (raspberry colored) a few lobelia (8 plants- three 3 packs but one plant was dead) that looked really sad.  I also got four 3-packs of marigolds but I think there are only 10 plants total.
The trailers went in some neglected hanging baskets (one verbena, three lobelia per basket) and the two extra lobelia went one each into clay pots to set on the steps)  I'll plant the marigolds out in the garden soon.  The poor plants were all so root bound.  I spread out the roots so hopefully they will be alright and flourish now that they have been transplanted into more soil.
Tomorrow, bright and early, V and J17 head out to Pennsylvania.  They will visit her first choice for college (Kutztown University) and see V's Mom and sister as well as a bunch of his friends out there since that is his original stomping ground.  It seems that they have quite the trip planned. They will be gone 6 days.
The boys will be home alone tomorrow but then I will be off with them for five days.  Friday because I worked last weekend, the weekend and then two vacation days.  FIVE WHOLE DAYS!!  And so far the weather looks hot but great.  I've got my to-do list in full swing!  I'll be exhausted, I'm sure, but oh, so happy.  I'll be sure to post about my progress.
Roger will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.  He will be transferred to a rehab facility in Waterloo, a couple of hours away.  He is adjusting mentally and seems in better spirits now that his pain is in better control.  I don't know that we will drive to visit him there but I'll definitely stay in touch and try to help out Sharon as I can.  I'll certainly be peeking in on his garden from time to time.

Raspberry Cobbler

Oh, what a hardship. Yesterday, I was forced, forced I tell you, to figure out what I could do with the 1.25 pounds of black raspberries I picked.

 Yes, it was a rough time.  Of course, I had to fight off the children to have ANY left.
Since Roger's wife, Sharon, joined us for a 4th of July BBQ for dinner, I decided to make some Raspberry Cobbler. This recipe, I think, was my grandmother's.  This is the first recipe that I ever made entirely by myself (I remember I even picked the berries!) so we go back a few years.  It is simple but oh, so good.  I used it with raspberries but  I've also made it with blackberries, mulberries, peaches and just about any other 'juicy' fruit I can think of (well, except melon).  Here goes:

Berry Cobbler
Blend together:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
When creamed, add:
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
Blend well.  Spread into greased 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Like so:

Don't worry about making it neat or smooth.  Cover the top with 1 quart canned fruit OR 1 quart fresh fruit and 1/2 cup water.  Sprinkle top with 1/2 cup sugar:

 Bake at 375 * F for 45 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.

 Mmm...  it didn't last long....

This can be served hot with ice cream, cream or milk.  Or just enjoy it as it is.
Some of the fruit will sink to the bottom and the extra water (or juice from canned berries) mingles with the fruit and batter to form this lovely, yummy sauce at the bottom.

Enjoy.

Sunday scenes

Happy Independence Day Weekend to those in the US!  It's been busy here at the Troll Bridge.    I was at work yesterday so not much got accomplished. And V and I stopped at a housewarming party for a young couple from work after he picked me up.  So, yesterday was a day of rest.
Weeding has been done around the homestead this morning with I14 and J17 both assisting.  I harvested a most of the broccoli.  Not quite 2 lbs so it wasn't as productive as last year.
But a few photos were taken as I was out and about.  I think I may start doing a series of Sunday photos.
First, my favorite photo of the day.  The purple coneflower is beginning to bloom:

 As is the Anise Hyssop:

 And a sunflower:

 A few sunflowers came up volunteer at the edge of the garden and have been allowed to remain.  I didn't manage to get any planted this year so these brighten my day.
The first female cucumber flower!!  See!! (and, I know, there are weeds)

 And the first blossom on the Scarlet Runner Beans (and yes, MORE weeds):

 Below, the summer squash that came up volunteer (the pattypans tried to take over the world last year) is threatening my poor, pathetic chard:

 And no matter how many times I see them, the walking onions are still just too much fun:

 And finally, the black raspberries are absolutely loaded.  Tomorrow should be a big picking.  Mmmmm...

I hope you all have had a safe, wonderful weekend and have a good 4th of July.

Stuff

It has been a long, emotionally draining day.  I didn't manage to get up to see Roger before surgery- today was really busy at work.  But I did get to spend a little time with Sharon, his wife, not long after she had met with the surgeons to learn the outcome.   Sadly,  none of Roger's foot was salvageable.  He ended up with an amputation about mid calf.  Sharon was looking shell shocked.  They had known that this was a possibility but had hoped for the best. She is feeling totally overwhelmed.  Unfortunately, there is little I can do to make things better.  They had relied mostly on Roger's income and with him not working, even before she got laid off her job, it was a struggle to make ends meet.  She is panicking that they may need to move (they live in a split foyer home) but I urged her to wait to see how he progresses in rehab before she makes any rash decisions.  And even after the amputation, they still have the cancer diagnosis to deal with- which hasn't really even been addressed.
It looks like the weekend is shaping up for better weather than I had hoped.  So, I think, we plan to go to their house, as a family, on Monday morning to weed the garden.  Anyone in the IC area interested in a charity weed, let me know- we would be glad of the help.
It about broke my heart when Sharon was going on about needing the food from the garden, especially if she can't find a decent job.   She was asking about drying tomatoes and if they would store that way, or if she could freeze them.  Roger is the gardener and canner in the family and she is feeling a bit out of her element-- but realizing just how important that stored food has been in their lives in the past. I did volunteer to come help with canning tomatoes if they need it.  I'm not sure how I'll be able to do that- can my produce as well as theirs- but I'll give it my best shot if necessary.
But on a brighter note- I picked the first handful of black raspberries this evening.  They didn't last long enough to make it into the house to be photographed.  V and I shared them outside in the heat.
Yes- it finally feels like summer!!  It made it over 90 today!! and mid 90's tomorrow... with high humidity, of course- it wouldn't be summer without it.  Not much work got done outside this evening with the weather.  However, I14 has decided he wants to earn some money.  So, tomorrow morning, he is going to weed the iris bed for me.  He's figured out that he needs to work for 3 hours to have enough money to buy a game that he wants. Definitely doable in his  eyes.
I feel like I've been a bit of a downer these past few days.  I'll try to be more upbeat in the future- I'm just beat.