Original title, huh? The following photos are terrible, I'll admit - they're either dead, brown or unflattering, but we're all about the honest garden here! Temps rose to 50ยบ yesterday so we were able to get outside and WORK! There was frost on the ground until about 11 am, but as soon as that winter sun lit up the yard we were out in a flash. Even with the early darkness this time of year, we were able to get about 3-4 hours of chores done before the temps started falling quickly again. It felt so good to be out there, even if it was just for clean up.
I'm one of those people that doesn't rake my leaves in the fall or trim my ornamentals back, I leave it all instead as insulation since we have a lack of snow, and to give the wildlife cover and dead seedheads if they need it. It was all about cleaning up yesterday, hacking perennials down and burning the twiggy stuff that won't compost. I also started raking leaves, since they DO need to be up before soggy wet Spring hits, so my emerging plants don't rot.
This might be one of the worst photos of us ever - why is hubby holding a full grown dog LOL? My son took a full 2 minutes to take this photo, that might be why we look like this. Check out the green fenced area behind us, that's my asparagus bed! Ok, stop laughing now! Yes, I dug it all out by hand last year and planted, then when faced with actual gardening and harvesting later in the season with no hubby around to help, I gave up. He says he's going in there to "fix it" for me, we'll see...
Gee, what an attractive "Wildlife Habitat"... haha! It won't be long, things are already popping up under the leaves so we cleaned this area up. It contains ornamental grasses, sage, fennel, catmint, oregano, parsley, sedum, verbena, butterfly weed and a few others I can't ever remember until they show up every year.
Northern gardeners get ready to boo, hiss and throw things... I'm about to complain about all the dead stuff I had to cut off all the mum clumps. Those little green mounds below are some of my mums, already showing growth from the base and ready to soak up some sun. I have about 20 clumps of mums all in burgundy & orange.
More booing & hissing... below I had to prune one of my rosemary hedges... I know, I better enjoy it before I move back north!
I never get tired of seeing the wonder of my plants coming back year after year. Below is oregano!
By the day's end it was down to the upper 30's again so soup sounded fantastic to our cold hands. Can you believe this? - I couldn't find lentils at Trader Joe's! I specifically went there because I figured they would have them for sure, but nope. Instead, I used orzo....
We spent the whole day next door in the rental unit replacing closet doors, cleaning, and other maintenance, and after our little dinner break now are headed back over to finish up by flushing the water heater and installing a light fixture. While not much "fun" was had this weekend, it sure feels good to have gotten some fresh air, chores done, and have a new tenant moving in this week.
BTW, hubby is making pizza right now with his new flour and is having a heckuva time, apparently it's a bit harder to work with than his standard dough, I'm sure it's a learning curve and he'll get used to it in no time. We didn't do the homemade mozzarella tonight since we've been next door all day, but next time we make pizza I'll post on that & I'm sure hubby will have his new flour groove on!
Just you wait until you move back up north. You're gonna have LOTS more time for knitting, quilting, relaxing, reading! (Yeah, right. Just like me, huh?) I can't believe the little green things popping up in your garden already. What did you get? A two month break from the garden? Or not even that? You do live in the Banana Belt!
ReplyDeleteGreen, what's that? I spent my day shoveling snow/scrapping packed snow (aka ice) off the driveway. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the problems he is having. I find the dough easier to work with as it is smooth and stretches very easily. Maybe I can trouble shoot for you.
ReplyDeleteJane, he said he's already good for next time, he said he needed to knead this stuff much more than the other, it was very sticky compared to his other. He loves a challenge, though! This one turned out not quite as bubbly as his other with a definite "Pizza Hut Thin Crust" taste/feel... we'll have to fix that LOL as his normal is even thinner and less dry although crisp - does that make sense? Hehe, it was still delish and he said he'll get it next time for sure :)
ReplyDeleteAlmost sounds like my weekend... With temps in the 60's yesterday and today, I started seeds indoors and cleaned up some of the garden. Not quite done, but getting there...
ReplyDeleteIt must have felt good to get out there and get some gardening done. I think we are supposed to get more snow on Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteOh, I keep forgetting to tell you that every time I open up your page, that picture at the top makes me think it's spring!!
Just two more weeks and you can boo and hiss me! I'm going home, tra-la, going home tra-la. I'm already packing and cleaning :-)
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll boo and hiss. Although it did get up to freezing today- barely. But yesterday saw real liquid water outside as it got to 35. Of course, we have a huge snowstorm predicted for this week so here we go again....
ReplyDeleteOh, and be sure to stop by my blog. I've got something for you.
Judy
Erin, I think he added to much water. If your following your old recipe with the new flour could be the problem. Some people add 75% of the called for water and let it absorb for 20 minutes before adding more water. Also you should not knead it to much. If you knead too much you can break down the structure of the gluten and the dough will become to loose. Just some things to try. But this dough really should not be sticky. This dough should also proof twice in the process. First after kneading and again after forming the balls. Good luck
ReplyDeleteJane, he said maybe he used too much water. He always proofs at least twice, today it rose all day long and was beat down a few times since we got busy next door. I did take a photo of it, I'll post it tomorrow, although it looks pretty much the same as usual, the texture was a bit more dry and crumbly instead of his usual crisp/chewy combination. I tell you it's all Greek to me LOL, I don't even bake bread well, I use a machine if hubby's not here to bake it for me haha!
ReplyDeleteMama Pea, we are so in between here - if we were just 10 degrees warmer we could grow lots more through the winter. As it is though, it's been getting colder and snowing more each year.
ReplyDeleteKaytee, you really are getting smacked with the snow up there!
Anke, 60's woohoo! Now if it would just stay like that right? It will be humid and 98 before we know it!
Robin, I really needed a springtime spirit boost - I was finding it hard to get excited about starting seeds this year so the photo will give me a kick in the rear!
Gran, I'm glad you are going home, I'm not much for AZ when I lived out that way but I am VERY keen on your lovely WA garden!
Judy, at least all this snow/water will be so good for the garden come spring! And thank you!
Wow Erin, I am so jealous of your Rosemary and Oregano. Your Rosemary bush is just Gigantic! I use rosemary in my pizza dough. It's yummy.
ReplyDeletemeemsnyc, that's actually the short shrub, it's "Prostrate" Rosemary, my upright is about 5 ft tall and 4 ft wide :) Rosemary pizza and breadsticks, YUM!
ReplyDeleteOur yard is still covered in snow! It's melting fast though and I can see some grass in the front yard now. You are helping me get thinking about gardening. Hopefully my knee and back will hold up this year for me so I can get out there and bend over to do the work.
ReplyDeleteHi Erin, I'm coming your way via Judy from "My Freezer is Full". I enjoyed your photos and yummy dinner!! I flipped out when I came across your Aussies. If you have time, stop in to see my new Aussie Pup. His name is Cooper. I lost my Lincoln October 1 to cancer and got Coope Dec.3rd. Please stop by and see him, he looks similar to your Marley, I think was the name. Enjoyed my visit with you! ...debbie
ReplyDeleteI think I sighed the "B" word under my breath. Green growing stuff??????? OMG-you are sooooo gonna be missing that when you move up north. I take that back-your rosemary will do just fine. In a pot. On the windowsill.
ReplyDeleteOur day was about the same as yours. It always feels so good being outside getting things done.
ReplyDeleteOh definitely Boo Hiss! I still have *three feet* of snow where my garden is supposed to be, and probably six feet on top of my composter :( Plus we've got *more* coming on Tuesday and Wednesday!
ReplyDeletePictures of dead stuff is ok since you were at least out to enjoy the air!
ReplyDelete