Still trying to catch up

Ever feel like the current is faster than you are swimming?  That's me right now - I had a long list of things to do today but after spending hours trying to retrieve all my photos, I barely got one other chore done, starting another flat of seeds...

These flats were seeded with herbs and flowers this morning and they went outside on the deck, Mother Nature can decide what to do with them and when, because I'm done tripping over my indoor lights, when those tomatoes start hardening off in another week or so that contraption is being put away asap.

I will say that in spite of being somewhat ignored, the tomatoes and peppers are doing fantastic, I do need to start spraying them with seaweed though, that was on my to-do list for today but I didn't get to the store yet to get any.

After all those hours of working on my hard drive, hallelujah!  Look below and the age of the photos is obvious - there they are marching back into iPhoto!  That was the definite upside to the overall very frustrating day - I was actually ready to walk away when I hit something and these photos started copying, I almost did a dance, but my butt had fallen asleep at my desk from sitting so long :)

Problem is, they are all out of order and there are no dates on them to organize them by... over 10,000... there is still work to do - now where did my intern run off to??

I'm still here!

Don't give up on me yet!  I've been so busy the past few days, it seems like the list of things I want/need to get done before spring descends upon my garden is never ending, anyone know of a place where I can get an intern for FREE?!  Ok, I'll cross that one off my list as un-doable.


I'm still painting every day... good news is that the whole house is painted except the nightmare kitchen job, bad news is that there is stuff everywhere, I've been working for days now on tossing things and rearranging, I hope to have photos of a finished room or two and an update tomorrow.


We stayed home all weekend, me working on the kids' room and hubby brewing two batches of homebrew.  When we finally ventured out yesterday, I was almost knocked flat by the display our local trees are putting on now, the dogwoods and pear trees are blooming, along with several of the older cherry trees.  I should have been overjoyed but instead felt this urgency to get home and get all these indoor projects done!

Front of the school

I almost forgot I needed to repot my seedlings!  I was doing this until late Saturday evening - notice how the tomatoes on the right are in danger if I don't get my butt in gear?!

Every year, the concept of "72 cell tray" doesn't seem to register with me.  I happily sow all the cells and feel confident in my large supply of peat pots, plastic containers and other vessels for repotting...DUH!  Halfway through the process I had to run to the base exchange for more pots!  It's always an emergency, I don't guess there is ever a time when I will remember how quickly the real estate needed morphs from one tray to the repotting of 4-5!  I did have plenty of pots last year, however many were for the Master Gardener Plant Sale, meaning I don't get my pots back - note to self!

Emergency!

They are finally repotted deeper and into larger pots, and are safely back under the lights.

It's becoming more and more difficult keeping pizza boy (hubby) away from my little basil plants!

We went out to eat one evening since I had no energy left by dinnertime, and I just had to post the kids' meals - I love it when restaurants make decent kid's meals!

Spotted this week at the kitchen table....

He's 8 going on 40!

I'm supposed to be framing photos for the wall today and rehanging stuff on the wall... instead I got out my sewing machine and am making the kids pajamas!  I was at a good stopping point with the house paint and really needed a day to "connect" with my new hobby!  This is the first time I have ever used a paper pattern so I'm kind of stressing out over it and I'm sure I'll be up all night doing it.  Hopefully the upside is getting that "first time" out of the way so I'll be a bit more confident next time!

Marauders!

Dagnabit!

Birds!  Every stinkin' year... 

I had been wondering why my peas hadn't germinated yet so I took a closer look at the beds... looks like they are riddled with shotgun holes where I planted each pea!  I only blame myself - they did the same thing last year but I stupidly thought maybe they wouldn't bother them this year since I hadn't seen many birds in the yard yet.  Today the birds were perched on the fence laughing at me and my rubber snakes all over.  I hate bird netting with a passion, it seems more likely that I will die some horrible tangled death 'Alaskan Crab Fishing' style in that stuff than that it would work for its intended purpose, but I admit defeat.  Tomorrow, I buy more peas, grumbling since I don't want to have to buy them from Joe's Big Box Store, and bird netting.

On to other things:  we made Mama Pea's Oatmeal Bread yesterday, and we rushed it!  Don't get me wrong, the flavor & crust was very good, we didn't let it rise enough so it came out too dense and weighed about 10 lbs LOL.  We will definitely be doing this again and not cutting any corners because the flavor was delicious and well worth figuring out this dough thing!  Maybe it's because we used the stand mixer?  I hear lots of you prefer to do it by hand instead, I think I need to try that.

Some of the more mature seedlings were allowed outside today, don't throw things at your computer screen and boo/hiss.... but it was 77º here today.  (duck!)  Temporary though, back to the 40's tomorrow.

Checked to see how the dormant goldfish are, they are definitely out and about and ready to eat!  The pond needs to be cleaned on the next nice weekend, but they all fared well through the winter.  Mine are going on 3 years, but if you remember my "rescued goldfish" from the hoarder next door LOL? - they did fine!

 I have so much to do outside and feel so behind, but I have to keep reminding myself it's only February (for another day!) and there is plenty of time for chores yet.  Seems rushed since our nice days have been coming more frequently than in other years, and much warmer than the usual "nice days" in early Spring.

Pathways around the beds and the berry beds outside the fenced garden were weeded and mulched.  I have only mulched once since the garden was built several years ago, so it looks very pristine compared to the  spotty mulch and weeds that were there last year.

One little bright spot is now growing on the patio:  overwintered flowers are blooming once again and I planted Sweet Peas in the container as well, they will grow up a suppport behind them.

I had a request for a tutorial on the cart skirt I posted the other day - I will try!  It made me giggle since I can't even read a pattern, but all your nice comments gives my confidence a boost!  It does seem crazy that I am quilting but have yet to sew a skirt or bag... I really want to learn but I'm intimidated about cutting out paper patterns.  I can't explain it, but quilting is "different" - I don't really follow a pattern, yet it is very exact, I don't quite understand how I'm doing it and enjoying it so much, maybe it's best left unpondered LOL!

State of the Seedlings:

All tomatoes have germinated, about half of the peppers!

Lots of little things...

This is one of those weeks where everything and nothing is going on!  No large projects, but lots of tying up loose ends on random things that have taken a backseat to daily life.

I spent the better part of 3 days cleaning my kitchen, and I mean really tossing stuff.  I threw away all my old spices and actually washed the spice jars out, who does that (freak!) LOL?  I got rid of quite a few dishes in the process, I like to entertain, but do I really need wine and martini glasses for 20?  I think not. My true friends will happily drink what is given to them in whatever vessel it's served up in - this is my new philosophy!  This is all a concerted effort to fit my kitchen table actually in the kitchen (BTW we have no dining room).  I have sacrificed my tiny eat in area for a freezer, homemade kegerator and stainless prep table instead - this was kind of a necessity since we are gardeners, canners, and homebrewers.  For years now we have had the table/chairs in the living room which looks just fine as the entire thing is open to the kitchen anyways, but in my quest to have a sewing space, I really need to fit that table back in the kitchen.

Ever since taking stock of all the garden veggies in the freezer, I've been more motivated to cook this week.  The kids are not excited about the volume of beans in there, we're eating them every night!

Below is one of my favorite make ahead meals because they freeze so darn well.  I have to credit Mom for this one, I never thought about it until she mentioned it a few years back.  I will make about 3 boxes of stuffed shells - yes, that's alot - then freeze on a cookie sheet for an hour then dump into gallon baggies - presto!  Nice, homecooked meal fast!  Just pull out however many you need, dump some of that lovely canned tomato sauce and some cheese on top and bake for about 20 minutes straight from a frozen state.  Don't forget the beans, LOL!

How can the kids not want these?  Heirloom Yellow Wax are my absolute favorite for flavor and freshness from frozen.  Finn actually peeled them apart and ate out the teeny seeds inside and told me he didn't like the rest... what?????

Yesterday was a lovely mail day - I received this book in the mail all the way from Oregon courtesy of Ruth at Hope, Joy & Faith Farm... thanks, Ruth!  I can't wait to have some quiet time to begin reading it.  If you haven't visited Ruth yet, head over - she is embracing all that goes with learning to live a simpler, homesteading life - learning the ways of animals, managing limited funds while creating a simple and fulfilling life for her family, something many of us are striving for and it's fun learning along with her.  You are also in for a treat if you head over now, since her farm is celebrating it's first lambs, pictures too good to miss :

I also can't let this "duh" moment go - I've been saying that I was so proud of myself for waiting to start my seeds this year - apparently I only thought I started my tomatoes and peppers Jan 19th last year.  Where do I get these dates stuck in my head, LOL?  I save my calendars for the past few years and as I was making notes yesterday I decided to look back.  Last year I did, indeed, start a flat on Jan 19th but it was flowers and herbs.  Look at the following photos from 2009, 2010, 2011 and keep in mind that I didn't plan my seed starting dates... apparently my mind works like an alarm clock every year, it was kind of strange!

 Tomatoes & Peppers  Feb 23, 2009

 Tomatoes & Peppers Feb 22, 2010

 February 22, 2011

So although I didn't "wait" like I thought, I'm still pretty impressed that I have this inner alarm clock!

Speaking of, after just about 48 hours on the heat, I have the first tomatoes up!

 4 Pink Brandywines peeking up

2 Hillbillies so far...

All 10 Amish Paste are up!

Still waiting on the other varieties, but I just love catching them at this stage.  All my tomato varieties were sourced from Baker Creek again this year.  Even though the company is growing quickly, they are obviously still vigilant about their seed viability and freshness. 

Still trying to clear the freezer out for the spring meat order from the local farm, tonight we had steak sandwiches, cream of potato & leek soup (this was courtesy of Rachael Ray, not mine) and our frozen peppers and onions.  

The green beans were absent tonight - but the kids hated the smell of the onions and peppers that replaced them caramelizing in the pan... what is wrong with them?!

Now I'm off to catch up on everyone's blogs, I am so behind.  There is also the annual quilt show at the convention center that I really want to go to tomorrow, but not sure if I will.  I don't know anyone who would enjoy going with me, yet I don't want to go all by myself!  Hubby agreed to go with me, just not sure if I want to pay the admission price - I'll have to decide by morning since tomorrow is the best day to go, more 45 mph winds and cold, good day to be inside!

starting the "main event" seeds!

I meant to clean the house today, but I realized that with repotting and starting seed flats and other tasks to do I was just going to make a huge mess again, so I put it off for another day.  I admit I have been neglecting lots of chores to get that quilt done, but today was the day to resume the spring de-cluttering.


Before I forget... yesterday was still windy but 68º, and what do you suppose we woke up to?  SNOW!  It only lasted about 15 minutes then turned to sleet, but Mother Nature had her last laugh, I expected as much.


First thing I finally got done was organizing the freezer, although this could happen every day and it wouldn't be enough - I really want to make sure we are using everything, but it appears we have a huge surplus of beans in there.  Green beans every night this week now - the kids will be mortified :)  I also got my batch of laundry detergent made, I was down to my last cupful.


Today hubby got a bunch of his stuff thrown away or into the donate pile (it was all his stuff, I'm happy to say), and then we were able to consolidate much of it down into lidded containers to move up to the attic.  He did a bit of rearranging up there so hopefully it will be easier to see what I have and can repurpose up there later in the year.  We don't have all that much up there, since it's one of those attics that's "not really an attic" LOL.  He put down a few plywood pieces across the beams so there is a little area we can walk on and store things like seasonal stuff, but I usually just peek my head up there and shove stuff in, now I can actually go find stuff without tripping.


While he did that, I took the few hours I had left before the kids came home from school to repot my first set of seedlings and get started on the main event:  the peppers & tomatoes!  It's official now, they are on the heat and I will be drowning in seedlings soon and playing the shuffle & water game.  I'm proud of myself for waiting this year, in past years I had them going several weeks earlier but I have found the younger transplants grow quicker and are healthier once set outside than the older ones.   I was able to plant the sweet pea and spinach seedlings outside a few days ago so I didn't have too many transplants to worry about.  The artichokes went into larger containers even though they are still small since they will be hardening off soon outside while it is still cool and I didn't want them to be in tiny containers susceptible to water/temp swings.  I planted them way too late last year.  I also remembered to replace the bulbs in my shop lights, the ones in there are 3 years old and probably are not emitting the best spectrum anymore.

Know what's really cool?

Organizing and being left with empty bins!  We are lucky indeed!  Of course they will be filled soon with my stuff but within reach near my sewing setup.  A little bird sent me some of her fabric stash to get me started on my way to becoming a quilting diva and after the kids are in bed I am going to settle down with a glass of wine and sort through the fabrics and put them in my empty containers!


Who else has tomatoes & peppers going?

Weekend Forecast: Mud & Quilts!

Temps in the 50's today have all of our snow drip-dripping everywhere and creating lots of mud.  Good for the plants, not so good for working outside and kids running in and out of the house!  The warm temps did let hubby get out his tools and finish my light setup for my seedlings so I'll get around to getting the lights hooked up and hung to it later today.

terrible photo, but can you see the 2 artichokes peeking up?  Center & top right cell.

Below, over-engineered in typical man-fashion, it weighs a hundred pounds I bet, but when I connect the chains and lights it will work well.... but where the he(( am I going to put this contraption LOL?

This may be my last weekend to play with my sewing machine for more than an hour at a time since temps are expected to be in the 60's next weekend - so I'm taking full advantage of the mud outside now to get started on a quilt for a very important little girl in my life - any guesses as to who it is?  Here's a hint... she's the only little girl in our extended family, and her birthday is coming up very soon!

here's the colors I picked for the mod-tod(dler)-

Below, no - Loch hasn't taken up yoga - "Thing 1" has been playing chess like a pro lately and requested a "chess bag" so he could take his mad skillz on the road.  This is what I came up with, it is kind of like a yoga bag, I didn't use a pattern but I'm really happy with how it came out.  I used the skull fabric on the outside, a pale gray lining, and interfacing to stiffen up the bag and strap.  Drawstring cord with a toggle finished it up.  Took about 2-3 hours total probably, but I worked on it in 2 sessions yesterday so I wouldn't get too frustrated :)

Here's a close up of the fabric, I also used a flannel remnant to make a drawstring bag to hold his chess pieces, his chess board is one of those roll-up tournament size ones.  Some parts of the fabric could have stood to be a little more masculine, but I'm digging the skulls, flames and barbed wire.

Now I'm off to start cutting quilt fabrics.  The fun part was picking out the fabrics, and now is the stressful part, cutting the shapes out perfectly.  Then comes fun again when I can spend some time changing the pieces around until I'm happy with the design.  I'm sure I won't come up for air until Monday, so have a good weekend, y'all!

My quilting plans foiled again!

Woke up to this!  About 3-4 inches fell last night and early this morning.

I had plans to go to the quilt shop for some fabric after sending the kids off to school, but snow in Virginia Beach means.... school's cancelled!  My plans foiled yet again.

I had some other sewing I could have done, but with my 2 boys & their friend in the house itching to go outside and play, I resigned myself to the fact that my house was going to be a wet mess and decided to "live in the moment" as they say, and go outside with them.  One of the things I am trying to work on this year is not being so schedule/task oriented and to start trying to take things as they come and enjoy the little things, I know I've heard many times that when it's time to leave this life nobody ever says "I wish I'd had more time to pick up the house" LOL...

 Bonus:  when the boys have a friend over, they are actually much better behaved with no fighting, and happy kids = unstressed mom!  How cool is it that our new neighbor's son is in my son's kindergarden class and they are already good friends? - they'll have a nice time this summer being able to just head out the back door to play with a friend instead of me hovering over them in the front yard where I don't know all the neighborhood kids/or their parents.

 I think Loch needs E.G. to come visit and help him out with the structural engineering here!

Finn in the background showing his friend some winter footwear fun - I'm glad we forgot to leave these at mom's house over Christmas!

Meet Neptune, he's the neighbor dog - he fits in really well around here, now we have a whole "herd" of herding dogs!  I let them all inside this little house afterwards to have a biscuit and they were doing figure 8's with wet paws and snow filled nostrils and I was able to just laugh it off, see - I'm improving!

The thing I miss most about living up north: MUDROOMS - this is actually my bedroom!

Mama bought a round of hot chocolate, I think these guys will sleep well tonight, they played for hours!

Other news:  "Early Purple Sprouting" Broccoli wins the germination race!

Check out this trashy light setup - hubby hasn't been able to finish my "light thing" he's been constructing since he's working long hours and we don't have a garage so the weather has been holding him up.  But the seeds wait for no man... they needed lights this morning!  So I just rigged this in the meantime, luckily I only have this one flat right now, if it was tomato time I'd be in trouble.

Here's Loch just doing his Loch thing, I didn't ask LOL...  I walked by him and just said "hey Loch, why don't you go be a 7 year old for awhile?" he just scowled at me.   :)