Friday, May 23, 2008

The Sun is Out


It's been awhile. Really, I should have blogged more. It has been rainy and cool for about a week, but now the sun is shining. I have been working on my rug-hooking, and I had some adventures in dyeing wool. It was lots of fun! It took a few tries to get the color I was looking for, but there are no mistakes. You just save the "wrong" color for another project, or "over-dye" it into another color, which is what I did with the day-glo orange color I created. I wanted a more antique color, so I over-dyed with a bronze, which gave it a greenish tint, therefore, deepening the orange color. Then I started hooking the pumpkin part of the rug. I really should take some pics of said rug. It's my first big project with hooking, and maybe I bit off more than I should have!

Yesterday was finally dry enough to garden. I planted out my leek transplants - hundreds!! I am still not done. I am out of space in the bed, so I will scatter some leeks around some rose bushes, I think. I put out tomatoes, but they look quite sickly - they need some sun and heat. Today I plan to put out peppers (sweet banana), do another planting of lettuce, seed some annual flowers throughout. I had to dig up some sedum from the per. border, and then planted in pots (thanks for the inspiration, Paula!). I also need to mow and rake, start cleaning out the future chicken pen and mulch, mulch, mulch.

Maddie has had play practice every night this week. I have enjoyed watching the practices. Pretty soon they will start rehearsals at the Fort. The kids are doing an amazing job. The whole play is choreographed and danced, so Maddie is on stage at all times, as are all the other members. It is a lot of work for them. JP and Claudia have had quality bonding time in the evenings. Last night they went to the parade for the "Three Rivers Festival", and then ate hotdogs.

Get this - tonight JP and I are going on a date!! We celebrated our 14th anniversary on Wednesday. He gave me beautiful earrings. Wow! I was not expecting that. But of course I had to go to the college for practice. Heather L. is having the girls spend the night tonight - it is not very often JP and I go out together. Its really difficult when my mom lives so far away. But I so appreciate it, Heather! We may even see a movie tonight! All this means that I have to get all my "dirty" work done and then cleaned up for the evening.

Okay, I have some pictures. For my sister Rachel, here is a photo of Grandma Sexton's ferns:

I honestly don't know why the photos don't go where I want them to. @@#$&%^$!!!

Saturday, May 10, 2008






Sheep and wool festival was great fun. I have some pictures!! The weather was perfect for us - not too hot and very breezy. I purchased some dyes for my rug I am working on. I need an orange-y kind of rust color for my pumpkin. I am hoping to get it done so I can submit it at Jackson's Mill on Labor Day weekend. Anyway, we had good times at Paula and Joe's, and made it back safely.

Today is Saturday, and it is rainy and cool. I don't mind at all. I love the rain, and it is good for my seeds outside. I planted carrots, more lettuce and kale. The peas are getting about 8 inches tall. Strawberries have tiny green berries on them - need to get netting to protect them, and of course, STRAW!!!!! That really is all I want for Mother's Day. 3 bales of straw!!!

Ducks are growing like mad. I took them outside with me yesterday while I raked the HOLLY LEAVES (see previous posts). I did have to lock the dogs up. They are a little too interested in ducks. Misty duck-sat for me over last weekend, Thank you!! I've decided I will be upset if something eats my ducks. Even though they poop all the time, I do really like them.

JP had his lasik surgery, and all went well!! He can see! Aside from some minor irritation from the procedure, he is doing great.

Okay, I need to get some work done around here, but I am posting some various pics from last weekend and ducks and others.