Do you remember me telling you how every day here in New England is just one big adventure after another? And how each and every day {or so it seems} we are learning something new?
Well. Apparently we have POISON IVY on our property. Good times people, good times. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here on the blog before, but I am allergic to all sorts of weird things. Bees {not so weird} cherry cough drops {red dye #5}, all kinds of lotions, potions, bath products, latex, various chemicals used in hospitals {I broke out in hives once when I had to stay with my mother in the hospital while she had her knee surgery and all I did was touch a chair}.
So imagine my delight when the HH and I were out front the other day just BEGINNING to clear the area in front of our property when a neighbor walked by and pointed out that the green brush {we were getting ready to pull} was POISON IVY!!! Oh my word. How is it possible I didn’t know what poison ivy looked like? Seriously. How is that possible I didn’t know?
Oh, wait. Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in freakin’ suburbia my entire life. Yeah. That would be it. Note to self: Bring neighbor lady a jar of jam and thank her for saving me a trip to the ER and a week {?} of itching like mad.
In other news… The HH’s tractor arrived and he’s been having fun testing it out. So far he’s graded the driveway and hauled a bunch of logs with it. He keeps asking me if I want to learn how to drive the thing. And I keep telling him no. The way I see it, if I know how to use the tractor, there will just be MORE stuff for me to do around here. So no, I’m good for now, but thanks. 😉
Nobody bought Swiss chard at my vegetable stand the other day.
But I did sell 3 bunches of beets and a box of turnips. So far I’m up to $18 at my little end of the driveway stand for the year. Not bad considering I’ve only put a table out twice and we don’t live on a busy road.
Maybe in another 6 weeks I’ll be able to add fresh eggs to my little pop up veggie stand.
This bird! Who has yet to be named is the happiest little chicken on the planet and she loves to run up to Lucy and give chase. It’s the cutest thing ever. She needs a name…. Any suggestions?
Harriet’s apples have all fallen off, and it looks like another one of the fruit trees is without any fruit, BUT THERE ARE STILL TWO TREES left with apples on them so there is hope for some sort of apple harvest this year. I’d love to add some plum trees, maybe even a peach or apricot next year. We’ll see.
The pole beans and cucumbers are looking mighty rad.
And the tomatoes are doing really well, all 50 plants. 😉 I think I’m most exciting to have our Oxheart tomatoes ripen though, I haven’t had one in years.
Take a look at those gorgeous pepper plants!!! The only time I was able to grow nice big pepper plants in the PNW was when we had a greenhouse as it usually didn’t get hot enough to grow them in the regular garden. {Clearly that is not an issue here}. It’s so fun to discover what grows well here and what doesn’t.
So far, the only thing that has been a bit tricky is lettuce. But I think it was mostly my fault for not getting out there to harvest it before it went to seed {which seemed to happen like overnight!}.
The mammoth sunflowers… they’re nearing 5 feet tall. I wonder how high they’ll get? Also, my husband doesn’t like my new pants. He says they look like “Mom jeans.” And yes, I am wearing a puffy coat even though it’s 85 degrees out. You know, so I don’t get eaten alive by the skeeters.
We drive by people who are working outside in their yard in flip flops, shorts and a tank top and I honestly don’t know how they are doing it. Maybe your skin just toughens up after a few years here… I don’t know.
And last but not least, the BLUEBERRIES are almost ripe. I’ve been checking them every morning so we can stay ahead of the birds… We have 7 of our giant {5-7ft!} blueberry bushes under bird netting, but I’m afraid the birds will still find a way in and leave us with nothing so I’m on high alert! It’s intense I tell you, intense. 😉 Life, it’s just one big thrill a minute around here. But I’m loving it.
What’s new in YOUR garden these days? Are you harvesting anything yet? We want to know!
~Mavis
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Quote of the Day “He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.” Elbert Hubbard
