Saturday, May 5, 2012

End of a Long Week

Maybe the grayness and rain contributed to making this feel like a long week. Or life's little hurdles might have entered in there, too. Don't know, but even though each individual day did not drag, looking back on this week makes it one I'm not eager to repeat.

* * * * * *

Good News: We have (what we sincerely hope is) enough fake brick ordered to finish the wall behind the living room wood stove.

Bad News: We don't expect it to arrive for two more weeks. And let's all hope it arrives undamaged. The bricks are somewhat fragile and don't take to being handled roughly in shipping. The factory acknowledges this and is doing special packaging to minimize damage.

* * * * * *

I think I must be the gardener most behind any of the rest of you. Not because I've been lazy in getting my rear out there to do what needs to be done, but because our season starts so much later than most anyone else's.

I did plant out two raised beds with salad greens, scallions, radishes, kohlrabi, Swiss chard, spinach, etc. a week ago but decided not to put cold frames on top of them because our weather has been mild. If we had had more than 15 minutes of sunshine this past week, I think the seeds would have done better. But they didn't get much heat without the cold frames, and today only the blessed, hardy, little radishes are poking through. Next week's forecast has more clouds and rain in it so I might be wise to drag out the cold frames this weekend and get them in place.

All my inside started seedlings are looking good, but aren't big enough to transplant to bigger, individual pots yet.

* * * * * *

I managed to stretch my birthday celebrations (birthday was last Monday) out for nearly a whole week. Was taken out for a lovely birthday lunch by a good friend yesterday and tonight we'll finally get together with our daughter for our celebration. She's making homemade hoagies (I LOVE sandwiches!) and my birthday "cake" which is Banana Cream Pie.

* * * * * *

What with our continued remodeling and spring things outside to do, I haven't been spending much time on housekeeping lately. A couple of you bloggers have been posting about decluttering, cleaning, straightening and sorting and you've inspired me to tackle my closet. So far today's weather doesn't hold much promise for sunshine so I may talk myself into attacking that area. If I survive that, there are plenty other hidey-holes I can move on to in the hopes or organizing and having better use of the space.

15 comments:

Dani said...

Many Happies for last week :)

Nothing like cold weather to encourage de-cluttering! Enjoy - hope it's suitably rewarding LOL

Judy T said...

Happy belated birthday! I hear you on the long week. I'm not sure if I'm coming or going sometimes. This time of year always seems to pass by in a kind of blur.
Here's hoping that your bricks arrive intact, that the sun comes out to warm your little seeds, and that you get your closet cleaned.

Judy

Mama Pea said...

Dani - I don't often have a week like the last one so I say good riddance. It's over. It's done. Fuggitaboudit! On to bigger and better. (I'll drink to that.)

Although it's 52 degrees outside, hubby just came back in for more clothing. It's the dang dampness! Me? I'm in the closet.

Judy - Thanks for the birthday wishes! More bricks, warm seeds, and a clean closet. What more could I wish for!

Sue said...

Our sun FINALLY popped out a few minutes ago....because, of course, I had just come in for the day, chilled to the bone and sick of the grey skies. Oh well, a hot shower and plenty of time to goof off on the computer and watch the birds at the feeder. Glad you're getting your bricks-nothing worse than having to stop a project cold because of missing pieces.........

Patty said...

Hi Mama Pea! I'm actually here reading blog posts again. It's been so LONG! You can take heart: you are definitely not the most behind gardener. I haven't had a moment to think about mine yet. The main garden has been tilled once, but the raised bed is sadly sitting in the same state I left it last fall. Soon, though. As soon as the human baby makes an appearance and the baby goats become somewhat less work, I'll be getting out and turning soil in my raised bed. Can't wait to get some herbs and greens going! :)

Mama Pea said...

Sue - I thought for sure you were going to refer to my mental state when you said, "Glad you're getting your bricks - nothing worse than . . . " and I thought you were going to end by saying, " . . . being a few bricks short of a load!" (Okay, so I AM a few bricks short, but it's caused by all this dang remodeling!)

Patty - You have a good excuse because you've been sick through all the birthing and expected birthing! But what a terrible time of year to be down and out. Good to hear you're feeling better now.

Sparkless said...

I hope your brick comes in quickly and undamaged. It sounds like you've been very busy even if you can't finish your stove surround.

I think we should all stretch our birthday celebrations out a day each decade we've been alive. At least getting older would be way more fun then and I'd get 5 days of fun.

Glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday. :)

Anonymous said...

Whoohoo for decluttering (yes I am trying to convince myself as much as I am you lol). Hope you can get back to finishing the house soon, I know it's frustrating to have to put a project on hold part way through.

judy said...

WELL ,AT LEAST YOU WILL HAVE A GARDEN,I WILL HAVE STORE BOUGHT VEG. I'M SWAMPED AND DID I JUST READ Patty IS TALKING ABOUT A HUMAN BABY? IS SHE BEING MID-WIFE AGAIN(SO TALENTED) OR DID SHE SWALLOW A WATERMELON SEED?

Mama Pea said...

Sparkless - That's the first time I've heard a birthday suggestion such as yours . . . and I like it! Another day of celebration (and presents, too!) for every decade of life. Wa-hoo!

Stephanie - Would you beat me with a wet noodle if I confessed I never made it to my closet yesterday? Sigh.

judy - Yes, Patty is a wonderful doula and is currently waiting for a new little babe to be born.

mtnchild said...

I missed your birthday, but hope it was very happy all week ... My friend Susan and I are, and will be, cleaning out closets and cupboards to make room for all the things she brought. Makes me look at things in a different light - have I used this in the last year (or 3, or 5 or 10) if not - OUT ...

I'm reading blogs again, but have sooo much to do.
Hugs to you,
Yvette

Erin said...

It may feel like you are behind us, but you can grow better root vegetables!

Mama Pea said...

Yvette - Good to hear from you again! I was wondering what was occupying your time, but it sounds like you have a good excuse.

I know you're busy, but hope you're having a good spring!

Erin - This is true, but I sure do envy you your peppers galore and luscious tomatoes!

Susan said...

There is nothing like a long stretch of gray, cool weather to take the starch right out of your gardening (or any other) pleasure. We are still having very cool nights, so as much as I'd like to be on time, I am not. Hang in there - sunny days are ahead!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - We all have to remember that it's only the beginning of May. Last year at this time, we had snow on the ground and lakes were still snow-covered and frozen!