Thursday, May 31, 2012

Two Coats Done, One To Go

Even though I got a late start putting the finish on the top shelving unit to go in the living room, I got two coats done today.

One more coat early tomorrow and we should be able to bring it in and set it in place by the afternoon.

We had glorious sunshine all day today. Not real warm but very pleasant. And no bugs! We're blessed in our particular location in that we don't seem to get nearly as many bugs here as a lot of other places nearby. (Thank you, thank you, thank you!)

Papa Pea mowed in the poultry yard today since 1) it wasn't raining, and 2) the chickens had taken to carrying three-foot high orange flags so they didn't get lost in the high grass. At one point, I heard the mower stop and hubby came running into the garage (where I was painting) at a trot asking me to take a bee stinger out of his forehead. I'm not sure it was one of our normal honey bees that nailed him (although he thought it was) because the stinger looked like a small dagger and had half a bee butt attached to it. Luckily, he's not bothered by insect stings and/or bites like I am so once I extracted the stinger, he was back out and at it again.

My late start on the polying was due to a desperate need for some housekeeping chores this morning. There comes a time when I just can't stand it and have to do some basic cleaning and cooking of good food for us to have on hand.

I also took my started tomatoes and peppers out to the cold frame so they could start to harden off.

The other plants I took out a couple of days ago are loving being outside and look really healthy. As you can see, the broccoli in the picture above is more than ready to go in the ground but I don't have the supplies yet to make the protective tunnels over the raised beds to keep out those dratted little white butterflies that lay their eggs in broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

We were warned of possible frost last night but when I got up at 5:30 this morning, the temp read 36.9 degrees and I didn't see frost anywhere. Now if we can just make it past the full moon on the 4th of June, we should be home free for the season and the serious gardening can begin.

9 comments:

Judy T said...

Ir was cool here today as well- it's 50 out there already tonight. But at least you shared some rain with us. I can't wait to see your new shelf in place. It should look great.
Judy

Mama Pea said...

Judy - Yes, I'm so glad you got some of "our rain" and we got a little relief from it. The shelf unit looks so simple and "nothingness" by itself but I just love how it ties into the book boxes above it. Hope to have a picture of it in place tomorrow sometime.

2 Tramps said...

We have been warming up here - over 80 for several days to come but there still is that darned frost coming back next week - down to 30 again. Am going to plant and plan to cover things - they just can't wait any longer.

Your shelf is beautiful. You two are so amazing and inspiring!

Leigh said...

I love your shelves! I love that you kept everything light, natural wood. I sometimes wish I'd done that but the kitchen just begged to be the colors it is now.

Hope your gardening season is a good one this year. Funny how we have different concerns in different parts of the country. I'm worried about it getting too hot too soon and burning everything up!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you might have that living room back together in the next few days. You are both doing a fabulous job! I didn't know about the white butterflies, thanks for the tip!

Mama Pea said...

2 Tramps - It just doesn't seem right when our gardens have to be afraid of a June frost!

Thank you for the compliment but we aren't amazing at all . . . just two very stubborn people who don't know when to stop working! ;o}

Leigh - Ha! And I LOVE your dark, vibrant colors that you're using! Light? Dark? I guess it's good that we could be happy either way!

I often think if I were to suddenly find myself in your climate, for instance, learning how to garden would be like totally starting over! Such differences we deal with.

Stephanie - As usual, thanks so much for your encouragement, Stephanie!

Susan said...

I wish I could fathom that wonderful calendar I got (that you use). Maybe I should have taken Latin or Greek instead of Spanish in highschool...it's nice to have a space to work in no matter what the weather outside is dealing you. Can't wait to see the New and Improved Living Room!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - I so wish we could sit down together and go over that (blasted) moon planting calendar. I haven't taken the time to study it thoroughly but can read it as far as what to plant when.

Stay tuned for "the new and improved living room!"

Erin said...

Those darn white moths/butterflies are what kept me from doing any broccoli this year, I just didn't have it in me this year to pick off or try and drown those buggers LOL