Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Garden 2010 Update
This year's garden got off to a late start,
So imagine my complete glee when on a recent trip to the garden for regular chores that same box looked like this.
The list of chores included pruning, weeding and re-securing of these supports. While I was toiling away, I heard a distinct buzzing sound. I got up and stepped back and witnessed two bumblebees also "working" in the garden on their glorious Flight of the Bumblebee....not this one...this one
I assume this is what it looked like from their perspective.
I stepped aside and watched the pair of bees travel from plant to plant. I was do excited especially because I thought I was going to have to pollinate them myself.
I then moved on to pruning. Given the recent heat wave, I have been careful to water the garden regularly but did not had not have time to prune. I've been reading up on pruning and like this article very much. Because I plant in boxes in rather close quarters, it's important to commit to judicious pruning I got to breaking suckers and thinning the plants.
Who says gardeners have a hard time pruning?
It looks like the heat is coming back just in time for this week's business trip. My garden helpers will be pressed into service and hopefully when I return, the plants will continue their happy journey to veggie production.
--
It's nice when your friends know you. I collect refrigerator magnets, and a truck-driver friend of mine, sent these to add to my collection.
How divine!
My early garden photo (June 20, 2010).
So imagine my complete glee when on a recent trip to the garden for regular chores that same box looked like this.
The list of chores included pruning, weeding and re-securing of these supports. While I was toiling away, I heard a distinct buzzing sound. I got up and stepped back and witnessed two bumblebees also "working" in the garden on their glorious Flight of the Bumblebee....not this one...this one
Bumblebee in the tomatillo plants.
I assume this is what it looked like from their perspective.
Blossoms, glorious tomato blossoms.
I stepped aside and watched the pair of bees travel from plant to plant. I was do excited especially because I thought I was going to have to pollinate them myself.
I then moved on to pruning. Given the recent heat wave, I have been careful to water the garden regularly but did not had not have time to prune. I've been reading up on pruning and like this article very much. Because I plant in boxes in rather close quarters, it's important to commit to judicious pruning I got to breaking suckers and thinning the plants.
It looks like the heat is coming back just in time for this week's business trip. My garden helpers will be pressed into service and hopefully when I return, the plants will continue their happy journey to veggie production.
--
It's nice when your friends know you. I collect refrigerator magnets, and a truck-driver friend of mine, sent these to add to my collection.
How divine!
Clockwise from upper left: California, Graceland, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia,
Grand Canyon, Nebraska, Utah and Kentucky.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Irresponsible Me!
I am sick and tired of being responsible. For the rest of this weekend...
I will play!
Enjoy as much of your weekend as you can. ~ksp
Enjoy as much of your weekend as you can. ~ksp
To become a quilt for Baby S. (born late June 2010).
To be a quilt for Baby Jr. (due in September 2010).
Friday, July 9, 2010
Lot's o' Time
As I mentioned in an early post, one of my dearest friends is battling an aggressive form of lymphoma. This situation brings with it many challenges including food prep, appointment scheduling and medication management.
It also provides some great opportunities to examine one's life, to sit quietly with the people you love and to commit time to those people/things that are important. For me, it has also provided a lot of sitting around time, whether at the doctor's office, the oncology floor (or recently ER). Usually I would knit during these intervals, but my knitting mojo and I are working through a very strained patch in our relationship (a bit of a seven-year itch).
I carry my Ishbel (ravelry link) shawl around with me and it is coming along nicely. I think I missed a yarn-over a few rows back and I'm trying to decide if I care. The vine pattern seems to be a bit forgiving and damnit, this is supposed to be fun. Getting it "right" sucks all of the fun out. Take a look-see, it's hard to tell anything and in order to spread it out I've gotta take 100+ stitches off the needles...that ain't happening...any thoughts?
Also, I have been plugging away on my hexies quilt. Through the flickr group I have already agreed to swap 2.5" squares with several quilters even one in the UK. I have purchased several bundles. I'm especially excited about this one.
Nevertheless, I have finished all of the squares in my possession. I'll take some time to cut up my stash and continue. It's my plan not to repeat any fabrics. I never thought that I would be into hand-piecing, but I love it. And all of the people who say that a hexie quilt is addictive, believe it. I plowed through these in no time flat.
I'm looking forward to continuing on the crafty path. It's a welcome respite from my crazy work and personal lives.
It also provides some great opportunities to examine one's life, to sit quietly with the people you love and to commit time to those people/things that are important. For me, it has also provided a lot of sitting around time, whether at the doctor's office, the oncology floor (or recently ER). Usually I would knit during these intervals, but my knitting mojo and I are working through a very strained patch in our relationship (a bit of a seven-year itch).
I carry my Ishbel (ravelry link) shawl around with me and it is coming along nicely. I think I missed a yarn-over a few rows back and I'm trying to decide if I care. The vine pattern seems to be a bit forgiving and damnit, this is supposed to be fun. Getting it "right" sucks all of the fun out. Take a look-see, it's hard to tell anything and in order to spread it out I've gotta take 100+ stitches off the needles...that ain't happening...any thoughts?
Semi-solid dark sock weight yarn on size 6 needles...very hard to photograph.
Also, I have been plugging away on my hexies quilt. Through the flickr group I have already agreed to swap 2.5" squares with several quilters even one in the UK. I have purchased several bundles. I'm especially excited about this one.
Nevertheless, I have finished all of the squares in my possession. I'll take some time to cut up my stash and continue. It's my plan not to repeat any fabrics. I never thought that I would be into hand-piecing, but I love it. And all of the people who say that a hexie quilt is addictive, believe it. I plowed through these in no time flat.
Behold hexies in progress.
I'm looking forward to continuing on the crafty path. It's a welcome respite from my crazy work and personal lives.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
How Does YOUR Garden Grow?
Got a late start to gardening this year (there's always something). Despite all the delays and the scorching heat, my plants are doing well.
s
Top to bottom: tomatillos, cucumbers on a teepee, thai hot peppers and heirloom tomatoes.
How is your garden growing? ~ksp
How is your garden growing? ~ksp
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