Could it really be nine says since I last posted? I’ve certainly thought about posting, but my days have been full, so the ideas haven’t made it to the page.
The egrets and herons returned around the seventh of May. We don’t have huge numbers of them yet, but I have the pleasure of seeing at least one of them each time I go out. I have seen the big gray herons in flight several times, and they always remind me of pterodactyls.
Up until this week we had a long run of gray weather without the rain. This week we have finally gotten the rain. I made a trip to Morris, Illinois last Tuesday, and was pleasantly surprised to see that about 90% of the fields between Yorkville and Morris were planted, and many even had corn 4-6 inches tall. I know that many of the Midwestern states have had so much rain that the farmers haven’t been able to get into the fields. We seem to have been a little area short on precipitation, so I’m not complaining. What I don’t care for is being drop-kicked from the 60s to 90 degrees overnight!
Despite my post on being frugal, I bought a sewing machine! I have been concerned that my beloved Singer 301A would eventually go kaput, and not be repairable. I’ve sewed on that machine for more than fifty years, and adore it! I thought that it might be wise to have a newer machine as a back up, before Dear Husband and I retire. The new machine couldn’t be more different. The Singer is a straight stitch portable machine made of iron. While I can drop the feed dogs to stipple quilt, it was never really intended for that purpose. The new machine is computerized, has a built-in dual feed system and an 11 inch opening through which I can feed quilts. There is a built-in needle threader. It has more than 100 stitches, an alphabet and numbers, and pattern memory. I can arrange for the needle to stop in the down position and there is a knee lever for lifting the presser foot. It’s possible to run the machine without using the foot pedal. Most women who sew today take a lot of this for granted, but it’s all new to me! I hope the learning curve won’t be too steep.
I’ve planted all but two of the plants I picked up in my first garden shopping trip. The last two to go in were purple fountain grass, along the back of the bed next to the garage wall. If I had planted them a month ago, it would have been a lot easier, but this week I had to work around iris that were ready to open, and the last of the tulips. I asked DH to bring a chair and sit where he could keep an eye on me as I planted. I was afraid that I would get into a position I couldn’t get out of. Luckily, the plants went in well, and with the use of the shovel handle, I was able to maneuver myself out of a tight spot and back onto my feet. I’m sure that his presence was what made that work. Had he not been there, I’d still be waiting for a hand out of the garden! *G*
I believe that eight to ten iris were blooming yesterday. One was open for a couple of days, and then it was a domino effect. It must have been just warm enough, and sunny enough to move them along on Tuesday. I have a lot of dark colored iris: navy, purple, burgundy, bronze, contrasted with yellow and peach. There’s no rhyme or reason. If I see one I like, I try it, and they almost always multiply for me. They are at the top of the list for my favorite flowers.
We are going to celebrate my oldest granddaughter’s seventh birthday today. Her birthday was last week, and they did a party for the kids, but the adults are gathering this weekend to celebrate. Last weekend was so popular there wasn’t enough time to fit everything in. I was tickled to hear that GD1 wanted to be the Cake Boss. To further this goal, I bought her a Nordic pan that lets you create filled cup cakes that resemble a soft serve ice cream cone in shape when they are assembled. The top and bottom are baked separately, and then pudding or frosting or even ice cream can be spooned into the indentation in the bottom half. I doubt her mother has the time to cook with her, but I thought it might be something that GD1 and I could do this summer. It interests me that it’s not the eating of the cupcakes, but the baking of them, that appeals to her.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. I hope that those of you who have been around for our wars will help our younger generation understand why we choose to remember those who have fought on our behalf.
Monthly Archives: May 2011
Word of the Day – May 21, 2011
FRUGAL
Frugal is the word of the day, today. Frugality is a habit that many people have allowed to lapse. I have a friend whose husband has a lecture for his family about whether they WANT something, or whether they NEED something. I asked him to give me the lecture, but I have yet to hear it. One day, I may call him and ask to hear it. *G*
One of my favorite sayings goes: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
My clothes closet will attest to the fact that I am frugal. I have a number of things that I really should throw out, that I call “gardening clothes.” In reality, one only needs so many outfits for gardening, but I have to work at throwing away things that are not in shreds. My husband is the same. I sorted through my things last spring, and will do it again this June. We’ll have to work together to clear out his chest of drawers, and the closet. I haven’t a clue why he has saved so many pairs of pants. He doesn’t garden!
Periodically, I make meals from what is in the freezer or pantry, using things up so that they don’t go to waste to freezer burn or pass their “use by” date. My brother-in-law sent me an e-mail about the need to pitch cake mixes and the like if they have reached their expiration date. Apparently they can house mold or other unsavory things. I got the step stool and sat down in front of the pantry and read the expiration date on everything but the tea. I was astonished at how much I had to throw out! I encourage you to do the same, and replace things only as you will use them. (My family is laughing right now because they tell me I could supply my local grocery store if they run out of things. I’m trying to change…..really!)
There are two areas where I am not frugal: books and things having to do with quilting. In truth, I have slowed down in my purchase of both, but I have so much fabric stashed that I probably will not be able to use it in my lifetime. The real problem is that such beautiful fabric continues to be created that I just can’t seem to keep from adding a little here and there. So, to counter that, I purposely avoid my favorite haunts, so that I’m less tempted. A for books, I plan to resume my visits to the library. It’s well stocked, and I’ve discovered that I can browse on-line, and even request an order to be gathered for me. I have given away a LOT of books, but my shelves overflow, and that reminds me to be FRUGAL!
Are you a frugal person? In all ways, or just in some? I think we are at a time when our government NEEDS to practice frugality. The deficit that is anticipated in all areas of government will force all of us to be more frugal as we pay off their debt, and see to our own needs. Now is the time to be FRUGAL!
More DIrt Therapy
As I cleaned earlier this year, I came across little collections of seeds everywhere. I dedicated one little basket to the seeds, and it finally overflowed with packets. I sorted the seeds a few weeks ago and decided that I would put them in, as many as I could, this year.
I have no idea if they will all germinate. It’s possible that some of the seed it too old, but I’m planting it anyway!
I used a shovel to turn over the dirt in most of one arm of the herb garden. I broke up the clumps and took out old stems and new feverfew starts. (Feverfew is lovely, but it will take over your entire lot if you let it!). Once the bed was smoothed, I planted rows of giant State Fair zinnia. In front of that I planted a row of Giant Cactus zinnia, and in front of that a row of Cut and Come Again zinnia which are slightly smaller. Along the edge of the bed, I planted Nasturtiums. I didn’t soak or nick the seeds, so I’m not sure what kind of turn out I’ll have from the Nasturtiums.
Around the corner from the zinnias, I’ve planted a stand of Evening Sun sunflowers, with a row of Tithonia (Mexican Sunflowers) that should bloom in an orangey shade. When I clear the section between these two pods, I hope to plant Lemon Verbena and two scented geraniums.
The sky became threatening, but I ignored it to get the basil and parsley planted. I put in both curly and flat-leafed parsley, as usual. I still have to plant the basil at my kitchen sink, and the dill, but I’m moving right along.
I think the next area I’ll finish is the center of the center box. I need to re-seat the St. Francis statue. He lists a bit. While I’m at it, I hope to dig up some of the crab grass roots that infest that area of the garden. The roots like to hide under the chive plants.
Once that part of the bed is done, I’ll plant the miniature tomato plants, a Sweet 100 cherry, a yellow pear, and one new one that seems to be an orange/red version of the cherry tomato.
There are times when I drag my feet at the thought of going out to do this work. It isn’t always fun, but the more I get done before the heat hits, the easier it is to maintain the grounds through the summer. I think I have about two more days of work on the herb garden, and then I can resume working on things at the front of the house. The rain we are supposed to get the next few days will make things easier.
Yea, for dirt therapy!!
Dietitian
(I hope that’s how you spell it…..it looks right)
At any rate, I have an appointment to talk with a dietitian. I seriously need to loose weight, and I want help creating a structure of meals to follow in planning what I eat during the day.
I’ve worked at home for twenty years and fell into the trap of snacking through out the day. Food is comfort and love to me, so I frequently think of what food I can serve for family and friends who visit. Rather than looking at food as entertainment, I need to switch my philosophy from “living to eat,” to “eating to live.”
I need help breaking my eating habits into three smaller meals and two or three snacks a day. My purpose is to keep hunger at bay, while I make sure I hit the food groups I need.
I want to find ways to get more protein into my morning meal, and I want help to determine what volume I should be eating. When you eat all the time, you tend to loose track of how much you should eat.
I know the strategies. I have them in my head. Now, I need to put them to work and see some success. Thank you, to all of you, who have shared your strategies with me. I hope that I’ll be able to remember all the great suggestions I’ve heard.
Exercise early in the day (Kim K.)
Drink WATER (Lynda and Nan)
12 raw almonds make a great snack (Nan) (walnuts, too)
Fat free yogurt as a snack (Dr. E)
Drink water before meals
Put your fork down between bites (Dr. S.)
Make my goal 5 pounds, a manageable amount (Shelly)
Those are just some of the good ideas that have come my way. Perhaps I’ll have more to share once I get going on this. If you need to loose weight, don’t wait! It gets harder the longer you put it off!
Dirt Therapy
My youngest sister, Frankie, of Just My Opinion, (who, btw, needs to start posting again) calls working in the garden “dirt therapy.” She’s absolutely right. Even if I work too long and come in aching, I still feel better for all that I have accomplished. I believe that’s one of the major reasons people garden, other than the obvious reason of growing food.
Yesterday was quite cool, but I was outside, weeding along the sidewalk in jeans and a turtleneck, happy as a clam to be grubbing in the dirt. I pulled thistles and dandelions, and was able to assess what I need to get on my next trip to The Growing Place.
I started to pull out the dead stalks of purple Homestead verbena from last year, and discovered that it had wintered over. I bought three more plants last week, so we are going to have a LOT of verbena. That’s okay with me. I hope it grows past the edge of the garden, onto the sidewalk, as it did a few years ago. It was beautiful in late summer and the fall.
I need to get at least one, perhaps two roses, and a dahlia. Where some of my English garden plants have died off, I’m going to sow cosmos and cleome. That area is toward the back of the garden and the taller plants will look good there.
I’m aware that the gardens across the front of the house lack balance, and I’m not sure what I want to do about that. I know it will have better “curb appeal” if I repeat things, but it means taking out or moving plants that I like. Do I satisfy myself, or think about pleasing a potential buyer?
We’re in a short down-time on blooms. The tulips are done but the iris have not yet opened. I have a tiny group of alliums in bloom, and pansies and million bells in pots, but other than the lilacs down the yard nothing much is happening. I think in about ten days it might all go crazy! lol
I hope to plant more seeds in the raised veggie bed this afternoon, and pull some of the weeds in the herb garden walkways. I eased a support over the East Friesland salvia in the corner of one bed, so that this year it won’t flop over. Had I waited even one more day that chore would have been really difficult.
Dirt therapy. Perhaps I can solve the woes of the world while I spruce up my gardens. Sounds like a plan!!
Gardens
So much has happened since I last talked about my gardens that I hardly know where to start, so this may be a scrambled account.
The bleeding heart is beautiful this year, next to the last of the daffodils to open, a set that is all white. The peonies are doing well, and have pushed up through the wire supports. I’d guess that they are over two feet tall now. I need to move mulch to cover parts of the driveway garden…as soon as it stops raining!
The hostas have come up. I need to trim the spent flower stalks from last year. I hope this year the bunnies will leave me a few hosta leaves. I believe that I am going to try a cayenne spray to see if that will help!
The daffodils are mostly gone now, but the memory remains of one of the most beautiful displays they have ever given us. I need to dead head so that they will bloom beautifully next year. I know that many people dislike dealing with the daffodil leaves as they ripen, but I don’t mind leaving them into June. In some places other plants will cover them, but I just wait them out. It seems little enough to do in return for the pleasure they bring us.
The oldest lilac, one that was here when we built, is in bloom, and those that we planted should follow suit soon. Lombard, Illinois, has a lilac festival during May. I should drive over and take in the festival.
My chives are incredibly healthy, and almost ready to bloom. When the blooms have faded, I’ll cut the plants back to encourage new growth, and I’ll harvest that new growth and see if I can dry it. I am very seriously considering digging up the garlic chives. They insist on relocating, and once the little bulblette grows, they can be tough to weed out. I don’t use the plant enough to justify giving them garden space.
I trimmed back the clematis and added new twine supports to the arbor. I used the string trimmer around the herb garden and north side of the garage, and I managed to get baby romaine, spinach, two kinds of dill and sweet basil seeds planted. Mother Nature is overseeing the watering this weekend.
I have an infestation of grass and bunnies where I used to have a thyme bed. The thyme got disgusted and climbed over the side of the bed to grow in the chat walkway. I’m going to dig out an area about 3 x 4 feet, and sieve the dirt, and then replant more thyme. There’s also a salvia plant that I want to slip a support over, so that it doesn’t sprawl this summer.
I have one arm of the herb garden that I think I am going to dig and amend so that I can grow zinnias. Zinnias were one of my father’s favorite plants, and I’d like to see a riot of color in that corner.
I made my first trip to The Growing Place, and picked up parsley (flat and curled), Sweet basil starts, three kinds of tiny tomatoes (Sweet 100, pear and one new one whose name I can’t recall), a Roma tomato, four pots of purple fountain grass, three of Homestead purple verbena, and two scented geraniums. It’s time to start moving the geraniums that I wintered over outside, but I need to wait for it to warm up again.
The star magnolia and forsythia blooms are gone, and have been replaced by pear and apple blossoms. The air is filled with the petals of these plants as they near the end of their bloom season.
The honeysuckle, both the pink and the white/yellow versions are in bloom, and we are once again surrounded by the greenery of the shrubs and trees that give us the illusion of privacy in the midst of more than a quarter of a million people.
I love watching the changes, counting the passage of time by watching what’s in bloom. As usual, Spring has brought great joy to my life!
Carrel
Carrel is the word of the day, and it takes me back more than forty years to the period in my life when I was working on my bachelor’s degree. Like may students, studying in the dorm, or in my room when I lived off-campus, was not possible. Too much noise, too many distractions, or just too many other things to do, forced me to look for a quiet nook to study.
At that time you could walk into the stacks of the college library, and around the outside walls of the stack they had places where graduate students could go to study called carrels. Each carrel had a desk and a chair, a light and shelves to hold books that were currently being used. If the grad student was not using the carrel, you could slip into the chair and immerse yourself into your studies. Occasionally someone might walk past you, but for the most part it was a very quiet world that encouraged you to learn.
I remember the dry, slightly musty scent, and the low light level of the walkways. The carrels in use created warm pools of light surrounded by shadows, which provided a sense of isolation that helped keep you on task. You could occasionally hear a voice drift up the stairwell from a lower floor, or hear someone’s footsteps on the metal steps. The stairwells were open, but wrapped with a wire grid to prevent people from falling over the side. Probably a good thing given the stacks of books we carried from time to time.
I loved the library, and I enjoyed studying in the carrels. I have a great nephew at school now who has learned to hide himself away when he needs to study. I hope that he comes to love the carrels as much as I did.
Crocheting
My week was unusually tough. I felt like I was rushing around putting out fires, and trying to prevent new ones from popping up here and there. I have not worked in my studio in a month, and the weather has been keeping me out of the gardens while the weeds develop stronger and stronger footholds.
The one pleasant spot in my week has been the crocheted squares from the Share a Square project. Shelly Tucker sent the squares for two afghans to be assembled. One of my friends took one set, and I have the other. I need to get my afghan finished within the next two weeks, so I have been spending the evenings stitching the squares together.
I think that many of us have lost the pleasure working on a project like this gives us. I really enjoy sitting with Dear Husband, assembling these squares while we sit and chat or watch TV. It gives me time to reconnect to him, and also makes me feel that something useful is coming from that time.
Once the squares have been sewn into rows, I’ll crochet three rows around the outer edge to finish off the top. I’ll take a picture to share with you before I send it on to Shelly.
Share a Square will be starting their third year in August. If you crochet or if you know someone who crochets, who might be interested in making squares for this project, click on the link to the right for further information. You can be stitching now, but you need to wait until August to send your squares to Shelly. It’s the perfect way to end a busy day, and a child who is fighting cancer will carry the love you send for the rest of their lives. Give us a hand, won’t you?
Our Little Cake Boss
Our oldest granddaughter’s birthday is in May, and we will celebrate with her soon. We were surprised to find at Christmas that she is interested in crystals. When I heard about this, I thought she was into the multi-faceted, shiny stones that you might see in jewelry, but she is more interested in rocks. Her grandfather not only increased her collection of crystals, but found boxes for her to store and identify her rocks. He’s gradually helping her to expand this interest, so I wouldn’t be surprised to find him giving her rock hammers and things of that nature when she is older. One of Dear Husband’s sons has trained in Geology, so we might need to have him arrange a crystal-hunting trip one day.
While I know very little about crystals (although I’m learning more every day thanks to my granddaughter), I do know a thing or two about cake baking and cupcakes. Dear Husband’s daughter announced that GD1 wanted to be a Cake Boss when she grew up. There is a show on TV called “Cake Boss.” We’d never seen it, and made it a point to watch one day. I have no idea how my granddaughter saw this show, or what about it appeals to her, but it’s resulted in frequent bouts of cupcake baking.
I think I have the perfect gift for her. Sur La Table is a chain of stores featuring things for the kitchen, the grill and the table. I was surfing through their newest catalog and discovered a pan to use to make filled cupcakes. Envision the shape of a small ice cream cone from Dairy Queen…..the kind with a sugar cone. This pan will create the bottom piece with an indentation that holds a couple tablespoons of pudding or other fillings, and a top that looks like the swirled ice cream. The pan will bake six sets at a time. Bake, cool, fill, top and dust with 10x sugar and you have an amazing dessert! This is a Nordic Ware pan, so it should be good quality, and long lasting..
I figure I need to buy the cup cake pan to offset the rocks that Dear Husband will be giving her. I hope my step-daughter will still be speaking to me after a few rounds of these cupcakes. Perhaps we can have a baking day at Gramma’s! YES!!!
Do you suppose that this will be the child who carries on the sugar crisp recipe for the family?
Checking in
Moveable Type tells me that my last entry was May 7th. This has been one of those weeks where my blog and a number of fun things have been put on the back burner while I attended to things for my Mother’s estate, and other obligations.
I’m happy to tell you that both the egrets and herons have returned. I’m not seeing them in huge numbers, but I’ve seen an egret a day for at least two weeks, and I finally saw a heron this week. Mother and I used to watch for these beautiful birds as we drove to exercise, and I find I’m still checking out the retention ponds for a glimpse of these beauties.
In 1981 I went to stay with my parents for what I thought would be a brief summer visit, that turned into a year and a half stay. When I graduated from college, my parents and youngest sister moved from northern Illinois to far southwestern Missouri, to Table Rock Lake. My visits to them were during the summer so I had never seen the hills filled with the blooms of serviceberry and dogwood. The area is hilly, and the roads twist around, and you need to pay attention to your driving.
My eyes were drawn to the beauty of those blooming trees, and more than once I came closer to the edge of the road than I should have. It’s much like those days, watching for the egrets and herons, but at least the road is straight. Now I just need to worry about cars coming up behind me, wondering about my strange driving.
OUr spring has been mostly gray and wet, except for two unbelievably hot days this week. We made a new record in the Chicago area in the upper nineties on Wednesday. Thursday was almost as hot, but the weekend is thirty to forty degrees cooler. It will be one of those years where spring is missing for the most part, and we go from late winter into summer with no preparation. I don’t mind the cool, rainy weather, but I really need to get into my gardens!
I hope you are all faring well, high and dry if you are in the areas with too much water, and able to find a cool spot if you are in the heat Enjoy this day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. 🙂