Purling Oaks

A break in the wet and fog....

After this morning's fog, the sun is out and I'm hoping things will dry out enough to allow for a bit of mowing later today.  The forecast for the next several days does not look promising for hay-making/grass cutting.

Gardening-----

I set up two new beds and dismantled one old garden box (with Dan's shoveling assistance).  I need to go get some boards to frame the new beds.  As they look right now, I wouldn't doubt that somebody would ask who I planted.  Gruesome looking, for sure.  

Cooking------

I made Bi Bim Bap for dinner last night in a bit of an unstructured manner -- Dan and I both liked it.  I would probably marinate the meat a bit longer than 30 minutes next time, but I had been traveling during the day and didn't have the prep time available -- especially since I decided on the menu when I was cruising the grocery store.  I used very thinly sliced beef sirloin from the Beaver Dam Piggly Wiggly, which was a time saver.  I really liked the wilted spinach & arugula with sesame oil and garlic as a green for the BBB, matchstick carrots for some more color, chopped scallions, and Dan's kim chi is always delicious.  Dan made the rice and our over-easy eggs.  I used this recipe as a base for the marinade but the rest varied widely as I had several recipes open in my browser.  This "recipe" will definitely be repeated.

Tonight's dinner will be Caldo Verde --- with chorizo because I doubt my local grocery has linguica sausage.  The recipe looks relatively simple and delicious.

Socks-------

Turned the heel on Monday (or was it Sunday?).  I've settled on a recipient (not me) and now need to motor along.

Other stuff-------

• The new haircut is okay, but nothing fabulous.  I'm still working with it to see if we can reach detente.
• Purchased two Bali Pops yesterday.  And thread.  Now I need to set up the sewing machine.  
• Worked out the warp and weft requirements to use up some cotton chenille-y yarn on the rigid heddle.
• The number of projects I have specific plans to start is increasing and causing me a little concern.  Of course, now I have more free time, but will I revert to old, possibly ingrained, habits and not finish any of them?  Scary.  I'll ponder this more, I'm sure.

See what I mean?.....

.

I just ran out and took this photo.  Somebody has been digging in my garden.  Grrrr.  

And I know it is almost June when I see this shrub in bloom.....

Happy Wednesday!

Approaching the end of May and.....

.....What have I been doing?  This photo may explain some of what I've been doing.......

I've also been getting acquainted with the new-to-me lawn tractor and have been remembering to duck under the low branches in the orchard.  

I found the sock-in-process.............  

.....that I started two years and one month ago.  Crazy.  Oh well, sometimes life gets in the way of life.  At least I'm ready to start a relaxed Summer of Socks 2013 with a project at hand.  

I've also been re-reading a number of J.D.Robb's stories.  Last night I enjoyed reading an on-line novella from Wen Spencer in her Elfhome universe.  I do so wish she would write more in the A Brother's Price universe...but that is unlikely.  Sad.

This weekend's largish project is to build new vegetable garden beds.  The wooden boards of the garden boxes are beginning to break down and the boxes really aren't spaced properly for the newish mower.  Not to mention ..... they  likely suffered a similar two years and one month interval of not much attention.  So, I'm experimenting with the cardboard/hay-grass/soil method of layering a (slightly raised) garden.  Our soil is so, so rocky that digging in is not a viable option.  I've got the cardboard, saved from earlier this spring.  I've got the hay-grass, mowed yesterday, that I only (!) need to rake up and transport.  And the soil.  That's my next decision, which I think will result in shoveling no matter what.  More muscle burns more calories, right? 

 

Have a safe and relaxing weekend!