So far this summer I've made strawberry jam, raspberry jam, all from berries we picked locally, plus strawberry vodka, strawberry vinegar and raspberry vinegar. I've also got a batch of limoncello started. Today we picked cherries. 16.5 pounds of cherries. I've made one batch of jam, a couple of jars of Black Forest sauce, and several pints of sour cherries in light syrup. I've barely made a dent! Back to pitting. I think I'll be pitting cherries for days....
But no, we're off to Mystic Monday for an overnight anniversary trip. Today is our actual anniversary. 22 years! Hard to believe. It won't be long before I've been married to James for more than half my life! Now that's a milestone.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Plan
Here goes!
The Summer Plan
2012
Inside
Kitchen
1. Paint
cabinets
2. Clean
and organize all cabinets
3. Clean
under sink and get rid of toxic cleansers
4. Staple
oil cloth to kitchen table
5. Repaint
table legs
6. Store
microwave as test
7. Get
rid of all aluminum cookware
8. Get
new stainless cookware and more cast iron
Bathroom
1. Clean
out closet
2. Fix
shower faucet and head
3. Paint
over toilet shelves
4. New
curtain for window and shelves
5. Fix
window or replace
6. Paint
doors white
Master Bedroom
1. Paint
walls and trim
2. Clean
windows and sills
3. New
curtains
4. Purge
clothes in dressers and closets
5. Find
storage for yarn elsewhere
Alex’s Bedroom
1. Paint
walls and trim (Camp Washington week)
2. Purge
clothes from dresser and closet
3. Sort
and organize toys. Purge.
Computer Room
1. Organize
by category.
2. Purge
junk
3. Clean
Living Room
1. Clean
closet
2. Summer
drapes?
3. Redecorate
mantle for summer
Outside
Fencing
1. Repair
all existing perimeter fencing
2. Expand
goat pen
3. New
chicken pen
4. Fence
garden behind garage
5. Fence
future strawberry corner
Barn and coop
1. New
coop for chickens only?
2. Duck
house underneath?
3. Expand
duck condo?
4. Interior
redo of barn for three rooms for goats
5. Insulate
ceiling
6. Screen
windows for summer
Garden Shed
1. Purge
and organize
2. Get
hay into hoop shed
Gardens
1. Plant
strawberries
2. Two
more raised beds in square garden
3. Garden
near back fence next to neighbors’ yard
4. Shade
garden next to driveway
5. Clean
out front gardens
6. Cut
down hydrangea
7. Move
lilacs?
Deck
1. Build
gates for both staircases
2. Repair
all floor boards
3. Stain
4. New
table and chairs
5. Milk
can side table for porch swing
6. Containers
of flowers, herbs and vegetables
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Summer plans
Ha! I'm going to attempt a plan of what I hope to accomplish this summer.... I keep putting it off. I think I may want to create it elsewhere, tweak it, and post in the future! Everytime I try I end rabbit trailing all over the place. New plan! I will plan to plan out a plan,THEN I'll blog about it!
One more day of 4th grade. I've had every day off this week, but because of special events at school and food allergies, I've had to go in to bring treats. Tomorrow will be no different. After putting him on the bus I will go back home to make GF pizza for him then bring it in at 11:00 since his teacher is treating them "all" to a pizza party. At noon we are DONE! Poor James finishes with students tomorrow but then has three professional days to make up after this fall's lousy weather caused 10 "snow days" before Thanksgiving! Another late start to our family summer!
One more day of 4th grade. I've had every day off this week, but because of special events at school and food allergies, I've had to go in to bring treats. Tomorrow will be no different. After putting him on the bus I will go back home to make GF pizza for him then bring it in at 11:00 since his teacher is treating them "all" to a pizza party. At noon we are DONE! Poor James finishes with students tomorrow but then has three professional days to make up after this fall's lousy weather caused 10 "snow days" before Thanksgiving! Another late start to our family summer!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
SUMMER!
In many ways, it's not my favorite seasons. I really dislike the heat, humidity, bugs, snakes... however, as much as I love my job, I do love my summers off! Especially with a fun 10 year old to enjoy them with. My husband is also off this summer, meaning we'll be stretching his balloon check through August, and won't be taking big, exciting vacations. The trade-offs are totally worth it.
Today was the last day for students in my schools. We have to go in tomorrow for an all day in-service and then I'm off until late August. I will spend some time soon making a list of what I hope to do this summer. Soon. Not tonight. I can barely keep my eyes open!
The little guy and husband are in school through next Wednesday so I will have three mornings to myself. There is a pedicure in my future! Okay, not very frugal, but one at the beginning of the summer will get me through and I don't do them all year. In fact I've only ever had three in total!
On a sad note, we found one of the ducks dead in the barn this morning. It was one of the runner/Blue Swedish crosses. Not a friendly bunch but I hate losing one of my animals, especially mysteriously. My mom saw a hawk in the area this morning but this duck had no visible wounds or injuries and was inside. No feathers indicating an attack and later death. We'll keep an eye on everyone else closely.
Really looking forward to days for cleaning, organizing, simplifying and cooking!
Today was the last day for students in my schools. We have to go in tomorrow for an all day in-service and then I'm off until late August. I will spend some time soon making a list of what I hope to do this summer. Soon. Not tonight. I can barely keep my eyes open!
The little guy and husband are in school through next Wednesday so I will have three mornings to myself. There is a pedicure in my future! Okay, not very frugal, but one at the beginning of the summer will get me through and I don't do them all year. In fact I've only ever had three in total!
On a sad note, we found one of the ducks dead in the barn this morning. It was one of the runner/Blue Swedish crosses. Not a friendly bunch but I hate losing one of my animals, especially mysteriously. My mom saw a hawk in the area this morning but this duck had no visible wounds or injuries and was inside. No feathers indicating an attack and later death. We'll keep an eye on everyone else closely.
Really looking forward to days for cleaning, organizing, simplifying and cooking!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Almost summer
I have less than 2 weeks left to my school year. I'm feeling very motivated to turn this house upside down. So many thoughts and plans swirling in my head. I'm so thankful to my online and real life friends who inspire me with these ideas!
We were lucky enough to make it to the Coventry Regional Farmers' Market for opening day on Sunday. There we met author Kate Payne and I've been spending many spare moments reading her book The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking and her blog http://hipgirlshome.com/ . I'm currently in the mode of wanting to DO IT ALL NOW! I want to start a new batch of limoncello and kombucha and make fresh limeade and can something! Last weekend we went to the flea market and there I found a cute little wooden cabinet with hears cut out of the door. It's a nice size for storing jelly jars! We haven't quite worked out a permanent home for it. Right now it's resting on the floor next to the cabinets. It's not all that stable so something will have to be done to make it permanent. I kind of want it on the wall at eye level, but wall space in our kitchen is hard to come by. The one free wall has display shelves that would have to be altered to make room. It could be done. Not sure yet though. The only other option is to the right of the cookbook shelves. (Yes, shelves, plural, I don't have a problem, really, I don't!) That would involve moving the phone jack. Also doable. Basically I have to make a decision so we can go ahead and do something.
At Kate's table at the market she had coupons for canning jars and one for a small batch canning kit from Ball. We went right to Big Y afterwards and got it! It was only $9.99 and the coupon was for $3 off. It holds three jars and works in a regular stockpot. I already love it and I'm craving time to use it soon. Brandied cherries are high on my list of must can soon items! I also got more pint jars. Don't know what it is about that size. I just love them.
Here is the new berry patch in progress:
The pillow beckons. Tomorrow will be a busy day since the little guy starts fencing lessons. My farming friends all think that's awesome, and while it would be a handy skill, he will actually be taking up a foil or epee or whatever. So en guarde!
The girls say hello! And do you have any sunflower seeds or raisins?
We were lucky enough to make it to the Coventry Regional Farmers' Market for opening day on Sunday. There we met author Kate Payne and I've been spending many spare moments reading her book The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking and her blog http://hipgirlshome.com/ . I'm currently in the mode of wanting to DO IT ALL NOW! I want to start a new batch of limoncello and kombucha and make fresh limeade and can something! Last weekend we went to the flea market and there I found a cute little wooden cabinet with hears cut out of the door. It's a nice size for storing jelly jars! We haven't quite worked out a permanent home for it. Right now it's resting on the floor next to the cabinets. It's not all that stable so something will have to be done to make it permanent. I kind of want it on the wall at eye level, but wall space in our kitchen is hard to come by. The one free wall has display shelves that would have to be altered to make room. It could be done. Not sure yet though. The only other option is to the right of the cookbook shelves. (Yes, shelves, plural, I don't have a problem, really, I don't!) That would involve moving the phone jack. Also doable. Basically I have to make a decision so we can go ahead and do something.
At Kate's table at the market she had coupons for canning jars and one for a small batch canning kit from Ball. We went right to Big Y afterwards and got it! It was only $9.99 and the coupon was for $3 off. It holds three jars and works in a regular stockpot. I already love it and I'm craving time to use it soon. Brandied cherries are high on my list of must can soon items! I also got more pint jars. Don't know what it is about that size. I just love them.
Here is the new berry patch in progress:
The pillow beckons. Tomorrow will be a busy day since the little guy starts fencing lessons. My farming friends all think that's awesome, and while it would be a handy skill, he will actually be taking up a foil or epee or whatever. So en guarde!
The girls say hello! And do you have any sunflower seeds or raisins?
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