I wish there was 6 of me to get all the "things" done around here right now. Work has been done based on the weather and needs. Basically, there are projects/jobs around here not completely finished. It drives me bonkers, but we work on them daily. If my husband was retired, it would be much different, but it's not the case.
On top of losing the tomatoes recently, we have a plethora of rabbits. Apparantly this is a wide case issue in the area this year. Rabbit stew? They are a huge problem if they continue to eat my herb garden and get into the vegetable/fruit garden. It may come to that if grocery prices continue to rise.
Is it me, or are prices soaring again? I could not believe the cost of blueberries at the grocery store the other day.
I actually considered going back to work vs. doing the garden/homesteading thing this year. I also contemplated getting a part time job and still maintain a smaller garden. Everything is so high on cost right now it is sickening.
We were blessed with some cool breeze days after the rain finally quit, and the 90 degree heat left us. It was nice to open windows and let fresh air in. The heat is returning, and our AC had yet to turned on. If it's been tolerable, we just run a fan or open windows, to save on that summer electric bill.
It's strawberry season in our area right now. June bearing strawberries are just what they are - bearing fruit for a short time in June and that is it, so putting up time is about a week or two. However, the season is about to end as fast as it started.
Canning reduced sugar jam is done, and freezing what we'd like, is in the process.
South Carolina peaches are starting to appear at our local produce stands as well, and all at the same time this year. I asked around, and no one is getting Georgia peaches. They are telling me that they have not gotten them over the last two years (which we know due to weather). We are trying the South Carolina peaches this year.
We do have one peach tree, but we've only gotten peaches from it once. It's still alive, but has not done well here. We may plant more fruit trees next spring. Our apple trees did well last fall.
I absolutely love Strawberry Margarita Jam (link goes to the online recipe at Better Homes and Garden Canning Recipes), but it is loaded with sugar. I gifted it one year I believe, and even did a barter one year. Some year I will can it again. Just not this year.
Of course, we are enjoying the strawberries fresh as well, as we await for the peaches to become a good ripe stage. I keep having a talk with them, and that I need them to ripen sloooowwwwllly during this gardening season.
So much to do.