Choices

I've discovered that when you decide to be self-sufficient, a homesteader or simply (ha!) grow a garden for preserving purposes, you have one giant messy home all summer long.

Messy = chaos.  Chaos=headache/stress.  I took the day off (one afternoon) from the garden (sort of), and attacked my bedroom with gusto.  I still had a sweater on the back of a chair, from cool spring weather (Yikes!).  

I told the girls, "I'm finally going to vacuum my room after a month," and the response was "that's gross."  Ha ha!  Ain't that the truth though?  We just can't do it all.  Even with the help from the kids.  Two work and go to school, and two are about to go back to public school (cry).  I'm about the only Mom who doesn't like the start of school.  I appreciate all the help, believe me.

Crazy Busy, but a Good "Busy"

I don't know why I even bother to borrow books from the library during this time of year.  I pick them up, never open them, and have a horrible time finding free time to return them.   It's in a town where I cannot do any errands but get gas in my car and pick up ice.  I returned everything but one book, and decided to leave it at that. 

The 60% chance of rain we were to get on Wednesday just flew off the weather map - "poof" it was gone.  No rain.  I need more hoses and a sprinkler, and I do not have them.  I already have three long hoses put together.  I'll be taking garden notes for next season, including where not to plant my garlic.  

In the 112 bulbs I planted, only 5-6 are as large as the largest one in the photo.  The rest are dinky.  It was like digging in cement, and I ended up with bruised knees (even with a knee pad).  I'll save these (or a portion) for replanting, but will be checking farmer's markets for more garlic (and beets).  I'm not sure fall planting will be a good idea for beets just yet.  I planted beans and peas and every chance of rain they said we'd get, was changed to no rain.  The tree leaves are already turning brown.