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Monday, June 11, 2018

On a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give it a 6.

Yes, another weekend of Plan Bs.  You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but still I carry on.


Most disappointing of all, was the fact that Layla's potential adopter backed out at the last minute.  An entire week of answering questions, scheduling and rescheduling, yada yada, and they left a voicemail message (called late at night so there was a very good chance I would not answer the phone, cowards!) saying they decided "it wasn't the right time".  Good lord.  I have a feeling it was because she isn't "a breed" and their last dog was a little purebred something or other.  Whatever.  Obviously, they did not deserve her.  I picked up some giant marrow bones and treated all three (and me, by default) to a blissful Sunday afternoon of gnawing.


On Saturday, I left the house at 8:15 and pulled in the driveway at 5:15.  The dogs are starting to demand I show some ID when I walk in the door - honestly, it's as bad as working six days a week.  I didn't set up my farm work on Sunday, because I didn't find out I'd be home until that morning. This gave me the opportunity to overwork on Sunday - see?  I didn't remember and no one reminded me.  I am not safe on my own.


Fence work is to start this week.  Supposedly, but I will believe it when I see it.  In the meantime, I picked up a mineral block for the sheep and they were thrilled and it will keep them occupied for at least half of the week.


A neighbor very generously gave me plant starts from her lovely garden.  At 5:30 on Sunday afternoon.  Sigh.  I had just spent from 8:30 - 5:15 weeding and planting and cleaning up.  I watered her plants well and put them in shade.  I hope they can hold up until I can squeeze in time to plant them.  We had spent a lovely 20 minutes in her peaceful backyard with a glass of wine (from 5:30-5:50 on Saturday -- see?  I'm now micromanaging my social time...) where we both bemoaned the fact that, since we are single, have homes, work full time, we never have time to do anything except on weekends.  This proves my theory that people may listen to you, but they don't hear you.  Ergo, she shows up at the end of my weekend with six plants that need to be put in the ground.  I still don't know where I'm putting four of the six plants, but I guess I'll figure that out.


Saturday night I baked a rhubarb pie, using a Martha Stewart recipe that was easy to adapt to GF.  It sure was a mess, but YUM!  Of course, it was a mess because I followed the recipe for a normal 9" pie crust and all pre-made GF crusts (as well as any type of baked good) is much smaller.  So you can be sure you are paying wa-a-a-a-y more for it than a regular pie crust (or any baked good).  Nevertheless, it was delicious.  I will make another for the local library's Pie a la Mode celebration during the Fourth of July parade.  Maybe I'll go crazy and make one of each - GF and normal.
Thank goodness it was on foil AND parchment,
or I'd be eating it off the baking tray...
I also did my variation of Hawaiian burgers on Sunday, in my effort to spruce up my eating habits on the weekend (as in a balanced meal).  My version consists of ground pork, minced scallions, ginger, allspice, s/p, grilled and topped with reduced Balsamic vinegar and a grilled slice of pineapple on top!  I added grilled asparagus and oven baked sweet potato fries.  I forced myself to forgo pie for dessert...


The garden is finally taking shape - this is the latest ever.  However, we do need rain - badly.  I think I may have jinxed us by putting in a second rain barrel.  I have enough rain in the original barrel to water the garden judiciously for another week or so.  There isn't a solid forecast for rain in the next 10 days, though.  Let's hope they are wrong!
You can see how close the truck
traffic is.
About 90% of the worst weeds are gone.  Three
areas are going to be covered in weed cloth/cardboard/whatever
so that I have a fighting chance next year.

Currant bushes are laden with future fruit!

Biggify to see the blueberries.
This seems to be a good year for fruit (excuse me while I turn around six time, rapidly, counter-clockwise, speaking Dutch and twirling a baton - just to take the jinx off that last statement...)





24 comments:

Theresa said...

Oh NO! The jerks for not taking Miss Wonderful. Should I just buy her that plane ticket? I wonder who else is watching those blueberries for ripening????
Thank god it's Monday and you can go back to the ease of just working huh?
I am weaving this year instead of weeding. They will be there for me next year no doubt. I spent my weekend watching episodes of Parts Unknown and puddling up.

wisps of words said...

Ohhh wow! How delicious looking! That Rhubarb Pie. I don't care if it "fits" or doesn't. I'd eat it any way I could. -happy sigh-

Perhaps someday, I'll get myself a G/F pie crust and make myself a pie. Trouble is, I'd want to eat the whole thing, that evening! -sigh-

So it's better if I make real pies for him, and only get an individual serving of some G/F dessert, at Healthy Market.

But you certainly do tempt me!

Susan said...

I, for one, am so glad you are spending your year weaving! Parts Unknown? Do tell! I tell you, if I could, I'd buy her a first class ticket and put little Princess Pea on a plane northwest. She will find her perfect home - it will happen. Who is watching the ripening of the fruit? How much time do you have? Birds, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, ....

Michelle said...

We got a good, soaking rain this weekend, so I pray you get the same. (We did have to wait at least seven weeks, though, so....)

tpals said...

So, not only do you do ALL that on the weekend, but you cook too! Ah, I think I figured it out: you've cloned yourself.

ellen abbott said...

what is a GF crust? your garden looks great. much bigger than mine but I do have a new 4' x 12' raised bed that I bought this spring but didn't assemble yet. waiting for fall.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

we broke a record here for how much rain we got in one day! it even cooled off a bit. that won't last long though! your garden is looking wonderful!

Ed said...

I sometimes call when I know they are out and leave a message. Sometimes it is much faster that way. These days, text messages and emails have about the same effect.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Mmmm, I LOVE rhubarb pie! Sorry to hear the adoption fell through.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

oooh, that pie!!! and GF!! I haven't found decent GF anything except Pam's baking mix yet. Your gardens are lovely - and yes, the fruit trees seem to be very happy this year - at least here in CT.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

PS- we had an adopter return a lovely dog after having her for months! Decided a dog wasn't the right fit for their household... and she passed our interview process with flying colors, even volunteered previously for our adoption events. At least she was honest about her issues. Sad for the dog, but we found her a better home.

ellen abbott said...

OK, I get it. gluten free

Mama Pea said...

I feel ashamed every time I walk past our rhubarb. I've made only two rhubarb cakes so far this season, not one pie yet. Loved the pics of your garden. Yes, much larger than you've led (lead?) us to believe before. You do SO well at cooking for yourself. If I were in your shoes, it would be potato chips and ice cream 5 nights of the week. The other two? Wine. We need rain, too, and we have a 50% chance (supposedly) of getting a little tonight. I didn't water the garden tonight so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Can't believe the stage your blueberries are at! We're just barely getting blossoms. You warm up so very quickly in the spring compared to us. Yes, I'm envious. A lot. Hugs.

Theresa said...

Anthony Bourdain's series Parts Unknown. They were running some great episodes. The Montreal/Quebec one made me laugh and cry, loudly. RIP Anthony and Canada, we love you even if the Orange mold does not.

Susan said...

We have a vague forecast for a thunderstorm on Weds. I am planning on doing a rain dance in the morning!

Susan said...

(I got my reply out of order!) It is nowhere near as lovely as the pie you made for your husband! Lucky guy...

Susan said...

Good lord, let's hope not. One of me is way enough!

Susan said...

Our mornings continue to be cool (Tues - 43 degrees!) and afternoons are warm. Lovely, but not encouraging for tomato growth.

Susan said...

I know I email when I want some space in between sending and reading, and you do have to be careful that you think before you send.

Susan said...

Me, too! Is rhubarb a vege or fruit? It is my favorite pie ingredient, no matter what.

Susan said...

This is a pretty good pre-made crust, Karen Ann. It is available frozen in the Price Chopper grocery chain near me. I've not tried Pam's baking mix - I did try the Bisquick GF and would not recommend it.

Susan said...

A new application came in and I am feeling very hopeful. I think this might be it! She is not fazed in the least that Layla is not a purebred and tends towards car sickness. Fingers (and paws) crossed!

Susan said...

Just wait until those big, leafy stems start reaching out towards you when you sidle by... :) I did not plant anything in two of my largest raised beds and it's sparse in the rest - I just am very clever in how I stage the photographs! Let's hope we both get rain! xoxoxo

Rain said...

Hi Susan :) Your posts are exhausting but always fun to read :) I mean that in a good way of course! :) Micromanaging your social time! Eek! At least you got a glass of wine in there!!! That sucks about the adoption going sour...at least Layla wasn't aware of the disappointment...so sad how people are. I think shelter dogs are the best dogs, I think Charlie is our only purebred husky, Marlene is a mix of a husky and a shepherd, and Jack is a mix of a hound dog and maybe a beagle.