Weather Forecast Bright Sunny and Hot Part One

 Wasn't it a lovely day yesterday.  Absolutely super.  Too warm for me to garden in the day.  However as I mentioned previously, I have had a lot to do in any event.  I got all my washing out and dried.  Still a small pile to deal with but hopefully, will be getting it out today.  Well that is according to the weather forecast, so I am hoping for an early start today whilst it is cooler.  

I have been inspired by my friend Tracy @oursmallholding adventure on You Tube link here You Tube Our Smallholding Adventure who came back off holiday to a garden full of weeds and has put a plan together to deal with said problem.  It has been quite interesting. It is nice to see how other people approach and execute things.  I personally cannot work in the heat for any length of time, and Tracy choosing to work in the garden of an evening made sense to me to try and adopt as for me it is an ideal time to get to grips with things.  The garden for me is not just a place to dig my hands into the soil, and grow things but also a calming environment in which to think and to plot and to plan. I also think that is why I like to go foraging a lot, because of the peace and quiet.  I have however been getting frustrated with lack of progress on my part, with the garden and having to continually weed inbetween getting on with the next bit, then having to rest up, so a concerted effort is needed from me again to get back on track.  

Wednesday evening was therefore the first evening I got stuck in.  I have had to yet again re-weed one of the borders.  I used the Hoe to help, which did a great deal.  It saved my back even though every so often I did have to use the kneeler.  Some of the French Bean plants had gone AWOL (not a clue) just completely missing, so I have sorted out their border, and re-arranged the plants somewhat as well. I now have room to put some other items which might also be sorted out later on today depending on how I get on. I also have a couple of baby beans on very tiny plants.  Quite excited.  I was successful in sorting out the side border last night, which I am quite chuffed with.

I have also started to tackle a border which has not been touched as yet.  I have part-way weeded this, but have to get the spade out to give it a good going over once the weeds are out.  Then I will be able to get my Runners in which have gone loopy in the greenhouse.  Am hoping to get that tackled this evening.  Then I can sort the Rhubarb out a little bit; probably give it the last thinning of the year and make something from it on the preserves front. Think will need some Strawberries to turn it into Rhubarb and Strawberry Pie filling for puddings during the winter months.  Will have to see what we can find.

Just recently, something had to give.  I like watching TV, but with the practicalities of housework and preserving season I was trying to do too much. I have therefore not been watching as much TV as I have been of an evening which in one sense is fine and nor has G which means I have been getting to bed a little earlier than I had been. Trouble is I get my nose into a programme and I am gone.  Overall this has to be better for me longer term.  How long it will last for I am not sure.

Also to be used up for preserves of one sort or another is a load of dried fruit in the Pantry.  I have some good old fashioned dried fruit chutney recipes which play their part, so I may well use some of it up this way and also make some Mincemeat as well.  I use a lot of Mincemeat through the year.  I also have cherry tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and Lemons to make something of for the Pantry shelf.  I do need to get some peaches though at some point as I have Peach and Chilli Chutney to make.  This is my favourite Chutney.  There is also rather a nice preserve using Star Anise and Peaches that I would quite like to get done and put up for Christmas.  I will have to keep a look out at the Veg shop for a bargain on these as they have gone up quite a lot this year.  It will be a considered expense in the circumstances, however I did not get any made last year and now have none left. I would like to get a good amount made again so that if things are stilly iffy next year I will still have some to hand.

G has also started painting out the little room.  It is just being painted white, but we did have it painted an Aqua colour, so it is taking a few coats of paint to cover up.  That should make that look clean and tidy.  Once the little room is done, he has said that he will then tackle the main bathroom part.  Slowly slowly catch a monkey.  Just slotting in regular time efforts where we can.  Want to try and tidy things up a bit before the cold days come for our comfort more than anything else and it has been a while since we decorated. Kitchen will then be painted out white again after that.

I also have wallpaper for the dining room.  Have had it for sometime, and it would be nice to get that up.  I have never wallpapered before so it would be good to have a go at this. It would be a good skill to have as so much needs doing and G's back does not always hold out. Nor does his patience when teaching things. He can get a bit "Ratty". I have realised that the only way for me to learn is to have a go at it and see what happens, make my mistakes and learn from them.  Will see what happens.

I did not get out for a recce on the foraging front yesterday so I am hoping at some point to go out today to see what can be found in a different area.  I am also looking not for things that are ready  now, but also things to come like Rowan, Rosehips and Sloes.  I also forage seed heads, twigs, cones that sort of thing and always come back with lots of little bits.  I do have some projects in mind to deal with shortly in any event more for my own "playtime" than anything else.  Will have to see what we come across.

It is not often I get to a morning post, but as there is a lot to do today, thought would split the post for today in two halves.

Catch up Later on.

Pattypan

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