leder legends

It looks like it will be a warmer week with perfect temperatures to finally work in the yard again.  I'm excited!  The dilemma I have is : where to begin?? I have too much garden space with too much small stuff in it.  Last year the first thing I tackled was a flowerbed that had been invaded by wild garlic/onion.  It's impossible.  SO early in the season I got bought some double strength round up, moved the plants I wanted to save and sprayed.  Then I went away for a few weeks to Alaska to meet the newest granddaughter. When I got back I celebrated because it seemed as if the spray had worked and the nasties were either dead or dying. This year they are back and seemed to have taken over even more space.  That's where I will start.  Humbly, on my knees, with trowel and bucket in hand... after I go get some more spray!!

I gassed up yesterday.!  Less than $20 because I paid $1.32 with my Meijer's credit card!

I wanted to something for the WAR effort so I started making masks.  There was so much information out there and so many patterns.  I started out making cotton masks using fabric from my stash. It was a simple pleated masks with various ways to keep it on:  four cotton ties; elastic on the bottom and ties on the top; elastic loops to go around the ears; and then 4 ties made from t-shirts. Elastic on the bottom and t-shirt ties ...by far the most comfortable! I kept looking at different things online and came across the university of Florida's research site. They said to use surgical material that is used to wrap surgical instruments - a non-woven material that water cannot penetrate penetrate but breathable.  Apparently it gets tossed all the time. A group of about 6 started to make the masks from this using the pattern UFL supplied. They then came up with a pattern for the cone shaped masks which fit much better. We are supplying a hospital in M...

Spring! Things are starting to emerge from a long winter sleep.  Hairy cress has again invaded the yard but we were fortunate to have a few warm days so we could tackle it before it went to seed.  My friend came over a couple of times and we enjoyed chatting and pulling good old 'hairy' from a safe distance away from each other. I also tempted the young neighbor to help with the promise of $10 per hour.  He spent 7 hours helping! Best $70 I have spent in a long time.!! Naturally I did not download my phone photos to the computer yet. This is black monda. It has finally decided to be happy in my yard and now I have too much of it! Happens all the time!

The moon was very close to the earth a few days ago and was supposed to be pink.  Of course it rained here that night.  I was up early and saw it before the sun came up.  very pretty 

I made some cake pops for the employees... first and last time! I did not really enjoy doing that.  I also had a box of rice cereal that really needed to be used and Aaron got some marshmallows on the grocery run. 

The 'broom' has never been painted ... It was a lovely puke green and a disorganized mess! So nice and clean! All cleaned up and organized.  I hope it will stay that way for awhile.

We had a first time visitor to the yard. I hope he returns occasionally.

We celebrated Easter today! I'm so thankful for social media and all those who have posted some amazing music and photos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNCIL4uIqY

They fight all the time, it seems, but every once in awhile it seems like they really love each other!

Our son came over yesterday and did a grocery run for us.  We now have nuts, chips as well as fresh dairy, deli meats and veggies. We can snack and prepare meals that are a bit more interesting.  Today I made a hamburger rice dish and plated it on top of some fresh baby spinach and topped it with an egg-- over easy.  Bread and butter pickles and pickled beets were a nice fresh garnish.  We will have ice cream for dessert. Yesterday I spent a large part of the day sewing 10 masks for a local hospital.  They keep asking for more so I sure hope they are not tossing them after one use.  They can be sterilized in the oven:  30 minutes at 159 degrees. I thought I had until Monday to finish them but no...she dropped them off today.  In a way I'm glad that I just bit the bullet and finished them.  I have no more surgical material/fabric so I can take a break until Monday afternoon.  I also went to the post office to mail two boxes.  ...

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this here but I have challenged myself to use up the food that we have in the house (as much as possible lol) before I go and restock.  It's forcing me to be a bit creative. Small flour tortillas--Who knew there were two packages in the freezer?  --instead of bread. They even fit in the toaster! haha So today I am making tuna casserole to use up two of the 5 cans in the pantry. I had to make a few substitutions.  I combined elements of various online recipes that claimed to be the world's BEST tuna casserole.  No peas (which I hate)--I used the last of the carrots.  Only one can of condensed soup--I added the last of the sour cream, some ultra pasteurized heavy cream, a a small piece of cream cheese, and spices. It's in the oven and will soon be topped (in sections) with the last of the panko crumbs and the grated cheese. It sounds inventive, don't you think? I hope it tastes good.  Tasted good....

The last two days have great because I got  out and talked with people, weeded the garden some more and relaxed in the sunshine. Today is pretty gray and damp.  It's one of those days when it's hard to get going. The computer is wonderful but man is it easy to sit in front of it and let the day ooze away.   I did bring a couple of masks to an elderly friend. I started a box for Alaska...Celia turns one soon. Storman turns 6.  Time flies! I ordered some gifts online and probably spent too much.  I found a few boxes of graham crackers that needed to be used to so I made Graham cracker toffee.  I think it looks pretty good   It was incredibly easy to make.  I did spend quite awhile on my knees looking for the chocolate chips.  In my urge to clean up cupboards, I had stored them in a Tupperware container and it was naturally way in the back of said cupboard.  You might say it was a humbling experience on two levels....

APRIL 3, 2020 Thanks/ gracias becky I copied this because I do want to remember. We can't ever forget- because the lessons we learn now can change the world when it opens again! Just so I NEVER forget..... April 2, 2020 -Gas price a mile from home was $1.88 -School cancelled - yes cancelled (students left March 12 and wouldn’t return) -Self-distancing measures on the rise. -Tape on the floors at grocery stores to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other. -Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors. -Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed. -Ordering takeout? Stand on taped Xs pick it up -Parks, trails, entire cities locked up. -Entire sports seasons cancelled. -Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled. -Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled. -People unable to attend visitations and funerals. -Churches are closed. Online services held. -No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, ...