Summer is in full swing in our backyard. So far, kale has been the most reliable crop I planted in the raised beds Andy built for me. On more than one occasion since early June, I would have gone so far as to say we were drowning in the stuff. After months of waiting, I’ve finally pulled up the first carrots and one little onion. The carrots may be delightfully deformed, but they're also delicious! I’ve also been watching my tomatoes like a hawk, checking every day for progress toward my first homegrown tomato. I’m feeling especially protective of my tomatoes as the deer that wander through our yard almost daily have repeatedly nibbled at my precious plants. Thankfully Andy designed some ingenious row covers to keep the deer, birds, rabbits, and really anything other than me and maybe the slugs from eating the contents of our raised beds. A good thing too, since I was nearly ready to drag a sleeping bag out between the beds to keep the deer away!
Read moreLife: Week 29
After the stress and excitement of last week, Andy and I took it easy, spending a quiet week at home. The hot weather we've had recently has turned me into a homebody, but over the weekend I did manage to get out of the apartment a few times. Ever since getting hooked on my cousins new plant blog, I've been itching to make a trip to my local nursery for a few houseplants. With a quiet weekend close to home, I finally had the opportunity to pick up a few new bits of greenery, including a curly spider plant (already safely stowed out of the reach of my cat, who mowed the last one down to a nub) a prayer plant and a beautifully variegated pothos. Now to see if I can manage to keep them alive despite my previous less than exemplary record with houseplants. Over the weekend, I also made a stop at my favorite knitting store to pick up yarn for a new sweater, because what sounds better in 90 degree weather than sitting under a pile of wool. Mistakes were made, but I'll definitely be happy when I have a new sweater just in time for cool fall weather!
Read moreLife: Week 29
I've been getting off work early during our slow season over the summer, which means time for long walks around Redmond. I haven't found any ripe blackberries yet, but any day now the city trails will be perfumed with the scent of ripe berries. I've also been making gradual progress on a sweater I started knitting a few months ago for a friend. So far it's very boring, straightforward knitting, but the yarn color is so gorgeous that it's still fun to work on! Saturday, Andy and I got an early start to meet my dad for a weekend in the mountains. My dad wanted to check out the fishing at a lake near their cabin, so that's where we were headed. The hike started off with a gentle 4.5 mile hike from the cabin, with a rather exciting stream crossing around the halfway point. After a junction signed "trail not maintained beyond this point" (beware these signs!) the last mile to the lake was a punishing climb of a little over 1000' straight up the basin wall - definitely Type II fun, bordering on Type III.
Read moreLife: Week 29
These days, my daily runs are scented by the abundant blackberries lining the local trails. My daily runs are also more like daily walks, since I can't handle running in this heat! I've made a deal with myself that even if it's too hot to motivate myself for running, I should at least go for a long walk. Hopefully I can keep up some level of activity through the heat to come in August.
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