Awakening/Growth Time 2024

Bloodroot emerging

It's the time of Awakening and we can see it all around us. Trees are leafing out, others are blooming.

Rhubarb growing well

The rhubarb is up in the garden.

Red currant blossoms

The currants are in bud and bloom. Garlic and shallots are up and strawberries are perking up from their winter rest. 

Our shiitake logs are beginning to fruit (it's called buttoning at this stage). We're looking forward to fresh mushrooms again.

Tiny shiitake buds

We've been out in the garden a bit. The weather has been very rainy and cool. I have taken the winter mulch off of the garlic, shallots and strawberries. The raspberries have had the winter deadened tips clipped off.

Bob cleans out sprouted straw

We've cleaned the planting beds of weeds which escaped us last autumn.

Bob undertook the task of digging up and moving our large shrub rose.

Rose bush in its new spot

Once we had removed the back deck, this bush was in a bad spot (at the foot of our new porch steps). Now it is more properly located.

The cool weather plant starts are being hardened off and are soon to be planted. 

Inside of the house, we each have had our own projects.

Acrobatic freezer washing

I have consolidated the contents of the two chest freezers into one. Both freezes have now been defrosted and washed, ready for another season.

I also have cleaned the pantry and all of the kitchen cupboards and drawers. It's still too cool to wash all of the windows, but I hope to get to this before long.

Bob has of course, been working on the bathroom remodel.

New closet space

All of the Masonite is off of the walls now. The new, smaller closet is framed out and drywalled.

Vanity on its way out

The old vanity is on the junk pile! The next step is to update the wiring. There's a little bit more drywall to install and a ton of taping and mudding to do. The toilet will have to come out before that can be done. He's been putting that off because he is dreading the trips to the downstairs bathroom in the wee small hours. It's tough getting to be old. (I remember a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon where Calvin, afraid to travel to the bathroom, just peed out of his bedroom window (causing his parents to wonder why the rose bushes on that side of the house were dying). Perhaps Bob will resort to this?!).

Wind damage to a large pine

We had three diversions this month.

The first was on the afternoon of the total solar eclipse. It was very overcast here, so we didn't see very much. We viewed this from our meadow and did experience it getting very dark and then becoming lighter again. It was very eerie! This was our first opportunity to look over our property since last autumn. We found seven large Eastern White Pine trees that had been uprooted by the winter's high winds.

A pine, cherry and maple all down together

A few cherries were downed and some smaller maples snapped off by the winds or broken down by other falling trees. Most of these will be left to lie as they fell, but one is blocking our main path. It will have to be dealt with carefully because its trunk is covered with poison ivy vines.

Our next outing was at Buttermilk Falls State Park. It was a lovely day and the Gorge Trail had just been reopened for the season.

Hepatica blooming

We walked both the North Rim and Gorge trails. There were many hepatica in bloom and the falls were lovely, as always.

Just one of the cascades in the Falls

Our third adventure was a very muddy walk to Teeter Pond in the Finger Lakes National Forest, for Bob's birthday. There were only a few birds around: some Canada Geese and a Kingfisher. The most exciting thing was an American Woodcock that walked right next to us, about a foot off of the trail we were on. It's the first one we've ever seen. Sorry, but we focused on the moment and didn't take a photograph. Instead, here's a picture that Bob took of a very photogenic frog.

Phil the photogenic frog

We plan to get out again this coming Friday to walk the Rim Trail at Watkins Glen State Park. A fine day is forecast, so we should have an enjoyable time.

That's about all of the news from here.

We'll continue to work on the bathroom and in the garden. By the time the next update comes out, the cool weather plants will be in the ground and the warm weather plants will be in the process of hardening off. Hopefully the bathroom will be showing real progress, too.

We hope all of you can get out and enjoy some of the gorgeous spring weather and all of the loveliness that it brings.

Till next time, 

Bob and Kathleen

Colt's foot is blooming now

 

Can you spot the Bumble bee?

Blustery Winds Time 2024

 

Birthday flowers

Last night's full moon was beautiful. Our weather has been a mixed bag this month. We've had very warm days, followed by cold and rain. We had snow over the weekend. I believe it was only the second time that Bob got out his snow thrower all season. Sun yesterday and today has melted nearly all of it. 

During the nice weather we did some outside chores.

"Five, Six Pick Up Sticks"

 

I gathered all of the branches and twigs which had fallen in the yard during our windy weather. These will be used for stove kindling.

Bob prunes an apple tree

Bob got out and pruned his apple trees. He took some of the cuttings to Cornell Wildlife Hospital for a sick beaver to enjoy.

Shiitake logs

Then he set up his shiitake logs for the season ahead.

Now he's busy working on the bathroom remodel. We finally got a new toilet. This is the fourth try. The first had a molding defect. The second time they sent the wrong model. The third time the tank was broken. We had all of these delivered, but we had to take the returns back ourselves. We got tired of hefting them around. We decided to get a different brand and drove to Henrietta to pick it up ourselves. It appears to be fine. We're glad that nonsense is over. I was beginning to think we'd have to use a five-gallon bucket for the job!

Closet wall coming down

Bob's got the tub area drywalled, taped and mudded. Now he's removing the walls around the closet. It takes quite a bit of muscle to get the framing out. He also has to deal with a couple of different ceiling levels in this area. It looks complicated to me.

Seed starting begins

I've started many of my garden seeds: cabbage, kale, chard, tat soi, lettuce, spinach, celery, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and sweet potatoes. I'm still waiting for the peppers and sweet potatoes to sprout.

Three weeks later...

Everything else is up and has been potted up into the small sized pots. After they've filled these out, they'll be potted up into a larger sized pot.

I finished my hardanger project in plenty of time for spring decorating.

Pansy runner all finished

Lately I've been working on a cardigan for myself. There's just a little bit more time to enjoy leisure activities: reading, working puzzles and needlework. Our larder is emptying out. We still have a few potatoes, some frozen fruits and vegetables and lots of sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato fries

Since we have so many sweet potatoes left we eat them nearly every day. This is one of our favorite ways to fix them. 

I cut the potatoes into sticks and drizzle them with olive oil. I toss them to distribute the oil and then sprinkle on an herb mixture of salt, cayenne, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder and rosemary. These bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees, stirring halfway through baking time. Since the potatoes get sweeter with storage, ours are pretty sweet. Neither Bob nor I like really sweet vegetables, so we like to dress the fries with vinegar. That makes them very tasty. 

Despite our cooler than normal temperatures right now, spring is at hand. By the end of next month we should be planting peas and setting out the cool weather seedlings. 

Nature's stirring from its rest and the pace of our lives will pick up in response.

Enjoy this final bit of rest and look forward to a new season of growth and life.

Till next time,

Kathleen and Bob

A foggy morning at our house

Foggy lane to our wooded property

Stay at Home / Cleansing Time 2024

 

Our creek filled with snowmelt & rain

There goes another month. We stayed at home most of Stay at Home Time, but then, we stay at home most of the time.

During this month Bob's begun the hands-on bathroom remodeling. Aside from a couple of items on order, the supplies have been delivered. Most are in the cellar, but the tub surround currently stands in my kitchen.

Tub surround in a box.

The first step in the process was to remove the plumbing access cover, which is in the downstairs bathroom.

That access cover is heavy!

Next, he removed the Masonite, tub surround, and old gypsum board from the tub area. We were pleased to find the mold in this area to be minimal.

Quite a bit of time was devoted to improving the blocking in that area to make the walls straight. That's an old house (174+/- years) thing.

Tub blocking. That's original wallpaper, folks!

Once Bob and his level had completed that chore, he installed cement board which will back the new tub surround. He just finished that job this morning.

Bathroom on Feb 25th

Next, he'll drywall above the cement board and mend the ceiling in this area. Then it's me and my trusty paintbrush.

He decided to begin with the tub area because it's easily isolated and allows us to use the toilet and sink a little while longer.

Bob at Cornell

The Wildlife Center asked Bob for some more perches, which he was very happy to supply.

They wanted "bark on" perches of specific sizes for the injured critters. It only took Bob a couple of hours and got him out of the bathroom and into the fresh air on a pleasant day. In addition to that, he was able to use a Box Elder tree that needed to come down anyway. He really enjoys doing these little projects for them.

Load of perches ready to go.

I have spent extra time this month on needlework projects and harp practice. 

It was time to refurbish my outdoor winter ware, so I dipped into my stash again and made up a scarf with matching mittens and an ear band (I don't wear hats!) with matching mittens. Then I raveled a pair of mittens (I didn't like the way they fit) and am reknitting those.

Busy needles

I've spent just a little more time on my hardanger piece which I mentioned last month. I finished the embroidery on one end this morning.

One end done.

This month also allows me more time to spend on harp practice. Right now I'm focusing on these two books, while still keeping up on the pieces I've already learned.

My current music focus.

 

In an effort to improve our energy efficiency, we've finally been able to upgrade our plant start lighting from fluorescent bulbs to LED grow lights. I'm looking forward to seeing improvement in both our electric use and plant growth.

New LED grow lights are really much brighter!

Cleansing Time is the other half of our month's designation. This is a cleansing aimed at removing obstacles to growth and vision. It means taking time to think about what we really want in life and considering what is standing in the way of achieving it. Obstacles may be material, emotional, relational, ... Once identified, taking appropriate action is the next step. 

A thoughtful time.

This year, we did not see so many material goods that needed to be shed right now. What we did see was change needed in thought patterns and habits. This is in many ways more difficult work. It will be well worth the effort.

That's what our month has looked like. Great seasonal changes loom just ahead - both in the out of doors and in our internal lives.

Look forward to the change of seasons, while still resting in the end of this season of refreshment.

Till next time,

Kathleen and Bob

Ever optimistic Daffodils!

Cold Time/Renewal Time 2024

 

Time to relax by a cozy fire

Cold Time has ended on a warm note. This month we have had some cold and snow, but nothing too extraordinary. We did have a couple of hefty windstorms. There was no damage to the house lot, except for some small, dead branches that came down. We haven't yet taken the time to check for damage in our woods.

For the Renewal portion of the month, we've both been doing a good deal of reading. Additionally, I've been doing some needlework.

Bob's sweater being blocked

I've finished Bob's Christmas sweater (late, I know). All that's left is to sew on the buttons this weekend.

This year's piece: pansy runner

I've also been working on a hardanger project. I have a pill I take every Sunday morning. I can't eat for two hours after taking it, so my routine is to spend an hour to an hour and a half working on this piece. It's the only time I get to work on it through the week. Hopefully I'll finish it by April or May, since it has pansies embroidered on it.

I am also knitting a ski mask for Bob. The winter wind on our daily walk is hard on his face. I should have this done by Monday, when our cold temperatures are supposed to return.

Now, on to our projects.

Bob's been busy planning the second-floor bathroom update. The supplies have been ordered and should be delivered at the end of this week or the beginning of next. 

This is the last room to be totally revamped, and in my opinion, wins the award for the most "Gawd Awful"! I'm not alone in this view. We had the code officer in a few years ago on another matter. He walked into that room and said, "Whoa! This will be the next room to do!".

Here's a gallery of "before" shots for your pleasure (?).

Open the door and walk into a wall

Note the lovely gold marble masonite board ala 1960 something. I'm sure it was ugly then. Age, discoloration and pealing surface have not enhanced it.

Peaking around the wall 

Lovely blue tub and surround

The surround and tub have no caulking. We're sure the drywall behind must be a disaster. The teddy bears make me cringe.

Old vanity cabinet with water damage

The toilet was replaced before we bought the house. Everything else is "vintage". The vanity is water damaged inside and stinks from whatever chemicals were stored in there for years. Yuck!

Very large closet, missing doors

This huge closet is not very useful. We use it as a dressing room. There were broken bifold doors on it, which Bob has already removed. We will make this a much smaller and more useable space.

I am currently painting the new closet doors, trying to get a jump on what work I can.

New closet doors in process

Even as I type this, Bob is finishing the hanging of the new door for the second upstairs bedroom. This house had definite door issues. All of the doors were either missing entirely or damaged. This one was missing. Only the hinges remained.

New matches old quite well

New latch going on

As a reminder that winter does not last forever, I've finished planning out my 2024 garden, and the seed order has arrived.

Some of this year's selections

We haven't gotten out too much this winter, but wildlife sometimes comes to us.

This week we had a Northern Goshawk shopping at our birdfeeders. We thought it was great. Our avian regulars did not agree.

Wild turkeys have visited a few times. This last group numbered 24.

Turkeys heading back into the woods

So, while our month hasn't been entirely rest filled and relaxing, our projects have not been too taxing. Perhaps next winter we can relax a bit more. It's something to aim for. 

Next we look ahead to Cleansing Time, when we examine, assess and make alterations in our lives. It's like a late-winter garden clean up in preparation for new growth.

We hope you have enjoyed a time of rest and renewal. Perhaps you might consider "tending your own garden" to encourage growth.

Till next time,

Kathleen and Bob

Wild Turkey