The Mennobrarian

In and Around the Home This Week

12:07, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted in Homemaking .. 4 comments .. Link

Have you seen daffodils bloom in late June? These are some bulbs I "forced" by keeping them in a pot in the refrigerator for a few months. They practically bloomed in the fridge, but are now doing well in this sunny window. A final taste of this fragrant flower.

It's the time of year here at the library when all of the students come in with their "summer reading" lists that are issued by their schools. These youths couldn't really care less what they read this summer, so long as it's something from the approved list. They have no idea how to find the books, and even after you tell them that the books are shelved alphabetically by the author's last name, they still ask you, "So where would it be?"

It makes you want to run home and start pulling weeds to work out your frustration!

Which reminds me, I had planted our tomato seedlings only about a foot apart, since our garden is only 660 square feet. Now that the plants are tall and wide, we have discovered an added bonus to having planted them so close, in addition to it just looking impressive. The vines and leaves have formed a shady canopy that has really helped keep the weeds down between plants.

In other news, the strawberry season was so short here that I blinked and missed it. I am going to check one more market in hopes of getting some for jam, but it is likely that they are gone.

In the Garden: My flower garden is filling out nicely, and I can't wait for the sunflowers and sweet peas to bloom. I have both the mammoth sunflowers and a shorter "junior" variety in a large planter. Was there ever a more cheerful flower? Peppers are growing fast, and those cabbage and lettuce seedlings for the second planting are also sprouting healthy.

On the Table: Chili casserole with cornbread, mixed green salad with dried cranberries, banana bread made from that "Amish Friendship bread" starter someone gave me a couple weeks ago, and for dessert, warm raspberry roll and ice cream.

At Home: My husband has the back of our house torn off, as he takes advantage of the good weather to re-frame it and add in a new back door and window. It invites all sorts of things to fly inside, though, not to mention we are awfully close to the elements when we are in the back room that serves as our office. One morning as I sat at my desk, something outside walked up to the hole in the thin wall by my foot (where we run an electrical cord) and clawed at it before walking away on four feet. All I could think was "Please don't let it crawl in the hole!"

Just Wondering: Our bookmobile is going to the county farm fair this summer, and I volunteered to do a few children's story times. Does anyone know of a great farm-themed children's picture book I could read at the fair?

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04:02, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted by Kitty
Your dafs are so pretty. Ours have come and gone, as well as our strawberries too. As for the picture book, it's been so long since I needed a book for that age child. But if only you knew someone who worked in a library, hummmm, LOL. Just kidding.........Kitty

***Very funny, Kitty! I have lots of ideas, but I was wondering what some seasoned Mothers might think!***

Edited by Mennobrarian on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 03:07

Untitled Comment

10:26, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427
Strawberries around this area were small and bitter this season, so we didn't get any! Daffodils were gorgous earlier, but have died, and hubby has even mowed them over already!!! *pout*

They used to teach about the Dewey Decimal and stuff like that when I was younger on library day. LOL I think sometimes the child is just lazy and wants someone else to do it for them!!! LOL

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Books

11:23, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 .. Posted by 3jemsmom
OH!! I LOVE "Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm" but it may be too long for what you're looking for. What about "Daisy Comes Home" By Jan Brett, or... "Bow Wow Meow" - a little golden book my girls love to hear aloud, as it's got lots of "Noises" in it. Um... "Mr Brown can Moo can You?" is a classic, in my book(HA!) or "Rooster Can't Cocka-Doodle Doo" is another popular book here... If I think of anymore I'll stop back by... I LOVED your Laura posts BTW, as we're doing the whole roadtrip thing this summer, and driving right through some of those spots, and I was going to look up where we might stop, and you saved me a ton of work! Did I also see you mention Ephrata one day? WA??? DH's aunt lives there, and it's going to be one of our stops, I think. Peace~ Shari

Book

11:29, Sunday, July 6, 2008 .. Posted by steffanie
My oldest loves Barnyard Banter and the Little Red Hen.