The Mennobrarian

In and Around the Home this Week

All the planning in the world hasn't helped us to get all of our vegetables planted yet, as we had substantial rain last week which completely washed out our gardening plans. Unfortunately, some of our seedlings got caught in the flood and were washed away on our back deck where they were hardening. If you can picture it, my wonderful husband and I were crawling around in the dead of night with flashlights after the rain had stopped performing "seedling rescue" and rehab. We managed to find and save most of them! All but a few are still hearty and resilient.

Severe weather two nights ago managed to knock out our power for most of yesterday. It was inconvenient, but no harm was done. I am utterly convinced we would have had greater damage if not for those arborvitae trees we have recently planted around the property. It seems they did a good job protecting us from blowing debris.

On the Table: Strawberry rhubarb pie, lasagna roll-ups, garlic bread, green salad, homemade granola, and lots of fresh, local strawberries.

In the Home: That rain sure gave us an opportunity to get things done inside. Drywall is going up in the kitchen, and our "housewares" room (things that are stored while we are renovating) was the target of a reorganization. Canning supplies are being gathered, and it is exciting to finally have my own canning equipment. Out of the many wonderful and useful wedding presents we received, few pertained to canning, so it is fun to shop for these necessary items. Last week I was blessed by finding a $50 kitchen scale marked down to half the price because it had been a display item.

Making Plans: If the weather holds, to meet up with a friend for some shopping at the farmer's market in Ephrata. That ought to help start us on some early season canning.

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12:05, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 .. Posted by mamaof2andtwins

I am glad you were able to save your seedlings. I would have done the same thing. We work so hard taking care of them for all those weeks. Enjoy your fresh strawberries. Ours won't be ready for 4-5 more weeks.
Blessings,
Jennie

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12:44, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 .. Posted by HandsNHearts

Dingy whites are usually caused by bleaching....and often by the various chemicals/minerals in your water. We don't use bleach for much of anything around here, let alone clothes washing. We have used bluing for years. That and occasionally some of that oxyclean stuff to soak items in.

I'm sorry to hear about the seedlings...I have nothing started here at all, so the storms we've had didn't hinder me in the least. We'll simply starve to death this year unless this clay dries out enough to get a tiller into.

Deanna

****Thanks Deanna. We've got some bluing on order as it was the only thing I could think of in a pinch. We don't use much bleach so we know it has something to do with the well water. *****

Edited by Mennobrarian on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:52

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02:43, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 .. Posted by Kitty

So sorry to hear about all your troubles with the weather. As for your rhubarb, I mentioned last week on someones blog ( I think it was yours, lol) that I had never eaten that before and sweet Sister Brenda has sent me a small plant to grow. I received it yesterday and am planting it today. I do hope it takes. If I manage not to kill it, I will need to know how you'll cook it. Wish my poor little plant good luck, it will need it with me tending to it. Lets just say I have a not so green thumb, pretty much black it you ask me, LOL.............Good day..........Kitty

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02:45, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

I am giggling about your seedling rescue event. LOL It is so wet here, we haven't been able to plant either!!!

Glad to hear you have been getting so much done with the house though. I can only imagine how happy you will be when all the work is done.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo