Ash Wednesday - February 21,2007

Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 17:38

Good evening. What a beautiful day it was. Up to 41 when I came in to work. It's since clouded over and got very windy. We might get some drizzle tonite - I sure hope it waits until after I get home  - after 2330 (oops, that's 11:30pm). I don't care to drive in slop. I've gotten the worst case of spring fever! It was very sunny today and of course I just had to get a couple of new seed catalogs in the mail. I spent a bit paging thru the catalogs, looking outside thinking I REALLY want to plant something. I need to return to reality tho because it's only February, we're expecting high totals of snow this weekend - over a foot (I know, minor compared to what others have gotten) of heavy wet stuff, and it's northern Wisconsin, winter tends to drag on thru May sometimes. I can remember one year on my birthday (May 25) getting 7 inches. It's even snowed on the 4th of July - no lie! I think it was 1975 and we were all bundled up for the parade. It was only 30 degrees all day. I did pull out and assess my needs for the pregarden work - starting my seedlings. I've determined I need to make a few starter containers - I make mine out of newspaper. They work really well. I'll look and see if I can find the instructions to share for those who are interested. Maybe I'll be able to share something useful to all you pros out there. I love reading your posts as they are so informative with ideas, recipes and other info.

My chicken soup wasn't ready for dinner so I put it into the crock pot on low to finish up and before I left for work mixed up a quick stew from my canned stores. A quart of venison, Pint of spuds, pint of carrots, and after it was all heated, added some frozen peas and beans. Just ate my dinner and it sure hit the spot. For a little kick I stirred in a little bit of Mrs. Dash garlic and herb.

I've tackled Mts. Washmore and Dishmore with a vengance. I'm finally winning! Mt. Dishmore has been conquered and only 2 more loads for the wash. I can't wait until I can hang things outside again. I'm unable to get to my line in the winter as my backyard has a huge downhill and the "hole" gets deep with snow. I've a plan for this summer to fill it in a bit and try to level it out. What happened was that unbeknownst to me until last year, the original owner use to work at a saw mill and the neighbors say he used sawdust to fill in the back yard. They say at one time there was about 15ft of it back there. Now there's just a hole from where it rotted. There are stubbron weeds and such that have taken it over so it will take a LOT of hard work to get it right. I have to fight hard to get my veggies from getting choked out. That's why many are grown in the front yard. I had a beautiful Maple tree in the back that got blown over one summer because the roots had nothing holding them in. I keep being promised that my Dad or one of my brothers will come take care of it but they still haven't. I'll just have to bite the bullet and do it. I have a hard time with it because it keeps leafing out. I had wenched it back upright and staked it but as I said there's nothing but rotted sawdust holding everything in and it didn't take long before that poor tree was on it's side again. Sigh...... I can't wait until I move. I've my eye on a couple places closer to work. One has an acre, partially wooded and partially level yard - I've looked at it already . I really like it and it would serve my needs well. Has a wood stove, gas stove, perfect garden area, bacement for storage.... I hope it's still up for sale when I'm ready to go looking. again. Oh, I did some checking and I'd be able to keep a few chickens and rabbits.

Well a good evening to all!!