No. Not time until TEOTWAWKI, just time until my son and wife come home, the garden gets going, the tree and bush order arrives and so on and so on. After a long, sleepy winter spring is here in full force and I don’t feel ready.
Projects: The new beds for strawberries and blueberries are 1/2 prepped and waiting for plants. We are enlarging the potato/squash beds and putting in a second greenhouse too.
We are getting the chimney relined to take the wood furnace in the basement. We also need to find someone who can inspect it and repair if necessary.
Replacing the downstairs windows.
Replace the flat roof and reinsulate.
Replace the back wall in the living room. I think the insulation has gotten wet from the flat roof leak. It’s a big, messy job.
Figure out the plan for the back pasture.
Get the farm stand up and running. This means a daily schedule of baking.
That should do it for now. There are always the small jobs like log inoculation, minor repairs and tree planting. The Fedco order has arrived and I can’t remember what I ordered. I know there are some elderberry trees and maybe a cherry too. Anyway, I’m off to work. Posting may be sparse during the next few week, at least until the garden is in and the house cleaned and prepped for two more adults. I’ll try to chronicle how it works as I think a lot of us may find that we need to double up to manage our coming economic problems. It makes sense but it won’t be easy to rethink what family structure looks like. Flexibility and planning are going to matter. The first order of business is to sit down and figure out the basics. Who cook when? How do manage project time? If this is Maggie’s home she needs to feel free to treat the kitchen as hers. I need to let go of control. It needs to be our space rather than mine.
April 15, 2011 at 8:15 am
I know how you are feeling. One day the snow was there, the next it’s time to work the garden! No rush, the tansy will be there when you are ready.
April 15, 2011 at 9:30 am
I just finished reading a lot of positive things about elderberries for our NE climate…definitely checking them out. Hope it’s a nice weekend weatherwise, Kathy…I always find it easier to get stuff done when I’m energized by the weather. Trying to analyze our new home’s grounds to figure out how much sun, where I could plant, etc. Always things to do! Maybe you and DIL could work out a schedule for who makes dinners, so you both had alone time in the kitchen?
April 15, 2011 at 10:21 am
There are times when I regret moving to FL – like now when it is so hot high 80s to low 90s in the daytime and high 60s at night. Our tomatoes are having trouble setting fruit as it’s too hot. Plus most of our asian greens have just stopped growing – too hot.
We have added our youngest, age 29, son to our household. Out of work for about 3 years and we were supporting him. Felt the Tampa area was better for finding a job. Down here about 10 days and will start a job in 10 days. Go figure. While he adds to the food, electric and water bills it’s much, much cheaper than supporting him. He also is mowing the lawn, running some errands, taking his dad to the dentist for when he can’t drive home due to extraction, helping us with those pesky computer problems and taking care of his side of the house. So far much easier on all of us than we thought.
Sparse or not, I enjoy your blog and look forward to each entry. Enjoy.
April 15, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Bellen, good luck to your son and your household!
The season are pressing everyone into getting things done. winter is gone and houses and gardens need attention or in warmer climates houses and gardens/plants need to have things done before the serious heat sets in.
We are having outside painting done for our association complex and I need to have painting and drywall repairs done before it gets too hot. They can be done if it’s really hot but it’s easier and more comfortable if it’s before the hight heat sets in in mid-June. (Southern Arizona )
Last October, Phoenix had two, yes, two, very wicked hailstorms in one day. It was a very freaky storm and one side of town got hit very badly and people are still having house repairs done. When my 90 years old friend has her new roof put on next month, the workers will start at 3:00 a.m. and work until noon to accomodate for the heat which will by then be just about low 100s.
peace, shamba
April 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm
My grandmother lived in an apartment in our house when I was a kid and she and my mom shared the cooking. They did have separate kitchens, but they divided up the days, both for breakfast and for dinner.
I’d be interested in hearing exactly how many will be in your household and ages of young people (if you are willing to share) and in how all the sharing of space ends up working out.
April 15, 2011 at 6:41 pm
My son and wife are both 30, daughter 17 and 8 and my DH and me. I’m looking forward to the tansy.
April 15, 2011 at 9:40 pm
We are also adjusting here… joining zenobia and her DH here in Maine. With three adults, we each cook dinner two nights a week, and I cook another for just myself and the boy when they go out once a week. We’re all getting fat, lol. Not having lived with any roommates for 15 years is an adjustment, though. But it’s going OK! Being flexible and allowing for an adjustment period helps alot.
k
April 16, 2011 at 12:37 am
added kitchens are simple to add, a refer/ a portable oven/ micro and a few burners….takes but an easy ventilated closet and answering no accessory cooking facilities to the census or revenuers if you wish to not be bled blind forever, private enterances and exits are more dificult and cost bled..?>?
April 20, 2011 at 12:18 pm
we are 2 years from being empty nesters – in a house with 5 possible bedrooms. i am currently wondering if i should open my home to another family since we have so much. i am looking forward to seeing how it works out for you!