We got hit with yet another windstorm yesterday, and it knocked down some of my lilies. Just as they were in full bloom. I went out and put a couple of screw eyes in the fence, then tied them up as much as I could. Not an easy job with all the flowers and plants around them, plus I could have used a few more hands. Luckily the entire clump was already tied up, or they would have all fallen flat.
.jpg)
Fallen lilies, before & after tying.
This morning I was giving myself a permanent when I noticed the fallen lilies, so I grabbed the camera and went out to get a photo while the sun was hitting them. As I came back in, Mr. Granny said "You didn't go out looking like that, did you?" "Of course", I replied. "OMG!" says he.
Big deal. So I had my hair up in perm curlers, with a plastic grocery bag over the top of my head. And I was wearing tennis shoes, socks and a shortie bathrobe. What's wrong with that?
Big deal. So I had my hair up in perm curlers, with a plastic grocery bag over the top of my head. And I was wearing tennis shoes, socks and a shortie bathrobe. What's wrong with that?
5/20 - Harvest Monday: Visit Daphne's Dandelions to see what others have harvested!
I've finally been picking something besides lettuce and spinach....strawberries! They're awfully small, but plentiful, and a whole month earlier than usual. Mr. Granny and I have enjoyed fresh strawberries with whipped cream (for him), and yogurt (for me), as well as our first strawberry shortcake of the season.
Salads have been plentiful. I've been eating two large salads a day, a total of 8-9 ounces of lettuce. I barely get caught up with what's in the refrigerator, then it's time to pick again. so what did I do? I planted more lettuce, of course! I'm really going to work at keeping it coming through the summer months.
Keeping up with the spinach is no problem at all, since we like it cooked as well as in the salads. If I find myself with a glut, I just steam it, and it cooks down to nearly nothing.
5/16 - 9.1 ounces (Not shown, a first picking of 2.8 ounces)
5/18 - 1 pound 4 ounces
.jpg)
The spinach and secondary lettuce bed needs to be harvested.
.jpg)
19.4 ounces of spinach.......
.jpg)
....into the pot.
.jpg)
Reduces to just enough for two meals.
.jpg)
Some of the lettuces are almost too pretty to pick, but pick I must.
.jpg)
Into the basket with the green lettuces. All together there were 27.4 ounces, way too much for us to eat right away, so I gave it the "big batch lettuce" treatment! I washed it well, then put the wet leaves into a clean pillowcase. I handed Mr. Granny the camera, and I headed for the back yard.
.jpg)
Swing that lettuce, round and round, up and down!!!
.jpg)
Then wrap it up in the now damp pillowcase, and store it in the fridge. It should be nice and crisp when I'm ready to use it at the end of the week.
Lettuce: 27.4 ounces
Radishes: so few, I didn't even weigh them
Spinach: 19.4 ounces
Strawberries: 31.9 ounces
Total this week: 78.7 ounces ( 4.9 pounds)
Total to date: 12.09 pounds
5/20 - Goodbye (but I'll be baaaaack):
Tomorrow morning, before sunrise, I'm going to jump into my new car and head for this....
.jpg)
Once I arrive, I'm going to spend a lot of time relaxing here....
.jpg)
And when I'm not relaxing, I'll be eating here....
.jpg)
One of the best hotel buffets ever, dieting not allowed :-)
See ya next weekend.
Love those photos of the lettuce-spinning event! Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay right there in that back yard? Hotels are little bit — I don't know —monotonous?
ReplyDeleteDianefaith, it might be monotonous, but I'm looking forward to a bit of down time! And unlimited eating :-)
DeleteOh Granny, you sneaky thing. I was mighty afraid your Goodbye in the title meant you were done with blogging. I would miss your inspiring posts. I read all of them although I don't always comment. Have a BLAST!
ReplyDeleteOh Alison, you can't get rid of old Granny that easy!
DeleteYou are something else! I love your "lettuce flinging"!
ReplyDeleteI think your flowers are ahead of us, but our strawberries are earlier than yours. Strange.
Looks like ya'll might be headed to Vegas! Enjoy! We used to do that occasionally when we lived in the PNW. And enjoy those new wheels, too!
Ray, we're just going to Jackpot. We never cared for Vegas, we much preferred (loved!) going to Laughlin. This trip is just for a few days though, driving not flying. A 7-8 hour drive is plenty long for us anymore, so Jackpot has to do!
DeleteYour flowers look amazing! And you're still getting big spring harvests even with the heat.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun trip!
Phuong, it's cooled down considerably this week, back to the normal 70s. Much more tolerable than those unseasonable 90s we had for a while!
DeleteOh, I'd like to come along. That looks WONDERFUL! My aching back from spending the morning planting taters could use a break. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and have fun!!
:)
Thanks, Sue, I plan on enjoying and having fun! Of course, right now I'm pacing and waiting for my insurance agent to return my call so we can actually have coverage on the new car before we leave! We pick up the car in two hours.
DeleteHave fun! That looks so relaxing. Where are you going? How nice to be able to drive there in your new car! Will someone be looking after your garden while you're gone?
ReplyDeleteWe planted strawberries for the first time this week. One plant had a berry on it so I picked it, giving the plant time to adjust. Each plant has so many blooms already!
Langela, just down to Jackpot, NV, about a 7-8 hour drive. We'll be back on Friday, so the garden can fare for itself. I'll pick and freeze strawberries today, and the lettuce was picked yesterday, so nothing pressing out there.
DeleteOh Granny I love your outfit. I would have done it barefoot though. Nothing to freak out over as long as you keep that robe closed. No flashing the neighbors.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun vacation!
Daphne, bare feet are the usual, but it was chilly outside!
DeleteI wish I was as spry as you!! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, cloud, I think you are quite spry for your age. It takes age and experience to get as agile as I ;-)
DeleteLove the lettuce treatment!!
ReplyDeleteSusan, a gal has gotta do what a gal has gotta do. I didn't want to come home to slimy lettuce!
DeleteWhat a work out you get 'spinning' your lettuce! Of course you know what your neighbors are thinking when they see you out there doing silly things in your garden....
ReplyDeleteHave fun in your lovely vacation spot! Looks great!
Shawn Ann, I think my neighbors are used to this crazy lady by now!
ReplyDeleteNew car is all packed and ready, we'll be heading out around 5 in the morning!
Granny, I'm with Diane. You're having too much fun in your yard already, why leave? I was cracking up so hard! Did you know you've just started The Granny Shake? You've totally made my day, starting with the plastic grocery bag! Have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteMrs. R, I need to teach Mr. Granny how to take videos. I could really show off that "Granny Shake", LOL!
DeleteOh my goodness...I just about died laughing imagining you with the rollers and the bag on the your head, running around in the garden with a robe. So funny.
ReplyDeleteTosh, you had to be there to fully appreciate it :-)
DeleteI enjoyed your pictures swinging the lettuce!!!!!! And I did buy a salad spinner. Sorry your lilies got knocked down. I am hoping we don't get bad storms tonight. I have gone out in my housecoat too and looking funny with a visor to keep my nose safe and ear muffs because it is cold! Some of the outfits I see out in public look worse than we do! Lovely harvest of strawberries! Yum! Enjoy your trip and be safe! Nancy
ReplyDeleteNancy, after you asked me about drying the lettuce, I just had to give you a pictorial lesson, LOL! Another pound of strawberries picked tonight, they'll have to go in the freezer for future smoothies....yum!
DeleteThat salad spinner is good for drying potato slices or french fries before cooking them, too.
Lol...love the lettuce process! Great photos...so much fun! Your strawberries look absolutely divine!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bee Girl!
Deletegreat post love the lettuce process. Have a great trip!!!
ReplyDeleteTell mr. Granny that you are just setting a new fashion trend! :D I love your lettuce treatment - food storage prep AND some exercise too.
ReplyDeleteKitsap, I put the lettuce, wet bag and all, in a big plastic storage container in the fridge, and it stayed really nice and crisp (much better than the plastic ziploc bag with paper towel). We're still eating it five days later, and it's time to pick again!
DeleteMy fave is the strawberries-wish I could see a photo of how you grow those.
ReplyDeleteHave a great (& safe) trip.
Barbee, here ya go!
Deletehttp://tinyurl.com/o5x3ggx
4'x8' raised bed, plants are about a foot apart in all directions. It's really full now (that photo was taken over a month ago). I'll get a new picture on my end of the month update.
Have a great time Granny! When you get back we want to see that lettuce spinning in a video!!! You're too much!
ReplyDeleteLOl, Robin, I don't think I can teach Mr. Granny how to do videos. I'm surprised those still shots were in focus, as he never learns to depress the button just halfway to focus on the subject.
DeleteBTW, I used your apple pie recipe to make a rhubarb pie today. I didn't have a brown paper bag, but 350F for an hour did the trick. I substituted white whole wheat flour in the crust and topping. I had to add double milk with that type of flour, but it still turned out good.
I hope you are enjoying your trip and the car is just as nice as it looks. I'm stilling getting one or two strawberries at a time, but I would LOVE to have another container like that. I already miss my jam. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBarbie, the trip was great, the car drove fine. I drove all but about 150 of the 900 miles (round trip) and didn't even get tired. In fact, I drove the entire 450 miles home. The strawberries are a real surprise. I've already picked about 3 1/2 pounds, and they are a full month earlier than ever before.
DeleteI love your lettuce technique! And I'm sure my neighbors will enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteEspecially if you do it with your hair in curlers, a plastic bag over your head, wearing a shortie bathrobe with tennis shoes and socks ;-)
DeleteWe're a fashionable bunch, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteWe certainly can be, LOL!
Delete