October 24, 2012 - Transition to Winter

I haven't spent the 24th of October here in Washington state in over 15 years.  We've always been basking in the Arizona sun by now but, as most of you know, we sold our AZ home last November.  Even though this will be my second winter here at home, I'm still not quite used to this transition into the winter months.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in the garden.  I usually don't get the garden cleanup done until spring arrives, as I'm normally too busy getting ready for our trip south.  This year I'm determined to have most of the work done before the bad weather sets in, so I'd better hurry!  I pulled all of the pole bean vines, and most of the morning glories off of the kennel garden, dug some lily bulbs for Ed, and trimmed the oregano of its flowers, as the bees are no longer interested.  Annie rooted around in the soil and got her nose all dirty, so she had to have her face washed when she went inside.  Both of the dogs spent most of their garden time barking at two strange dogs that were visiting next door.

Speaking of next door, my neighbor finally pulled the weeds that have been growing along the fence for the past two years!  Of course, before she pulled them they all went to seed and filled my garden with weed seedlings.  Anyway, she cleaned out that flower bed and planted......two rhododendrons!  Those things get huge, so I can count on them eventually blocking the morning sun from my east garden.  Between her walnut trees, sycamore trees, weeds and rhodies, I'm going to find gardening to be quite a challenge.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get at least a small pea harvest before it gets too cold.


The hollyhocks think it's spring!

It's definitely not spring though, it's only 44F outside, and a light rain is falling.  It's a good day to stay inside and bake sandwich rolls to go with the barbecued pork simmering away in the crockpot. I had a damp towel over the rolls, and it stuck to the three buns at the end of the pan so they deflated when I removed the towel.  I put them in the oven anyway.  I have a feeling Mr. Granny will eat them, flat or not!


22 comments:

  1. It's gotta feel nice staying in one place , doesn't it? Of course, maybe you'll miss going south--I suppose you could always take a vacation if the urge hits. Me? -I am SO done with travel. Talked to the boy this morning--I'm so looking forward to the grandson visiting up here---on MY turf. I can stuff him with all the cookies I want. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue, I won't miss the trip down and back at all! I'll miss the warm weather, but I'm sick and tired of the traveling, and happy to be right here at home.

      Delete
  2. Men do make good garbage disposals, don't they? Think how wonderful it will be in the spring when you have so much work already done! What a bummer about your neighbor's rhodies. Maybe you can plant your lettuces and other shade-tolerant veggies there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alison, yes...Mr. Granny is a great disposal, LOL! She planted the rhodies real close to the fence I don't think she realizes how large they get. Maybe she'll keep them trimmed low. My corn is going in that garden next spring but they shouldn't be very large for a couple of years.

      Delete
  3. My burger rolls come out different every time. Sometimes they rise and are so light and fluffy, sometimes much flatter. No matter what my husband eats them and doesn't complain. Thank goodness.

    We have had such nice fall weather the last two weeks. A bit of rain, but the temps have mostly been in the 60s, so being outside has been a joy. What I really ought to do is get some compost delivered and add it to the beds, but what are the odds I'll get it done this fall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Daphne, I have been complaining because we don't have a pickup for hauling compost, and I'm not paying $50 to have it delivered from less than a mile away! We've been looking for another low mileage, small, super cab pickup. Everyone wants too much money for high mileage, driven to death rigs. Oh, how I wish we had our little Ranger back.

      Delete
  4. oh my peas and hollyhocks in October..WOW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs. P., I was very surprised to see the hollyhocks blossoming!

      Delete
  5. We sold our park model and won't be going o AZ either this year! Sorry about all your neighbors shade but I am sure you will still have a wonderful garden knowing you! Strange weather! Must be in the high 70's here in northwest IN and almost the end of Oct.! Think my sugar peas are done! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, it was bone chilling cold all day. It feels real good sitting in front of the fireplace! I should have planted sugar snap peas instead of shelling peas, at least I'd be eating a few pods now. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't get a hard freeze for a while.

      Delete
  6. Now that you have told me how to get a word verification free blog is there a way I can see the comment to approve them before they go on? Thanks. Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, those instructions were in my last comment to you. On the same page where you removed the word verification...."I would also check "always" after "comment moderation?" and be sure to enter your email address so you can be notified when someone leaves a comment".

      Delete
    2. Thanks again! My "tech guy" fixed it for me. (I hope!) Nancy

      Delete
    3. Okay! Me again! Now where do I check to okay the msgs waiting for moderation? lol Should they come in my e-mail box? Nancy

      Delete
    4. Yes they should come in your email, IF you entered your email address on that page under always moderate comments. You should be able to handle them exactly the same as you were doing before you changed it. I'll go make a comment on your blog right now, so you can check to see if all is working properly.

      Delete
    5. My comment went through with no problems, to be posted after approval, and with no word verification required (thank you!). You didn't have any comments published to that post yet.

      Delete
  7. Whew! Your test comment didn't come into the e-mail. I guess we thought we had the e-mail in but didn't. I think we have it right now. Would you mind sending another test? Thanks so much for your patience with me! Hopefully I won't have to bother you again! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem, Nancy. Glad you got it all set up! I really hate those word verifications, sometimes they are so difficult to read I just give up and don't comment.

      Delete
  8. I love having the gardens put up for the winter! It feels so freeing and I feel like I can relax.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Langela, the rain has put a stop to my garden cleanup, but it's supposed to warm up on Monday so maybe the rain will stop too. The biggest change in the garden is that the kennel is gone from the corner! It sure looks different out there.

      Delete
  9. I'm finally catching up on all your posts this week, you are still getting some very pretty photos out of that garden!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erin, our irrigation water was shut off for the season, but then it started raining. Now it's supposed to warm up into the mid to high 60s, so I might still be gardening for a while! I think everything that is left probably thinks it's spring again.

      Delete