Surprise! A quick 'farm' post

I have 'breaking news' from Sunday–we actually got some garden prep done! When Rick said rather reluctantly that maybe he should till up the garden before the rain started in earnest Sunday morning, I dropped everything to rescue the remaining beets and pull up all the tomato cages and watering lines. There was also a good stand of volunteer kale on one side that I asked him to leave. He ended up mowing first and then tilling. All four sides still need to be whacked back but I'm excited because this is an early start for us. I worried that with my surgery, a garden may not happen this year, like the year I was in TX so much with my folks. And folks, I think we will really need a garden this year.

And look at my beet harvest! That back bucket is five gallons, the front one smaller. I gave my MIL a 3# bag and made a double batch of beet salad (which keeps well). I still need to pick and freeze a bunch of the kale, a volunteer from at least two years ago that keeps on giving. Once frozen, kale is easy to crumble and add to various dishes for added color and nutrition. I also have parsley that overwintered in my 'herb' barrel on the opposite side of the house.

Speaking of food, the girls are producing well; one day last week our nine hens laid 10 eggs. Actually, eight of our hens laid 10 eggs in one day, since whoever lays a beige egg hasn't been laying in awhile (it's probably Puff, who has been broody). I've heard of hens occasionally laying two eggs within a 24-hour period, but don't think I've seen it happen here before. My neighbors who buy eggs from me are appreciative, as were church members at potluck last weekend, because I took deviled eggs. Shoot, that's  like serving caviar now, isn't it?

the overachievers (probably the three in front; they are the youngest)

one day's haul

Puff, still broody 

Here are a few more tidbits from my photo file that I didn't include in the last post.

Chuckie, ever ready for love

evening clouds from horseback

Tahiti, my favorite – and last to bloom – daffodil

yesterday morning

Finally, this morning's comic relief from Puff:

Thank you all for your comments, prayers and encouragement. You are wind beneath my wings!

That's really it until after surgery from . . .

'Spending' time

I'm  doing my very best  working hard  mostly staying on track to work through my to-do list before surgery, but I haven't managed to carve out time for seasonal tasks like skirting or gardening/landscaping work – yet. (Hey, I still have three more days to try!) Even with the time crunch, I'm very glad I 'spent' the time for women's retreat last weekend. As always the location, food, and speaker were great, and the weather, my bed, and my knees were better than expected. Besides, it was a good warm-up for Rick and Brian, who will have to step up for far longer than a week-end starting next Wednesday afternoon. Photos? Why yes!

my bedroom (I had the bottom bunk, a double bed)

the green space across from our house

the park between our house and the beach access

first ocean view Friday evening

I made it down and up those stairs twice!

my first 'heart' rock sighting!

my first beach gleanings

Friday night's almost-sunset (I had to go back for vespers)

art befitting a place called The Dawn Treader

a Sabbath morning rainbow

the gals who drove me to an easy beach access on day two

The Dawn Treader, best retreat location ever!

a friend who took more photos than I did

very low tide

handsome, well-trained Theo

my second 'heart' rock!

last view of the Pacific

I'm also glad I 'spent' the time to visit my dear old Dutch friend. I had gotten a text from her youngest son over the weekend and was planning to visit her Monday, but decided on the spur of the moment to stop by Sunday before driving on home from the retreat. She had deteriorated noticeably since the last time I was able to stop by; she was on oxygen and unresponsive while I was there but I touched her and told her I loved her, plus talked to her two sons who were present. Work at the two office jobs swamped me on Monday so I wasn't able to stop by again, and she died in the wee hours Tuesday. She was 95; her husband (who is in a different facility) shows every indication of making his 100th birthday on April 25. Considering the extreme conditions in Japanese prison camps they both survived during WWII, their longevity is especially remarkable. Here is the last photo I have of her, taken in January by our retired pastor and his wife (who are originally from South Africa and so could communicate with her in Afrikaans/Dutch):

l've also grabbed every opportunity I can to ride Stella before being sidelined – usually short rides in the arena at the end of busy days, but yesterday and today we took advantage of the beautiful weather to ride around the hill. I was hoping to see my favorite wildflower, the wild iris, but it is too early. There were other flowers, though, including quite a few of a sunny yellow flower I've never seen before.

Lesser Celandine, according to my handy iPhone identifier

Green Alkanet

fawn lily

Oregon grape

a volunteer cherry in the woods

Tomorrow morning rain returns, so that was likely the last of my rides until some time in May. This will likely also be my last post until sometime after surgery. See you on the other side!

this evening's clouds-from-horseback