Monday, May 8, 2017

Weekends at Loose Ends

I had big plans for last weekend. Most of them involved planting seedlings in the garden, moving some roses and clematis that I thought would be happier in a better location, and getting some of the new plants I bought into the ground. But with a whole weekend of rain, temperatures in the 50s, and frost predicted, I had to change those big plans a bit.


I wanted to plant my tomato seedlings mainly because they've gotten too tall to fit under the grow lights, but even an impatient gardener doesn't set out tomatoes when there is a danger of frost. I rearranged the plants I usually have on the mud porch to make room for the two flats of tomatoes, hoping that they'll get enough light there until I can hopefully plant them next weekend.

I did brave the rain to move four roses and two clematis, and even though I got soaking wet and muddy, so did the plants, which is a good thing. A rainy day also means reading time, so I made some tea to warm up and finished a book. I was unsure how to review Celine, but finally wrote one I was relatively happy with.

I also took inventory of the shredded zucchini still in my freezer, and when I found more than 30 packs, I decided it was time to bake some zucchini bread. I made four loaves and spent Sunday afternoon doing a zucchini bread drop-off to friends and family. I hadn't planned to stay long, but had some really long and delightful conversations at each stop. Those days when we take a breath, converse gently with other humans and have time to look around & enjoy the world are precious.



There are also some literal loose ends. My Peace Cowl was only six rows and a cast-off from completion, but at 11:45 pm Sunday night with more than 200 stitches still left to cast-off, I had to give in and set it aside. I knew that if I tried to finish when I was that tired, there would be mistakes and sloppiness that I would regret. I think I can say with confidence that after finishing the cast-off and weaving in loose ends, I will have a completed Peace Cowl within a day or so.

I hope your weekend was a good one and your week is off to a great start!

13 comments:

  1. Your tomato plants are pretty impressive! Sounds like a productive weekend all around. I did nothing but socialize all weekend. Hopefully I'll make progress on something during the week!

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  2. Hopefully your cold weather will pass quickly and you'll be able to plant the great look tomatoes. Smith planted a few yesterday and hopes to get the rest of his in tonight. (Your Christmas cactus looks so beautiful!) Smart of you to put aside your cowl to work on when you're refreshed. I'm sure you'll have it finished in no time.

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  3. Lovely plants! I hope you have good weather to find them their homes. I loved Celine, but I love those kind of characters, those who persist in life beyond what most would. I thought both of them were interesting engaging. Thanks for the links. It's terrific that he modeled the book after his mother. Now I know where he got his adventurous spirit!

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    1. I thought I had read something about Peter Heller writing Celine about his mother, but I'm glad I searched around to find out just how closely he modeled the character after her! He ended the book in a way that makes me think she could be a recurring character, and I would definitely read the next book!

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  4. Beautiful Christmas cactus! Wishing mine would bloom (any time). The weeked was lousy for outdoor projects - and cold! Felt like winter. Our son bought a number of plants to put in his raised bed at work, but ended up leaving them at our house so we could bring them inside at night. I ended up binding off Match & Move (just under 200 stitches) after a nap! If I had done it before I know it would have been messed up.

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  5. I hope I will also have a completed Peace Cowl after today - we have town meeting tonight and I'm counting on that knitting to keep me sane while I'm there!

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  6. Hurray for an almost-tied-up loose end! Your Peace Cowl is lovely -- and casting off will be so much easier when you're rested. I'm hoping for some warmer temperatures soon. The sun is so deceiving! It looks warm and inviting . . . until you dare walk outside without a coat. (And your Christmas cactus is impressive! Mine only ever blooms in "sections" . . .)

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  7. The rain, winds, and cold temps kept us from transplanting any seedlings in the garden too. And, I hope your Peace Cowl is no completely bound off. I got something off the needles today and it felt so good!

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  8. ♥ "Those days when we take a breath, converse gently with other humans and have time to look around & enjoy the world are precious." indeed! All the green in your world certainly looks like May - hope the temperatures cooperate SOON!

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  9. We've had a couple of days of warmer weather here but it's still on the chilly side but have planted out stuff for our greenhouse (not heated) as I had run out of room and desperately needed to pot other seedlings on, so far doing fine, hope the threat of frost passes soon. Love courgette bread, hope you have managed to cast of your peace cowl now.

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    1. Courgette sounds so much more elegant than zucchini! I have a British neighbor and I also love when she asks me if I'm growing aubergines!

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  10. This weather was quite weird and COLD. I was disappointed that the house heat was back on. But then that is spring! He has mowed twice so far! Love your peace cowl, it is very peaceful :) :) :)

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  11. It sure has been a crazy (slow) spring!! I'm hoping that we had our last frost warning a couple of nights ago. Mmm. Zucchini bread sounds delicious!

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