swamped, in more ways than one

it has rained every day for the past week. maybe longer. it reminds me of the midwest flood of '93. (which wouldn't affect us if it happens again but still, cloudy days are depressing).

the garden (and WEEDS) is flourishing. herb gardens are establishing. our wwoof'er emily is keeping the weeds at bay as they slowly threaten to devour every single garden bed we have.

the ceremony plans are coming along. my dress is about 95% finished. jaden's is finished and nina's will be when she gets home sunday. i have outfits for all 3 boys, only one left is greg. he wanted a kilt and i was going to sew it but i ran out of time and was at a loss on finding the buckles needed to complete it.

currently, i am working on the parting gifts. the plates and cups arrived yesterday. i attempted to find some silverware last night but no luck. i'll search again the next few days and come up with something, i'm sure. i have 54 napkins to sew total (15 completed so far), 18 utensil pouches total (1 completed) and 18 carrying bags to complete. the carrying bag fabric still needs to be tie dyed. i ran out of thread and had to run to the fabric store last night to pick it up along with more needles for the machine (it's on it's last one and is getting dull quickly) and advice on how to change my dress sleeves (none received).

we still have to make our quaker wedding certificate. tonight, we must sit down and rough it out. we must! and write our vows. and the ceremony for that matter.

not panicking yet. still have 8 days.

scary, the lady at the fabric store knew the exact amount of days left. think i've been there too many times?

hand-fasting to do list

actual h-f to do:
-finalize guest list
-finalize dress design
-sew dress
-sew girl's dresses
-design invites
-make invites
-create menu
-write vows
-find folk or bluegrass band or something...johnny fox? matt from bigelo's?
-design and make commitment necklace (more on this later)
-find photographer

house related:
-install dr chandelier
-install downstairs bath sconces
-finish kitchen (wainscot, ceiling, floor, trim)
-install ceiling fan in living room
-make and hang dr drapes
-make and hang new curtain for kitchen door

outside:
-plant lots of flowers
-shape up veggie garden
-expand herb garden
-install solar shower
-would like outdoor kitchen to be built
-water garden/herb spiral completed

3 months isn't a long time to do all this is it?!

spring is back on!

weather is warming up again. i took lots of notes about what survived...good lesson for winter gardening!

what adores a good hard freeze:
-radishes
-kale
-mustard greens
-carrots
-spinach

what doesn't:
-turnips
-beets

what will hang on:
-cilantro
-lettuce
-broccoli
-tyfon

that's a fair variety to grow in a winter garden.

i just received news that we are the proud owners of a nubian buckling. he is black & brown with spots and i believe white ears! born april 16 which means we'll be bringing him home mid-june. i can't wait!! now to find a doeling or two. i'll probably have to wait until next year for that.

i'd also like to acquire a navajo churro ewe and ram (sheep) and have recently gotten some ideas on how i could make an easy temp fence to move them around. now just to find the $500 to purchase them! that may need to wait a year as well.

i've been working like crazy outdoors, mulching paths, weeding, planting...so much to do! luckily, jaden loves the outdoors and sage is content to sit and watch me work so it's been easy to do. i'm trying to pretty up the place a bit by planting lots of flowers in hopes it will be colorful for our upcoming several-times-rescheduled hand-fasting/commitment ceremony we are planning this summer. after 7 years together, we'll finally be tying the knot. of course, that means i have a HUGE list of expectations for home renovations!

our chicks are growing like crazy! i'm trying to create a way to take them outside during the day for fresh air. right now, they are in the greenhouse.

keeping bees is a no-go this year unless we are treated to another swarm. we'll be getting all the equipment though so we'll be prepared, just in case. our local beekeeper lost 14 of 25 hives over the winter so he was unable to sell us one as he had originally planned.