I think we may have taken care of the latest wasp issue. However, as an added protection against them I am going to plant peppermint or spearmint plants along the patio and in other areas where they have been trying to build a nest. Wasps apparently are repelled by that smell. As a matter of fact, we are picking up some peppermint or spearmint spray (I think Tractor Supply has it.) to spray around the area. It would be nice if that worked and the bees come back.
Actually, while out checking on the garden I saw two bees in the back plot around the summer squash! As a matter of fact, I have several more squash growing, one even outside the fence.
And the tomatoes are finally beginning to produce. Here's this morning's pickings...
And this doesn't include the tomatoes on the deck that are ready to be picked.
Still no cucumbers nor beans. I'm not sure if I will get any eggplant or not and although the peppers are growing back after being mostly eaten by the deer, they have not produced any peppers yet. Herbs are doing fantastic but the lettuce is not growing...I think it's just too wet. May have to put it in the greenhouse instead of on the deck. (The lettuce is in containers.)
Well, it took me much longer to clean the utility room than I thought. I have to be realistic about one thing. I can't do things as fast as I used to do them twenty, thirty years ago. In my mind I can but in reality...nope. The good thing is that although slower, I can still do them!
That's a good word for me...slow...at 80 (81 in a few days) I can still do everything I used to do...just slower. I was remembering my grandma who had a large (an acre) garden which she took care of all by herself from plowing to planting to weeding to watering (from a rain barrel located a long way from the garden) until in her 80's. I wish my gardens were as productive as hers but she had a garden every year from early on. Mine have been sporadic and not in the same place.
So, I haven't really had an opportunity to enjoy any projects in my studio. That will change this weekend. I am taking the next couple days off from cleaning and rearranging and spending time in my studio. I want to finish up the accordion never ending scrap journal, maybe work on the charity quilt and some weaving which I have neglected these past weeks.
I think, though, that I have settled on what I will focus on for the holidays. Again, it will be inexpensive or downright cheap, but there will be a variety of things for all ages. I'm going to call it 'Everything Ginger...' and it will include gingerbread men/women, houses, tree ornaments, etc. mostly made out of everyday supplies like cardboard (save those boxes), scrap fabric, a bit of paint and glue, of course. However, there will be some baked items like the cinnamon/apple sauce decorations (check out those sales and house brands) as well as salt flour dough (again, using the cheapest of each). I'm already excited about it. And as there will be some nature items to be collected in the fall, I'll be sure to let you know what to look out for.
Enjoy the weekend...not many left this summer...take it easy, find something fun to do...most important, cherish your time both alone and with loved ones.
Talk with you on Monday...