Show threadSara HjelmMay 21, 2023

It’s 31 days until the summer solstice
I find that gardening with a cat on a leash is next to impossible

I need to unpack & assemble the 4 new benches to allow resting my back in strategic places in that same process …

Sun, +21° - perfect & the cat agrees …
#sarasspringcount23

#gardening #catsofmastodon

Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023
It’s now only 30 days until the summer solstice
At 5.30 am it is +12°C. Coming 10 nights will be slightly colder, but only 1 below 10°. Plants kept indoors during winter definitly have to go outside! Begonias & fuchsias are already waiting inside the door…
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023
Last night, late, I’ve prepared room for them, svept the patio from birch pods (1 full bucket), rearranged & moved all herbs to their future spot other side of the bench to give room, including a new tarragon + a locally grown basil
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023
In between reducing vegetables, like this kale, into a minimum with the vacuum sealer, I had already watered around the patio + the small trees & remaining breaks outside I hunted off jackdaws from the bird feeder with the hose
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023
I had plans for baking carrot & banana cakes, but instead, after clearing the kitchen, I toured the garden at sunset. Time between bird-cherry & lilacs is def over. Now is the short period when most bushes & trees + lots of perennials flower simultaneously
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023
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Show threadSara HjelmMay 22, 2023

I think the geraniums could very well go outside as well. Plus the chilies & ginger

Today is baking, writing a report to the vet about cat Alice’ progress, spreading manure & mulched branches
Perhaps some carpentry…

Enough … way too early!
Back to bed
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 23, 2023
It is now 20 days until the summer solstice & I must say weather has improved … cloudy & +15° at 10.30 am. Add to that promised rain in the afternoon
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 23, 2023
Yesterday was so hot that it was hard to do anything at all until late evening. The thought of baking cakes was out of the question.
I did fill the big, heavy pots on the patio with soil & moved out begonias & fuchsias … bleak & shaky after a winter inside
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 23, 2023
Before the rain I cut off one more huge dead branch of the red rhododendron, to be put it in the heap for the dump. It’s looking a lot happier with the others gone. I’ll see what else I get time to do… Perhaps get the geraniums outside
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 23, 2023
And it’s raining… very refreshing! I had just enough time to fill the 2 wide black pots with seeds of dill and spinach + save a fallen birdhouse from the rain. It’s the chaffinches winter home behind the hammock. I’ve missed them lately. No wonder …
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Show threadSara HjelmMay 23, 2023
Perfect day for a banana cake, to travesty Salinger …
I’m off to cuddle my cat, roast some walnuts & heat up the oven…
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Show threadSara HjelmMay 24, 2023
It’s now 28 days before the summer solstice & it’s so green…
Today or tomorrow the azalea will be a huge orange ball
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 24, 2023

And the malus is fantastic

Question is if I’ll get to do any gardening at all. I might just sit & enjoy in the shade for awhile before the sun reaches the patio
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 24, 2023
I’ve already done today’s most important task - mailed the vet to give an update on cat Alice
Here she is watching me send off that mail, waiting for food.
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 25, 2023

Since it’s past 3 pm it’s now only 26 days until the summer solstice
Weather today has been really nice. Planned to cut grass & bring out the mower, but ended up cutting branches & reading up on how to treat sick rhododendrons

My garden shopping list grows…
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 25, 2023
Yesterday I did bake that banana bread + received the nematodes
Today the vet called - very happy about cat Alice’ progress she also wrote a prescription on anti tick remedies x & told me to continue present medication
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 25, 2023
I was then held up by a long thread on twitter about my first apartment with someone who lived nearby as a kid https://twitter.com/sara_hjelm/status/1661517462947393538?s=46&t=aooXxpxBt_AhsjE9Y9dxbw
To find a place to live in Gothenburg back then was easy & cheap if you accepted old time standards & no permanent contract
#sarasspringcount23
Sara Hjelm on Twitter

“@gatorochtorg Att riva Annedal, som för en gångs skull var en stadsdel med landshövdingehus på stadig grund, var bland det dummaste de gjort.”

Twitter
Show threadSara HjelmMay 25, 2023

I really should cut the grass up front at least, water trees, pots & the newly planted sloe & rose

And cook dinner…
Fried fillets of cod already defrosted + some spinach. Alice will appreciate those leftovers

Distractions…
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 26, 2023
9 pm & 25 days until the summer solstice…
I cannot say I’ve been lazy as I cleaned indoors all day. Bit of a pity, but badly needed
This is a what it looks like outside right now
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 26, 2023
In between vacuuming and cleaning benches & tables from clutter I followed, RT:ed/boosted from yesterday’s huge teacher demonstration in Gothenburg.
Oh, forgot, I did do one garden thing, unpacked & tried this & it works perfectly 👌🏻
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 27, 2023
It’s getting late, 10 pm after a busy day both indoors and outdoors
It’s 24 days until the summer solstice & of the below photos the 1:st was 5.30 am & the 2:nd is now
Nice half moon & still very light
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 27, 2023
So, what did I do?
3 machines washing + sorting dry things
Watering all strategic plants & trees
Cat Alice’ claws were cut with the help of my neighbor
Geraniums moved outside
Curated my website
Finally made more pork pies … (still some filling left 👍🏻)
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 27, 2023
The cat has finally given up on me. She’s been telling me it’s time for bed for at least 2 hrs by now
#sarasspringcount23
#caturday
Show threadSara HjelmMay 28, 2023

23 days until the summer solstice & the weather is way colder, about 14°C, but feels worse with hard winds

The amount of pollen is now such that I find it hard to be outside. When I woke at 7 I could hardly breathe.
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 28, 2023
It should be a perfect day for heavy gardening & grass mowing, but I end up moving plant’s between levels in the house (time to get all adjusted to outside for a few hours each day, chilies, ginger, cacti, etc)
#saraspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 28, 2023
I then collected branches in heaps + started filling the 2:nd barrel in the corner with more soil & arrange sacks & buckets of chicken manure for easier access
lt left a huge piece of green tarp to be stored away. I have carrot & bean seeds ready …
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 28, 2023
The air is full of sallow seeds dancing around & it’s very dry … everything is covered in a thin layer of yellow. If it actually did rain at 4 am as promised last night, there was no sign of it this morning.
Baking carrot cake seems like a better option next
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Show threadSara HjelmMay 28, 2023

Ok…
2 carrot cakes & 1 experimental parsley root cake to the right. Should be enough for at least 3 decorated cakes.

And I wonder what my experiment tastes like. Slightly tweaked seasoning, but it smells parsley root…

Time for bed.
#sarasspringcount23

#midnight #experimental #baking

Show threadSara HjelmMay 29, 2023
It’s 23 days & 2 hrs until the summer solstice
Nice weather out there, 18°C & less windy. I have to remind myself why moving delicate plant outside is no option yet - next 2 photos are from 4.30 am. Only +3° at sunrise…
Before anything else I’ll go shopping
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 29, 2023

✔️Rhododendron manure & soil (+maybe irresistible new begonias? Garden centers are full of temptations…)

✔️Larger plastic bags for those cakes plus powder sugar

✔️Possibly screws & paint

Dividing with myself- go east or west? I think west.
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 29, 2023
My cat Alice is complaining loudly - very annoyed …
She thinks midday is perfect time for a joined nap
#sarassprincount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 30, 2023

It’s 21 days 18 hrs until the summer solstice & at 8.30 pm it’s +17° outside
Yesterday I paint for benches & more brushes. Then went to the grocery store & bought powder sugar + cacao + more. I can now decorate all of the banana, carrot or parsley cakes…

#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 30, 2023
Last was the garden center. By then I was quite tired. They had rhododendron soil but no manure. And very few bedding plants I liked. So came away with mostly cheap perennials. I should have gone east after all… I will have to do that tomorrow.
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 30, 2023
It’s very dry & no rain in sight
I’m slowly preparing for Thursday when I’ll get help to spread the nematodes & at the same time get a load of fine gravel for future use. I’m halfway with this tarp to behind the garage where the gravel will be unloaded
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 30, 2023
Started to gather things for the dump, sorted in huge sacks, also behind the garage, both from inside & outside
But it’s really hard to be outdoors with all pollen.
I began to cut the hedge up front but had to give up & do some cleaning inside instead
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 30, 2023

The garden smells of nothing but neighbors’ grills tonight
Ended with watering on strategic places.

Tomorrow… 👇🏻

Next garden center
Pharmacy for cat Alice’ anti tick medication
Perhaps plant those perennials
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmMay 31, 2023
It’s quarter to ten pm & outside it’s +14° when there are 20 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice…
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 31, 2023
Today was all about getting ready for tomorrow but there were hours midday when it was impossible to be outside & I never went shopping
But the tarp is waiting for gravel
I found all things for spreading nematodes sans the shower-head for the watering can …
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmMay 31, 2023

The pile behind the garage is growing …

No grilling tonight… instead my honeysuckle fills the air

And look at that azalea- almost ridiculous …
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara Hjelm

At 6 pm it’s 19 days 21 hrs until the summer solstice
+16° & the day has been sunny but windy

1st days of June is also time for graduation from upper sec school & I hear the reception for my neighbor’s eldest daughter behind the trees
Street is full of cars
#sarasspringcount23

Jun 1, 2023 at 4:47pmWeb
Show threadSara HjelmJun 1, 2023
But the day started much earlier I was up dressed & outside at 7 - this is 9 am
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 1, 2023
With that pile of perfect gravel in place (right size for garden tiles & stones, no dust included), all possible spaces in need got nematodes watered down.
Took a couple of hours
As the surface is so dry, it included digging holes & pouring down every 50cm
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 1, 2023

Finally the long consoles were cut so that I have 9 lengths for the garage wall

The grass outside my fence along the streets was cut

Cat Alice got to spend some time in her favorite spot under the azalea before lunch & a midday nap
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmJun 1, 2023

I will not disturb the party with grass mowing or any machines this evening
If I do anything more it will be moving plants outside & water pots
I woke at 5.30 this morning, so might as well call it a day.

#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmJun 2, 2023

Quarter to 7 on second day of June & in this light & wind you can actually see where the new fresh water supply line runs on bottom of the lake, an artificial bank stopping the waves

+8° & sunny when it’s 19 days, 8 hrs until the summer solstice…
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmJun 2, 2023

So, what did I do today?
First I got rid of all branches by mulching them
Then I mowed grass …

First up front
It feels a bit sad to prune those wild roses, but they are far too high so they are next. Buds in a vase is also nice
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmJun 2, 2023
After watering pots on the patio & giving both the garage wall & the car a shower I spent an hour with some crime fiction (that was really long ago…)
Afterwards I started to tackle the backside, not all done, but it’s a start.
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 2, 2023
Finally cat Alice got to go out at 7.30 pm. She had been begging to come with me all day
It was already cooling down so she was not so interested after all & gave up after 10 min, headed for the door & went straight to her cardboard box…
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 2, 2023

Really pleased with the day… Next is the weekend
I can clean the patio from pollen, no addition since yesterday & I might tackle the new mailbox, marking it properly and getting it installed.

I think I deserve some Sara Paretsky by now…
#sarasspringcount23

Show threadSara HjelmJun 3, 2023

What can I say about today’s gardening? Well absolutely nothing as nothing was done…

It’s 17 days until the summer solstice & I divided the day between cheese making & bed with cat Alice & Victoria Warshawski in a midwinter Chicago 📖

Alice is very content
#sarasspringcount23
#caturday #crimefiction

Show threadSara HjelmJun 3, 2023
Thought I’d share at least something on here … this beauty in full bloom
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 4, 2023
Sunday June 4 & I take a break from SM
Even skipped my weekly website posting, waiting until the website links I planned are completed
It’s 16 days until the summer solstice, nice & warm
I move plants outside- chilies, cacti & ginger - no cold nights ahead…
#sarassprincount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 5, 2023
It’s 16 days until the summer solstice June 21 as the sun is setting behind my neighbors’ house
Started the afternoon on the patio before it got too hot. Then spent several hours trying to get rid of the falling sallow pods & so far I have half a sack
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 5, 2023
And they are still falling…
I planned to use the tabletop I set up for some painting, but there is no way.
Swept this morning it’s already full of both pollen and pods. I’ll use it for cutting up firewood instead
At least the corner by the garage is cleared
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 5, 2023
At 5 pm I went shopping - manure for rhododendrons & blueberries, plus some bedding plants, a bright orange begonia …
I’ll unpack tomorrow. They are still in the car
It’s time to call it a day
At 9 pm it’s still very warm & the honeysuckle smells fantastic
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 6, 2023
As yesterday nothing went as planned… I try to multitask… very stupid!
8.30 pm, June 6 & 14 days, 18 hrs until the summer solstice… One of the girls next house is playing the national anthem accompanied by their dog …
At least some perennials were planted.
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 7, 2023
It’s more or less exactly 14 days until the summer solstice & on the patio it’s +25° on the shade
I will not repeat yesterday’s mistakes- no cooking/gardering today, only grass mowing the shady part of the garden, cleaning up the small patio by the hammock
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 7, 2023
Spent the morning getting rid of bad conscience - by vacuuming & putting boiled chicken & the fresh witch I had received at 8 am yesterday in the freezer
I’ve really longed for whole fish & by the description it would be quite some size, 500 g, so ordered 2…
#sarasspringcount23
Show threadSara HjelmJun 7, 2023
I thought 1 for dinner & 1 in filets for the freezer…
What I got was 1 kg of some of the tiniest specimens I’ve seen - 9 all together. I know how to rid fish of bones, but simply don’t have knives good enough for that size
All day they nagged on my mind
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Show threadSara HjelmJun 7, 2023
Now, time for that grass!
Nice, cool & shady down there & also the reason that place for the hammock was originally built. A resort on hot days…
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Show threadSara HjelmJun 7, 2023
Grass is mowed, first a dinner break before the cleaning:
This what I call perfect non cooking on a warm day.
Scrubbing fresh potatoes
#sarasspringcount23