Sara Hjelm23 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
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)
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#saraspringcount23
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
lt left a huge piece of green tarp to be stored away. I have carrot & bean seeds ready …
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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
#sarasspringcount23
Baking carrot cake seems like a better option next
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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.
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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
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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
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✔️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.
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My cat Alice is complaining loudly - very annoyed …
She thinks midday is perfect time for a joined nap
#sarassprincount23
She thinks midday is perfect time for a joined nap
#sarassprincount23
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…
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
#sarasspringcount23
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
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
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
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
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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
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It’s quarter to ten pm & outside it’s +14° when there are 20 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice…
#sarasspringcount23
#sarasspringcount23
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
But the tarp is waiting for gravel
I found all things for spreading nematodes sans the shower-head for the watering can …
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The pile behind the garage is growing …
No grilling tonight… instead my honeysuckle fills the air
And look at that azalea- almost ridiculous …
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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
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But the day started much earlier I was up dressed & outside at 7 - this is 9 am
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#sarasspringcount23
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
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Took a couple of hours
As the surface is so dry, it included digging holes & pouring down every 50cm
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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
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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.
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…
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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
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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
Afterwards I started to tackle the backside, not all done, but it’s a start.
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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
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…
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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…
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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
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#caturday #crimefiction
Thought I’d share at least something on here … this beauty in full bloom
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#sarasspringcount23
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
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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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
I’ve really longed for whole fish & by the description it would be quite some size, 500 g, so ordered 2…
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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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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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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…
#sarasspringcount23
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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Grass is mowed, first a dinner break before the cleaning:
This what I call perfect non cooking on a warm day.
Scrubbing fresh potatoes
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This what I call perfect non cooking on a warm day.
Scrubbing fresh potatoes
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Quarter to 10 pm & it’s been a very hot day. Coming week will be even warmer.
It’s 12 days 17 hrs until the summer solstice & there is no rain in sight…
I’m listening to the blackbird on the patio
#sarasspringcount23
It’s 12 days 17 hrs until the summer solstice & there is no rain in sight…
I’m listening to the blackbird on the patio
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The hammock patio is usable, only need to scrape the tiles from moss
From the back of the garden the house with surrounding flowerbeds looks lovely, but if you get nearer there are multiple messes…
#sarasspringcount23
From the back of the garden the house with surrounding flowerbeds looks lovely, but if you get nearer there are multiple messes…
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Spent most of the time today looking for my best secateurs - completely gone
I then put the last bedding plants so far in pots, made sure all pots had saucers…
The squirrel is digging holes in my spinach- he’s also mislaid something…
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Two kinds of perennials left to plant - 2 bright red double hollyhocks & 2 red heleniums. At least some color late summer.
Right now it’s full of sensations every day
(I bet the minute I buy a new pair of secateurs they will appear, bright orange too, strange)
#sarasspringcount23
Right now it’s full of sensations every day
(I bet the minute I buy a new pair of secateurs they will appear, bright orange too, strange)
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Cat Alice is waiting for me to go to bed, guarding my current read (great anthology @asaplsnr & @Skolinkvisition, such a good read❣️)
I’d better finish off this day…
Another beautiful day …
Now at noon it’s 12 days, 3 hrs until the summer solstice & I’ve managed to book an optician time not in central Gothenburg, had coffee, prepared dinner (broth & croutons for gazpacho, what else in this weather?) & considered my day…
#sarasspringcount23
Now at noon it’s 12 days, 3 hrs until the summer solstice & I’ve managed to book an optician time not in central Gothenburg, had coffee, prepared dinner (broth & croutons for gazpacho, what else in this weather?) & considered my day…
#sarasspringcount23
Plan is:
-Move rest of debris on the patio & beside the garage while still cool
-Sit in the shade & assemble benches after mid afternoon
I get out & find the squirrel in that pot of tiny spinach sprouts again, so I start by covering both pots temporarily
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It’s 10 days, 20 hrs until the summer solstice June 21.
At 4.30 it was time for a short siesta, but I spent 3 hrs before that finishing the 4 benches & only lost one screw👍🏻
Yesterday went according to plan. The patio is swept & not a workshop anymore …
#sarasspringcount23
At 4.30 it was time for a short siesta, but I spent 3 hrs before that finishing the 4 benches & only lost one screw👍🏻
Yesterday went according to plan. The patio is swept & not a workshop anymore …
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And of course I found the secateurs first thing yesterday - right where they should be.
Next will be giving the benches some color
Getting rid of debris by the garage was impossible before last sallow pods had fallen. The grass & gravel is covered
#sarasspringcount23
Next will be giving the benches some color
Getting rid of debris by the garage was impossible before last sallow pods had fallen. The grass & gravel is covered
#sarasspringcount23
I will get help, Wednesday morning. My leaf blower is not strong enough to clear the gravel…
Tomorrow is painting, in the morning!
And tonight I’ll water. Right now it’s too hot
Some things grow anyway, bean trees or sunchokes (true success that one)
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It’s getting late… half past 9 pm as these were taken & it’s 9 days 17 hrs until the summer solstice…
It’s been a very lazy Sunday.. my website was curated already last night.
I was up briefly for a glass of water at 3.30, just before sunrise & that red sky looked like change of weather, but no.
I filled the bird feeders after the woodpecker had complained. Then spent the morning reading, watching the crow birds fight
#sarasspringcount23
I filled the bird feeders after the woodpecker had complained. Then spent the morning reading, watching the crow birds fight
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Before dinner I watered plants & trees again, considered getting a sack of manure to spread & weed the nearest flowerbed now that all spring bulb leaves have withered, but I gave up
Right now it’s very still. Blackbirds sing & the honeysuckle smells heavenly
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It’s late, 20 min to 11 pm, but still not dark…
With 8 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice this is what evenings look like & it’s still +15°
#sarasspringcount23
With 8 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice this is what evenings look like & it’s still +15°
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I’ve spent most of the day with cat Alice. She’s been badly neglected lately. After breakfast we spent a few hrs exploring all corners of the garden, enjoying the morning sunshine & she had one of the stupid squirrels just a couple of meters away at one point
#sarasspringcount23
#sarasspringcount23
After all that excitement it was finally too hot, so I spent a couple of hrs reading in bed, her favorite thing for me to do.
With her sound asleep I went shopping console screws for the garage…
Ended with watering & put away all cardboard from the beaches
#sarasspringcount23
With her sound asleep I went shopping console screws for the garage…
Ended with watering & put away all cardboard from the beaches
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Today has been so hot it’s hard to do anything at all. Indoors or outdoors
When this photo was taken at 5 pm it was still +27° in the shade
It’s 7 days until the summer solstice & the time from sunset to sunrise is only 6 hrs - light, warm & hard to sleep…
#sarasspringcount23
When this photo was taken at 5 pm it was still +27° in the shade
It’s 7 days until the summer solstice & the time from sunset to sunrise is only 6 hrs - light, warm & hard to sleep…
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When it’s 6 days until the summer solstice we look forward to even warmer weather the coming week.. At 7.30 pm it was still +27° & for once cloudy
But this morning , from 9 to 1.30 was really busy. Almost all on my todo-list was accomplished
#sarassprincount23
But this morning , from 9 to 1.30 was really busy. Almost all on my todo-list was accomplished
#sarassprincount23
My day started at 8, trying to find the rhododendron manure in preparation for the day (it was still in the car, stupid me)
Then, at 9 , all sallow pods were blown away. Very clean gravel at last
#sarasspringcount23
Then, at 9 , all sallow pods were blown away. Very clean gravel at last
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Next was weeding along the fence behind the logs & in the process digging up the deceased star jasmines, collecting mould affected leaves from the small rhododendron bushes & giving each some dl manure, putting down cardboard & mulched branches as a finish
Very neat result
After that the sprinkler was finally on for at least 2 hrs…
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The meadow other side of the road will be cleared right after midsummer. To protect the 2 small trees moved there 2 years ago area around was cut. Very happy little ash, it’s doing very well
Also this area around the 2 new sloes & replanted rose was cleaned
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In the corner of the garden beach branches were cut to give that poor chestnut a chance (I’ve recently learned beaches have 2 periods of growth)
New alien root shots from the plum tree were cut off under the read rhododendron & the fallen birdhouse nailed up
#sarasspringcount23
New alien root shots from the plum tree were cut off under the read rhododendron & the fallen birdhouse nailed up
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The pile of firewood from last year was cut in 30 cm pieces… & all those branches will give mulched material for other flowerbeds
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#sarasspringcount23
At 1.30 it was getting VERY hot. Ended the day discussing my plans for the console shelves in the garage, screwing sturdy 50 cm boards to the consoles & put lose thinner boards on top + my plan to use pieces of the huge pallet
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#sarassprincount23
