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I planted the garlic my Mother gave me. I am rather intrigued with one variety she gave me. It is called Chesnok Red and it comes from the Republic of Georgia. It is a purple striped variety so in addition to being delicious it will be rather pretty. Some years they are spicier than others. I am a bit curious as to why that is. (an excuse to research!) They also hold their flavor well when cooked. My Mom gave me three cloves to work with. I am hoping that I will be able to keep this going for a few years. She also gave me a soft-necked variety and a hard-necked variety. It seems that the more obscure varieties of garlic didn't become available in the United States until the fall of the Soviet Union. It took some careful negotiations between the USDA (which wanted the garlic) and the USSR to have them brought here. I love stories like that.
I showed my Mother my strawberry patch as it has taken on a life of its own. I had bought about four plants about four years ago and now there are dozens of them. (I discarded parent plants over the years after they had their peak growing period) I am thinking that next spring I will give away plantings to help create a bit of space. I mostly ignore the patch and keep moving the new vines out and guiding them from going too far astray from their set growing area. If you live in the area and want strawberry plants next Spring I may have plenty for you. I just need to finish mulching things for the winter.
I think in the past few days I have sort of "hit the wall" as it were. It isn't post-partum depression but I have been enveloped with the business of caring for a brand new baby, an active toddler and so on and I have been feeling impatient and tired. Today though was/is better. Both kids were napping at the same time. I could bake by myself for a little bit. (I like cooking with Senor Onion, but it does require an extra bit of attention) I could just sit and be. Later I was holding Miss Biscuit (having to nurse her for the umpteenth time for the day) and I felt good about a lot of things. I wasn't feeling tied. While it was dark, windy and rainy it was still beautiful outside. Senor Onion was being a real sweetheart and telling me about what he was doing with his lego. Mr. Jenner and I had had tea together. Dinner was on. Life is good.
I think I had to remember that things are okay, I can let myself take a moment (or even longer) to breathe and just enjoy things. Even with two kids under three, it is much easier this time around. I just need to make a conscious effort to be kind to myself.
I showed my Mother my strawberry patch as it has taken on a life of its own. I had bought about four plants about four years ago and now there are dozens of them. (I discarded parent plants over the years after they had their peak growing period) I am thinking that next spring I will give away plantings to help create a bit of space. I mostly ignore the patch and keep moving the new vines out and guiding them from going too far astray from their set growing area. If you live in the area and want strawberry plants next Spring I may have plenty for you. I just need to finish mulching things for the winter.
I think in the past few days I have sort of "hit the wall" as it were. It isn't post-partum depression but I have been enveloped with the business of caring for a brand new baby, an active toddler and so on and I have been feeling impatient and tired. Today though was/is better. Both kids were napping at the same time. I could bake by myself for a little bit. (I like cooking with Senor Onion, but it does require an extra bit of attention) I could just sit and be. Later I was holding Miss Biscuit (having to nurse her for the umpteenth time for the day) and I felt good about a lot of things. I wasn't feeling tied. While it was dark, windy and rainy it was still beautiful outside. Senor Onion was being a real sweetheart and telling me about what he was doing with his lego. Mr. Jenner and I had had tea together. Dinner was on. Life is good.
I think I had to remember that things are okay, I can let myself take a moment (or even longer) to breathe and just enjoy things. Even with two kids under three, it is much easier this time around. I just need to make a conscious effort to be kind to myself.
