Today I divided and moved hostas, yarrow, ferns and anemonie. I planted probably three dozen perennials, some purchased just this morning from the two perennial ladies in Verona. I dug up 5.8 ton of weeds and quack grasses (rough estimate). We cleared the grape garden and put in the cucumbers. Ed built support structures for two of my biggest flowers. I clipped spent daffodils and I pruned back (severely) any and all lavender, giving it a chance to establish new branches. I moved many loads of wood chips. Ed picked asparagus from the wild clumps that grow, well, in many strange places (our planned asparagus bed is in its second year, so we must let the asparagus there go to seed). I dug up invasive vines. I promised myself that I am done, done, done with the flower field that abuts the brick path leading to the farmhouse door. I pulled out maybe 500 seedlings from underneath the crab (birds eat the apples and leave the seeds behind...), listening to the buzz of 600 bees working the blooms. We found a frog in the car and had to tote it on our shopping trip, then back again, to the yard. It hid in my newly purchased iris. I cut some white lilac for the kitchen and late, very late, I rode with Ed on his motorbike to the first of the season local farmers market, where we exchanged our eggs for cheese curd and bought more asparagus.
I thought, during that ride, how much I love the farmette and the work that it requires. The warm, really warm air blew in strong, beautiful gusts past us and I wondered if it's possible to be more at peace with a day.
Scotch comes early to ask -- are you up yet?
the man and his rooster
breakfast on the porch!
Are you digging? Worms! We're on our way!
Our crabs have exploded with blooms!
In the old orchard, at this time of the year, even the violets and dandelions look great!
working along the brick path
waiting (as always) for me to pick out my perennials
the frog that traveled with us
one of my favorite end of day tasks: surveying the day's work
I thought, during that ride, how much I love the farmette and the work that it requires. The warm, really warm air blew in strong, beautiful gusts past us and I wondered if it's possible to be more at peace with a day.
Scotch comes early to ask -- are you up yet?
the man and his rooster
breakfast on the porch!
Are you digging? Worms! We're on our way!
Our crabs have exploded with blooms!
In the old orchard, at this time of the year, even the violets and dandelions look great!
working along the brick path
waiting (as always) for me to pick out my perennials
the frog that traveled with us
one of my favorite end of day tasks: surveying the day's work
"The man and his rooster" looks like an iconic American image. I also enjoy the frog find.
ReplyDeleteAnd now that I'm here with one of my sporadic comments, I'll also add that it's lovely how you're tracking your granddaughter's development and the new ways she delights in the world and explores it.
Loved the pic of the travelling frog!
ReplyDeleteYour crabapples are glorious! Beautiful days! (Slight warning - I see in our area that early next week our *highs* are going to be in the low 50s with below normal lows. Might want to keep an eye out for your tomatoes.)
You are inspiring. This farmette life so perfectly suits you; it is a delight to read your thoughts and take in your gorgeous photos celebrating spring at the farmette. I especially loved the one of you sitting by the brick walk. ox
ReplyDeleteEd and the rooster - what beautiful lighting. That's frameworthy.
ReplyDeleteOh, and a little good-luck froggy for you today!
Even without Snowdrop, there's so much to enjoy here... wish I had your energy! Thinking about JoyD's comments yeterday, I can see so much for a whole Small Explorer series here and in earlier posts.... gardening, fruit trees, chickens, frogs and toads and other such small creatures, your travels, hiking...
ReplyDeleteThe man and his rooster . . . Caesar conquers Gaul . . . Master of all he surveys. So many possible captions, so little time.
ReplyDeleteBreakfast on the porch! Beautiful in all respects.