It's A Long One

Another busy, productive weekend in the books. If there's one thing I like, it's productivity. I like to get sh*t done. The To-Do list never ends but I like to think I can stay on top of it. I finally got two of the adirondack chairs stained this morning, right after I painted my nails. I can't do anything without getting dirty so I'm sure you can guess the condition of my manicure 😩. Note to self: do the things and THEN paint the nails.

Oh well, the chairs turned out nicely.

I used the stain that was leftover from painting the deck so I don't expect it to last for more than a few minutes. Good thing I took a pic 😉

We went to Lowe's yesterday to look at dishwashers and I found this Hosta to fill in the empty space in front of the deck. We were lucky to even have enough room to fit the plant in the car. 

Before we left we measured the trunk space with the back seats laid down, which was approximately 25" x 25". We decided on which dishwasher we wanted and asked the guy working at Lowe's if he knew the measurements of the box. He brought it out and it measured 24 3/4" x 27". I was like, we'll make it fit, even if we have to take it out of the box, but luckily we didn't need to. 

This was the first trip to Lowe's yesterday. 

We got home and thought, well we already have a dishwasher so we should just be able to pull the old one out and pop the new one in...right? If you agreed with us, you're wrong. I'm going to use really technical terms now, so try to keep up. The hot water connection thing was smaller on the old one so after taking it out, the new one couldn't go back on without an adapter thing. Understand? We also couldn't get the shut off valve under the kitchen sink to turn so it leaked a steady stream through the floorboards and into the basement. FYI, 5:30 pm on a Saturday in a small town is not a good time to need a part. Carter Lumber: closed. Ace Hardware: closed. Valley Plumbing: closed. Tractor Supply was open so Phil(ip) went and got some stuff but it didn't work. 

So he went back to Lowe's. 

When he got back an hour and a half later, we attempted round two and the adapter worked but the drain tube on the dishwasher was too small for the drain tube that goes to the plumbing under the sink. There was also a trap set for dishwasher repair people, apparently. There were tiny tacks facing upward on the floor in front of the hot water thing (we're assuming old carpet tacks but not sure) and they assaulted Phil(ip)'s arm. There was blood and water running everywhere. I told him if he's ever murdered I'm going to get blamed because they'll come and spray luminal all over the house, like they do in CSI, and there will be traces of his blood all over the floor. 

Anyway, long story long, the new dishwasher is installed, with sealed tubes and pipes and things, and works great. The task that we thought would be a breeze ended up taking all evening but our dishes are soooo clean! 

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Onto the garden update! I harvested my first (of MANY) zucchini and broccoli today! We've been watching this one broccoli all week and I kept waiting for it to get bigger and tighter, like the ones at the store but that didn't happen. We read that when broccoli gets overdone (...too ripe? Not sure what the correct term is here) it will develop yellow flowers and it's not good anymore. I'm not entirely sure if this one had "flowers" but it looked shady so I decided to feed it to the composter. But not before pretending it was a bouquet while doing the wedding march across the yard, singing "Dun, dun, dun dun" 😝

Broccoli bouquet

However, I harvested another, non-yellow flowery, broccoli and steamed it. It was delicious! 

The chicken I made was not delicious. It was frozen and I thawed it in the microwave and cut it up into small pieces and pan fried it. I wanted to eat it with BBQ sauce (Hunts, because that's the best) but it was all rubbery feeling. I can choke down a lot of food I don't particularly like but this, I couldn't do. Sansa didn't mind the weird texture though so it didn't go to waste. We make chicken all the time and this happens every so often. If anyone has any ideas on how to prevent this from happening, please enlighten me. I'm trying not to gag just thinking about it. Yuck.

Our first zucchini harvest!

I gave them all away because there are several more that will be ready any minute. I'm going to be swimming in zucchini. If anyone wants some, let me know!! 

We made a couple of other adjustments and improvements to the garden. While Phil(ip) went to Lowe's for the second time yesterday, I finally got around to transplanting those peppers plants I've been talking about. The only problem was that I didn't have any netting to put around them until we re-did the other beds so I had to improvise. The screen on the sliding glass door had a hole ripped in it from a certain dog who barges through doorways like she's gonna do something. Seriously, you should see how she storms into the bathroom if you go in without her. She thinks it's her purpose in life to seek and destroy all cardboard toilet paper tubes. She checks for an empty one about 17 times a day. I usually don't latch the door all the way while I'm in there because I know she's going to try to conduct a search and seizure but sometimes I push it a little too far and she crashes into the door face first. I feel a little bit bad but I also laugh. 

Okay, I'm not sure how I got so far off topic. Back to peppers. Ah, yes, the screen door was already ripped and we have a replacement screen (that has yet to be put on) so I cut the broken one off and wrapped it around some stakes I put in the corners of the pepper bed. The only problem is it only covered one side. Wah wah. So, in order to keep the rabbits out, I masterminded a solution. Here it is 😂:

It ain't pretty but it has worked so far! Those are scrap triangles from building the adirondack chairs and I hope they poke any bunny that comes near it. I also set a trap in my fairy garden for them!

My succulents are finally starting to come back to life after being nibbled on so I made a fork fence around them. I have faith that it will work, as long as the rabbits don't enter from the back corner 😉.

This is the longest post ever but I have one more picture to share! We got the netting changed on one bed this evening. The lettuce bed took priority because I've been chasing rabbits out of it at least 3 times a day. We learned from our mistakes last time and stapled the net much higher on the back side and put a board the length of the bed on the front and stapled the net to it. It can be moved over the top and to the back to expose all the crops. This is a bug net, too, so nothing should be getting in to have a snack. 

Oh, I lied. One more pic: Sansa's contribution to the garden.

Two holes dug where they're not needed 🙄. I've filled the first one in a million times and she's dug it back out a million and one.  If anyone needs a digger, I'm renting her out. I don't guarantee she'll dig where you want her to but you'll get holes. And this adorable face, with its gigantic tongue: 

Okay, I lied again. But I couldn't help it. She's really pretty, guys 😄

Lower Excitement Levels Ahead

I feel like I need to forewarn you that the excitement level of my blog peaked last week. Skydiving cannot (and will not be attempted to) be topped. Sorry guys, it's back to gardening, my dog, and a few random topics here and there. I just want you to lower your expectations so that you won't be disappointed and can throughly enjoy my slightly less fascinating (but only slightly) chapter in Tales from the Creative Kimpire. Or another title that's way cooler than that.

Okay, so now that you have appropriate standards set for what this post is about, let's begin:

We had a surprisingly productive day, despite getting a late start. It was 3 pm and about 90 degree out with 336% humidity and we thought that would be a good time to start on our landscaping project. It was a toss up between that and taking a nap, but I knew if I napped then we wouldn't get anything done today and I've been wanting to work on this for weeks. So outside we went. After a thick coat of sunscreen, of course 😉. I'm not usually a whiner about the weather, (except for rain; I hate when it rains. And the cold. Snow is okay if there's a bunch of it but not if there's just enough to make the roads slippery.) (* I should also clarify that this only pertains to outside weather. I complain about the temperature in my office pretty much daily.) but It. Was. So. Hot. 😩. Luckily I'm not very good at using the shovel (😁) so Phil(ip) got the fun job of digging the trench to stand the landscaping rock in. I helped level them, put down newsprint to kill the grass, (the Green Tab is still good for something! 😉) and covered it with mulch. It really wasn't that big of a project but we had to stop every couple of minutes to move to the shade and wipe some sweat. So, after about an hour and a half, we have this: less yard to mow!! (which is always the goal)

I also stained the gate on the deck. We haven't decided what we're putting to the right. A gang of rabbits live under the deck so I'm thinking a plant with thorns or something equally displeasing to them. I know what you're thinking, that I'm being very hateful toward the rabbits but when you see the video below, you'll understand my ire. By the way, that prancing noise in the background is Ms. Sansa walking across the hardwood floor. 

Sansa was looking out the window and barking so Phil(ip) went and looked and told me I better come see. He started videoing it out the window, I came over and there it was, rudely making itself comfortable in my fairy garden! We were getting ready to take Sansa for a walk anyway so we got her ready (she doesn't travel without her treat bag so that she can be rewarded for being a good girl every 10 seconds) and walked her out to scare them off. I didn't get a pic but when we got out there, one of them was in my lettuce bed! They must've chewed a hole in the netting. We got our better net in the mail yesterday but didn't get to put it on today. Hopefully it will keep them out of the produce better once we do.  They've been munching on the succulents in the fairy garden, too! I didn't plan on putting a low tunnel over it so I searched for tips on Pinterest for how to keep rabbits out of your garden. This was my favorite: put plastic forks out, tines up, like a fence. I'm going to put so many forks out there, it will be like the Walls of Constantinople, only on a smaller scale because it's for keeping out rabbits, not armies. 

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And now for a garden update! 

These are my green peppers. They're doing very well since I drilled a drain hole into the pot. Oops.  😐

The broccoli is growing like the accrued interest on my student loans! Who knew that would ever be the context of a good analogy?

I'm saving the best for last.

I got to eat a purple carrot today! No matter that it was a baby and I ripped it prematurely from it's happy home. 

The leaves are really tall and the top of the carrot started poking up through the dirt so I decided it was done. I'm not sure if it wasn't done growing or if it was and I stunted it when I transplanted. I guess I'll know if none of the others every get any longer. 

The root was all twisted and hairy. I cleaned it and cut the end off and found that it's orange inside! And it tastes exactly like a regular carrot. Which is great because I love regular carrots but also kinda disappointing because I don't know why purple carrots exist. I'm going to have to google that. Hold please..............................................................

Holy cow guys, did you know most carrots were purple or even black until the 17th century, when Dutch farmers crossed varieties and created the modern day orange carrot? Me neither! The purple varieties are making a comeback because they are full of antioxidants that orange carrots don't have!  Fascinating, right?! 

Has Anyone Seen My Comfort Zone?

😳😳😳 Over the last two weekends I have had experiences that I will never forget. They both taught me something about myself. Last weekend I attended Women's Weekend: Innate Wisdom Within, a yoga retreat for women. There was chanting, meditation, acro yoga, Thai massage, dream exploration, stretching yoga (that took far too much coordination), a dab of fitness yoga, and ended with a dance party, which was my favorite. Probably because I was then free to go home...

Let me preface the rest of my story with two pieces of information. 1. I'm not a big fan of people touching me. 2. I have palmar hyperhidrosis, which is a scientific way of saying my hands sweat. A LOT. All the time.  Consequently, I don't really like to touch other people.

Knowing these two facts, you can probably guess why this experience was way out of my comfort zone. Because I was going with my friend, I thought it would be less awkward. I was wrong. 

Turns out, staring at your friend's left eye for the duration of a song is ridiculous and laughter-inducing, which totally kills the mood for the people "making a connection." Standing back-to-back and then bending over to look at each other through your legs? ***I'll wait a second so you can get a visual in your head*** WEIRD. I also learned I don't particularly like doing yoga at 7 am or chanting words in Sanskrit that I forgot what they mean. The stretching yoga was frustrating because the instructors came around and corrected your form, which I like to think was perfect and didn't need correcting 😉. Thai massage was ..... a learning experience. I learned how to give a massage and also that I'm not very good at it (Sorry, Holly!). I learned where my personal boundaries are for touching another woman's thigh and letting her touch mine. I'm thankful I was with my friend; I can't imagine massaging a stranger, as some of the other women who came alone did. I probably wouldn't have participated. I felt like I had an identity crisis while I was there because I'm usually a pretty confident person but there, I was so far out of my comfort zone that I was totally insecure. I didn't socialize much with the other women, who probably had the wrong idea about why. In the end, I'm glad I went but I don't think I'll be attending the second annual Women's Weekend. 

I enjoyed spending time with Holly and seeing the beautiful scenery of our state! 

**Disclaimer** If you are one of those people who does enjoy the activities listed above, there is no judgement from me! I'm totally cool with you doing it, I just don't want to. Ever again. Namaste. 

New River Gorge, Oak Hill, WV

Scenic Overlook off the interstate

Being a tree

And now for adventure #2. Phil(ip) and I went skydiving yesterday. I learned that my comfort zone is limited to the ground. I'm not an adrenaline junkie, in case anyone thought differently.

 The guy who suited me up did me no favors by putting me in yellow and giving me a helmet that didn't match! I know, I couldn't believe it either 😔.

I had a great instructor and camerawoman who were very compassionate to my nervousness. I guess I had "anxious" written all over my face because everyone kept giving me tips, like, "it's only scary until you leave the door," and "just make sure you smile" (which was a good tip because the pictures look way better when I'm smiling and not so great when I'm about to cry!). 

I was soooooo freaked out at this point. I was first in the line up and I'm pretty sure that's because Nick (my instructor) thought I was going to wimp out if I had time to watch everyone else go. He literally pushed me (us) out the door. 

I was strapped so tightly to him that I'm actually sore from it today.

 She told me more than once to make sure I looked at her and smiled...oops. I also forgot that I could let go of my harness, which would've made this a much cooler pic.

Once he pulled the chute, you can hear each other again and he said, "How was it?" and my reply? "Cold." Probably not the answer he's used to hearing. 

Thoughts upon landing: OH THANK GOD!

We hit a few bumps on the way down and it made me super motion sick. I think I was in shock for about an hour post-landing. 

It was a great experience and I'm glad I did it. When we were driving home I told Phil(ip), "I'm so glad I never have to do that again," lol. Now that I've had time to recover and no longer feel like I'm going to throw up, I'd consider doing it again. I probably won't but it's not off the table 😉

Oh My Garden Is Finished!...For Now

Hey! It's been a busy couple of weeks! We've been working on the garden and other building projects. The garden is finally finished (probably....for now, anyway 😉)!!!

Are you ready to see it?! 

Here it is!

Six beds, four with conduit and netting. The netting became priority number one, two weeks ago, when we woke up to a bed full of broccoli that had been munched on! We build a custom tool for bending the conduit (I can say "we" because I drilled a few screws into it...you know, the hard part... 😉). The netting is a jumbled mess at the moment and isn't the kind we wanted but is what was available at the time. We have a different kind of netting ordered that must be coming from Mars because the estimated shipping date is between June 23, 2017 and November 2018. Okay, that may be a little bit of an exaggeration but it really will take like a month to get here. We certainly learned what not to do with this batch of netting...like leaving it too long (the weed eater does not like it), not stapling it correctly, etc. so this next go round should make things much easier to work with! 

Custom conduit bending tool

The smaller box in the back middle of the back row is my succulent fairy garden. It's a work in progress but it's starting to look cute! I definitely need some more moss for grass. And I need some fairies...or trolls. I could go either way. 

Everything is growing so well! 

Bed One

Bed Two

Bed Three 

(Most were just transplanted and watered, that's why they look so sad)

Bed Four

The zucchinis got upgraded to a bed of their own because they are ENORMOUS. They looked very sickly after transplanting last week so they got a hair cut. They're bouncing right back and we even have a few zucchini starting! 

The middle box in the front row is empty for now, most likely awaiting some hot peppers that are still germinating on the grow table (which is now a five tier shelf...a girl needs lots of room for her plants!) in the living room. 

I got to harvest my first head of lettuce this evening! 

How good does that look?! 

This was the best salad I've ever had! Phil(ip) said he didn't think that was true but he doesn't even like salad so I don't trust his opinion on the matter 😜

These are my super cute garden markers that I made 😊 I dipped them in polyurethane, hopefully that will make them last for at least this growing season. 

 This is project two. We found some picnic table building plans online and busted this puppy out in one afternoon!

The two chairs to the left were project number three. We built the two to the right at the end of last summer but we needed more for company. The first two are on the "To-Stain" list, along with the new, not ghetto deck gate, and the floor...again. The stain we bought and applied at the end of last summer is supposed to have a 50 year guarantee. Unless that's a typo and they meant 50 days, I want a refund 🙄. Actually, I want someone to come repaint it for me and they can keep their money. It took 8 hours to stain that deck last year. And it was so hot. And I got sunburnt. So they totally owe me some man hours. 

 So that's what we've been up to. The carrots are doing well, also, but alas, I forgot to take a picture. Oh well, I know that always keeps you coming back for more 😉