Jam & the Battle of Equisetum 3 July 2009

Random, spontaneous posts from me for a while.  We’re a one computer family right now.  And we’re trying to settle into our temporary routine.  So reading/posting is sporadic.  I still want to fill you in on our trip, but for now here’s a glimpse of the life we’re living:

In brief, our routine looks like this:

2-3 days in Seattle catching up with friends, shmoozing for jobs for JumbleSpouse and showing JumbleBoy the town.

The rest of the week we live Peninsula life:

• Wake – 10am:  breakfast, message checks, playtime, guest house maintenance
• 10am-noonish:  work in Rose’s garden
• Noonish-2pm: lunch, message checks, playtime, guest house maintenance
• 2pm-4pm:  JumbleSpouse job hunt time/I entertain JumbleSon at lavendar farms, nearby attractions, the library
• 4pm-6pm: JumbleMamaStudent grad school prep/reading time while the boys play at the beach, in a kayak, on bikes
• 6pm-8pm: Dinner and bed time for the littlest Jumble
• 8pm-10pm: Quiet time for adult Jumbles as we read, talk and watch the sun set while sipping gorgeous Washington merlots

Part of our work in Rose’s garden has been “helping” with the fruit & veggie garden.  Mostly this involves harvesting and eating! I’ve never been a salad eater, but the beauty & volume of her lettuce has made me a convert.  And contrary to my blog name, I’ve never made jam before.  But, I had 3 little helpers interested in it (Rose’s kids are still in town for a few more weeks much to our delight), so we gave it a go.  Freezer jam from her strawberries (freezing 3 cups for her to enjoy when she returns).

The other challenge until her husband leaves (which will add lawn mowing to our task list) is weeding.  Thistles and horsetail thrive here.   I’ve seen many a Pacific Northwest gardener use horsetail as a “feature” in their garden.  But, how in the world they maintain it is a mystery to me.  They spred like wildfire under the ground, then pop up all over the place. Today I’ll try straight vinegar (as pulling them at the root is futile).  Any recommendations for organic solutions are welcome. 

So, when we’re not getting her beautiful fountains clean and flowing, we’re fighting the battle of the equisetum (with much joy, I might add – the weather is spectular!)

Highs in the low-70’s.  Slight breeze.  And sunny – mildly so.  I smell the ocean.  The hummingbirds call as they buzz past my head.  There is a constant hum from hundreds of happy bees.  I watch the family of quail scurry past.  A racoon walks up the path and stares me down.  Everything is fresh.  open.  light.  love.

JumbleSpouse has 3 interviews lined up for next week.

We are where we are meant to be.  (blissful sigh)