Pretty darned good, despite the drought, heat, and rain, rain, rain. Some crops, like most of the corn, had to be replanted. But now the earliest is starting to tassel. Most of the squash is awesome. And we have some huge Olinka naked seeded pumpkins this year — twice as big as “normal!” The Provider green bush beans are putting out like they always do. I should be picking a big bunch tomorrow to get canned up.
Meanwhile, our friend, Sherri, went and picked a huge batch of chokecherries she didn’t want to use and asked me if I would like them. Heck yes! Then Will went out to the berry patch fence where there are a couple of very productive chokecherries I can’t get to with the golf cart. He came back with another ice cream bucket loaded. I’ll be doing chokecherry syrup tomorrow and the next day, as well as the green beans. Thank God for the Mehu Liisa steam juicer. Using that gives me tons more juice with no work at all but cleaning and setting it up. It does take several hours on the stove, however. (Don’t believe the directions, which say 2 or 3 hours. Twice that!)
I had a crazy experience getting our AC compressor in the car repaired. After waiting for an appointment for 2 weeks of very hot weather and only one window that would go down, I went in yesterday. I sat for 3 hours while they put in a new one. Yep, lots of cold air! Yea! To celebrate both Will’s work on the haybine and the car’s getting fixed, we went to China Buffett for dinner. Late, like 8 o’clock. When we got out, it was nearly dark and getting cool. I turned the heater on a bit. Oh oh. No heat! Long story short, I took it in and they found out that the NEW compressor they’d put in was defective and not working. Have to put in another one … in two weeks! Only our luck! It was almost funny. Almost.
— Jackie
Aren’t re-repairs fun? Not! My re-repairs today were a bit different, the new crown put on my tooth yesterday moved the old one next to it just enough that the old crown needed to be ground down a little bit. It sure feels better now! Doc said he’d never seen that one before. He’s a good dentist and honest too.
Your garden as always looks amazing! Thanks for sharing, Peace!
Crazy how “new parts” can be defective. I’m actually looking forward to the cooler weather of fall and winter. It’s been so hot and humid here. Even standing still, I drip. My tomatoes are huge but turning ripe SO slowly. Cabbage heads are the biggest I’ve ever had (late Flat Dutch). We have 2-3 days of sunshine and then rain and more rain. Each year a different challenge. This year I’ll have peaches -after planting 4 years ago. The variety is Contender. I pray the birds and bugs leave them alone. I’d like a piece of your apple pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The harvest is ongoing for me.
Wow, your squash is amazing. Mine are just coming on but the vines are everywhere, so hoping for some surprises later in the fall! I am have been trying to find seeds for dry black beans. Not sure if I can grow them up here in Minnesota, but I sure love my black beans! If you have a source you tell me about, I will be totally appreciative! Tomatoes are starting to ripen and beans are coming along well, except 1 set…not sure about those, but oh well! Have a great rest of the summer!
Try Jackies Trail of Tears black beans. Her company Seed Treasures sells them.
I am in northern MN and I have had great luck with them.
Thanks Nancy! I thought Jackie grew them, but alas, I am getting old and barely remember what, where, when or how! Have a great day!