Amid secretive binges of Halloween candy, Election Night euphoria, and time change adjustment, I spent a lot of time this week preserving and re-using the garden and its output.
Last Sunday I added more bean vines to my wreath. I now have it hanging on the front door.
I like the texture of the wreath: the bean vines had already twisted around each other in a lot of places, so it has some braiding baked in. All the bean vines and plants have now been pulled. What a season they had; can’t wait to add up the number of beans!
I blanched and froze the very last of the beans on Thursday night; I had to discard a bunch that sat in the fridge too long. Last night I shelled all the remaining dried pods, and I think at some point I’ll try cooking those black beans (all two servings’ worth LOL).
Friday night I roasted, skinned, seeded and froze tomatoes. I have one bunch left that’s ripening.
On Saturday, I pulled out all the oregano from the side garden and am still sore from it. That stuff was rooted but good. I always feel bad pulling a perfectly good plant, but I have so much oregano already, and plan to put blueberries there. To that end, I ordered some acidic garden soil from Coast of Maine. I dried some of the oregano, another whole bottle’s worth, and kept some for a bouquet.
I wanted to drive to Hammonton for blueberry plants today but I’m getting sick, again.
Yesterday was a lovely day to be outside, although later on it got very windy. I also did lots of wash, sweeping, and dishes. It’s nice to have clean towels, blankets, napkins and dish towels all at once.
This week Tom, F and I made the decision to sign F up for the trip to Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, and Spain (maybe more, I can’t remember!) in summer 2028, led by her German teacher and choir teacher. F had to agree to forgo presents for the next two Christmases and birthdays (which, honestly, I didn’t think she’d go for… but then she did). She also has to earn her spending money. I’m not sure if this is a good idea but we have some time to back out of it! Maybe if I get the insurance that covers you for any possibility, I’ll feel better about it. I also am worried in advance about wildfires and heat waves in Europe…. But she is excited and I’m sure it will be great for her.
Small wins:
Got $15 off at Acme last Sunday with points from their app.
Free coffee at Wawa with points last Sunday.
Spending: $70 on Homecoming clothes for N after he couldn’t locate the dressy stuff I bought him last year; a $5 latte at work; $30 on the soil; $95 to sign up for the trip; $96 to renew this here blog; $27 on Doordashed snacks on Election Night; whatever I spent for F at Target ($30?).
Meals this week:
Sunday: lemon chicken soup made from a rotisserie chicken. This was T’s request and he helped me make it. It was very good except the veggies weren’t cooked enough.
Monday: good frozen pizza from Target, a fancy Brooklyn brand. F and I had to run to Target for some things for Homecoming.
Tuesday: ziti Bolognese (made gravy Monday night)
Wednesday: leftover chicken soup
Thursday: Zena’s (Mediterranean)
Friday: Tom went food shopping and bought a bunch of frozen foods, so I had mozzarella sticks.
Saturday; Korean dumplings and garden green beans, now from the freezer.
Lunches: bought all three days but one was soup.
Today: need a plan for dinner. Now I’m feeling a little restless; maybe I’ll go to Hammonton after all.
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