Tomatoes Anyone?

Gardening this year has not been for the faint of heart - for either gardeners or plants.  In fact, I think my tomatoes could start quoting Langston Hughes poetry any moment, "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair"...

These are my early pathetic attempts to save the poor things.  This experiment was a failure due to the wind blowing all my cans and milk containers clear to Montana.

My second attempt was to just weigh everything down so they ABSOLUTELY COULDN'T blow away.  This worked.  But after 3 or 4 days of no light, the tomatoes told me we couldn't do this forever.

My third attempt involved staking the whole area, wrapping twine around the stakes and wrapping the whole thing with plastic.  Like a giant saran wrap effect.  This worked for about 2 hours and then the wind whipped it apart and the plastic beat the poor little plants to death.

I then gave up.  After giving up the wind stopped...... I should have done that a lot sooner.

I have replanted a few tomatoes and  the weather has been perfect this week.  We may have tomatoes after all.  

Hope springs eternal.

Art

This, as well as the second photo down, is a picture of Bodiam castle, which we visited early last week. No, I did not draw this picture, but I wish I had. I brought all of my art equipment, but we've been so busy looking at the sights that I haven't really had time to do anything with them. We'll see if there's anything I can do about that.

look what you've been missing!

I understand that the rest of the crabapple clan is going horse riding this week. Poor guys. It's really too bad that they weren't able to come to the british Museum with us yesterday, where a large spectrum of mummies and other upsetting human remains were on display. Among other notables, we saw Big Ben, the London eye, Westminster Abbey,  and Trafalgar square. It is midsummer nights eve here tonight, in the land of Shakespeare- fitting that we saw a play today eh? Don't forget to do the chores boys.

The Way it Really is

Before me and G.D. left for the realm, mom was foolish enough to let us know how to log on to her blogger account- thus this surprise post. We have now been in England for 2 days, and seen, by my count: 2 castles, 2 churches, and a ruin, among other smaller sights.If you have been a long time subscriber, you may have read her story about England- don't believe it. First of all, mom didn't take nearly as many pictures as she should have, secondly, she talked overly much about the beautiful landscape- hardly mentioning the castles and history. Well, this time around, we are going to focus on what really matters. The weather has been lovely (pronounced "louv-ely"), and we are having a great time. I have begun to wonder what kind of hopeless person would vacation in Hawaii. Enjoy the snow in Idaho.

Book Club, Fruit Dip & Cinnamon Rolls

When it comes to preparation for upcoming events, I am a bit like Toad in the Frog and Toad Series.  Overwhelmed by all he has to do, Toad lays down in bed, pulls the covers over his head and cries, "Tomorrow!  Tomorrow!  I will do it ALL TOMORROW!!"

So, last night, knowing that book club was meeting at my house this morning at 10, and after inspecting the dirty dishes, floors that needed sweeping, vacuuming, etc., I took a lesson from Toad and went to bed.

This morning I realized I did have apples and bananas, and (miracle) instant vanilla pudding, so I could make Grandma's fruit dip:

Grandma's Fabulous Fruit Dip

1 cup milk

1 small container instant vanilla pudding

1 cup sour cream

Which I mixed up and put to chill in the fridge.

Then, feeling a bit of culinary confidence, I attempted cinnamon rolls... All went well except for the carmel bubbling over the sides and scorching in the oven.  So, instead of homey, baking smells, the book club ladies experienced eau de burned sugar when they first arrived.  

I ignored that and pretended to be really academic and very interested in the book discussion.  And now, whew, I won't have to do that again for several months.

P.S.  I wish I could show you some lovely photos, but Braeburn stole my camera for his trip to England. (I can't blame him, but it is inconvenient.)  

Very, Very Good

Idaho weather reminds me of a little nursery rhyme:

There was a little girl, who had a little curl,

right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good, she was VERY, VERY GOOD!

But when she was bad, she was HORRID.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Golden Delicious debuted this week in her first Shakespeare production.

In a nut shell, here's the plot:  "Helena the fair" loves Demetrius in vain because Demetrius and Lysander both love Hermia.  

They all flee to the woods; where, with a little help from the fairies, BOTH men fall madly in love with Helena (that was a really funny part - Granny Smith hooted with laughter). 

And then, finally, Helena is loved by Demetrius, Hermia and Lysander get together again,  and all is well.

Golden Delicious with her Dad - phooey on Demetrius

Helena pleads for Demetrius' love...

Helena:  "Stay, though thou kill me sweet Demetrius.."

Helena plotting to get Demetrius by hook or by crook...

Helena:  "I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight. Then to the wood will he tomorrow night pursue her.  And for this intelligence, if I have thanks, it is a dear expense.  But herein I mean to enrich my pain, to have his sight thither and back again".  

Both men awake and fall madly in love with Helena...

Demetrius:  "OH HELENA!  Goddess, nymph, perfect, divine!  To what my love could I compare thine eyne?"

And Helena is happy...

Helena:  "And I have found Demetrius like a jewel."

And there you have it folks, Shakespeare at it's finest!

Happy June 11th??

Yes, this is snow.  No, I am not happy.  But then, neither are my tomatoes, peppers or flowers which I have valiantly covered the last 6 nights to prevent from freezing temperatures.  I am already planning my speech for my grand children, "now kids, when I was your age, we had so much snow.....!"

Big Bertha Rides Again

This weekend is Fathers and Sons Outing and the ward is going up to Green Canyon.  Mr. Bechtel, who is Young Men's president, seems to be the man of the hour.  Do the Elders or High Priests ever do anything? (Ok, I shouldn't say that.  Please ignore if you're offended.)   Luckily, his cooking is very good!  The boys have been ready to go all day.  Big Bertha made her first appearance of the season, and even got her new registration stickers for the event.

Granny Smith will guard the hot dog and hamburger fixings.

Braeburn  is riding shotgun and questioning the need for pictures...

And the rest of the crew, plus cousin Stock Dog, is riding in the loft.

FINALLY they are on the road!  

I have finished making all the cookies for Golden Delicious' play tonight and I am turning on MY music (which is going to be Josh Groban Christmas stuff - see why I can't do this while the boys are around?) , and read whatever I want for a few minutes, which happens to be "The Contrary Farmer".  

Don't worry, I'll help Mr. Bechtel unpack tomorrow....

You Know There's Something Women Like...

About a Pickup Man.

The yellow truck (tweety) was one of Mr. Bechtel's first projects.  (note Braeburn's early introduction to machines).  We still have it and it runs like a charm.

The projects continue...

And now - He has help.  Training in progress.

Idaho History Tour

This weekend The Spy twins and I went exploring Idaho. 

 

Prairie Spy and Nova Spy are in 4th Grade this year, which is Idaho history year.  We decided to go with a couple of other kids and moms to see some historical things.  I loved being with these guys!  They took such good care of me.  Nova Spy walked carefully with me through the cave at Craters of the Moon just to make sure I didn't slip (there was snow still) or get lost on some wrong path.  Great boys!

Here's Nova Spy locked in the old jail in Boise.  I hope he gets out because it was not a fun place.

Prairie Spy at Craters of the Moon.  The weather was perfect and we avoided falling in any of the collapsed caves.  Uggh!

And here are the mighty adventurers with Big Southern Butte in the background.  A good time was had by all!