Just Washed

I am not a fan of washing dishes, or housework in general, so modern conveniences like dishwashers are much appreciated. However, some things are just not meant to be sent through the dishwasher. These include wooden cooking utensils, such as this one made by my husband, teflon pans, Le Creuset, and so on.

And, besides not liking housework, I must admit there are times when immediacy is a true pleasure. That pleasure can be found with the digital camera! If you have been following along here, you know that film is by far the dominant photo force these days, but yesterday after spending several hours cleaning up the side patio of last year’s dead things, it was nice to pull out the Df and wander around. I wandered around the house, the back yard, posed my vase of daffs, observed my porch lamps, and so on. Nothing exciting, just enjoyable. The dogs were even well behaved and I got a couple of cute ones there, too.

So, en route to the Valley – the San Fernando Valley to be specific – I will drop off a roll at the nearby photo lab – and await its return. Meanwhile, the Df is back in action, and will be now that the weather has sweetened up a bit. Digital and film are great companions when you are out and about.

Ready to Plant

Today is a day to spend cleaning up the side patio – aka “The Dog-Free Zone” or DFZ – getting rid of dead, dried stems, old planting soil, digging up bulbs to replant and share. The usual gardening stuff. And, to plant some peppers: Mirasol chilis.

There is something that got my eye with these chilis. The plant is tall and upright, and the peppers stick upright, like fingers, from the far end of the stalk. The flavor is good, too.

So, into some coconut planting containers to see if, in SoCal, I can get these seeds to germinate in our mild weather. I plan to date the planting containers and move through them over a course of several weeks to see if they will pop up. No idea if they are self-fertilizing, so we will see what we will see.

Nothing like spring cleaning before spring planting!

Pause for 24 Hrs.

Sometimes you have to step off the treadmill – road – pathway – of your daily life.  All sorts of things can require this:  health, family, work, emergency.  And then you have to get back into the daily rut.

I’ve done this from Sunday until yesterday.  On top of everything, I came down with a 100.3+ F temperature, which is high for me.  Misery compounded!

Today, do-nothing-I-don’t-need-to-do day!  Slept in.  Coffee. Shopping for tonight’s dinner (Roasted Mushroom Steak Soup with Baby Spinach and Kale).  Nap.  Coffee.  Chocolate.  Wash wool.

It’s working.  Fever is gone and feeling like my old self.

And in a bit I may go outdoors and enjoy the brisk spring winds.  Or do something else.

Simple things in life are the best!

 

Quntessential

Nothing says Spring like the heady scent of narcissus. While I don’t have any in my own garden (why not??), the botanical garden has them placed in various areas throughout. It’s an annual hunt . . . some bloom earlier, some later, depending on location.

Nikon and Ortho Plus 80.