Thread by @sara_hjelm

Today, March 21 (or rather tonight) is the spring equinox 2023. I celebrate end of winter by starting this years count down of the 91 days until the summer solistice, documenting gardening and spring/pre summer progress.
This is what it looks like today …
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90 days until the summer solstice!
It’s raining & I spend my time sewing a new sweater for my cat before tomorrow’s vet check up
My 1st garden addition arrived: 10 bare rooted sloe (thinking of you @eyebeams) soak in rainwater, waiting for decision on where…
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Thursday March 23 & 89 days until the summer solstice
And it’s raining
+8°, so warm considering
Visit to the vet went well
Medicine prescription for itching/allergy &👍🏻 for overall condition
Here is the cat Alice waiting to see the skin specialist this morning
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There is even some thunder far off ⚡️
I throw out apples, sunflower seeds and nuts under the nearest rhododendron for blackbirds, finches and squirrels and hurry back under roof. So wet!
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Safely covered sloe bushes for another 3 weeks
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And the rain clouds left, heading north
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It’s 24:th of March. I correct my count down as it has been set for midnight, but the solstice June 21 is a couple of minutes before 3 in the afternoon. And summertime, so we’re approaching exactly 89 days now!
I always mess up this. Every time …
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It has rained all morning, +8° but strong winds. Next week will be colder with night frost again. @MrEFinch asks for magnolias in bloom, but I can only offer buds.
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Spent the morning cooking! Preparing all the strangely cheap aubergines - moussaka en mass and frying slices ready for Persian mutton stew.
I get so tired of buying ginger & use half so I decided to grow some myself. These are ready for pots after a week.
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Ok, today it’s 88 days until the summer solstice. There is no change in weather today. Still warm +8° and heavy rain on and off
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Spent a lot of time multitasking yesterday - cocking, sewing, cleaning up the mess afterwards. The #cat Alice’ sweater was prolonged and she is a lot calmer when she cannot reach her sides and lick/drag off the fur when itchy

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As I finally got white kale for a reasonable price I made dolmas to put in the freezer-ready for the oven. I even made 2 portions of vegan ones from whatever veggies/lentils I had. Experimented a lot before I got taste of the mince ok. Bottom box is leftovers
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Before tomorrow there will be a change of weather & Sunday -Friday will be all frost again. Perfect for pre-freezing food…
As I now have a valid pattern for protective cat-clothing, I’ll go hunting the basement for some more pretty elastic fabric of cotton
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Remains this … I think perhaps spiced up and gratinated French style to go with smoked salmon … I will not be without tasks for today. That’s for sure, but I’ll try to keep it tidier than yesterday. And one thing at a time.
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#SaturdayCooking

Looking good so far… Taking of the foil to give it some color during the last period of cooking.
I’d better fetch that salmon.
#SaturdayCooking
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In the end I went for a piece of non smoked salmon 👍🏻
#SaturdayDinner
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#Sunday #summertime and back to #WinterWeather …
With 87 days until the summer solstice it’s-2° out there and #snowing …
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By tomorrow I expect all that food from yesterday to be frozen solid … tonight will be really cold.
But today is “våffeldagen” a linguistic misunderstanding over time that @maxelson can tell you all about.
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So I get my waffle-iron and I have a great recipie for crispy and delicious waffles that I usually share this time of year
If I can find it …
Here we go!
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Crisp, clear and cold morning with no wind and -5° when it’s 86 days until the summer solistic.
There is even a thin layer of new ice on parts of the lake. Snowdrops are nicking but the crocus still stand up brave in the chilly air.
Now some fresh coffee …
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Another sunny day Tuesday March 28 & it is 85 days 5 hrs until the summer solstice
Tonight was really cold, -7°, but from now on it seems April weather takes over rest of the week. After the weekend spring will be back…
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84 days intill the summer solstice.. At 6.30 am this is what yesterday’s prediction of rain looks like.
I’m strongly considering back to bed
Maybe later …
Anyway, @asaplsnr ’s & @Skolinkvisition ’s new anthology arrives today 👍🏻.
I’ll survive.
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Turned to rain & afternoon saved by
“Skolan efter marknaden
Om skolans och lärarrollens framtid”
(ast part was the assignment all the authors got)
Loots of reviews of this, I’ll not be disappointed
I love the title @asaplsnr @Skolinkvisition
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83 days until the summer solstice & it has rained all day. +2° right now & I’m still sorting cooked food in my small upstairs freezer into portions for one person to heat, interrupted by reading.
No snow yet though, I suppose that is for the evening.
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After the cat and I had a nap I found that Swe school Twitter had exploded in all kinds of strange policy news, so spread and RT:ed
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And sure enough the rain is turning to wet snow at 6 in the evening
#april #weather
Making typical left over food of bits and pieces found in the freezer- Thai fried rice. Taking a break as the last liquids disappear and the rice is mixed in.
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That’s more or less all for today … Rest is pure & idle nothing.
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Last day of March, 82 days & 6 hrs until the summer solstice…
As I look out there is more or less no change since yesterday. But it’s only +1° & I can see the snow approaching from the north. Forecast is snow all day.
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Now, this is more like it. Finally sunshine
After a cold night temperature is rising. It just reached 0° & it’s 81 days to the summer solstice.
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I spent the chilly rainy yesterday preparing my two orange & very old & dirty coolboxes for further use by painting the dirty styrofoam inside with fresh white paint. As good as new and waiting outside the door for reorganizing frozen food.
Time to get going!
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Being April 1 social media is crammed with jokes.
Better keep away today and think of other things …
I’ll do my best.
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Chicken in curry sauce
A childhood favorite
This is how my mother used to serve it with potatoes on the side
My father was not too keen on rice and no wonder considering the rice back then
This is of course also leftovers from the freezers in combination
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Another sunny day
When I woke up there was still thin ice near the shore, but now, as I’ve curated my website, it’s all gone

With 80 days until the summer solstice only a few chilly nights remain in the foreseeable future

Drinking ☕️
Considering options…
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Not as warm as you would like
Only the patio is warm enough. In the shade you need a jacket
I move my orange coolboxes inside & continue sorting food in plastic boxes
This week will be dry & sunny, so plenty of time for gardening
After all it’s Sunday…
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Another sunny day and new thin ice after a cold night
79 days to the summer solstice
Temperature just reached +-0° and it’s time to change place between contents of the orange, now half full coolboxes & the tiny freezer to keep the food cold
It’s a process…
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I put a thermometer in the small freezer & by now the cat Alice is really annoyed telling me it’s time to accompany her for a nap. After brushing, clean sweater & some attention she is still not content. In the end she retreats to the basement
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Half past 6 & there is definitly a change of weather ahead when it’s 78 days until the summer solistice
Today will be cloudy. And still warmer in the afternoon. Wednesday evening and Thursday there will be rain & snow.
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After that my sunny patio will not be an option as an extra fridge anymore. It will definitely be spring. There is a final goal for my food sorting. To have all food secured before that… Remains to defrost the tiny freezer
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I’m done food sorting. The small freezer is absolutely crammed & so is the huge freezer in the basement
From now I’ll use as much leftovers as possible
It was still frost outside at 7 & it’s 77 days until the summer solstice.
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Today it’s gardening time. Gathering & mulching fallen branches first
If I find time also prepare the patio for summer.
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It sure was a cold and windy day. Not much was done outside
At 7 it started to snow
Checking after midnight this is what it looked like. But I tidied inside, sent in my tax declaration, payed bills
It’s clearing up, a moon behind the trees
Night will be cold
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And it’s still there - #snow - as I wake up and it’s 76 days until the summer solistice.
I read about what Easter traditional food is expensive. And I’ve got it all… plus plenty of eggs.
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There is still ice on the lake as I wake up after the last cold night for at least 10 days
It’s 74 days until the summer solstice

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Today is “Long Friday” & and that sure is what it felt like when I was little. Everything closed (only religious music or church sermons on TV), stay calm & quiet, no play outside, or sports events, walk slowly etc
Not so much these days as can be seen below
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Luckily these are very secular times … I even get a delivery! This is flowers, daffodils and pansies, plus candy and one loaf of bread to be used for both cooking & tomorrow, sparing me some shopping.
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I really have A LOT to do today
- preparing Easter Eve lunch for family visiting
- emptying my “outdoor fridge” as bread, cheese & fats that might melt all need to fit inside, This afternoon will be warm
- Plus # cooking

I’m making a to do list, drinking ☕️
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First items on the list done … all food is inside. Somehow. Next is some #cooking
I’ve also fed chaffinches, wood pigeons & blackbirds under the rhododendron. Sunflower seeds, bread, nuts in shell for squirrels
Those birds prefer this to the bird feeders
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Lately I’ve ordered all Christmas nuts on sale really cheep so the squirrels also get a treat. They’ve not discovered todays treat yet…
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Easter Eve & all actual #cooking is done
Last these 2 banana cakes The rest is decorating, laying table, assembly serving plates, etc
It’s 74 days 5 hrs until the summer solstice
Drinking ☕️consider what should be on the table
+5° outside. Better get going.
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Look amazing, but will need ganache & buttercream + cool off completely
One will be bottom to the fruit in jelly prepared Wednesday & 2 just a chocolate cake
I’m undecided about color of the buttercream- pink or chocolate

That tablecloth sure needs ironing
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And done

That was one long day …
Ouch …
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I woke up to a clean an orderly home👍🏻
After a few hrs rest all was put away and sorted before bed
It took 4 dishwasher loads (the final chaos from when my granddaughter & myself assembled that fruitcake, tackling pink buttercream and melting jelly, filled 1)
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Today it’s 73 days until the summer solstice on June 21 …
That thermometer still says + 10° from when the sun passed.
Even the patio is somewhat in order. 1st pots in place, swept + garbage & recycling gone
Remains floors to clean indoors before I head out
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Plus this second cake … I think chocolate ganache & orange marmalade + rum. Easy in comparison
Main part will go to my neighbors together with at least half of the pickled matjesherring tart. They have both been sick with colds so not celebrated at all
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And for breakfast/lunch?
Obviously boiled eggs + maybe Danish “Smörrebröd” on rye bread with cold smoked salmon & greens
Rest of the bread will have to go back to the freezer downstairs

Dinner is definitely sorted with all left overs
I think asparagus soup
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This was more fun … Should encourage anyone to get well enough for food.
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It’s finally cooling down enough.

Here is that cake waiting to be picked up in the shade by the gate at 6 pm.

7.30 and it’s gone.

(Practicing a hobby without having to endure the results sure is a blessing … )
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This on the other hand is more like it… way better than cake.
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It’s Whit Monday, 72 days 4 hrs until the summer solstice & the last day without rain this coming week which calls for outdoor things. Painting for ex.
Raking & mulching branches
Drinking coffee, planning my day…
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So far I filled the bird feeders, put the last of fruit from the fruitcake + nuts, seeds & apples under the rhododendron

I watch squirrels & the 1st birds finding the pile

Also installed an expandable water hose to be kept on the patio & watered the pansies
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Slowly but it’s getting there …
Remains to cut the ivy. Carefully not to disturb the wren nests. And then put the table in place.
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In the end I put the table in place anyhow, glued a broken pot & tried linseed oil on one of my old, brittle plastic chairs. If that works I’ve saved myself a lot of money
It’s a bit too windy. Not ideal for spray paint tonight..
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Tuesday after Easter & it’s 71 days until the summer solstice.
It’s raining as forecasted, just a drizzle, +8° & very still
I sit on the patio, watching Monday’s achievements.
Ordinary linseed cooking oil, actually works
Most has sucked in during the night…
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I still have some moving around to do. It’s still risk of night frost, so paint has to stay inside. But tools can go out. Either into the garage or handy on the patio. The thaw salt was moved under the bench, replaced by tool batteries & they were all charged

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Lately a few of the Jackdaw gang have returned. They are very careful mostly keep to the far end of the garden & they only get a few minutes before the Magpie couple chase them away.
This one is the nearest I’ve seen so far
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The squirrels on the other hand are less cautious
The younger, brown couple chase each other up and down trees and dig up what ever nuts they’ve buried
The older grey one is to lazy for such folly & goes for what’s on the ground or what nuthatches have dropped
No new food here…

Next is under the bird feeder in front of me
Even digging under the foundation of cobble stones…
Sure spares me some sweeping

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While I sit here a grocery delivery arrives as the rain increases.
You would think there was no need, but I’ve actually run out of wheat flour after Ester excesses. I have massive amounts of any other kind, you name it, but it’s hard to bake without wheat ..
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It’s getting chilly. Time to go inside & take care of flour, spring onions, leak & some new fruit. Plus a new 2 kg of apples for these guys (apples are still strangely cheap for some reason) …
Next one to look for dropped leftovers …
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At 4 pm the raining finally stops
After a raid in the fridge stale apples & fruit is exchanged for fresh & the birds/squirrels get an unusually large heap

So happy about the cheap alternative for those chairs…
I have 7 altogether
Comparison untreated/oiled👇🏻
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And finally the last of leftovers from Saturday’s buffet- what could be more spring?
Time to call it a day.
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It is now 70 days until the summer solstice and after a cold, foggy morning I sit on the patio making long lists of things
-to buy
-to do indoors
-to do outdoors
-to move from 1 space to another
Several days of rain ahead, but next week will be sunny & warm
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0f the massive pile of nuts, seeds & apples/ fruit from last night only a few kiwis remain. Someone had a feast this morning. Could be a hare or the jackdaws. Hardly rats or mice or there would be nothing left
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The crocuses are about to give up by now and be replaced by anemones
But first things first - indoors until the temperature improves: vacuuming, cleaning floors, washing, etc
And some more coffee …
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Today it is 69 days until the summer solstice & it’s raining, very slightly, but still. The afternoon should be better. + 7° right now at 11 am
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After yesterday’s hard work (washing, cleaning floors, spray painting pots, planting ginger, etc, I was more or less knackered …
Ended with foot-bath before tumbling into bed in clean sheets.
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So I decide there is no panic today. I can have some fun baking & as I had a bunch of bought plums it’s Two Fat Ladies’ Plum Kuchen (out of season, I know & sorry all Germans, not the original, but best I’ve ever tasted)

Ready for 1st time in the oven …
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And after some 20 min next is egg yolks whisked with sour cream poured over and back in the oven for another 40 min
(Really using ingtedients from Easter, but it leaves me with 4 egg whites… )
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Done and cooling off. Perfect dessert.
The rest is pure idleness - reading perhaps.

Dinner is done, straight from the freezer - “Lapskojs”.
Non Swedes can look that up, I’m too lazy to explain, but if you have eaten in a Swedish school canteen you’ll know…
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Friday & 68 days until the summer solstice
Outside it’s cloudy, +10°, but feels much colder without sunshine. Now at 13 pm I have to give up & retreat to inside to warm up for awhile
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So far I’ve curated some meat for smoking or drying or both + filled the bird feeders & oiled the pole to avoid the most creative of the squirrels
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In the end I moved the ginger pots inside last night.
Sunday there might be frost
I’ve read up on growing & harvesting ginger, but advice on containers (deep or wide), or what to do if you want to harvest continuously & keep to next year are diverse @eyebeams?
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Saturday & another dry, cloudy morning

It is 67 days until the summer solistice & all rain has been canceled for the next 10 days in weather forecasts. It’s very dry.

I will have to tend to some of the rhododendrons today. They look very sad & need water…
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I start with the sad red bush at the back of the garden & find that all pieces to connect my water hoses are somehow missing & I can only use one at the time=shorter length

After trying alternatives I give up- I’ll go hunt in the basement, but first more ☕️…
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It’s really chilly. I need to warm up & get both gloves & woolen socks in rubber boots.
Inside cat Alice is sound asleep on the sofa. She has apparently realized that company today will be space…
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It’s slow going. So far the 2 huge rhododendrons have been watered + the small new cherry. Next up are the larger ones along the fence, the blueberries & the larger new trees

And so much for my efforts yesterday oiling that pole, clearly not enough oil …
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I’ve also started to raking together fallen branches for mulching. The amount of cracked nutshells in those piles is staggering
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Another grey morning to be followed by a warm & sunny afternoon. I’m curating my website, drinking ☕️, considering options…
In the end I turned off the water, so more off the same today!

It’s now 66 days until the summer solstice & only April so why hurry?
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As yesterday the patio got too warm mid afternoon.
Today’s dinner is the healthy kind to compensate. (Saturday’s was anything but …)
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It’s a lovely day with full sunshine - this week will be full summer weather, but no rain in sight…
It is 65 days until the summer solstice, mid of April & feels like May. Early bushes & trees have huge buds or small leaves
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I’m almost finished arranging & filling pots, gathering plastic chairs for oiling - cleaning away winter.
I’ve spent some time ordering hose-connections, rubber hammer, fresh cement, paint & more wooden benches on sale
Around me nature more or less explodes…
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6 am … not really time to get up yet. Even the deer are still resting (can you see them?)
Today it’s 64 days until the summer solstice & -2° this early

I ordered a food delivery, arriving in a few hrs, more or less only herbs in pots for outside

☕️…

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Another sunny, but a bit cold morning is over. It is now 63 days until the summer solstice. One more cold night ahead, then two really warm days before rain and cooler, more April like weather. Even frost …
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I’ve been busy dividing my time between cleaning the grill after smoking meat during the night, receive yet a delivery of herbs & salad in pots including 1 unexpectedly not potted, but lovely red rose while watching Garden Rescue season 22 & drinking ☕️
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One pot of basil goes straight inside to a lager pot, but the Q is which of these others do not have to be moved inside next week
Or covered during nights:
2 kinds of parsley
Salad
Salvia
Rosemary
Spring onions

I have a list of more, but I think I’ll wait
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That smoking spiral works perfectly, I now have a large piece of really cheap, cold smoked meat to use for bacon, but it sure leaves you with a lot of cleaning. Small pieces can go into the dishwasher, but not the grill itself.
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I’d better get going, repotting.
Still windy & cold. Too windy for spray paint. But some carpentry perhaps. Now more coffee, inside to warm up…
Cannot wait for tomorrow

The garden plants know nothing about a cold future (look, 1st magnolia flowers @MrEFinch)
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April 20 & 62 days until the summer solstice, 2 months…
Today we expect pre summer temperatures. At 10.30 it’s already +10° in the shade
Before I go out I try to deal with a strange enough thing these days- too much food

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I got not just herbs yesterday, but also bread/veggies
Things pre-packed was right amount, the rest was much more than enough for one person & def for my fridge
Bread was exchanged for larger loafs
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The person packing must have thought all those spices called for more
Must be a keen veg family…
4 fennels instead of one
1 large melon instead of 1 small
3 zucchini & 4 aubergines instead of one each
1,1 kg of sliced toast & 1 kg Danish rye bread😱
Etc…
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Most urgent was bread & also the meat I cold smoked
Need to go into the freezer downstairs, packed portion-wise
The veggies can wait but will have to be processed Sat/Sun
So I have spent the morning slicing meat & rye bread & repacking
Almost done …
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8.45 it was still light enough to see my planted herbs
Tomorrow will be even warmer
I’ll oil those chairs
For safety some had to move inside& salad outside the door

In the end my son passed by and relieved me of some bread & helped cut cat Alice claws
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Busy morning when it’s 61 days until the summer solistice
First I woke too early
Then got the message that tail of beef I’d ordered for Persian stew is not included so started cooking lamb shanks I’d defrosted already. It took some hrs but the result is👍🏻
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Of & on I cut ivy, tried to read up on soil for tarragon, sage & tai basil.
Q is what to serve as an addition besides saffron rice… fried aubergine, green/yellow zucchini or fennel (I have them all …) Anyone?
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It’s getting really hard to breath if you are at all allergic to pollen. In the end I spend the afternoon sleeping, gaining some of what was lost during the night.
When I get outdoors I find this. It’s easy to forget how fast it happens each year - spring…
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👌🏻…
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Fantastic weather, but yet 60 days until the summer solstice. Only April. Next week will be cold and rainy.
Decided to clean northern windows- a true eyesore in the morning sun. So moved & pruned plants, including the new basil.
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I now have table full of plants, but still no clean windows as I ended up making pesto. Which is typical me. Cooking as a hobby sucks when you live alone.
The pesto is really tasty though & I had loads of Parmesan taking up space…
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Took cuttings, dipped in honey. We’ll see …
It’s really time to go outside
And for some more coffee!
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It’s getting extremely hot .. more like a summer dress than what I wear. I’ve managed the first thing on my most urgent list: water all recently planted trees, blueberries & the 10 barefooted sloe bushes that rest waiting under a pile of soil
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The new expandable red hose is fantastic. It reaches all the way down to the hammock.

Next on the list is 2 areas along the fence, behind the currant bushes, that needs weeding & more covered cardboard before the rain on Monday
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3rd on my list is to clear an area in the garage right inside the door before the delivery arriving Monday
Lots of things huge, heavy & sensitive to rain: 1 bag concrete, 4 wooden benches in pieces, etc
Hopefully the person coming can just put it inside
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Moving inside to consider dinner while it cools off- obviously some of all that excessive amount of veggies
More experiments among them too - turmeric & sun-chokes
(dug down bucket for the latter not to spread?)

I’ll plant the remaining herbs later
Tomorrow…
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Managed to complete almost all, weeding & cardboard placed, herbs planted (the tarragon looks really sad. Had fell down in the water so got extra sand & perlite). The tai basil is inside to join its cousin
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The garage will be tomorrow, piece of cake as I checked.
Up above you can see the end of the warm weather, definitely a change on the sky. Tomorrow morning it will be raining & more normal April temperatures. Good for inside things. Cleaning windows for ex.
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It sure was a cold & rainy morning, but now at 6pm it’s clearing up. It is now 58 days & about 20 hrs until the summer solstice, June 21.
More rain tomorrow…
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I more or less did what I set out to do

1 window cleaned, cuttings also from the Thai basil✔️

Space cleared in the garage för tomorrow’s delivery & the car moved to the side to get in✔️
(Poor tarragon moved inside, we’ll se if it recovers
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As I’ve sat on the patio on and off today the wren is dropping moss in my hair. He is complaining about my presence loudly & improving at least 2 of the nests, picking moss from the bean tree (that sure needs to get rid of some)
I’ll have to be careful pruning
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At least some of the tulips I dug up & stored in the garage until autumn seem to have made it.

Time to call it a day.
Tomorrow I’ll mulch some branches & unpack that delivery
Maybe clean another window…
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And with all that pesto … what else would it be for dinner?
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It sure is a grey rainy morning as I wake to the disappointing message that the delivery is rescheduled to Tuesday

I give upon the tarragon, cut it down + put it outside to fend for itself & make ☕️

It’s is now 58 days & 4,5 hrs until the summer solstice
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As I plan my day 1st of several packages arrive after all - the 4 benches, for some reason registered as 4 ind. items❓ & including a useful pallet
Will be a fun assignment for my son & daughter in law visiting 2 days next week
I do need new oil laze though…
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I’ve spent some time trying to clean my best but broken spade to prepare for its new shaft - chisel, drill, hammer, you name it.
In the end I have to give up & set the old stuck, wood on fire…
If not enough it will go on the grill. I really need it.
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There was a 35% change of rain today & sure enough it’s raining & windy as well.
The garden & the meadow in front of the house is now turning green with grass.

It is now 57 days, 4,5 hours until the summer solstice June 21
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It sure is chilly outdoors, only 7° & feels worse Electric tools or machines are out of the Q in the rain
Tonight we might get frost…

I’m waiting for next delivery of my order. There was a long list of things. I had better print it out to have some control
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Gratefully every item on the list was included today
Except for checking that, I’ve done nothing in the garden but watched the birds & squirrels fight over nuts & apples under the rhododendron
The wren has now attracted 2 females to inspect his nests overhead
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I’d need someone like @GunnarValinder or @ACErnehall, more knowledgeable & able to document their progress, they are very quick out & in of the ivy
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I now have 4 different crow birds visiting: Pair of hooded crows from across the road, parts of the jackdaw gang, the pair of magpies & recently 2 jays that have decided to settle down near by
Squirrels chase them all away even if double their own size
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Late dinner … no excesses today…
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It’s 56 days, 5 hrs until the summer solstice, a cold morning, some 8° & raining on and off. At 6 in the morning there sure was frost & more to come Friday night
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This was supposed to be a sunny day, but no. I really hope no fruit trees or berry bushes decide to bloom
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I watch one of the 2 jays picking up whatever the nuthatches & tits have dropped from the bird feeder, but it’s very cold compared to last week. Def woolen socks & thick gloves today.
In the end I have to take my coffee inside
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It is now 54 19 hrs until the summer solstice
A sunny day, but cold until 5pm
I spent time sewing a “new” sweater for my cat, offering an old tunic that was beyond repair
When the wind died down the patio warmed up & I oiled the remaining 6 plastic chairs
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Tomorrow we are promised less wind, I’ll probably water those newly planted trees again, but tonight will be really cold.
Stupidly I bought 2 Campanulas for some color outside the door
I have to carry them in & out as they cannot take less than +5°
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Sun is setting & immediately the temperature goes down below what’s pleasant without jacket & gloves. Time to go inside, finish the sewing & get something to eat
The woodpecker seems to agree & loads up some energy before nightfall
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Wow…
That sure was a misty morning. At 7, only a couple of degrees above freezing.
Having my morning coffee it disappears in no time

And gratefully no wind so more time outside today
That ginger is doing fine & the chairs look amazing compared to before
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Cat Alice’s dress/jumper is near finished, lacks holes for front legs
Double cloth & padded polo as main feature to protect the neck from scratches while her fur grows back.
The medicine for her itching skin condition is now in full effect. She’s much calmer
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Her convalescence after that infected, deep heal wound took ages & the plastic collar, that she kept turning around, left the neck bare
I now have measures & material to make a change if needed
I’m glad now I did not give up on her…
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If any indoor choirs today it’s time to move the sewing machine downstairs to its proper place. Clearing that table down there from all kinds of other stuff

Maybe set a sourdough…
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Today has been really cold & windy, almost stormy gusts and cloudy all morning. Not at all inviting to go outside. Then my son came by & we spent the afternoon drinking tea & talking …
Now, evening of April 29, it’s 52 days & 19 hrs until the summer solstice
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Nature seems to not mind the cold… there is more greenery each day
The bird cherry tree should be next to flower, the star magnolia is already dropping its first petals & the flowerbed below has turned from crocus blue to anemone white & yellow.
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Looks nice when the sky cleared up, but still very cold. Time to take the campanula inside as the temperature drops …
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It’s 48 days 18 hrs until the summer solstice & this has been a super busy day. Loads of things on my to-do list accomplished…
I’ll see if I can find time to post later. At least I hurried out to get some photos
Waiting for the Persian rice to be ready.
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47 days until the summer solstice & the house across the small bay is disappearing in greenery & look at that grass. It’s grown at least a dm in the last days
Still cold outside 8 am & I have floors to clean after all that sorting/moving of things
+more widows
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Last night I sadly reached the 83 pages of end notes (+82 of ref) in my book
This 2nd, very slow, read I’ve checked notes on & off
End notes suck, but you can understand why not incorporated in the text as you see this 1st one

Strangely actual these days …
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Drinking coffee, considering the day…

I’ve slept some 11 hrs altogether, interrupted by boasts of asthma medicine, so I must have been really tired

All that pollen, a price for this most precious time of year
Next are the birches, already light green
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Goal is that before evening I’ll TRY to

Sort paint stuff in purpose bags (still cold nights ahead)
Move all tools & planting stuff away from the patio to the garage
Place water hoses + do some serious watering
Fill yet another washing machine

1st more ☕️…
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It is now 46 days until the summer solstice
Lovely day, but still a couple of cold nights ahead
I’m making coffee, watching @dylanwiliam on link in the live stream from #rEDScand23
youtube.com/live/6tkXYLgPb…
This thread will probably grow very sparsely today…
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There will most probably be loads to add to my website of links on #rEDScand23
I really hope all presentations will be posted on the @researchED1 website
This is from the @TorkelKlingberg keynote

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Next up is @[e-mail]
Warm enough to sit outside watching this … in between sorting the garage and the patio… nearly finished 1st stage.
Can you see the woodpecker in the lilacs?
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@[e-mail] #springweather #declutter

Sunday morning & it’s 45 days until the summer solstice
1 more cold night ahead & no rain before possibly Thursday
Cat Alice sure knows how to spend a day like this … as inactive as possible
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My patio is more or less cleaned… any planting stuff or seeds can go to the garage. I also have to replant those kales today. They’ve grown out of their boxes.

Can you see the wren? Flying back and forth to its nests, so happy that I’ve been inside so far
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At 5 pm my north facing kitchen window thermometer says +16°, but on the other side, on the patio, is another matter

I’ve watered new trees, sloe plants & blueberries & moved the bird feeder with some trouble steadying it, but now I have to retreat inside
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I pray that those trees in the back of the garden get their leaves real soon to give some shady area …
I’ll replant those kale plants when it cools down
Time for siesta…
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At 10 pm it’s still very light, but way colder. The campanula on the stairs has to move inside again.
I really hope it will keep above 0° as both currents, gooseberries & blueberries now have flowers…

These are the 1st of replanted tulips to flower
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7.30 am May 8 & another sunny day
No rain in sight as can be seen in the forecast …

I’ve decided to start early today Afternoons are just not possible

It’s now 44 days until the summer solstice June 21 & it’s 16 hrs, 10 min between sunrise & sunset…
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It’s 43 days until the summer solstice & lovely weather- +13° already at 8.30 am. I’d better bring my coffee outside…
Can you see the fluffy cat out on a morning walk?
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It’s 42 days until the summer solstice & yet a sunny day
Not that I’ve done nothing outside, but stupid things take my time
I’ve spent the morning trying to renew medicine prescriptions online via app…🤬
Ended calling the nurse at the local health center
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The hammock’s roof is in place
My garage sorting is proceeding
I’ve ordered thorough cleaning of kitchen walls & ceiling before painting + some help with digging
All present branches were raked together & mulched
Etc…
Only details that not really show
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Planned to place the sprinkler hose behind the logs along the fence & then spotted these on the other side … not optimal.
All berry bushes are alive & kicking, but lots of the blackberry branches froze in Nov. Only to cut back😥
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Today I’ll fill all pots for bedding flowers & drill holes in these boxes + fill them with soil for planting seeds. I’ve arranged my small station for cultivation (the magnolia above now has huge buds)
Hopefully I get the kale planted before too hot
More ☕️…
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Amount of pollen is massive
Luckely I’m well stocked for asthma medicines, but as the wind dies down it’s hard to breath
My car is all yellow by now & as for trees that flower early & spread with the wind the air is filled with every gust
It’s VERY dry
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It is 41 days until the summer solstice - warm, no wind, but gratefully cloudy👍🏻
So far I’ve received 1 box of kitchen stuff, sorted all paint & am now waiting for groceries, including frozen food that has to be taken care of immediately
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Weather means I can do things outside in the afternoon
Yesterday that was impossible
Paint inventory/sorting:
Kitchen
Outdoor brown & black
Windows & patio bench
Brushes
Sanding & pasting
Etc…
I’ve reduced my paint shopping list to a minimum
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Spent time being creative using my hand mixer …
The large bucket of eggshell, acrylic wall paint had a jelly bottom layer, about 4 inches
Removed all dry paint on the sides and lid, cut it up in cubes (think cheese making), added water & mixed until smooth👍🏻
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Today I’m super pleased with myself - finally managed to fix my best spade & give it a new handle … Top priority on my list

It is now 40 days until the summer solstice
All paint is purpose-sorted in bags
All tools from the living room are outside
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Also 2 additional copies to give away of this book has arrived. I’m already halfway through my own copy tankesmedjanbalans.se/de-granslosa/
Seems time to take a break för reading. I’ve been up since 6.30. Cat Alice has been nagging me to accompany her in bed for cuddling
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It’s very still. And so dry.
At sunset 9.30 pm I’ve watered around the patio. Rest will be tomorrow
As one magnolia drops the petals it’s time for next one
Beaches and maple now have leaves
Bird cherry flowers will burst tomorrow

We’re promised rain Monday…
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Since it’s past 3 pm it’s now 38 days, 20 hrs until the summer solstice
A strange day that started with a delivery at 7 am 😱
Luckily I was awake
Spent some trial/error hrs on use of my new vacuum sealer, crammed the freezer with chicken & went out at 10
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Sure enough the bird cherry tree is in full bloom, the magnolia has way more flowers & the neighbor houses disappear behind beaches & maples
Now I watch the magpies hunt off jackdaws while the blackbirds sing…
It’s still too hot for cooking or eating
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4 hrs in the garden was quite enough
I prepared my potting tables in the garage & pruned black berries
It’s hard to see what’s alive or just lacking water of the branches
Sturdy plants like Hosta have grown at least 5cm over night, ready for dividing
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Time to call it a day.

That promised rain … I’ll believe it when I see it.
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It’s still 38 days until the summer solstice, but not so many hours, & believe it or not, it’s actually raining … 😊
Never thought I’d be so grateful for rain …
Started cloudy & now showers
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So far I’ve spent about 2 hours outside, covering the soil sacks, gathering branches in the wheelbarrow & finally blowing together all the birch pods that filled the patio. More to come, but this is probably the main part this year
Now ☕️ & watering indoors
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I’m making mini pies for deep frying with salsicca minced meat (some of what had to leave place for all that chicken yesterday)
A flaky dough is done & resting Very comforting

I had plans for grass mowing today - so nice not to have bad concise about that
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Today it’s 37 days until the summer solstice & this afternoon we expect some rain again at 3 pm
I circle the house & consider the day - def mowing edges & under the sallow before pods drop
It’s already +15° on the patio, but clouds promise change of weather
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So far I’ve not experienced one single tick👍🏻🎉
It took 3 yrs of blocking the deer in different ways & that fence really has helped (& perhaps also the crow birds)
Plus any flowers like roses, tulips, begonias in pots, etc are left to flower
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Yesterday I noted that, at lest here, the time “between bird cherry & lilacs” would give that shoemaker a reasonable time off this year here. I understand both flower together in Gothenburg right now, so situated 135 m above sea level & 2 weeks later helps
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More about that here

faktoider.blogspot.com/2022/05/mellan…

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Not all insects are gone, some have survived birds, bats & climate/chemicals. I hoped to get flycatchers in one of the birdhouses, but no sign. This little night guy just took a rest on my knee, attracted by my dark tunic.
Name anyone?
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I’ve gathered the support for peonies, high time, passing the magnolia on my way. Time to get going, but very tempting to just sit and enjoy …
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It’s 8.30 am & 36 days until the summer solstice
Already +13° as I sit on the patio waiting for the help I’ve ordered today: dig up & replant bushes, moving heavy stuff around, etc (& those dandelions outside the fence before they spread their seeds)
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Rereading my long priority list … not all will be done, but a lot. Most are things that take little time, but the transitions take a lot… hear his car now
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10 am & already grass is mowed & leaves blow away in crucial places, for ex around the mahonia, now ready for pruning low & creeping branches. Next are the dandelions…
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Ready for gravel with all leaves gone… my tiny leaf blower is not strong enough for all that debris
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And all dandelions gone … not a single one left along the fence. Both inside & outside. They filled a whole empty soil sack.

Plus the sprinkling hose in place 👍🏻

Comparison before & after:
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That was a super intense day, ended at 5.30 am & my #garden tick off list is more or less empty … All replanting done, rose, rhubarbs & sloe. The lose stone in the stairs cemented, top of the small stone table fixated + the old table got a thin clean surface
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All gravel in the huge sack all used up - outside the fence over a string of black ground cloth & behind the garage
The barrel for rain water got a tap…
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Pretty tired by now even if I did not do any of the hard work…
I’ll watch some TV for once
@rektor_linnea is on the 9 o’clock news about Swedish results in PRILS … Then bed.

But look at this wonder
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(And of course the day ended at 5.30 pm, not am 😂 That’s how tired I am)
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It’s now 35 days until the summer solstice
Outside less than 5°, very windy & now it started to rain
Still in awe about yesterday’s achievements
I have quite a few branches for mulching + cuttings from the honey rose, but it can wait
So can any watering
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Whatever outside has to be under roof. In the garage or on the patio. I’m glad I did not take chilies or bedding plants outside last week in the heat
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Temperature is now down to +2° & the rain is turning into snow on & off … I hope the remaining blueberry bush flowers & all the wild will survive this temporary drop
I prune my dark red fuchsias & take cuttings. Smallest for a pot for a comparing results
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Spent the time waiting for weather improvement baking, or rather deep frying, the flaky, mini pork pies & they’re awesome…
I’ll save rest of the filling for more.
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And there is improvements indeed… But the wind had been such that the hammock had fallen over
I uncover the cemented stone & really nice result…
As I circle the garden the squirrels follow me around closely,wondering what’s become of today’s nut treat …
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At 9 pm it’s only 33 days 18 hrs until the summer solstice & I’ve had a wonderfully restful day after finally a full night’s sleep…

Sleep helps!
I have not worried about any remaining gardening tasks, not cooked but finished the small pies, read a bit, etc
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So, what did I do? Some cleaning, watering plants indoors, cuddling my cat

At 6 pm I went out to give some nuts & seeds to squirrels & crow birds
It immediately started a huge fight between jackdaws, magpies & wood doves before the squirrels took over …
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A bit later I gathered the branches from Tuesday
& put on the sprinkler behind the logs
I’ll let it run for yet awhile

I also put a few tubes of turmeric in wet soil & sand (next experience, the ginger is doing really well, see below)
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Spent about 1 hour on social media, avoiding the overall catastrophic news on war, politics & above all climate/nature crisis around this fragile globe

And that’s about it, very slow & restful .. I’m privileged, I know, right age, right place, etc.
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Another really nice day it is now 32 days & 19 hrs until the summer solstice & it feels like summer already. Tomorrow I’ve ordered new fruit & vegetables, so tonight I really have to clean the fridge making room…
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So what did I do?
I did start that fridge cleaning process by pealing all sunchoke tubes + planted a few in a pot for future harvest…
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I then listened to my cat & read in bed with her for some time (last chapter of your book now @asaplsnr @Skolinkvisition , really good. Already wondering whom to pass it on to. I already gave away 2 copies)
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I then mulched all branches gathered so far - enough to cover all bare areas behind the logs by now
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And that’s about it …

That fridge, I’d better tend to it at once! Grocery deliveries will arrive early

Outside it’s more a smell of neighbors grilling than the bird cherry tonight..
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Still 32 days until the summer solstice, but now only plus a few hours
At 11 am it’s +18° on the patio & I watch crow birds, squirrels & doves fight under the rhododendron while I wait for the groceries to be delivered & drink coffee
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After sorting the veggie/fruit boxes bottom of the fridge I found that the amount of root fruits & potatoes is such that I could eat only that for weeks to come +
today is def a day for banana bread & carrot cake
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The birds will have a ball coming days - numerous stale apples to be exchanged for new ones to keep the food fresh.
Filled the bird feeders - the right one with bars that the woodpecker, but not the squirrels can reach
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Touring the garden…
Under the Bird cherry tree the scent is fantastic
The small cherry has its first flowers & the Malus tree will be next to flower. It’s full of buds & both need watering
Under the old apple tree I find a deep hole
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It’s time for the ongoing fight against rodents, ants & snails/slugs. Already seen a few small ones of the latter.
I’ve ordered new nematodes, already have some for pots left plus snail granules to spread at night + 🐜 poison

And there’s that delivery…
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After sorting all that food I drove back & forth to Gothenburg to pick up the remaining allergy medicine for cat Alice - apparently 2 of the very last small bottles in the pharmacy system that my son had secured Tuesday. Huge achievement & no more gardening …
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That medicine really helps- less itching, fur is growing back, even slowly on the neck & no more sweater. But still on a lease after the vet’s ordination. After her dinner we went outside, she ate grass & we then watched the woodpecker together for awhile …
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Half past 9 and very still…

There is a young couple fishing down there. Can you see them?
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It’s 31 days until the summer solstice
I find that gardening with a cat on a leash is next to impossible.
I need to unpack & assemble the 4 new benches to allow resting my back in strategic places in that same process …

Sun, +21° - perfect & the cat agrees
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It’s now only 30 days until the summer solstice
At 5.30 am it is +12°C. Coming 10 nights will be slightly colder, but only 1 below 10°. Plants kept indoors during winter definitly have to go outside! Begonias & fuchsias are already waiting inside the door…
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Last night, late, I’ve prepared room for them, svept the patio from birch pods (1 full bucket), rearranged & moved all herbs to their future spot other side of the bench to give room, including a new tarragon + a locally grown basil
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In between reducing vegetables, like this kale, into a minimum with the vacuum sealer, I had already watered around the patio & the small trees & remaining breaks outside I hunted off jackdaws from the bird feeder with the hose
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I had plans for baking carrot & banana cakes, but instead, after clearing the kitchen, I toured the garden at sunset. Time between bird-cherry & lilacs is def over. Now is the short period when most bushes & trees + lots of perennials flower simultaneously
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I think the geraniums could very well go outside as well. Plus the chilies & ginger
Today is baking, writing a report to the vet about cat Alice’ progress, spreading manure & mulched branches
Perhaps some carpentry…

Enough … way too early
Back to bed
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It is now 20 days until the summer solstice & I must say weather has improved … cloudy & +15° at 10.30 am. Add to that promised rain in the afternoon
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Yesterday was so hot that it was hard to do anything at all until late evening. The thought of baking cakes was out of the question.
I did fill the big, heavy pots on the patio with soil & moved out begonias & fuchsias … bleak & shaky after winter inside
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Before the rain I cut off one more huge dead branch of the red rhododendron, to be put it in the heap for the dump. It’s looking a lot happier with the others gone. I’ll see what else I get time to do…. Perhaps get the geraniums outside
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And it’s raining… very refreshing! I had just enough time to fill the 2 wide black pots with seeds of dill and spinach + save a fallen birdhouse from the rain. It’s the chaffinches winter home behind the hammock. I’ve missed them lately. No wonder …
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Perfect day for a banana cake, to travesty Salinger …
I’m off to cuddle my cat, roast some walnuts & heat up the oven…
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It’s now 28 days before the summer solstice & it’s so green…
Today or tomorrow the azalea will be a huge orange ball
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And the malus is fantastic

Question is if I’ll get to do any gardening at all. I might just sit & enjoy in the shade for awhile before the sun reaches the patio
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I’ve already done today’s most important task - mailed the vet to give an update on cat Alice
Here she is watching me send off that mail, waiting for food.
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Since it’s past 3 pm it’s now only 26 days until the summer solstice
Weather today has been really nice. Planned to cut grass & bring out the mower, but ended up cutting branches & reading up on how to treat sick rhododendrons

My garden shopping list grows…
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Yesterday I did bake that banana bread + received the nematodes
Today the vet called - very happy about cat Alice’ progress she also wrote a prescription on anti tick remedies x & told me to continue present medication
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I was then held up by a long thread on twitter about my first apartment with someone who lived nearby as a kid

https://twitter.com/sara_hjelm/status/1661517462947393538?s=46&t=aooXxpxBt_AhsjE9Y9dxbw

To find a place to live in Gothenburg back then was easy & cheap if you accepted old time standards & no permanent contract
#sarasspringcount23 https://t.co/Suasl8nJ6H

I really should cut the grass up front at least, water trees, pots & the newly planted sloe & rose

And cook dinner…
Fried fillets of cod already defrosted + some spinach. Alice will appreciate those leftovers

Distractions…
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9 pm & 25 days until the summer solstice…
I cannot say I’ve been lazy as I cleaned indoors all day. Bit of a pity, but badly needed
This is what it looks like outside right now
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In between vacuuming and cleaning benches & tables from clutter I followed, RT:ed/boosted from yesterday’s huge teacher demonstration in Gothenburg.
Oh, forgot, I did do one garden thing, unpacked & tried this & it works perfectly 👌🏻
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It’s getting late, 10 pm after a busy day both indoors and outdoors
It’s 24 days until the summer solstice & of the below photos the 1:st was 5.30 am & the 2:nd is now
Nice half moon & still very light
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So, what did I do?
3 machines washing + sorting dry things
Watering all strategic plants & trees
Cat Alice’ claws were cut with the help of my neighbor
Geraniums moved outside
Curated my website
Finally made more pork pies … (still some filling left 👍🏻)
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The cat has finally given up on me. She’s been telling me it’s time for bed for at least 2 hrs by now
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23 days until the summer solstice & the weather is way colder, about 14°C, but feels worse with hard winds

The amount of pollen is now such that I find it hard to be outside. When I woke at 7 I could hardly breathe.
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It should be a perfect day for heavy gardening & grass mowing, but I end up moving plant’s between levels in the house (time to get all adjusted to outside for a few hours each day, chilies, ginger, cacti, etc)
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I then collected branches in heaps + started filling the 2:nd barrel in the corner with more soil & arrange sacks & buckets of chicken manure for easier access
lt left a huge piece of green tarp to be stored away. I have carrot & bean seeds ready …
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The air is full of sallow seeds dancing around & it’s very dry … everything is covered in a thin layer of yellow. If it actually did rain at 4 am as promised last night, there was no sign of it this morning.
Baking carrot cake seems like a better option next
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Ok…
2 carrot cakes & 1 experimental parsley root cake to the right. Should be enough for at least 3 decorated cakes.

And I wonder what my experiment tastes like. Slightly tweaked seasoning, but it smells parsley root…

Time for bed.
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It’s 23 days & 2 hrs until the summer solstice
Nice weather out there, 18°C & less windy. I have to remind myself why moving delicate plant outside is no option yet - next 2 photos are from 4.30 am. Only +3° at sunrise…
Before anything else I’ll go shopping
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✔️Rhododendron manure & soil (+maybe irresistible new begonias? Garden centers are full of temptations…)

✔️Larger plastic bags for those cakes plus powder sugar

✔️Possibly screws & paint

Dividing with myself- go east or west? I think west.
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My cat Alice is complaining loudly - very annoyed …
She thinks midday is perfect time for a joint nap
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It’s 21 days 18 hrs until the summer solstice & at 8.30 pm it’s +17° outside
Yesterday I paint for benches & more brushes. Then went to the grocery store & bought powder sugar + cacao + more. I can now decorate all of the banana, carrot or parsley cakes…

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Last was the garden center. By then I was quite tired. They had rhododendron soil but no manure. And very few bedding plants I liked. So came away with mostly cheap perennials. I should have gone east after all… I will have to do that tomorrow.
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It’s very dry & no rain in sight
I’m slowly preparing for Thursday when I’ll get help to spread the nematodes & at the same time get a load of fine gravel for future use. I’m halfway with this tarp to behind the garage where the gravel will be unloaded
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Started to gather things for the dump, sorted in huge sacks, also behind the garage, both from inside & outside
But it’s really hard to be outdoors with all pollen.
I began to cut the hedge up front but had to give up & do some cleaning inside instead
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The garden smells of nothing but neighbors’ grills tonight
Ended with watering on strategic places.

Tomorrow… 👇🏻

Next garden center
Pharmacy for cat Alice’ anti tick medication
Perhaps plant those perennials
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It’s quarter to ten pm & outside it’s +14° when there are 20 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice…
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Today was all about getting ready for tomorrow but there were hours midday when it was impossible to be outside & I never went shopping
But the tarp is waiting for gravel
I found all things for spreading nematodes sans the shower-head for the watering can …
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The pile behind the garage is growing …

No grilling tonight… instead my honeysuckle fills the air

And look at that azalea- almost ridiculous …
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At 6 pm it’s 19 days 21 hrs until the summer solstice
+16° & the day has been sunny but windy

1st days of June is also time for graduation from upper sec school & I hear the reception for my neighbor’s eldest daughter behind the trees
Street is full of cars
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But the day started much earlier I was up dressed & outside at 7 - this is 9 am
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With that pile of perfect gravel in place (right size for garden tiles & stones, no dust included), all possible spaces in need got nematodes watered down.
Took a couple of hours
As the surface is so dry, it included digging holes & pouring down every 50cm
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Finally the long consoles were cut so that I have 9 lengths for the garage wall

The grass outside my fence along the streets was cut

Cat Alice got to spend some time in her favorite spot under the azalea before lunch & a midday nap
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I will not disturb the party with grass mowing or any machines this evening
If I do anything more it will be moving plants outside & water pots
I woke at 5.30 this morning, so might as well call it a day.
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Quarter to 7 on second day of June & in this light & wind you can actually see where the new fresh water supply line runs on bottom of the lake, an artificial bank stopping the waves

+8° & sunny when it’s 19 days, 8 hrs until the summer solstice…
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So, what did I do today?
First I got rid of all branches by mulching them
Then I mowed grass …

First up front
It feels a bit sad to prune those wild roses, but they are far too high so they are next. Buds in a vase is also nice
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After watering pots on the patio & giving both the garage wall & the car a shower I spent an hour with some crime fiction (that was really long ago…)
Afterwards I started to tackle the backside, not all done, but it’s a start.
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Finally cat Alice got to go out at 7.30 pm. She had been begging to come with me all day
It was already cooling down so she was not so interested after all & gave up after 10 min, headed for the door & went straight to her cardboard box…
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Really pleased with the day… Next is the weekend
I can clean the patio from pollen, no addition since yesterday & I might tackle the new mailbox, marking it properly and getting it installed.

I think I deserve some Sara Paretsky by now…
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What can I say about today’s gardening? Well absolutely nothing as nothing was done…

It’s 17 days until the summer solstice & I divided the day between cheese making & bed with cat Alice & Victoria Warshawski in a midwinter Chicago 📖

Alice is very content
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Thought I’d share at least something on here … this beauty in full bloom
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Sunday June 4 & I take a break from SM
Even skipped my weekly website posting, waiting until the website links I planned are completed
It’s 16 days until the summer solstice, nice & warm
I move plants outside- chilies, cacti & ginger - no cold nights ahead…
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It’s 16 days until the summer solstice June 21 & the sun is setting behind my neighbors’ house. Started the afternoon on the patio before it got too hot. Then spent several hours trying to get rid of the falling sallow pods & so far I have half a sack
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And they are still falling…
I planned to use the tabletop I set up for some painting, but there is no way.
Swept this morning it’s already full of both pollen and pods. I’ll use it for cutting up firewood instead
At least that corner by the garage is cleared
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At 5 pm I went shopping - manure for rhododendrons & blueberries, plus some bedding plants, a bright orange begonia …
I’ll unpack tomorrow. They are still in the car
It’s time to call it a day
At 9 pm it’s still very warm & the honeysuckle smells fantastic
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As yesterday nothing went as planned… I try to multitask… very stupid!
8.30 pm, June 6 & 14 days, 18 hrs until the summer solstice… One of the girls next house is playing the national anthem accompanied by their dog …
At least some perennials were planted.
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It’s more or less exactly 14 days until the summer solstice & on the patio it’s +25° on the shade
I will not repeat yesterday’s mistakes- no cooking/gardering today, only grass mowing the shady part of the garden, cleaning up the small patio by the hammock
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Spent the morning getting rid of bad conscience - by vacuuming & putting boiled chicken & the fresh witch I had received at 8 am yesterday in the freezer
I’ve really longed for whole fish & by the description it would be quite some size, 500 g, so ordered 2…
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I thought 1 for dinner & 1 in filets for the freezer…
What I got was 1 kg of some of the tiniest specimens I’ve seen - 9 all together. I know how to rid fish of bones, but simply don’t have knives good enough for that size
All day they nagged on my mind
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Now, time for that grass!
Nice, cool & shady down there & also the reason that place for the hammock was originally built. A resort on hot days…
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Grass is mowed, first a dinner break before the cleaning:
This what I call perfect non cooking on a warm day.
Scrubbing fresh potatoes
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Quarter to 10 pm & it’s been a very hot day. Coming week will be even warmer.
It’s 12 days 17 hrs until the summer solstice & there is no rain in sight…
I’m listening to the blackbird on the patio
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The hammock patio is usable, only need to scrape the tiles from moss
From the back of the garden the house with surrounding flowerbeds looks lovely, but if you get nearer there are multiple messes…
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Spent most of the time today looking for my best secateurs - completely gone
I then put the last bedding plants so far in pots, made sure all pots had saucers…

The squirrel is digging holes in my spinach- he’s also mislaid something…
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Two kinds of perennials left to plant - 2 bright red double hollyhocks & 2 red heleniums. At least some color late summer.
Right now it’s full of sensations every day
(I bet the minute I buy a new pair of secateurs they will appear, bright orange too, strange)
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Cat Alice is waiting for me to go to bed, guarding my current read (great anthology @asaplsnr & @Skolinkvisition, such a good read❣️)

I’d better finish off this day…

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Plan is:
-Move rest of debris on the patio & beside the garage while still cool
-Sit in the shade & assemble benches after mid afternoon

I get out & find the squirrel in that pot of tiny spinach sprouts again, so I start by covering both pots temporarily
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It’s 10 days, 20 hrs until the summer solstice June 21.
At 4.30 it was time for a short siesta, but I spent 3 hrs before that finishing the 4 benches & only lost one screw👍🏻
Yesterday went according to plan. The patio is swept & not a workshop anymore …
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And of course I found the secateurs first thing yesterday - right where they should be.
Next will be giving the benches some color
Getting rid of debris by the garage was impossible before last sallow pods had fallen. The grass & gravel is covered
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I will get help, Wednesday morning. My leaf blower is not strong enough to clear the gravel…
Tomorrow is painting, in the morning!
And tonight I’ll water. Right now it’s too hot

Some things grow anyway, bean trees or sunchokes (true success that one)
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It’s getting late… half past 9 pm as these were taken & it’s 9 days 17 hrs until the summer solstice…

It’s been a very lazy Sunday.. my website was curated already last night.

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I was up briefly for a glass of water at 3.30, just before sunrise & that red sky looked like change of weather, but no.
I filled the bird feeders after the woodpecker had complained. Then spent the morning reading, watching the crow birds fight
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Before dinner I watered plants & trees again, considered getting a sack of manure to spread & weed the nearest flowerbed now that all spring bulb leaves have withered, but I gave up

Right now it’s very still. Blackbirds sing & the honeysuckle smells heavenly
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It’s late, 20 min to 11 pm, but still not dark…
With 8 days, 17 hrs until the summer solstice this is what evenings look like & it’s still +15°
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I’ve spent most of the day with cat Alice. She’s been badly neglected lately. After breakfast we spent a few hrs exploring all corners of the garden, enjoying the morning sunshine & she had one of the stupid squirrels just a couple of meters away at one point
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After all that excitement it was finally too hot, so I spent a couple of hrs reading in bed, her favorite thing for me to do.
With her sound asleep I went shopping console screws for the garage…
Ended with watering & put away all cardboard from the beaches
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Today has been so hot it’s hard to do anything at all. Indoors or outdoors
When this photo was taken at 5 pm it was still +27° in the shade
It’s 7 days until the summer solstice & the time from sunset to sunrise is only 6 hrs - light, warm & hard to sleep…
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When it’s 6 days until the summer solstice we look forward to even warmer weather the coming week.. right now at 7.30 pm it’s still +27° & for once it’s cloudy
But this morning , from 9 to 1.30 was really busy. Almost all on my todo-list was accomplished
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My day started at 8, trying to find the rhododendron manure in preparation for the day (it was still in the car, stupid me)
Then, at 9 , all sallow pods were blown away. Very clean gravel at last
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Next was weeding along the fence behind the logs & in the process digging up the deceased star jasmines, collecting mould affected leaves from the small rhododendron bushes & giving each some dl manure, putting down cardboard & mulched branches as a finish
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Very neat result
After that the sprinkler was finally on for at least 2 hrs…
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The meadow other side of the road will be cleared right after midsummer. To protect the 2 small trees moved there 2 years ago area around was cut. Very happy little ash, it’s doing very well

Also this area around the 2 new sloes & replanted rose was cleaned
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In the corner of the garden beach branches were cut to give that poor chestnut a chance (I’ve recently learned beaches have 2 periods of growth)
New alien root shots from the plum tree were cut off under the read rhododendron & the fallen birdhouse nailed up
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The pile of firewood from last year was cut in 30 cm pieces… & all those branches will give mulched material for other flowerbeds
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At 1.30 it was getting VERY hot. Ended the day discussing my plans for the console shelves in the garage, screwing sturdy 50 cm boards to the consoles & put lose thinner boards on top + my plan to use the pallet
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We agreed on a win win exchange, (“very nice pallet, really a pity…) So the pallet went home with him in exchange for pieces of scaffold boards that he has at home & which will be cut to size…

I must say that was well used 4,5 hrs. Very pleased 😊
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It’s 5 days until the summer solstice & it’s been another hot day. At 8.30 it was already +25° in the shade.
So, I did more or less nothing outside. Every time I tried to go out I had to go inside after a few minutes, to drink water or lie down …
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In the end, after 7 pm & some of that really cold gazpacho, I started to glaze the new benches. Managed 2 tops… but glaze is forgiving, you don’t need to be exact in any way for a good result.
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Now at dusk, 10 to 11 pm, It’s finally cooling down.
Let’s hope it’s easier to sleep tonight. If I sit out here for yet awhile it might be possible…
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It’s only 4 days until the summer solstice & believe it or not, but we actually just had a very brief thunderstorm…
The air smells of summer rain & the temperature dropped at least 7°
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I glazed rest of the bench tops right after midday, very slowly, but now fortunately dry enough for some rainfall at half past 7
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I was just in time gathering all that firewood to put it in my giant, blue Spanish post sack
Bought the illustrated edition of Hitchhikers guide 3 yrs ago, printed in Spain, 5 books in 1 sack!
Postman stayed on to see that whatever valuables were not damaged
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Looks like that was it. The bean tree felled every lose petal at once. The patio is all yellow
It’s a pity to go inside, but only 20° feels chilly & you have to eat too
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It’s a nice fresh morning as it is 4 days, 6 hrs & 30 min until the summer solstice. I sit on the patio planning my day. I took cat Alice outside & parked her under the azalea (can you see her?), but within 10 min she had managed to break lose…
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Sorry, but she has to go inside
I have loads to do today as we expect a day of rain tomorrow
-Finish my bench glazing
-Weed and spread mulch in flower beds
-Hang up cacti
-Spread soil & manure
Etc.

Tightening this, but will have to measure her first …
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It’s only 2 days until the summer solstice on Tuesday at 2.58 pm
It’s +18° outside & it rained all morning, so no glazing or more serious gardening was possible. Instead I ate a very unhealthy British brunch, read my book & fell asleep…
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I dreamt that it was not midsummer but midwinter ahead & no arrangements made for expected Christmas guests. Which woke me up abruptly at half past 3…
By then the rain had ceased, so I went for an inspection of flower beds. They look their best right now
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It seems climbing roses are the thing to go for along the fence & behind the logs. They grow like crazy in the sun!
Just look at this one left side of the gate & actually the newly replanted on other side of the gate is already on its way after only a month
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Below that one & behind the blueberries are several yellow rose bushes that used to grow under the magnolia tree on the other side of the house & they all look like they will flower for the first time in many years…
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Mulch & sun! From now on I’ll fill all flower beds. Sod the snails, seems birds eat most of them.
Luckily there will be loads of branches as the flowering bushes will have to be pruned…
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I go hunting -
Behind the logs the black currant is falling over & needs support + the Solomon seals have done their thing, I have to walk around, but at end of the logs is one rose that could be lead up the fence
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Below the bean tree is this poor thing. The last of 2 originally vigorous pink climbing roses, dug up & moved several times due to drainage of the house now completely in the shade
And up front, below the jasmines is another more healthy wild variety
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More rain tomorrow… not a lot, but some.
And then on Wednesday. Looks like we will get some more tonight
I need to clean up the kitchen, revive my sourdough & set a pizza dough, maybe bake cookies
The garden will not run away …
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And this @JeanEd70 is what those look like if you let them take over… forget other wild flowers in the lawn (or grass)
Same for yellow poppies or those pink lovelies…
Nice when you have nothing, then whops, all over the place
(Considering those wild roses…)
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It’s 1 day 18 hrs until the summer solstice which means tomorrow night and the next will be the shortest this summer.
And it sure rained. Enough to overflow the gutter over the patio. Before it started there was just enough time to feed birds & squirrels
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There is especially one of the squirrels, more or less tame by now, that without nuts for breakfast climbs into the ivy where the wrens nest.
So, I stayed inside, made a batch of cookies & had plans for more, but surprisingly ran out of sugar.
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Surprisingly considering how much sugar I had in March last year when I made my inventory of groceries, so much I thought it would last my lifetime

Then read a bit in @tsbalans’ anthology about teachers attending 3 full hrs of compulsory meetings each week😱
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Payed some bills & saved down all my garden threads on the hard drive

Finally made that pizza & ate more than half

By then the weather had improved

Tomorrow will be sunny
More rain Wednesday …

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Half past 10 …
Bit hard to believe & does not feel like time for bed
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It’s only 17 hrs until the summer solstice & today was one strange day.
I ended up cleaning parts of the fridge…
That fridge badly needs to be pulled out & cleaned behind. It’s self defrosting but the pipe needs clearing. I have brushes, but where…❓
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It’s been pretty hot outside & after noon I had a recommended painting firm visiting to figure out what kind of color is on the house. 3 persons did not agree- myself, one elderly gentleman, grandfather in the family business & his son.
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Sadly the grandson with devise to analyze was not included.
The white barge boards along the roof are extremely dirty & need pressure washing + all shutters need to be taken down & painted (not to talk about the windows)
And no chemicals that kill the plants!
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Last on the list was help with the kitchen & after a quick look the son cheered up. This is nothing he said. This is what we usually work with… clearing shelfs wash & paint was a no problem.
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That dirty blue kitchen… next person in this house will tear it all out, probably rearrange the whole middle floor, so no need to be overly ambitious …

No, one more fridge shelf to clean.. I’d better get going.
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Lots of stale apples for the birds today. Even the squirrels did not manage to end all. There, on the birdhouse, is one half apple saved for tomorrow…
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I find that my last additions to this thread were not published on here yesterday …

Soon, at 2.58 pm local time, is the summer solstice. Tonight will be the shortest night of the year. It’s raining, +20°, so not much chance of seeing any sunset or sunrise.
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My half glazed benches are stored out of the rain, the spinach & dill has grown enough to be without cover & the rhododendron blooming is over.
I’m breaking this thread here & will post a link to a thread roll below as a last post
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Taking a few days off from this, but will continue sometime next week with a summer thread.
If you want to know more about Swedish midsummer celebrations, ask @maxelson …
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