Dear Rats,

I have to apologize for wrongly blaming you for the destruction in my garden and for the many scares I’ve experienced this summer.  You see, in typical “crazy female” fashion, I saw something scurry across the yard, bigger than a mouse or a mole, and immediately thought, “Rat Invasion!!!!”  Of course, the husband didn’t help matters when he first identified the vermin as “rat.”

Oh, but we were mistaken.  And now, looking at the images, I have no idea how I could have mistaken you for the true criminal.  If I’d put you side by side in a line up, I would have known. I would have been forced to  admit it wasn’t you.

For you see, as you already are well aware, rats look like this:

Your typical Rat

While the actual culprit looks like this:

The true criminal

Now, as anyone can see, looking at the two of  you, you’re not the same.  The blame must be placed where it belongs which is on the voles, those busy little demons who love to tunnel and dig and will gladly eat potatoes….and peas…and…well…anything else they can dig up.

So, I feel it necessary to publicly clear your good name, rats.  Though, I must admit, the very sound of that rolls oddly off my tongue.  You are innocent and thereby free to run and bring fear to the hearts of those who see you.  Just don’t get the bright idea to come to my house and eat stuff.  Cuz…the traps are still out…  I have voles to catch.

Sincerely,

A very apologetic gardener

Squash, zucchini, cucumbers…blooming!  Typically means it won’t be long until we get something to harvest.  Still, we lose several of the first blooms.  Need to get some pictures tonight.  Also need to mow.

Donovan’s been sick since Sunday, so haven’t let him out.  Hopefully, tonight, he’ll be ready to go.  School tomorrow, then pool in Thursday.  My vacation is over.  Time to get back to work.

A neighbor brought us a gallon of cherries yesterday.  I washed them, put them in a bread bag and stuck them in the freezer.  They’ll be out in a few days so I’m not worried about it.  Just have to do something with them because they’re so ripe.

I’d forgotten how tart those little things can be.  Wow!  I’m thinking I’ll just make jelly/jam out of them rather than pitting all of them to do something else.  Also thinking about cutting the edge by adding something else to them…but not sure what.  Have to think about that one.  For now, they’re safe and sound in the freezer.

Took Elijah and Donovan to go get blueberries today.  Fourteen pounds of berries sitting on the counter.  Donovan’s insisting on blueberry pancakes.  Guess I know what I’ll be doing for supper whether I like it or not.  That’s okay, though.  Tonight, it’ll just be me and the boys so we’ll probably just throw something together.

Haven’t felt like messing with the garden or yard since I got out of school.  Not sure if it’s just a bug or allergies, but I’ve been pretty miserable.  Taking a break for a while and then we’ll go out to get some things done.

Lilies are starting to bloom.  Always love this time of year.  Will start getting pic of them tomorrow, I suppose.  For now, it’s something to help me breathe and kitchen clean up time.

You get the picture, I’m sure.  It’s done nothing but rain since 3am Saturday morning.  Some of it’s been rather unpleasant.  Still, we’ve survived it.  Have pictures of Donovan playing in the puddles I’ll post later.  Very cute.

Figuring part of the garden has washed away.  We got well over 3 inches yesterday.  Just holding tight until the flood stops to see what we’ll have to do.  In the meantime, staying dry and getting ready to fix window boxes for my herb garden.  Want them inside.

Tiller decided to be difficult and the little one needed a new pull cord, so we ran to get that and new play sand for Donovan’s fort.  Picked up some African violets on clearance.  Haven’t had any in years.  Hope I remember how to do them.

Tomorrow, we’ll get back to the garden, though.  I’ve got breakfast to fix and then a lemon mousse to make, laundry to start, before going out, but we’ll get out ASAP.  Like to get out the onions, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts.  Maybe a couple of tomatoes if things go well.

As for the day, I got some pictures I’ll post tomorrow.  Also cooked hot dogs and marshmallows on the firepit for supper.  Scott dragged out the mountain pie maker and finally fixed mountain pies after talking about them for years.  Was actually pretty good.  I’ll get a picture of it sometime and explain it.  Anyway, the kids had fun, but we’re tired.  Getting ready to put Donovan down for the night.

I’ve got to start posting more often.  I keep thinking maybe it’ll help me clear my head, but I’m not so sure about that.  Still, it might help.

Busy week.  Lost the stone out of my engagement ring.  No clue where it went to.  Scott and I went today to pick out a new one.  It’ll be at least a week before it’s ready.  Hate it, but that’s the way it is. Miss my ring, though.

Today was too pretty, so we went ahead and gave Donovan his horse swing.  Need to get pictures posted.  Too cute.  He’s so excited.  Probably should have waited, but we’ll be at Mother’s tomorrow and I wanted him to have a chance to use it.  He named it Fred.

Baby chicks are outside in part of the coop.  They’re not coming back in unless the weather gets bad.  Miss them in the house, but glad to be rid of the mess.  Looked at banthams at Tractor Supply.  I’d really like to have some.  Scott’s wanted some anyway, so he’s not arguing.  But I’d like to get the rabbits situated first.  They need running room.  Especially Topaz.  Silly girl that she is, she needs a whole yard of her own to explore.  Such a little demon, but so soft and funny.  Love watching her check things out.

Still…banties would be fun….*sigh*

In memory of the ice storm I do not wish to relive any other way than pictures…

Though we managed to survive and actually got ahead of schedule before it was over, the process was still stressful and I’m not sure I’ll do it again any time soon.  Of course, when I have to, I’ll go right to it.  I enjoyed most of it.  Just trying to make sure everything’s ready at the same time is an art.  And getting everything put in the fridge afterward.  That was a job.  I’m going to post a couple of recipes even though I’ve got them in my box just to make sure I don’t lose them.

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So, this is the first Thanksgiving Elijah has to work.  We’re still deciding how we’re going to get together with Mother and Daddy, but I think the plan is to do breakfast.  Then we’ll do supper here after Elijah gets off.  That should work nicely, I’m hoping.

Elaina will be here this year as well, which is new.  She’ll get to help cook, I suppose.

I’m a little nervous about it all, but it should be okay.  Not like I haven’t done it before.  Luckily we bought turkeys a couple of weeks ago.  Trying to decide if I want Scott to smoke it or if we’ll just stick it in the oven.  I’m thinking let him smoke it just for the ease of the thing.  He says he’ll do it in the electric smoker.