so how's summer going for you all?

it's hot here
and dry, really really dry
that didn't stop the vine borer from hitting my pattypans
and sadly, yesterday i started to yank my beautiful big bursting with squash buds plants out
the bottoms were all exploded due to squash bug
i thought i was so careful with them
i put one in a bucket to see if i can get it to root or something but i think it's a goner

i am going to try to put in a trap crop of hubbard squash next year early, then put in my beloved spaghetti and pattypan (and pumpkin) in july

july 1 seed directly

july 8 or later to transplant seedlings

i won't get squash until late but maybe i WILL actually get squash?

i am also a bit dry, seriously, even with all the fluids i been drinking..

div>
i am out sweating so much that i get so hot and dry, i don't rehydrate fast or easily lately.

well, today i am up early. wood is coming.

i didn't sleep however, as fawn caught a mouse bringing it squeaking into the bedroom

i could hear it

in much more pleasant news, the cucumbers have come on!!! so pickles are getting done

small batches right now 5 pints at a time
however that does add up over a growing season so pickles will be stocked up,
nice salty garlicy kosher dills
then later i will make half sour 'chips'

the heirloom beans are coming on as well. i have to get a ladder out there to pick them though, but the tomatoes in the main garden are NOT turning red, which i don't understand!

but tomatoes take a very long time out there to turn red. the ones on the deck turn red fast

the ones out there stay green it seems forever!

lilli and phoebe are good little ducks, i am realizing just how good they are after dealing with unruly teenage baby ducks.

i love my big girls so much

they are over two now and have a bit of a 'musky' smell to them, but i love them dearly.

today i have to clean the big crate that the babies are in, plus if i can do part of the chicken pen
oye

and the wood is coming,

i need to stack but bernie still hasn't told me where he wants it yet......i doubt he knows where he wants it yet
i am considering one stack on the side of the house......so it's close for me during the winter to bring in the wood
heating with wood can be hard work, but oil is running out, and i don't think solar is up to the point yet where we can be assured that the house will stay above freezing all the time.

now i have a question of you all- see that picture of the floor plan of our little house? (it is VERY TINY with NO closets)
we need to think of something to do to improve traffic flow and to gain some more space. we're also thinking of maybe seeing about an addition. does anyone have any ideas?
the biggest problems are that the living room and kitchen are actually giant hallways, the poor kitchen with 4 doorways! it is the hub of this house but it's a nightmare to cook in
and the house is solid stone, so just moving walls isn't going to work. the studio is an add on from the 60's, we mostly live in there. anyway, any one have any brilliant ideas for us?
cause right now..... i don't, not one.
but it looks like we have to stay here for a while. so we have to do something.
oh and the wall between the kitchen and dining room is 6'7'' long. that is the ONE non load bearing wall, but it's also the only wall in the house without either a door or two or a window in it!
THE ONLY wall.........
oh man
ok i am going to go and make the coffee now

ttyl
stay hydrated, stay cool and have a good day