Morning glories and mice......

 This spring I planted some morning glories that I sprouted from seed....I remember my disappointment the next day when I came out to water them, and all the leaves were gone.  I assumed I had some kind of bug, like the baby grasshoppers I was seeing everywhere.  I put plastic cups over the next group I planted, and I had them on there quite awhile, but they didn't like that and wouldn't grow.  So I took off the cups and the next day ~ poof! ~ all leaves gone, just a little green stem sticking up. I sprayed.  I put out traps for the pill bugs (because they were eating my marigolds).  I resigned to the fact I would not have morning glories this year, and moved on.  I did keep a net tent over the freshly sprouted flower mix I put in one part of the garden.  But eventually the zinnias were bending over due to the tent. 

Then one day I saw something like this:

That was the day I knew that the pest I have been battling was not six legged.  I got out my mouse traps.  Three days in a row I had a mouse.  I continued for a few more days, but I haven't had anymore, and I hate loading the traps so I quit putting them out.  Luckily I haven't had any more tomatoes being munched on.  But today my neighbor who knew my sad morning glory story gave me a dozen morning glory seedlings.  So I am trying again, but I will set a trap or two just in case more interlopers join the party.

The fence behind my garden has our old wood fence, and about 8 inches behind that is our neighbors fence that she had built because one of her rescued dogs was constantly jumping the fence into our yard.  So, there's that bit of a gap, and that is where they had made their home.  And munching on my seedlings, apparently.  

I hate to use traps, and Romeo asked if I wanted a catch and release trap, to which I said no.  Where the heck am I going to release them?  I can just see myself walking up the hill to the foothills with a cage and a mouse in it.  

At least I finally know what has been feasting on my garden plants.

Love, 365
  

No is easier to say than yes, but I seem to have trouble with the "no" word.....

 

I am not sure when this photo was taken, but other than the brick wall out front being stuccoed, it's pretty much the same.  It was built in 1950.  Other than maintaining the outside,  the inside has had various upgrades over the years.  It is quite beautiful.  

So, here is where I spend most of my time if I'm not at home.  

I am not exactly certain when I volunteered to help with organizing the icons in the Sunday School building.  No, wait ~ that's right, someone called me and asked me if I would like to take on the project.  For some crazy reason, I said yes.  I had absolutely no idea what I was taking on.  

I actually started the project almost a year ago.  The icons (see below if you don't know what I'm talking about) are mounted on a set of wooden runners that are the length of the building.  Well, here's a photo of what I'm talking about.....

 

Although these particular icons aren't very tall, there are some that take up the entire space between the runners.  There is also a sheet of plexiglass that fits into the the runners so that the icons don't fall out.  

That was one of the main problems: the wooden rails had warped somewhat and now the plexiglass panels fall out, as there is more room between the top and bottom of the rails due to that warping issue.  Our priest said he could get more plexiglass panels that would fit ~ but I haven't heard anything since.  So, I ruminated over how to solve this problem, and after talking it over with one of our parishioners that is a carpenter, she agreed to meet me there one day, as she had an idea.  Her idea was to bolster up the rail so that the plexiglass fit again ~ not a bad idea.  Not perfect either, but it worked for most of the panels.  

The next part of the project was to put these icons in order of their feast date.  (So usually it's an icon with one or more Saints in it, and on a particular date, we commemorate them.  Usually on the date of their martyrdom, but sometimes its for something else.)  There are about 65-70 million icons.  Ok, there aren't that many, it just seems like it.  I did go to work on putting them in order, but I unfortunately picked a date during summer Bible School for the kids.  I did get some stuff done, but it was so chaotic I decided to come back another day, haha.  

I could have (and probably should have) gone back the next week, but being me, I kept finding reasons why I could do it later.  I did meet up with a friend and we worked on one part of it, but there is still a lot more left.  I want to finish it next week...no, I need to finish it next week, because it's become the definition of albatross, and it's always on my mind, driving me crazy.  

I think that there is a sign on my back that says "sucker".   

Just remember, there is always a sucker out there, just don't let it be you.....

Love, 365 

I hope you all had a great 4th!....

 

The smallest hollyhock in the yard ~ and the only white one!  So far I have a purple one, two pink ones, and this white one.  I cut down the tall hollyhocks, they were just too leggy and not very attractive.  I tried my best to keep seeds from falling all over, but......

This is a small example of what happens when you jiggle the stalk too much.  So, no doubt I will have new ones this fall.

 

Bake From Scratch key lime cookies.....

This strawberry is huge compared to my other plants....it's a new variety called "seascape".  I will probably replace the other plants when they are no longer producing.  It was really sweet and good!

 

 

The last Greek mountain tea plant.  You can see one of the dead ones just above it.  I suppose if I can get it to grow big enough, it might self seed for the fall or next spring.  Come on, baby!! Grow!

 

I canned the apricots I bought, and they turned out good.  Really tasty on plain yogurt.  Had some issues when I decided to change the type of pectin I use, but I have it figured out.  I was so exhausted.  I have 14 jars, more than enough to share and enjoy.

 

 Looks like Abe knew exactly what he was talking about.  Did anyone watch the documentary?  It was really good......

 

 It has been a super busy day, so it's time to just chill now!  I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love, 365