Just a little . . . R & R

Green bean support

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:01:00 +0000

Green beans need support.

Or they'll fall over.

But only pole beans.

The bush beans will be fine.

But I had pole beans planted.

So I made a simple support frame.

And Robert helped me put it in.

The sides are 6 feet long with a point on the end to help push it into the soil. The other two sides are 4 feet long. I then drilled a hole through each end 3/4-inch from the top and sides and put a bolt through the hole and tightened it with a butterfly nut. I stapled string about every 8 inches from top to bottom, and about 11-1/4 inch top to bottom. I might need more string later in the season, I might not. However, I'm over stapling it. It isn't keeping the string as taut as ~~I want it~~ Robert wants it. (I'm more loosey goosey about it.) If/when I have to add or replace strings, I'm wrapping around the wood, pulling tight and tying off.

Later today I hope to plant the other (3 or 4?) pole beans I have AND the bush beans.

And plant the tomatoes and cucumbers. Then I have about a week to figure out how I want to support the tomatoes. We don't like those metal tomato cages from the store. They are weak and fall over and only last one season (if you're lucky) and feels like a big fat waste of money. Last year I used some large metal T-bar fence poles and string and it worked, but it was really chaotic and messy so I want to improve on that.

I also bought some sunflower seeds last night so I'm going to start those and some more green beans. (I wasn't kidding about wanting to put up enough green beans to not have to buy store green beans until next summer.)

By the way, if you're wondering. That black hose is my new soaker hose. I'm going to try watering the garden with that thing this year. I have to figure out a way to get it snaked around the garden best yet, but initial tests suggest that this might be a really easy and efficient way to water.

Weekends are for working

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:00:00 +0000

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While working Friday I finally caught this guy with the camera. He's a regular visitor, but he's fast and the second I grab my camera, he takes off.

138/365
Saturday was my day off this week since I worked this Sunday to have next Friday off to be a chaperone for a field trip. I didn't have to work, but I had laundry and dishes and wanted to garden, but my body had other plans. Apparently I caught a bug. I had a HORRIBLE headache, was dizzy every time I stood up and tried to do anything, and was a bit nauseous every 5 seconds too. I didn't want to spend the day in bed, so I ended up spending it on the couch, with Yoda as company.

If there's fruit in the cake, is it healthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Sunday I worked (boo), but it was a slow day (yay). Sometimes those are nice. I'm able to do other work stuff that needs to be done but doesn't get done first and the change of pace can be very nice. And it was the early shift, and I was feeling better, so with dinner I made cake.

Okay, that wasn't the whole reason for making cake. I also had some VERY ripe bananas on the counter and wasn't really wanting to make banana bread again (made it last week). I got talked into buying a large bunch of bananas (but I will eat them mom) that didn't get eaten before they got too ripe for my picky eaters (they will not eat them if there is any brown on them)(I'm allergic to raw bananas and will only risk the incredible itching mouth and throat once in a great while).

I made Chocolate Banana Cake with Chocolate Ganache frosting. Good, but VERY rich.

The recipe:
http://www.joyofbaking.com/ChocolateBananaCake.html

(139/365)

I'm not great with food photography, and was feeling lazy, so settled for the blah phone pic edited with instagram. It doesn't do it justice...

Garden update!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Time for a garden update.
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Seedlings, starting to get ready to move to the garden. The bigger ones in the front are pole green beans. The other side is bush green beans. The middle egg carton are tomatoes, and the back carton is cucumbers. I really like how the egg carton is working out. I planted some of the pole green beans Saturday and the roots had grown through the bottom and the cups came apart fairly easily. They were still holding together, but not much so they will compost down nicely. I'll finish planting the rest this week, and start another round. I want to do successive planting this year so I can get lots of green beans to can and put in the freezer, tomatoes to can, and give a go at pickling cucumbers.

Potato tower. Still thinking about putting more soil on top... might just leave it be.

More potatoes. The small plant on the left is red potatoes. The right is yukon potatoes, same as the tower.

Store bought marigolds. I'm going to try to plant some from seed myself, but needed to be sure to have some flowers. I'm using them to help with pest control. I don't have a lot of pests, but I like the idea of using marigolds to keep some away.

Speaking of pests, this shiny windmill (from the dollar store) helps keeps the birds away. Unfortunately, it doesn't keep the slugs away. These are my radishes. I get to harvest 2-3 at a time every few days, and they last about 5 minutes after washing. Robert likes them, a lot. And he says they are SPICY, especially the little ones.

FINALLY the carrots are starting to come up. They sure did take their sweet time. And not many are up...yet.

Garlic is looking good. There are a few that will be ready to harvest really soon.

Tiptoe through the tulips

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:56:00 +0000

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On Mother's Day I received a bouquet of tulips from the in-laws' in-laws, and they are starting to open up.

The look prettier in person...

Meeting Jasper

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000

A few months ago, my neighbor friend (neighend, fribor?), lost her horse Wynston. She still had Starlette though. (I rode Starlette before. And then I fell off.)

About a month ago, she heard of a half brother of Wynston was relinquished by his owner to a boarding facility and was available for adoption. Long story short, she got him. He was a little thin and unloved when he arrived, apparently. But not anymore. (Well, still a little thin, but getting there.)

Meet Jasper

I finally got to meet him last evening and he is so sweet and loving. Seriously, he is my new favorite.

Starlette and Jasper

Jasper

Starlette in her stall. Because she is a bit of a drama queen.

Robin Red Breast

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

I think this is the only robin we have in the neighborhood. We have one blue jay and about 5 million little finches and probably that many doves.

I used to like doves. They're pretty and all, but the cooing. Ugh! The cooing just DOES NOT STOP!

And it's not just in the spring. It's year round, non-stop coo coo coo.

Driving me a bit coo coo. (Like I wasn't there already...)

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 13 May 2013 05:04:00 +0000

We went to a BBQ at the in-laws house for Mother's Day linner (lunch+dinner) and I heard several comments on my blogging, or lack thereof lately so...

HERE is my new blog post Barb and Eula. Don't think you can boss me around now.*

Not a 365 (but sharing anyways), my first garden harvest. A lone little radish. Robert and I split it and it was good, and a little spicy. I harvested 3 more tonight that Robert ate within 5 minutes of me getting them washed. The littlest one was really spicy apparently as he had to quickly get a drink after eating it.

Now to the 365s.

(127/365)
Rhododendron. They're the neighbors, but I still enjoy them. They are much pinker in person.

(128/365)
Another flower of the neighbor's yard, a clematis I believe.

(129/365)
Sun beams through the sprinkler, seen while watering the garden at sunset. Making rainbows.

(130/365)
Sunbathing Simba. It's a hard life being a cat.

(131/365)
Carus - new bangs and new shirt and shorts. The kids are growing so fast (I know, right?!) and have outgrown yet MORE clothes! I just bought them shorts last summer. GAH!

I'm really having a hard time keeping Adam in clothes that fit; he's outgrown things as quickly as a month after purchase. Since I had to buy them clothes again we went to Goodwill and Salvation Army to find things for cheap - and we did. Carus got this shirt for $6. It's a brand name silk shirt. I'm a little bit jelly (jelly=jealous).

(132/365)
For Mother's day I made breakfast (I really wanted biscuits and gravy and no one can make it like I do) and did some laundry (I don't mind too much and the kids need clean clothes for school) and then went out to my in-laws place for the aforementioned BBQ and socializing. The food was good, conversation better, and fun was had by all. I borrowed the dogs for a bit wanting to take a nice photo of them. They were not cooperating too well as the treats were in my pocket, not next to them, but I did get this one. Coco is on the left and Lady is on the right.

*If you can't tell, that sentence was said teasingly and with lots of love. Barb is my mother-in-law and Eula is her mother-in-law and my sort of adopted grandma.

Still a'slackin'

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:51:00 +0000

(122/365)

Yep, I'm still a slacker. Still feeling a bit blah. I think I'm ready for the kids to be out for the summer, well sort of. It will be nice when I can sleep in a bit but at same time they will also be home all the time. Probably bickering at each other, which they do a lot of lately.

Last week Robert and I went over to Carus's school for the science fair. She tested which surface a tennis ball bounces higher off of. She dropped a ball from 12 inches on to carpet, cardboard, tile, and plywood (the floor in Robert's shed if you're curious where she found plywood). The plywood won; by 1/2 inch if I remember correctly.

There were a few projects that we've seen before at science fairs over the years, but there were a few new ones. Smart kids give me hope for the future.

(123/365)

Dance is also coming to a close with the school year. Carus's recital is June 21st. If you want to come, let me know so I can order you a ticket. All tickets have to be bought in advance.

(124/365)

Saturday we went to Faire in the Grove, and had fun. Robert and Adam wimped out early, mostly because it was hot (we seemed to have jumped into late spring/early summer)(I'm not complaining). I'll be uploading more pics from that day soon, and they'll be in this set on Flickr.

(125/365)

Sunday was hot again and we did a whole lot of nothing. I decided in the afternoon to go hang out in the shade under the tree in the front yard and read. Simba wandered over to harass me and that got the attention of this snake who was sunbathing nearby. He stayed put while I ran to grab my camera, but it wasn't much longer until Simba noticed him and then he had to take off for I dunno where. One minute he was there, the next he had disappeared into the grass.

(126/365)

Filling a pan with water, to make dinner, and needed a photo for the day. I like how it froze the water falling...

Things are growing!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:13:00 +0000

(120/365)

(121/365)

I was expecting all the seeds I planted to come up at the same time, all of them. Of the 18 green beans I planted - 3 are up. Cucumbers are doing better with 5 of 18. The tomatoes? Maybe 1. Maybe. It's tiny and I'm not entirely sure if it is a tomato or if a weed seed got in there as I put them outside during the day to get the most sun.

And some more from the past week

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:35:00 +0000

(116/365)
Dance picture day. It's not stage makeup, but she enjoyed getting to wear it. She did not want to take that costume off.

(117/365)
Dog park trip, because it was gorgeous outside. Leia hauls ass after that ball and then skids to a stop.

(118/365)
Sunday was gardening day. The potato tower is growing very well. I got new straw (actual straw this time, not the hay I got last year that GREW hay. This stuff shouldn't grow.) and put a new layer of straw and soil, about 5-6 inches.

(119/365)

Remember how I was telling you how Leia skids to a stop when playing fetch? Yeah. Well doing that caused cuts in the upper pads on her front paws (they're called carpal pads bytheway). I took her to the vet to make sure she didn't need stitches. She didn't. They gave me some powder that keeps the wounds dry, are antiseptic and a little extra pain reliever; and a collar to keep her from licking her paws. She does not like being a satellite, but thankfully she doesn't lick much so we've been able to leave it off most of the time (too bad I bought it already)(thankfully it was under $20).

They were sitting on the step so they can get a treat.

She's such a good dog. When it's time to put the powder on, she'll come over when called, lie down, roll over and give me her paws.

And then I got behind again

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:41:00 +0000

(111/365)

(112/365)

I started my seeds, last week. They are starting to come up now. These are old egg cartons, they are biodegradable so I can plant them with the seedlings when it's time to put the plants in the garden. There are cucumbers, green beans, and tomatoes.

(113/365)

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(115/365)

Carus was having trouble being motivated to work on her homework so I sat down with her to keep her company. I probably should have worked on updating the blog (sooner than now) but instead I wasted time on Facebook and/or Pinterest...or both.

I'm still not caught up, but this is all I'm posting tonight.

Hi again

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:15:00 +0000

If I'm getting phone calls asking where a new post is, I should probably post something?

I must appease my adoring fans.

HA!

So first. Garden update.

Potato tower is growing very well. Since this photo, it's grew TONS more and then I covered the leaves almost completely with more soil and watered it in really well.

Radishes. I planted carrots at the same time as the radishes, but they haven't come up yet. Hopefully soon.

(105/365)
She had her eye on her ball. Her lips occasionally stick to her teeth and she gets this funny look.

I'm still feeling a little blah, but it's getting better.

(106/365)

I think part of it is more sun and blue skies, and longer days. I can actually enjoy the sun a bit after work before it goes down.

(107/365)
Fluffy clouds

Last week was a busy week too. Busy work stuff. Not busy kid stuff.

(108/365)

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A friend agreed to pose for me. It was a fun little photo shoot and it helped me with my little inspiration block. This is probably my favorite shot from the shoot.

Less blah.

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:42:00 +0000

And another week has gone by. I felt less blah, slightly.

I'm trying to get out of the rut I'm in. I have more ideas about how to do it than I have the oomph to actually do it.

(98/365)

Camellias are such pretty flowers. Too bad they don't last that long before they drop.

I feel a bit like I'm taking the same pictures over and over, or the same kind of pictures. Lack of inspiration, or something.

(99/365)

April showers bring rain drops on my windows. Spring in Oregon is gorgeous, even with all the rain showers. The sky is blue, the clouds are puffy and there is a nice breeze to compliment the warm sun. And things grow and bloom. I feel a bit guilty seeing online friends in other parts of the country (or world) that are still dealing with snow (feet of snow), but all I can do is hope they get their spring soon. I would share if I could. I'd definitely share some of the rain we get.

(100/365)

I've decided I want to take more portraits and I have two ~~perfect~~ models. It only took a little bit of bribery to get them to dress up and pose for me. Carus was extremely cooperative, as usual. Adam, however, not so much.

Computer time was on the line though, so he toughed it out.

The front flower beds are looking lovely. The flowers make me smile so hard.

(101/365)

(102/365)

(103/365)
Blooming trees outside the library. I want one (or more) of these trees in my yard.

(104/365)

Teaching Carus to knit... A scarf is in the making.

Sunday to Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 05:12:00 +0000

I'm feeling a bit blah and uninspired about my 365. Or my photography in general.

(92/365)

And more than a little bit burnt out. On the 365 and the blog.

(93/365 - A girl and her dog)

I feel like I'm boring and have nothing good to say.

(94/365 The elusive Wilbur)

I don't think it is helping that these photos the past week are really not my best work. I do the 365 to improve as a photographer, which I did not do. Although the focus in that picture of Yoda above is pretty good as well as in Carus's swinging photo, and the flower below looks pretty (not amazing, just pretty). It's not enough...

(95/365 This ended up being the only photo I got Friday, so hey - self portrait day. Instagram image)

Nothing exciting is going on either. It's all work and school and chores and rain. How much more can I talk about/complain about any of those?

work and school - same ol' same ol'
weather - Oregon spring (rain with sprinkling of sun - but it's warmer).
chores - I need a maid and chef or a clone, but she would want a maid and chef too so back to that option.

(96/365 Swinging. Chasing wind.)

With the weather "improving" there are more trips to the dog park, and things are blooming, but otherwise, nothing is changing.

(97/365 Bleeding hearts)

Another week has come and gone,
and things to share I have none.
The year, it speeds by,
the year, it does fly.

The sky was on fire

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

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This photo just does not do the sunset justice.

I wish I could have been at the coast for the sunset. It would have been extra amazing.

Nail art and Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:24:00 +0000

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So I found a mistake in my numbering. I forgot to count a photo and was a day off. It was only about 2 weeks ago so not too hard to fix, and so I did. Well, I did in my files and on Flickr. I am not worry about it here on the blog.

Saturday was my Saturday to work (at work, we have to trade off a Saturday shift). It wasn't a bad work day, however, it was a GORGEOUS spring day and it was hard to not go outside and play or work in the yard. Which is Robert did, yard work. So I got off easy, right?

Carus painted on her nails, but she has problems painting her right hand using her left hand. She asked for help with this Harry Potter inspired nail art. She also asked for help doing the design of the wings of the snitch on her thumb. The other nails are the house colors; Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor.

90/365

Easter was another lovely day, but there was no yard work to do. The kids and I colored eggs had a little egg hunt. Then Robert and I went and got a new grill to finally replace the one I set on fire back in September so we could have some proper BBQ chicken legs and thighs. They were so good with just the right amount of grilled crispiness. I missed having a grill. The vinegar bubbled up around the eggs while they were dying. They looked so fuzzy with bubbles.

Bye

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 06:00:00 +0000

Goodbye to 7 days once again.... until next time, the Summer 7 days run. I'm super excited for it because it will be LeakyCon!! And I'll meet a few online friends.

(87/365)

Six

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:09:00 +0000

Getting Leia to do a trick. Carus day 6.

My new gnome. I'm not usually a fan of garden gnomes (they tend to creep me out) but I found this guy last weekend and I liked him, so I brought him home. I haven't decided what his name is yet. Any suggestions?

5th day

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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I made ribs for dinner. I was taste testing a piece before putting the platter on the table. They were a preseasoned package I got from the grocery store and they were okay. Not the best ribs I've had though.

Carus's day 5

"Can you guess what I'm watching?"

7 days, day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:00:00 +0000

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Today was my last vacation day. I took the kids shopping to Walmart specifically to pick up The Hobbit and to Goodwill to look for a new suit for Adam and band concerts (see below for a pic of how that went). I broke both pairs of my sunglasses recently so I'm in the market for new ones - I tried on like 50 of them today....didn't like any of them.

Adam suited up!

Reading.

Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

New earrings from a friend - clip-ons.

83/365
Making dinner, like I do. Sometimes it feels like its all I do - make dinner...

But since I'm still on vacation I didn't have work today so it didn't feel as much of a chore as it usally does.

Dinner:
Oven fried pork chops
Roasted red potatoes
Salad

Dessert:
Cheesecake sampler (Choice of two from - regular, chocolate, strawberry swirl, and caramel apple)

7 Days is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:09:00 +0000

Day 1, 81/365
Wine with dinner. My second glass, actually. We were still in Washington visiting, and having a grand time. The boys had spent the day on the shooting range and the girls shopping Hobby Lobby (I need one of those stores near me....or maybe not). It was also day 1 of 7 days, spring. I nearly forgot, but thankfully a browse through Instagram reminded me.

Carus's day 1.
Sophie was mid yawn.

Day 2, 82/365
Road tripping home. The drive home was much quicker, and went better. We had Leia stay in the back and though she occasionally tried to climb over onto the kids, she did much better. I'm going to start working on her riding-in-the-car manners. Her car rides are usually to the dog park, 2 minutes away, so it's very exciting and very quick. Yoda got to chill on top of the pillows and folded blankets.

Carus's day 2.
Can you find her?

Last week and road tripping

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:59:00 +0000

Wow, I'm nearly a full week behind in uploading. Hadn't planned on that.

But really, does anyone plan to get behind in things?

Anyhoo - I left off at last Tuesday, with an evening full of band concert attending for this goofball. Just a quick "look what we can do" concert.
77/365

I think most of these concerts are to encourage parent support up through high school. High school is where they get really good and I think it's where the band teacher, who teaches 5th grade through 12th grade on very limited funding and purchases sheet music out of his own pocket and drives to 3 different schools everyday (middle school and high school classes during school hours and then upper elementary band after school hours), gets to enjoy all his effort. He really loves to listen to them play, and to teach; and that shows.

78/365
Knitting to unwind after a lllooooonnngg day. Changing colors, which I learnt thanks to Youtube.

79/365
Playing with Leia after work before I had to start packing for our spring break road trip we took this weekend.

80/365
We went over to eastern Washington to visit some family friends for the weekend, and had a lovely visit. The drive out took longer then it should have, and then we expected, because Leia is a turd and wanted to climb into my lap (no room for her with Yoda on my lap) and/or Robert's lap (which doesn't work well with him driving). But we made it, and a good weekend ensued. They have a 4 month old shihtzu puppy, Sophie, which Carus attached herself to and carried around all weekend. Thanks for having us Dave and Eula!

Gardening!

noreply@blogger.com (Becca Cooper) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:27:00 +0000

I read on a blog One Hundred A Month about how well it works to plant potatoes and peas on St. Patrick's day. So I did some planting myself. We decided against peas this year in favor for more room for what we are planting.

Potato tower attempt #2 - the cover as they grow method. (Attempt #1) I put the seed potatoes down and covered with soil. When they've grown a few inches above the soil level, I'll cover them again. I had extra seed potatoes so I started some in the garden, the "usual" way.

Also around the yard and garden this spring.

My lilac bush.

Garlic. The bigger ones are from last spring, they didn't get that big. The smaller are from when I planted (at the correct time) last fall.

I planted a row of carrots and a row of radishes.

75/365 - Front garden bed with pretty flowers. The dahlias are coming up too.

More front garden flowers.

And a little bit more front garden flowers.

Daffodils.

76/365 - And while I was working in the garden yesterday, I finally trimmed my lavender bush - which I should have done in the fall. I took some of the trimmings, dipped them in rooting hormone and I'm hoping I'll get 4 more lavender plants out of it.