Office geranium blooming again
On Sunday morning I was up around 6AM and it was still snowing. It still looked like a winter wonderland outside. I got my post up and then got a load in the dishwasher.
Even though it was snowing, the steps were still clear and had sand so I didn’t have to deal with that. I did have to keep tending the stove as it’s taken to not burning well when storms come through.
I had finally got his towel back in his chair after washing it, so he’s happy sleeping there again.
My #1 intern was running really late and around 11:45AM I saw a Mini Cooper in the driveway. I was looking out the windows to locate the driver and saw someone disappear in the barn.
I watched to see if they came out with anything or the barn went up in flames, when 2 people came out. As I watched them, I thought the 2nd one looked rather like my general helper. It turns out it was! She and her roommate had stopped by for a surprise visit and she had something to show him in the barn. I never did find out what…
They had brought their lunch to eat while visiting and I gave them the last of the éclairs. Her roommate was fascinated by the masonry heater. He’d not seen the house but I only had time to show him the pantry before they had to drive back to Boston in the snow. It was such a lovely surprise!
My #1 intern had arrived right when they had gotten back to the house.
(My #1 intern took these next photos on her phone.)
So we got set up to inventory seeds once they had gone. First the seeds are sorted by Vegetable, Herb, and Flower. I sort each category alphabetically as it makes them easier to find in the inventory and to file after being inventoried.
Of course, I managed to mess up the alphabetizing at least once. But it’s still better than a mishmash.
I hadn’t caught her taking the photos and I’m wondering how she did this one…
Once they are sorted, I read off what they are, what year, and roughly how many seeds are left. I found an amazing number of empty packets! There were all too many seeds from 2023 so those got dumped into a bowl for the birds.
The vegetable seed inventory
Once they are inventoried, I get out the appropriate starting chart. This lists what seeds are started on what date for each category. I have a labeled bag for each date in a category. This makes it easier when the seed starting dates roll around.
It was mid afternoon when we got them all back in the correct bags and into the spare fridge. It was still snowing.
I printed out the garden plans as I’d not made the paper plans yet. The paper plans are easier to use as they can be altered and I write on them how many plants per row, spacing, and row length. I do those on Monday as there’s no exercise class due to holiday.
I found all the catalogs that had come in and we started looking up what varieties, using the starting sheets as a guide to what plants to look for. But as the afternoon wore on, she had to go do the family shopping, so we stopped.
I got the stoves going again and sat down to watch the 2nd season of 800 Words. I made it through the first disc, then got the house ready and headed to bed around 8:30PM.
On Monday, I need to finish cleaning up the kitchen, get laundry started, get the 3 paper maps drawn, and get a shower and ready for the day. My #1 intern is coming to help with seed selection for the 2026 gardens mid morning or when she wakes up. It’s supposed to stop snowing and we might see some sun.