Well, it sure is frosty out there this morning at 29ºF! It's a chilly start to the US Memorial Day Weekend.

I pity the folks who got all gung-ho and planted their gardens over the last long weekend which was earlier than usual. (It's supposed to be the 24th of May weekend but the rules are that it has to be the Monday before May24th which is tomorrow.) I guess nobody let the weather gods know that. I sure hope the Mill staff remembered to bring in the lovely baskets I bought Thursday. My herbs and some begonias are tucked in safely on the front porch.

Today will be really, busy at The Mill. I was supposed to be in the kitchen prepping for the lunches but decided I should not be in the kitchen while coughing. We have a lot of volunteers (and "voluntolds") and Katherine is the ultimate organizer so I and going to pick up the bread and drop it off, then come home to continue convalescing. I actually plan to dig and fertilize my raised bed and put in some seeds. I'll cover it with chicken wire to prevent the darned feral cats from using it for potty.

What are you doing to celebrate this Memorial Day long weekend? I'm sure there will be a lot of family gatherings around the BBQs. They day is supposed to warm up to 60ºF around here. In the meantime, let's have another cup of coffee.

Good morning!

It's another cool, but sunny, morning here, and we're getting ready to go out for omelets and then on to the plant nursery to shop for 1 more perrenial we need for a fill-in in our front garden. Jake expanded the border on one side, and now we an empty space that needs something.

I made a lovely rhubarb pie yesterday, but haven't gotten into it yet. I picked enough to make a rhubarb crisp, too, and will get that made today for tomorrow's BBQ.

Well, Jake is ready to go, so I'm off! Have a wonderful day!

Hi, Ruth!

Good Morning

It looks like everyone is busying up for the weekend. Since I go back to work tomorrow I have a full day of yardwork planned. We continue to be cool and rainy. I'm hoping it will dry out enough to get my lawns mowed. I don't want to pay someone to do it.

Ruth, thanks for getting us started!

Enjoy your Saturday, everyone!

I'm headed down to find more coffee!

Good morning I lurked quickly this morning, but since DS and I both have work. It was a quick coffee and off I went. I have a few minutes before I leave to relax with a much needed second cup.

Ruth, please get your cough checked by the dr. IMHO you have been dealing with it way too long

Linda I still have plenty of bare spots feel free to bring some color my way.

Well at least the outside of the house sparkles. I did manage to pain the deck yesterday which really needed it. What I really need is a new deck, but will hold off for now.

Had a really nice time at dinner. Ed's oldest will be 7 next month is such a sweet, well mannered and well behaved child. It was a pleasure spending time with him. The baby, who turned 2, and is nick named bam-bam was raring to go!

Today it is work, OT from 10:00 until 6 hopefully not longer. Then back to my own work week staring tomorrow.

Bundle up chickies

Good morning, Ruth and Linda!

We have glorious sun this morning, although it is glistening on the frost! Good thing I knew not to plant anything yesterday on the 1st day of my long weekend. DH and I went to 2 nurseries to buy plants, but I just did soil prep in the garden and waited to plant. The long range forecast looks good now.

DS1 should be coming home today so it will be BBQ for the whole family. I will pick some rhubarb and make a dessert too.

Have a great day chicks!

A massive simul-post! Good morning Debbie and Jennifer!

Good morning chicks!

Ruth - probably a good idea not coughing on the bread Hope you're not too worn out after a day at the Mill!

Linda - Mmmmm....did you enjoy your omelette?


Debbie - Enjoy your yardwork day!

You all are reminding me I need to plant the plants I bought the other day - should be a pretty day to do it. I also need to pic up some baby gifts for a shower tomorrow, our neighbor's son and wife are having a baby. Granny is quite excited . Otherwise, I'll take it easy to recuperate from the last few days so I'm all sassy for work next week .

Oh - and make something for a friend that just had gall bladder surgery. She's not picky, but her boyfriend she lives with is. Too bad I just made pulled pork, that would've been a great choice...

Hi Ruth! Just breezing through the forum and reading posts here and there. Our planting season here in PA starts at the end of May. DH bought his tomato plants in early May to be sure to get the ones he wants and we usually keep them inside until the end of the month. We had such warm weather mid month that he planted them, against my better judgement. I'm afraid to go out and look at them this morning, as it dipped down really low during the night. I hope they make it. I'm really looking forward to those home-grown tomatoes in August.

How long have you had this cough? I have had a chronic cough for 15 years. Several doctors and tests, and still no one has found a cause or cure. I'm not "contageous" but I sure can clear a room, especially during flu season! LOL

Good morning,

The sun is shining and looks to be a nice day though there will be thunderstorms here and there I believe. I will have to check as I need to do some touch up paint on the back deck and won't if it will rain. Probably need to weed as well. I was looking at all the pretty flowers yesterday when we went to store yesterday but didn't get anything.

Ruth I sure hope your cough goes away, my DH had his for a month before doctor gave him some meds though he said his was due to allergies (?)

Cottage will you share a picture of your garden it sounds lovely

Debbie hope you get your lawn mowed today

Jekel don't know how you do the overnight shifts, I did for one year about 8 years ago and couldn't handle it

Beth enjoy your barbeque today

Twynn hope you have a good day but make sure to include rest time

Wannabehealthy hope you have a good day

Have a wonderful day

Good Sunday morning! We have a decent day ahead with normal May temperatures for a change. Yesterday was bitter but did not deter the many visitors touring the Mill - it was really busy!

The Volunteer co-ordinator goofed and recruited kitchen volunteers to come for noon. WTF? The lunch service was to begin at 11 . Katherine was steaming as she needed people to help with prep so I ended up working with her. We were ready for our first customer. The Milling started at one and was very busy. Needless to say, I did not get any gardening done - too cold to be outside anyhow.

Today will be better with fewer visitors but you never know! We were almost set to start closing up when a busload of Scouts arrived. I hate when that happens without notice as we like to do a special kid-oriented programme with large groups.

I was home at noon for a dog potty break and discovered Jazz had completed his excavation project. He escaped and was out in the meadow covered with mud and dandelion fluff. He is very obedient, especially when he knows he's in trouble. Until I manage a fix, he will be on the long lead in the yard. I have found the spot where he has dug the escape routes. What I need now is something to block the holes at the base of the wooden fence.

Anyhow, time for a coffee and then I am going to sneak over to the Mill office, do some money counting and recording before the crowds descend and then come home to FINALLY get some garden things done.

Enjoy your holiday weekend with friends and family. I'll be sniffing southward for BBQ aromas.

That rascally Jazz is an explorer at heart! Thank goodness he doesn't stray too far and always comes back! Enjoy your gardening today, Ruth, and I hope the weather is warmer.

It's shaping up to be a beauty of a day here and perfect weather for our family BBQ. Since I did most of the cooking and baking yesterday, I can mostly sit and relax today.

Good morning, chicks! We also had chilly temperatures yesterday but I puttered in the perennials, weeding, cutting back some bushes that had a bit of winter death and planted some new coneflowers a friend sent for my birthday. (It's not my birthday, she had pre-ordered and alerted me back in February, the plants showed up this week)

Today we hope to get the veggies in the ground as rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.

Ruth, from this distance Jazz's escapades are humorous but I bet you find them frustrating!

Linda, enjoy your BBQ. DH made burgers and dogs last night. The big question is steak or chicken today??

Good morning! Have fun today, everyone! I got my chores done this morning then even did 15 minutes digging weeds. I did get the lawn mowed yesterday just before it started raining. I didn't get the top part but maybe the weather will hold until I get home from work. If the weather does hold, I will try to mow that even though I know I won't feel like it.

Good morning,

Yesterday was pretty quiet other than going to Kohl's to get some dresses for DD2 and then just the two of us went out to eat it was nice.

Today DD2 wants to go to art class since her teacher cannot do on Wednesday so we will probably stick close to home, do some work outside and then maybe go to the pool if it doesn't rain. (I will not be going in the water, as I am sure it will be freezing).

Ruth I know when Blue escapes it is very frustrating, she will eventually come back on her own but I worry about her getting run over so we always go searching but hard to find her. Happens a few times a year, hope you are able to block Jazz's exits.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone