Getting (Some) Things Done

As I once remarked to my mother-in-law, there is always, always, ALWAYS more work to be done. I also once asked the in-laws, "Why are we working? Simply to work? Or is it in order to be able to go and do things and to enjoy this life?"

So, anyway, I've done some work. I've been able to do some things and I've been enjoying some life. On Tuesday, we re-started seeding the wheat crop. I'd helped get things moved to the field and then helped fill the air seeder. Then I headed to town: the women's golf league is on Tuesday evenings. Naturally I hit the greenhouses and bought myself some more work in the form of plants for my flowerpots.

On Wednesday, after helping refill things, and then cooking and taking the noon meal to the field, I spent the afternoon digging the invading grasses out of one of my flowerbeds. It's a tall grass that spreads like a weed by rhizomes deep in the ground. I'm sure I didn't manage to get all the bits of roots out so it will show up again. I hope to not let it get so far out of control again. An entire section of a tall iris (gifted from a friend) had to be dug out and then replanted. I also planted four primroses in a different flowerbed, one that gets more shade which those beautiful plants prefer.

The orioles are back. Dennis saw them before I did. Luckily, I'd had a Facebook memory pop up showing they'd returned about this time last year, so I already had one feeding station set out with a cut orange and grape jelly. They do like their sweets. I've added another feeding station, and restocked both cut oranges and the jelly almost daily. They've very cautious birds, so I haven't managed to snap any photos yet. The goldfinches are certainly going through their thistle seed also.

Thursday saw me helping refill wheat seed and taking the noon meal to the field. I had the afternoon off as men's golf is on Thursdays. Dennis also believes in enjoying life. I made a recipe, I believe I got from my mother-in-law years ago. Browning the rice really gives it great flavor. I leave out the green pepper. It doesn't like us. And I used tomatoes I'd frozen last summer.

Rice Santa Fe

1 C long-grain brown rice

2 Tbl EVOO, Divided

1 # ground beef

1/2 C chopped onion

1/3 C chopped green pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (15 oz) can tomatoes

2 tsp salt, divided

1 tsp chili powder

1/8 tsp pepper

2 C water

Brown rice in 1 Tbl oil over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until browned. Turn rice out. Add remaining Tbl oil and brown the beef. Add onion, green pepper, garlic, 1 tsp salt, chili powder, and pepper. Stir in tomatoes. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil, with remaining tsp salt. Stir in the rice, lower heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Combine rice with the meat sauce. Mix lightly.

Friday was more of the same: trips to the field, and orange and grape jelly patrol, plus refilling thistle seed. I try to keep the birdbaths filled (I have five scattered about, as well as a couple bowls with water). I had a hose set up with a spray nozzle set up to water the replanted iris. I left it long enough to form puddles. Even the orioles were enjoying being in the mist.

I dug out more grass on Saturday, and trimmed a lot of dead twigs/branches from the honeysuckle bushes the birds planted in that same flowerbed. (I found one tiny tick crawling on me that evening. Ick.) Then I finally planted what I'd bought Tuesday. I have five flowerpots sitting in the shade by the garage, recovering from transplant shock.

I've been enjoying fresh asparagus, even eating a few spears raw. I've made two batches (so far) of the Polish honey rhubarb drink. I've been using that, along with a couple slices of fresh lemon, some added water, a bit of stevia, and crumbled fresh mint. It's very refreshing on these hot days.

I tried a new recipe for rhubarb scones. But subbing in almond flour and fake sugar didn't work out. Instead of scones, I got a rhubarb mush. It tastes okay, but certainly wasn't what I expected. So that recipe isn't going to work for being compliant with my challenge. Ah, well, I tried.