We successfully removed the churt from the kitchen herb garden and repurposed it to fill in low spots in the circle drive. We also added some to the trailer pad, and the driveway is looking great now. We received some rain, which helped us check for any remaining puddles, and those that accumulated disappeared quickly.
We received our order from Growers Exchange and planted several flowers in the island garden, including two butterfly bushes, moonflowers, red rudbeckia, and wild columbine. Additionally, the package contained a parsley plant for our kitchen herbs and a skullcap to kickstart our medicinal herb bed. Cat also ordered two rose plants from Home Depot to flank the front gate.
Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: the rafters have been stained, and the fascia installed! Our friends Tom and Theresa came down last Sunday to assist with the siding. They managed to put up most of the back side before they had to leave. We completed the front and finished the back before calling it a day. This week, we focused on finishing all the siding, securing screws, and applying caulk where necessary. We trimmed the butle tape as needed and completed staining the rafters. We did encounter a few hiccups while cutting the metal, resulting in some patches. As always, not everything goes according to plan, but we find solutions and keep moving forward.
The weather has been unusually warm, with most days in the 80s, but we are facing a drought. Typically, this time of year brings abundant spring rains, but we haven't seen much. We've been out watering to keep everything alive and thriving. For our first garden here, things are progressing wonderfully. We have lettuce and radishes nearly ready for harvest, and in a week, we'll be planting green beans. In two weeks, we'll add tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, watermelon, cucumbers, and pumpkins. The excitement for fresh produce is palpable! The strawberries have been ripening, providing a delightful snack while we're in the garden. It will take a few years before we have enough for jam, pies, and other treats.
On Thursday, we received a bit of rain, but it wasn't substantial. Saturday brought a light mist and drizzle all day, prompting us to take a rain day and relax. We really need a good soaking to ease the watering burden and lessen the stress on our plants. Our hearts go out to those in Michigan affected by the floods.
While Tom was here, he pointed out a carpenter bee issue. Fortunately, all our wood is treated, so it isn't a major concern at this point. We purchased a trap at the hardware store during our errands, and within a few days, we've already caught eight bees. I wish I had an update on our hummingbird feeder, but we haven't spotted any birds yet.
Today, we wrapped up the details on the siding and front door, and it looks beautiful! Marianne and John came over and took away two trailer loads of wood, and they'll return next weekend to finish hauling the rest. We also installed our clothesline, so no more drying at the laundromat! I can't wait until we can do all our laundry here on the homestead.
Tomorrow, we’ll start putting up part of the skirting around the water catchment area. We’ll also compile our supply list for the eavestroughs and cinder blocks for under the water tanks. We plan to take a road trip to Lowe's in Columbia for the supplies, as local hardware stores don’t carry what we need. After that, we’ll head inside the cabin to tackle a few projects.
Remember Small Steps Get You Miles
Rick & Cat
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