Homemaking Mondays: Washing Woollens and Greenhouse Maintenance

 

Hello! 
With the ups and downs of March

bring us the hope of spring and the still reality

of winter in all it's glory.

The need for our warm clothes 

but also the transitional time of layering.

This week I tried a new thing. 

I found this delightful wool sweater at our free store.

It needed a good wash but I've not ever washed anything 

quite like it. Our wool socks 

have some nylon so they just go in the washer

and then are hung to dry.

So my daughter picked up this SOAK from the yarn store.

I was so incredibly amazed at how it cleaned out 

so much dirt and smell without scrubbing.

It's almost dry enough for her to wear now.

I have found I do need to get a special dryer

that I can lay things flat on.

With the ups and downs of March 

the sunlight has started to become warmer

and last longer.

So...seeds are now planted in their trays,

set out in front of the windows to catch the warm rays.

I have a hard time waiting for germination

and the Lord is gracious and gives me a few little seedlings 

that pop up within a day or two to ease my tension. :) 

There are little chamomile, calendula, and comfrey seedlings.

The tomatoes and herbs will take a bit longer. 

This year I discovered some lovely new tomato seeds!

Sunrise Bumble Bee

Who could resist planting some of these?

Yes, I also bought a bunch more seeds. 

We'll have four different varieties of kale

and some more beans this year. 

I'm also trying to start some onions from seed

just to see how that goes.

So like every year--- some old, some new.

I discovered this beautiful painting by Chuck Black 

on his Facebook page.

He is one of my favourite artists 

and this painting reminds me of our little lake.

Serene and vibrant.

Dreaming of spring when the wildflowers

come out in full bloom and the water shimmers in the sunlight.

Well...because by that time there will be no moonlight.

I've been doing a bit of greenhouse maintenance.

There is a ton of snow on the roof.

The support beams we put up last fall are doing a good job

and I don't think we have anything to fear.

I still wanted to get a bit of the snow load off so that it'll melt faster 

and allow more light in so that I can start 

some gardening projects earlier.

This year I want to try growing peas and spinach in the greenhouse.

I saw in a gardening video where someone 

used bubble wrap to help insulate the plants from the cold

in little hoops. That I'd like to try.

For now there are millions of little frozen water droplets

that glisten on the ceiling. 

There is now less snow on the roof...

and I'll be getting a longer shovel handle to get more off.

Spring outdoor jobs.  

Soon snow needs to be moved away from the house 

to protect foundations as well.

Snow amazes me in how it can accumulate from such 

small perches. 

The little puff ball on the greenhouse door had

just a half inch of space from the door being just a tad ajar.

Then the moose antlers had it stretching out beyond the eves

as iff it was reaching for the light.

There are always good treats to eat

when coming in from the cold.

This past week there were carrot cake muffins.

SO yummy with or without icing.

So what keeps you busy in March? 

What kinds of things do you as we come to  this transition period?

I pray you have a blessed day! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer