Earlier this month, I shared my Top 10 favorite earliest blooming perennials. Most of these have bloomed this month, despite extended cold weather and what has felt like an endless winter (it snowed last week, just in case you were wondering).
The last two weeks of May are by far the most frantic and back-breaking for me in the entire gardening season. It’s a race against the hatching of blackflies and mosquitoes; a tiny window where we don’t get eaten alive the moment we step outdoors. But of course, I got sick during this time (still questioning if it’s mono or not) and have had little energy to accomplish more than the bare minimum in the garden.
So far, I’ve planted out the onions and shallots, shelling and snap peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, beets, radishes, and potatoes. In a week, I will start planting pole beans, cucumbers, squash, corn, and I will transplant the tomatoes into the high tunnel along with the basil.
I’ve added some perennials as well; two new David Austin climbing roses: Strawberry Hill and Jame Galway. I installed a double arched arbor at the end of my walkway into the sitting area beneath the big maple tree; these two climbing roses are planted on the left side of the arch. On the right side, I have two other David Austin roses (Gertrude Jekyll) planted along with Sweet Summer Love and Jackmanii clematis (if you didn’t know, roses and clematis are a match made in heaven).
I also added a Sonic Bloom Weigela, two Walkers Low Catmint, Hellebores, and a Fire Light Hydrangea so far. I dug up and transplanted two shoots from my white lilac into my main garden. All of these are Zone 4 friendly, and though I’m tecnically Zone 3b, I’ve done pretty well at keeping most Zone 4 perennials alive.
My main focus as we head into June is getting all of the vegetables planted and to try to keep up with weeding while everything is small. The weeds are so much easier to manage once the plants are bigger and can hold their own against them. But I tell you what- my most favorite time of the entire season is just a month away. The end of June is magical- everything is so green and beautiful; not too big yet but showy and maintained and orderly. I love it so much- can’t wait to share with you all.
I hope your garden season is off to a great start! We’re always a bit late to the show, but we do catch up. I’m here for it, late or not.
I’m not typically shopping for fun home stuff this time of year because I’m hardly indoors at all, but I can’t stop thinking about this beautiful ceramic butter dish from The Fine Cheese Company. And yes, I searched their site to see if they also sold the butter mold that left the cow imprint on that butter. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it. Which I suppose is a blessing because I don’t think I could ever stop looking at that buttery artwork long enough to actually eat it.
And even though my season for house projects has passed with garden season taking over, this incredible wallpaper caught my eye and I’ve all but committed to using it in my bathroom refresh that I have planned for next winter. I’ve been wanting to go with a slightly lighter, warmer green in the bathroom and the neutral colorway of the “Fable” design pairs so nicely with the paint I’ve been considering. Its whimsical toile-esque design could keep me scouring its details forever.
I’m not at all one for watching television. But this week, the second season of Castle Impossible debuted on HGTV and as I ate up every episode of the first season, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the newest season. This show follows married couple Daphne and Ian as they set about restoring the most incredible 500-year old chateau (Château de Lésigny), located just outside of Paris. Daphne inherited the property from her late grandfather, utilizing primarily the first floor of the four-story structure to host weddings and other events in order to help pay for renovations.
The first season took us through the restoration of several different spaces within the chateau as well as a stable and hunters lodge located on the grounds. I imagine this newest season will follow the same premise (episode 1 of the new season featured the creation of a stunning library). If you love history, castles, architecture, antiques, and DIY- you will love this show as much as I do.
To be honest, once gardening season is here, I’m looking for all the ways to keep my time in the kitchen at a minimum. There’s just too much to do! It’s been my mission to figure out how to better manage meals come summertime. Every year, especially during planting season, I struggle with having to break free from the garden in order to put food on the table.
I resisted the instant pot craze for as long as I could, until I found one at our local thrift store for $20 and figured it was worth a try. Even though I do actually really enjoy cooking, I recognize that I’m only one person and if I want to be in the garden, I cannot simultaneously be in the kitchen.
So I’ve been slowly getting acquainted with my Instant Pot and trying out some new recipes. I thought I would share with you what’s been working for me so far, in case you too are looking to lighten the load in your kitchen this summer.
Once I discovered you could put a whole frozen chicken into the Instant Pot, push a button, and come back a couple hours later to supper- I was in. Of course, I would prefer a crispy skin chicken that’s been baked in the oven, but this recipe already saved my sanity once. Definitely doing it again.
Instant Pot Frozen Whole Chicken
I also made a super quick corn chowder that went perfectly with some homemade bread. I just so happened to have corn cut from the cob and shoved in a freezer bag from last fall- this was the perfect recipe to put that to use.
Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder
A couple other entrees I want to share:
Instant Pot Chicken and Vegetables
Instant Pot Pesto Zuppa Toscana
I’ve tried several side dishes as well, some favorites have included:
If you have some favorites, PLEASE share! I’m really trying to be intentional with my planning as we head into the busiest season for us and would love to hear about your go-to recipes.
And speaking of recipes, don’t miss out on my post from last week if you’re needing some inspiration for using up your spring rhubarb!
We hosted a murder mystery party for the kids and their friends a couple of weeks back. I found this boxed set on Amazon and wasn’t sure exactly how it would all come together. But hand it off to a bunch of teenagers and they made it happen!
The setting was an Italian restaurant “La Speranza”, following the murder of Restauranteur “Pepi Roni”- a setting which my oldest insisted we make happen here- in our very small house. I must admit, I had my doubts- but after moving out a couch and moving in some folding tables with several bricks placed under the legs to raise them up a bit- it worked out beautifully.
Each of them received their character descriptions about a month in advance so that they could arrange costumes and practice accents. There are menu suggestions as well- we kept it simple with spaghetti. To set the mood, I found this amazing Italian playlist on Spotify. I had it playing for hours even before the party started.
Clues are given, lines are read, accusations are made- like real life Clue. It takes about three hours to complete and was a great time! It was decided immediately that we would be doing another one. There are many different boxed sets available- I’m thinking the 1950s barbecue would be a great one for summertime.
I’ve written quite a bit this year about my struggles with this transitional time of life as a mom who has been home with her kids for the last 16 years. Having teenagers is so much fun, truly. But I have grieved the passing of their childhood pretty hard these last few months. As they continue to grow, become more independent, and need me less, I’ve had to wrestle with my identity outside of full-time-mom.
With my oldest graduated, I know that the other two will follow in no time. They will continue to branch out, make new friends, work more, and be home even less. And while I’m eternally grateful for all of the hours and days and years we’ve had together, it will never feel like enough. I’ve been incredibly blessed- and I suppose that is what makes this time so bittersweet.
To you moms of young kids right now: please believe me and others when they tell you it goes SO fast. Childhood is but a blip on the radar- so take advantage of every moment while you can.
Thank you for stopping to join me for this month in review. I’ll see you again next week- until then, take care.
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