Harvest Monday - November 28, 2016


I don't really have anything to report for Harvest Monday this time round, except for a last batch of broccoli.

The picture?  It's at home.  I forgot to upload it to my laptop before I left this morning.  Once I get home, I'll remedy that right here:


It wasn't a big harvest - only 150 grams (0.33 lbs) - but considering it's the end of November and we've had some good freezes as of late, I'll take it!  I'm linking up to Our Happy Acres where Dave, our host for Harvest Monday, always has something delicious to post about.

I've still not totally finished my outdoor tasks although the dreaded pot/cell pack/equipment cleaning and disinfecting has been dealt with and all my racks, hoses, etc., have been put away.  It feels good to be able to park in the garage again, especially with our frosty mornings.  The last thing I want to do when I go out to my car is scrape all my windows.

The final tasks to be done this year include harvesting the leeks (yes, I know I should have done that BEFORE the ground froze...duh!), clearing out the broccoli and lettuce bed (which isn't amounting to anything), cutting back the asparagus ferns/adding compost to their bed and topping the asparagus and garlic bed with straw.

I also have a small pile of mulch on the driveway to move.  It's been frozen solid but this week we are supposed to have a couple of good days when temps get into the high single digits, so I'll be out there with a shovel and I'm hoping to get all of the other tasks finished at the same time.  And then I say "see you later" to the garden for 4 months.

On the blogging front, it's been difficult finding the time to write any posts in the past few weeks.  The Christmas season is so busy, what with get-togethers, shopping, decorating and helping out at the kids school.  My husband has also asked for my help with a few aspects of his business as he is busier than ever at the moment.  So things have been very hectic and, if I'm going to be frank, emotionally draining.  This last bit has to do with my dad - he is quite ill and back in the hospital.  It's unlikely he will be going home again.

So I've decided to take a bit of a break from blogging.  This isn't an extended break, but more of a "see you in January once the Christmas and New Years madness subsides" type of thing.  I'll still be reading and commenting on all your blogs, though.  Remember that old commercial, "Calgon...take me away?"  Well, that's how I feel when I read your blogs...it's my happy place :)

Comments

  1. Hi Margaret--so sorry to hear about your dad. It's best to spend time with him and to also take care of YOU.
    We'll be watching for your upcoming posts, and if I don't get the chance before then, Merry Christmas ( I'm soooo not PC!) and hope you are ok through all that's going on. Take care

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    1. Thank you Sue. The stress is getting to me which is why I decided to pull back. A stressed out and exhausted me doesn't do anyone any good. And I'm all about Christmas, so a BIG Merry Christmas to you too. I have my fingers crossed for a white one :)

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  2. Margaret, I'm glad you wrote about what you did, that way I know the silence is intended and not because something has happened to you.

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    1. Thank you for caring, Jane - I'm pretty good at compartmentalizing and I didn't want anyone thinking I was simply losing interest.

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  3. Oh Margaret, I am so sorry to hear about your Father. The blog can wait, spend as much time as you can with your Father as you can and take the rest of the holidays as they come. I'm looking forward to reading your 2016 evaluations and 2017 plans when you're ready to write again. I hope your holidays are enjoyable in spite of the stress.

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    1. Thank you Michelle - I am hoping to do just that. It's all about priorities, isn't it, and making the right choice in the here and now. We are trying to keep things relatively normal, especially for the kids and I think that will help us too.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, it's understandable that you're feeling as you are. Hospital visiting is very draining, as is everything which goes on in school around Christmas time when you've got young children. Don't forget to look after yourself amongst everything else.

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    1. Thank you, Jo - The hospital visits are sometimes difficult, especially on the bad days when he is weak and so unlike the person we all know. Everyone's time eventually draws to a close, but that knowledge doesn't really make things any easier.

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  5. So sorry to hear about your dad Margaret! It's a stressful time of year for sure even without dealing with a sick family member, so I know it must be doubly so for you now. We'll look forward to your blogging when you feel like it. And be sure and take care of yourself too. It's easy to forget ourselves sometimes, but I know from experience we need to take care of us too even as we are taking care of others!

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    1. Thank you, Dave. It is definitely too easy to be so preoccupied with taking care of everyone else that we forget we won't be able to do that if we don't give ourselves a bit of breathing space. And even when we "know" that, it's good to be reminded every once in a while - I for one have quite a bad memory when it comes to overdoing.

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  6. I am really sorry to hear about your dad. These times are always so difficult, take care.

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    1. Thank you Sue - everyone's kind words mean the world to me.

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  7. Oh, Margaret, I'm very saddened to hear about your dad. Sending you hugs through the e-waves.

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  8. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad during this Christmas season. Hugs from IN. Nancy

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  9. Oh, so sorry to hear about your dad, Margaret. That is tough and I will be thinking about you and praying for you and your family in the months ahead. The season is draining as it is, as you mention. Take care and schedule some time for yourself, if possible. Hugs.

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    1. Thank you Beth - it is tough going but, as with most things, we usually manage to get through them somehow. I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers :)

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  10. I hope your dad recovers soon. The broccoli looks good!

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    1. Thank you Jason...and the last pickings of the season are definitely savoured:)

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  11. Every year I go on hiatus during Nov and Dec. Since I still have my post up about the Fling, I haven't blogged at all but will be back to reading and commenting on blogs in Jan. Take a rest! We'll be here when you get back. :o)

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    1. Nov & especially Dec are such busy months of the year that I'm thinking taking a break may not be a bad idea to continue in the future. I'm sure the Fling is eating up any spare moments you may have this winter :)

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  12. I adore broccoli and did plant it in the garden this year. Alas all the cole crops suffered from cabbage looper and I am not much for spraying. Yours looks delicious.

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    1. Thanks Layanee - it was a good broccoli year in spite of all the heat we had. I've not seen any cabbage loopers but we are inundated by cabbage worms, which means that all our brassicas are under netting practically all season long - a necessary evil ;)

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