Necessity, meet. . .

Well, the clothes washer was flooding the basement, and a quick check revealed that the drain pipe is clogged. No doubt years of clothes-with-pet-hair-chasers have finally sounded the call for snaking the pipe. And yet, my clothes need cleaning so I can exercise and wear jeans next week.

Divergent thinking to the rescue:

It overwhelms the bottle-funnel occasionally, but the water is not inside, not in the basement, and a lot of it is going to fruit trees and grapevines.

It's not the greywater system I'd really planned, but it works fine for now. At least until we figure out the drain and/or a better method for diverting it into the garden.

Which is looking pretty lovely right now, if I do say so myself. Harvests are just starting to feel as though I ought to get out there every single day, just in case.

In other news, someone turned seven this week and learned how to float on her back in the pool.

 

It's a pretty good summer so far.

New year, new tasks

I used to wonder why so many farming stories included work on irrigation systems. Apparently, they were all true to life, because they require upkeep -- even our tiny backyard system does. Fortunately, I have competent farm help. Eric fixed the two broken places AND extended the one that no longer reached the reduced bed. Taz helped. A lot.

(Apparently a plumber's job list is never done. I hear him plunging the bathroom sink right now. What a great guy.)

Some of the volunteers I don't even remember planting, like this mustardy thing. I don't like these; they're too spicy for me. Maybe the chickens will.

Nasturtiums are easily the most giving and re-giving plant. Although I asked Ellie not to plant them, because they're invasive, she did. . . and I'm pulling them from the pathway already. And yes, I know they're edible. . . just not high on my list of "yummies."

Red Russian kale volunteers big enough to make up a dinner this week. Terrific. They are so much bigger than the lettuce I actually seeded at about the same time. Just goes to show that when they get to do their own thing, in my yard at least, they're generally very happy.

Cilantro Pathway furnished enough for a pot of Red Lentil and Lime soup this afternoon. Again, when I keep my hands off, things seem to go really well.

Sarafina even put in some time giving the asparagus a haircut. There were already some spear-like shoots. Hopefully this will tell it that it's winter and it should think about a spring resurgence.

Another sign of the times is my children risking their life and limbs to get the Christmas tree in the green bin. I think this picture is after it served as a sled down the front steps a number of times.

All that's left for this week is to draw the garden plan, taking into account where the already-sprouting seedlings will go, and then plant the rest. Fun times.