I few weeks ago The Girl gave The Boy a jar of homemade raspberry jam. Since then he has gone home with 3 more jars {all half pints}. Apparently he can’t get enough of the stuff. So yesterday, when I asked him how his jam supply was doing, he kind of gave me a funny look and I knew he was out again.
So The Girl took matters into her own hands and taught him how to make raspberry jam.
Are you growing tomatoes this year? Have you starting canning them yet? Yesterday I put up 4 pints of heirloom salsa. My goal is to can 12 pints of salsa and 24 quarts of tomato sauce this year. Our tomatoes are just coming on so I suspect most of this will get done in early September. 
Clothespins! I scored 5 dozen old fashioned clothespins at the thrift store yesterday for $2.99. They don’t make them like the used to I tell you. The springs on these suckers are AWESOME. Now all I need to do is install a {hidden} clothesline. 🙂 🙂 🙂 
Lucy is grounded. I found her trying to dig under the fence yesterday. I’m not sure if she was digging for treasure or wanting to visit the cute little pup down the road.
Goodbye hosta plants…
Hello oak leaf lettuce, Detroit Dark Red Beets, and ornamental cabbage. Okay, so it’s not really ornamental cabbage. It’s the REAL THING. But I’m pretty sure no one on the snoopervising committee will be able to tell at this point UNLESS THEY ARE READING THIS. So for right now, I’m calling it ornamental cabbage.
The way I see it, if the lady down the street in the cottage type homes can grow zucchini in her front yard… I can grow some fall vegetables right with pretty foliage. Right? I mean the ornamental cabbages go for $3 a pot all over the place in the fall and I’m sure the neighborhood will be covered in them. I’m just ahead of the game because I’ll be able to EAT mine, right?
You’ve got to get your thrills where you can people.
Keep calm, and carry on.
~Mavis
P.S. No hostas or gladiolus were tossed {I moved them to a more shaded area in the back}.
Deborah says
You can stop her digging by putting some wire, chicken wire or old chain link, on the ground and let the grass grow over it. You will be able to mow over it, but the dog can’t dig.
Chris M says
Several years ago I purchased the large folding clothes rack dryer from IKEA. I use it on my deck. I don’t fold things over the wire, I clothespin the items. It works great and it’s not permanent. Something like that might be work, plus you can use it inside when it’s too cold or wet. I love not having to use my dryer.
Debbie says
I agree–I have two of these racks, and I would love a third! They are the greatest, and they are only $10 each! 🙂
Mavis says
Great idea. That might keep the snooper-vising committee happy.
Julie says
I’m super jealous of those clothespins Mavis! You are absolutely right! They don’t make them like they used to.
Tammy says
You are hilarious! Enjoy your “ornamental” cabbage! LOL
Cindy says
Love the comments about the snoopercommittee.
Kate says
Your right about the clothes pins (pegs) I actually resorted to bringing some back from New Zealand but I was robbed recently and they took my peg bucket! I know right- who takes someone’s clothes pegs. Anyway I found these awesome powder coated stainless steel ones (extreme pegs) and ordered 4 packets. I love them, they cost a packet but they will last forever I am positive- unless I get robbed again. But these pegs are worth stealing.
Dena says
When we first built our house many moons ago, we also build a 20 x 10, 6′ chain link dog kennel. Put Dog in the kennel; went to the Fair in Puyallup for the day. Came home to find Dog sitting on the front porch waiting for us. Next day dug a 6″ wide, 12″ deep ‘trough’ around the inside perimeter of the dog kennel. Filled with concrete. No more digging out.
Teresa says
Yes! I use clothespins all the time, not necessarily for clothes. I use them to hang my food saver bags to dry after washing. I use them for chip bags, cereal bags, vegetable bags. In the garden they hold temporary ‘markers’ and bean strings. I always have a couple clipped to my apron, for whatever! Did you know you can take them apart and make really cool trivets? Look on Pinterest. It’s true, something so small bring me great pleasure!
Tamara says
Sounds like The Boy could become a permanent addition!
Diana says
I have gotten to where I’ve put cinder blocks, holes up, all around my fence in the areas where my ‘darlings’ can dig out. I fill the blocks with dirt and plant something in them…
Mrs. Chow says
This fellow makes the old fashioned kind of clothes pins. I read about him on your friend Jane’s blogs, and bought a bunch last year. I am very happy with them, and Jane seems to be, too, judging by her blog posts.
http://Www.Classicamericanclothespins.blogspot.com
Mavis Butterfield says
I was going to order those but both times he was sold out. I’m glad you were able to get some.
Mrs. Chow says
They are currently in stock.
diane says
Hang on… Your clothesline has to be hidden?
I reckon the snoopervisors would have a fit it they walked through any Australian neighbourhood – clotheslines as far as the eye can see! 🙂
Alice says
If I planted food that close to the sidewalk, the neighborhood dogs would make their contribution. (considering your post this morning about pee……. haha. But I still don’t want my lettuce spayed)
Alice says
Typo *sprayed LOL
Rocio says
I was browsing Jo Ann online and ran across this. Thought of you…
http://www.joann.com/household-essentials-five-line-retractable-mini-dryer-6773–drying-space/1988799.html#sz=54&start=433
Bettina says
Our old neighborhood also had an HOA. Amazon sells retractable clotheslines. (They work like the retractable dog leashes.) Attach one end to the fence, and the other end is an eye somewhere in the yard. I’d put my clothes out early in the morning, & everything was gone and the line was hidden away long before any of my neighbors got home. Stuff I didn’t want flapping in the breeze was set out on drying racks… Good luck!
jennifer says
I don’t think the snoopervising committee is allowed to weigh in on your landscape choices just because they are edible. If so, you could probably research and then point out to them that multitudes of landscape plants they DO allow are also edible. I totally know what you’re going through with the HOA thing. Been a resident, tenant, and a board members of different ones over the years. They are all a pain!
Susannah says
Food IS ornamental! I have no backyard to garden in, so I used permaculture principles and made virtually everything in the front yard edible. We enjoy bushels of of berries, apples, grapes and plums, as well as herbs, flowers, and plenty of lovely veggies that don’t need to be relegated to backyard gardens.
How about trellising scarlet runner beans over an arbor for your next project? 🙂