Farming and Sewing

It's supposed to be 75 degrees here today. By Montana standards, that is a heat wave, and I heard someone say yesterday that they thought it was warm enough to go swimming. We will probably be swimming shortly, as all the water starts to come off the mountains in force. 

The peas and beans are all soaked and ready to plant, so this morning I will get them into the ground. I also bought eight tomato plants yesterday—two of an heirloom variety called "Amish Paste," two Sweet 100's (our favorite cherry tomatoes), two of a variety called "Ultimate Opener," and two of the old standby "Early Girl." I don't usually plant Early Girls because they've never done well for me even though everyone around here swears by them. But the nursery didn't have the variety I wanted, called "Glacier." I planted some Glaciers last year and they were the only variety that produced ripe tomatoes for me (no one got ripe tomatoes last year because it was so cold, so that should tell you something). But I'll try the Early Girls again and see how they do. And I'll check at the other nursery in town and see if I can find some Glaciers. 

It'll be a good day to get the tomatoes in because the WaterWalls will heat up nicely. I checked on the cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts that DD#2 planted for me the other night, and they look very happy. 

I got such a giggle out of watching the husband in the garden the other day. We have very different gardening styles. My garden tends to be a picture of barely controlled chaos. I'm not to picky about the rows, as long as stuff is basically in line and stays where it needs to be (although the plants in my herb garden fling themselves hither and yon with no regard for a landscaping plan). The husband, on the other hand, thought it was very important to mark off rows and stake them, so when I went to the garden the other day, there were stakes marking rows 36" on center. Okay, then! His plants are going to have to be good little soldiers and line up perfectly. 

After I finish planting this morning, I need to come in and sew a costume for DD#2. I don't know what I was thinking when I offered to make her a dress for the 8th-grade production of Romeo and Juliet, except that I also did it for her sister. We picked out a pattern and I bought the fabric Monday. Yesterday I had 3-1/2 yards of 60" wide fabric spread out on the floor of my bedroom—the only place in the house I have room to do that. I got the pieces for the main part of the dress cut out. Today I have to cut out the inset for the skirt and the lining for the bodice, and then I need to start putting it together. 

When the girls were little I used to make their Halloween costumes. That was a great way to learn sewing skills. Little kids are not picky. One year, I did the "Belle" dress from Disney's Beauty and the Beast." It had a skirt with an overskirt of six gathered gores. Oh my. 

DD#2 informed me yesterday that she offered to her teacher to have me mend the existing costumes, "since you have your sewing machine out anyway." Oh sure, why not? 

My FIL arrives tomorrow for his spring visit. At least the weather is going to be really nice. I don't know if we'll be able to get into Glacier Park or not because of possible flooding, but we may go hiking if we can.