Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Time for a Break

I know you've all had this problem: too much stuff to do and not enough hours in the day to get it done. I'm thankful that I have a job, but that 9 hours spent away from home Monday through Friday really cuts into the time I have to spend doing my "fun stuff" at home. So it's time for me to take a break from blogging. With the lovely weather we've been having lately, most of my time after work is spent outside until it's dark (which isn't until after 9 PM). Then when I come in the house, it's a frantic struggle to stay awake long enough to catch up on all my computer stuff (including my blog posts and checking everyone else's posts). As you have seen from my lack of comments lately, I'm just not making any headway. End-of-quarter activities at work are ramping up, so there's hardly any free time there either. It's been tough for me to make this decision, but of all the things I could give up right now, my computer time at home seemed to be the least difficult (sigh). So I'll be taking a little break until probably July. I'll miss you and will try to check in when I can find a few extra minutes in the next couple weeks.

Before my break, I want to share a few pictures with you.

Here's Garden #1. Everything's growing good! I've even been able to pick some lettuce for my sandwich each day this week.
While I was in there weeding this afternoon with my Garden Claw, I came across this little skull. I might need to call on the Science Chimp for help with ID......I'm thinking maybe it's some sort of vole? The really interesting thing is that the tips of its front teeth are a dark red. If anyone knows what critter this skull belongs too, I'd sure appreciate hearing from you in the "Comments" section.
Here's Garden #2 (of my previous "Can This Garden Be Saved?" post). This garden is also doing great. Our recent rains have really helped to soften and break down the icky, clay/black dirt blend I had in here and it worked up really nice with my little tiller this afternoon.
We haven't had any rain for several days now, so I've have to start watering both these gardens. I've found that raised beds dry out a lot faster!

My "garbage can" potatoes are looking pretty good too.
Here are Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird. I took their photo this afternoon while they were scolding me as I put mealworms in the little dish attached to their house. I'm guessing maybe by this weekend those little ones might start hatching from the 5 eggs in the nestbox.
I never get tired of watching Penny enjoy the sun. This is her favorite place to lay in the afternoon.
See you in a couple weeks. If something happens in the blogosphere that you think I need to know about, please send me an e-mail, OK?
Take care.
Love, Ruthie

22 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I hope you get caught up sooner than later Ruthie. Your gardens look yummy. You should take some time and sun with Penny too. Take care.

Anonymous said...

What are we to do with no blogs to read from Nature Knitter, we'll be waiting here for you to resume.
MOM

Anonymous said...

I'll miss you, but oh how well I understand you! Your garden looks great!

Beth said...

Enjoy your yard and the baby bluebirds--the internet will probably still be here when you get back. That garden of sub-optimal dirt looks good, mine does too--maybe expensive soil is over-rated? or maybe we were just lucky with all the rain. Take care and enjoy the sunshine.

Jayne said...

Enjoy your time away to get caught up Ruthie. We'll be right here when you get back. Glad to see your garden thriving! Hugsya!

Ruth said...

Summer is a busy time. Blogging takes time and reading and commenting on other blogs takes LOTS of time. Enjoy your break without guilt and enjoy your life. Your fans will be patient.

Anonymous said...

Lovely garden. Glad it is growing strong.

Windyridge said...

Gonna miss your fantastic photos. How do you get so close to those birds?

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Your beautiful raised beds make me want to have a go at a bit of veggie gardening again! My back yard is too shady though.

Take it easy Ruthie- these are supposed to be the lazy days of summer! :)

Julie said...

I'll miss your posts, but so understand the need for a break. Don't work too hard or play in the yard too hard! :-) Enjoy your time outdoors.

Marsha said...

I'll miss your posts too! But, I certainly understand the business of summer. After our long winter we need all the outside time we can get.
Your gardens are looking wonderful! You'll have to show those tomatoes again covered in ripe red ones in August.

Take some time to really enjoy your summer and I hope you get some riding time in too :-)

barefoot gardener said...

Ummm, Ahhhhh, WHAT?!

I am lonely already....hurry back!

Heidi said...

awwww :( I'm going to miss reading your blog several times a week!

ok, i haven't commented, but i do read... i'm suffering from the same problems of work getting in the way of fun around the house so the comments suffer.

Mary said...

Ruthie, we'll be in touch, for sure :o)

I'm struggling, too. After work outside until 8:30 or later... I know, I know.

Enjoy your break!

I'm glad to see your dirt is good. LOL! Everything looks great!

Have fun. I'll miss your posts. Don't work too hard.

Hugs,
Mare

Debbie said...

I'll miss your posts, Ruthie, but certainly understand! Enjoy your break from the computer. Hope you stop in to blog once in a while.

Meggie said...

Enjoy your time off, Ruthie, but I know you will be working hard to get caught up. I just said to Dave from Anchorage that there is so much to be done at this time of the year. I feel very much behind schedule.

KGMom said...

I understand the need for a break. I have taken to reading blogs on a rotating basis.
I love the photo of the baby deer.
Enjoy your summer "vacation" from blogging.
See you when you return.

Dave Dorsey said...

Enjoy your break Ruthie!

Mary C said...

Enjoy your break, Ruthie. It seems like we all have that problem having too much to do and not enough time. I seem to be having trouble keeping up with everyone else's blogs, too, much less finding the time to post anything myself. You know we'll still be here when you return.

Larry said...

Have a nice break ruthiej.-I've never officially taken a break but I don't keep up on reading other's blogs like I used to.I really like reading blogs when I have the time but I don't want it to seem like a job either. I think we all have to do things at a pace we are comfortable with.

RuthieJ said...

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Blogging has become such an important part of my life and I enjoy sharing happenings with you and seeing what's going on in your life too. And as you can see from a post today, it's not going to be possible for me to completely stop posting anyway! :-)

Mel said...

Dear Ruthie,
I know exactly what you mean. I've been away from the bloggosphere for a while, and things are getting harder, so, chances are I'm not posting or visiting for a while.
Take your time, enjoy your passions.
We'll be here to greet you when you come back!
Kisses,
Mel