Pool Deck 360

We were able, this year, to finish the deck the rest of the way around the pool. It was a joint effort over Memorial Day Weekend...Eric helped, John (a friend) helped, Gramps helped and even I helped when everyone else had given up on Dennis! It was very hot and there were lots of dips in the pool in-between to cool off. Dennis is waiting for some cooler evenings to get the railings and benches done. Since this side of the deck is not as high as the other side, we're not worried about anyone falling off and hurting themselves in the meantime.

I also made relish from the radishes in the garden. Other than the fact that the fermenting radish and vinegar mixture stunk up the house, it turned out beautifully, and tastes delicious too! Basically, it was chopped radishes, red onion, celery, spices, sugar and vinegar. This fermented for several hours, then I boiled it, packed it in jars and hot water bathed it to seal the lids. We had it on hot dogs last weekend at a cookout and it was delicious! My mom served it with some fish and she said that was wonderful too!

The Giving Garden

The garden is starting to produce...I am so excited by some new veggies we have tried out this year and so far have been very successful. Of course, we have been gathering lettuce and spinach as needed for salads, but we don't ever do a mass harvest of those, so no wonderful pictures.

We tried radishes this year and they were wonderfully plenty. I got about 4 cups of radishes- all different colors and shapes! I found a recipe for radish relish, so I am in the process of making that. if it turns out, I'll share the recipe.

And carrots...I have tried carrots before, only to be dismayed by root nematodes and other critters. But evidently our soil must be pretty good and not too much clay, because they have actually flourished! Of course, with all the greens attached, they certainly look like a lot more than when they are trimmed! But I am excited to try them again and plant a whole lot more!