Saturday, January 7, 2012

Grovers In The Grove

We had plans to work in the grove today.  Geeps got up at sunrise and started the bonfire to burn off some of the dead brush we had out there.  I made us some breakfast burritos and joined him at the bonfire.
It felt so nice to sit by the fire in the early morning chill with my coffee.
Wearing my favorite chicken pants.   After finishing my coffee, I went in to get dressed so that I could help Geeps with the grove.   I began with the pruning while he continued to burn off the brush.  Then he came in with chain saw and removed branches that needed removing.
We piled wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full of branches up along the back of the property to dry out.  We loaded up 6 large recycle cans (borrowing my neighbors too)  and piled the rest along the back fence.  We will burn some off when it is dry and refill our cans again next week.

 We sat in the swing about midday for a break and a cold drink, and then got right back to it.
 This row here is what prompted us to get to work.  With our paddle tennis playing, the balls were getting lost in the thickness of the trees.  Plus you could take an eye out if you were trying to run one down.  They all need a good pruning, but I pruned this row behind the court a bit more heavily to allow for space to run down the rocket balls that Greg hits to me....that I miss!!  Today we just concentrated our efforts on the trees that are around the court.  I heavily pruned 11 trees!!  The entire grove needs to be done, so it is barely a dent.  But a start nonetheless.
I swept off the sport court, and cleaned off the swing.  That old swing was in our backyard at one point, by the pool.  The awning rotted out, and the seats rotted, so we retired it to the court in the grove, and I gave it new life by topping it with an old heavy fabric roman shade for the awning, and I made cushions for the head rest, and put our old wicker cushions on the seats, and I'll be gosh darned if that old rusty swing isn't just as comfy as it was 10 years ago!!
As the shadows got longer, our energy waned, and we began to pack it in for the day.
The dry brush had all been burned off, and the new brush was neatly lined up against the back of the property.
 While I was pruning, I came across this perfect little hummingbird nest.  When I find these, I cut them out of the trees and display them in my house.  
It was a long hard day of work.  We are not spring chickens anymore!  Geeps will be 57 this year, and I will be 52!!!  This stuff was much easier 20 years ago.  But if we pace ourselves, we can still do a lot of the work here ourselves.  We put the tools away, turned on the grove water, put the chickens to bed, hosed off our shoes, and shook the sawdust from our clothes before going inside.  I hauled the full wagon to the back patio.  Looks like we will be having fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning!
 We heated up the spa, and took a long hot shower.  Geeps just went to pick us up a pizza for dinner.  I am sitting here in my favorite chicken pants again....resting.
Before I go, here is the new black infinity scarf/cowl that I made.
I stitched in the back loop to get that cabled look.  I love this one.  It is different than the others I have made.  It is longer, and can be worn alone as an infinity scarf like this.  Only not with a wedding dress!  I leave my wedding dress on my dress form in my sewing room all the time.
And also doubled around your neck like a cowl.
This one may be my favorite one yet.   So versatile.  Black looks great with almost any color Bloomie too.
The one I am about to start now is in browns with a little bit of green running through it.
Pizza is here.  And then a long soak in the spa for these tired and aching bones!!!  Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are, and whatever you are doing!
XO  Kris

26 comments:

Sunny Simple Life said...

Boy you worked hard today. What do you do with all those oranges? Do you sell them to a juice company? Love that black neck scarfy thing you made. Forgot what you call them. Makes all the flowers pop for sure.

Patty Marker said...

Oh dear friend, my old bones ache for you! Thank you for the reality check...everytime I yearn for property in the country I will remember the work that goes with it. That scarf is beautiful. You'll have to have Elaine and I out for some one on one tutoring in crochet. I can do a few basic stitches but nothing like the beautiful work you do. Enjoy the spa, I bet it feels good on this chilly night. Have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday. You earned it! Patty

Gloria Baker said...

oh Dear You had a lot of work!! Hope you have a nice and relaxing Sunday my dear:)

The Tuscan Home said...

Wow, you did a lot of work. I bet you're fresh squeezed orange juice is going to be goooood! =) Love your chicken pants, and that cowl "look" is super cute. Enjoy that pizza and rest those feet. Have a great Sunday! xo ~Liz

DaCraftyLady said...

Oh how I can relate...I took the last week putting away the decorations which took a real toll on my back, not like I used to be 20 years ago is right! :( The orchard looks good all trimmed up and I love the chicken pants, I have a pair of polar bear pants I love.. :) Love your header picture in BB looks like Boulder Bay area.. :)

DaCraftyLady said...

Oh yeah I love the cowl scarves black looks so pretty with those bloomies...

Lauri said...

that sounds like a tiring day.

I laugh each time you make a new scarf and say, "I think this may be my favorite one yet." Where do you get your yarn? It is so nice!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris,
I smile every time I read those words, chicken pants. Love, love it! Wow girl, that is alot of work. I know what you are saying, I am 58 and hubby is 60. Don't have quite the get up and go that we use to. One thing is for sure, I think us (little bit) not real, oldies can still work circles around the young-uns. I didn't realize that you had orange groves. Do you harvest and sale them? Nothing quite like fresh squeezed O.J.
Jann

Tammy said...

That's a lot of work!!!!
I love the black cowl with the silver/grey bloomie! Beautiful!

Pammy Sue said...

You really DID have a full, busy day. I wouldn't be able to walk straight for two weeks! Looks great though. The black cowl with the gray bloomie is my fav so far too! Love it.

Holly said...

Love Potion #9!!!??? I have been thinking about that pizza for the past two weeks. I need a recipe for it. You must be exhausted after all the hard work but what a great job. Can you walk today?

Genn said...

Wowza, busy day for your Grovers in the Grove. How ya feelin today?
Cute new cowl!

Bethany said...

WOW you guys are industrious!!!!

Libby said...

Pruning orange trees - why didn't I think of that? We don't have a grove, just one tree - but it is a mess.
Love those chicken pants *s*

Heather - The Good Life said...

Looks like you and your husband got a lot accomplished. Your cowl and the flowers are very pretty. Here's a link to the slow cooker dessert. It was good, but very rich. http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-pudding-cake. Enjoy your Sunday. Heather

Kerri said...

That looks like a LOT of work! Although, I can't imagine how awesome that would be to have fresh fruit growing in our backyard! I just showed my husband your sport court...we would love that! He said he doesn't think people in our area have them because of our harsh winters. :( Boo. Reason #436 on my list of reasons to move!

corners of my life said...

I am exhausted just reading about your day.

A job well done is such a joy isn't it?

Teresa Kasner said...

I'm 10 years older than you and am really impressed with what you got done today.. gadzooks! I think I need a nap after reading about it. Just too much for me. :-)

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Unknown said...

Isn't the saying....all in a hard days work. What a great day. But, I can see how you were pretty tuckered out last night. Glad to see you had your feet up. Great chicken pie pants, did you make those too. And lastly, after all that work, I'm glad to see pizza was on the menu for dinner last night.

Debbie Kay said...

Wow Kris, all that work makes my weekend look like a walk in the park. Those oranges look so divine, I want to come visit your grove. :)

Love,

Debbie

Charlee said...

Where did you get your infinity pattern? My mom and I are looking for a simple one that we plan to dress up with buttons

Pam said...

Your property is amazing! Love the blue court. I also really, really love the black cowl & you are right any color bloomie looks nice with it.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Wow, looks like a hard day's work, but it cleaned up nice! The oranges look so good...I used to love to eat the oranges right off of our tree when we lived in California...

Nicolle said...

You run circles around me. Where do you get all of your energy from?! You always do so much and I am inspired. The oranges are so beautiful, and I can only imagine how delicious they are! Oh, and I love your chicken pants. Cute.

Stacey said...

Wow, you guys were busy lil bees.. Or should I say busy lil G's??? hahahaha.. Looks great.. And fresh squeezed OJ?? That sounds so refreshing!!! Love the black cowl too!!

annielizabeth said...

What gorgeous goodies you've made. Love your grove and all your oranges! Glad you took time to relax after all that work.