Prosperous soul in the making

savingholmes

Thanks PF. I was so excited. I spotted the ones I had sown next to obelisks lining the shed first. Then spotted the ones I had potted in a pot too. Trying to create a stick structure for the peas using twigs from the garden 'inside the obelisks'. I'll let you know how that works out. I think the carrots may be showing some movement too that I planted the same day as the peas. The potatoes are doing by far the best - I grew the plants by cutting sprouting off shoots off with a an inch of so of potato with it. Next door has some purple sprouting broccoli they may share with me which would be nice. I've offered them some of my seeds - still need to deliver them  though.

My beetroot seedlings have sprouted. I think my leeks are just peeping through - both indoor sown. I frazzled a couple of plants today on the windowsill so I think I am starting to reach the tipping point with some  seedlings that they would be as safe outdoors! Ideally I wanted to wait for some insect mesh though for some of them... I am waiting for another W1lk0 order - so I can plant some of my cauliflower and broccoli in troughs for now. to keep them under cover. They definitely need potting on or planting out but I am worried about pests. My cucumber plants that I bought - one is about triple the height of the other - not sure why. I've given it a really big pot and put it on a table next to the patio doors. 

DS cooked tea - a spicy bean curry - it was okay. I added scrambled egg and jacket spud to mellow it for me but DH wolfed it down. DH and DD walked the dog. Another good day. I was in more pain with my leg tonight ie needed tablets - so definitely linked to activity levels. I am likely to increase my hours soon but have some holiday booked so may take a while to feel its effects. 

MovingForwards

The fun parts of growing your own is learning and getting to enjoy whatever has worked / grown.

Who knows where this will lead, I'm hoping you do carry on when things are settled as you are clearly getting into it. 

savingholmes

I'm up, washed, dressed everything LOL. Where's my medal? Currently having porridge and hoping to then have coffee in the garden before starting work. I am planning to aim for 800-1000 cals today as part of 5:2 as put on weight this week! It wasn't a surprise LOL. Fat % is still falling though so maybe I am consolidating ahead of a further drop. 

jwil

Here is your medal 🥇🥇🥇🏆  Well done on being organised!

savingholmes

Thanks JWIL - always nice to have a medal. 
Well yesterday I worked (from home) and then did some more work on the garden with help from DH. I planted out some broccoli and covered the cardboard I'd put down in my no dig garden with compost. I also lay some more cardboard as I can see I have nowhere near enough space to plant out all my seedlings LOL. Mr A delivered and they did very well I even got SR flour and eggs and TP.  I bought some treats for DD's birthday which is next week. DD is very pleased with the ones she discovered while unpacking and told me I'd done well. Bless. Best of all they delivered some coir type seedling pots and some propagator trays and some other sightly larger plant pots. This morning I have pricked out 24 lettuce plants. I only bought two propagator trays but wish I'd bought more. I'm going to do some more pricking out next of some beetroot and marigold plants and then plant them on in what I bought. I ate a couple of tiny leaves from what I am not planting on (microgreens). Tasted nice and I can say I have had my first harvest! Woohoo.

Although I wasn't perfect diet wise yesterday I was a lot better than normal so have started today with a weight loss. This morning I had a call with the pensions people going through our financial review. All seems positive enough. I now need to email them lots of stuff - and worse - post some! There's a post box near here - I will need to scrabble around for stamps. Still waiting for an updated transfer value - but they can take 3-6 months if they want to in this crisis or it could be a quick turnaround as they did one in January.

Enjoy VE Day all!

jwil

Congrats on the weight loss!

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil. 
I spent a lot of time in the garden today - some just sitting. I've planted some of my beans out and made a giant wigwam with the bamboo stalks I cut back a few weeks ago. I've now planted out 3 more potato plants, 8 more bean plants and at least 12 cauliflower seedlings. I am fast running out of compost. Today I opened a bag from Mr A's and it didn't seem very good quality at all but time will tell. 

I've also taken the first step into uploading my book on Am****. Currently formatting. Potentially need to spend a chunk of money on ISBN numbers, barcodes etc. There are also sites out there that could get me initial reviewers and if they like my book improve my ranking so debating whether to spend on that. Potentially need to do an author website and fb all of which is money, time and work. I think this is why I keep falling at this hurdle with my book, blog and crafts. They all require up-front investment with no guarantee of return. I am debating whether to  set up a limited company again too. I think I need to make a list of all the things I need to do to publish and market my book and then price them up and prioritise them. Then tackle them like I would a work project.

EchoB

Exciting regarding your book! It’s amazing how we can get things done at work but not apply the same discipline  in our personal lives! I’m very guilty of this.

You sound super organised on the garden front. 

jwil

Good luck with the book!  Let me know when you get it up.  I think a list of what can be done with prices is good, you might be able then to tick off a couple of quick wins which make baby steps towards getting it circulated more widely.

MovingForwards

Congratulations on taking the next step with your book, I'm so pleased for you. I also feel it's harder to be as organised at home as it is work, it's easier to say I will do it tomorrow!

How big is your garden as with everything you are doing and planting it sounds huge, rather than a normal home garden (I'm jealous as I'm not at the planting stage yet!)