TAKING SOME MINT WITH ME

WE HAVE A SMALL PATCH OF MINT GROWING IN THE SIDE YARD that has come back each SPRING/SUMMER.  Our little garden has had an abundance of MINT.  This stuff spreads.  I'm taking some mint with me.    

This is the 7th SPRING we have been here.  7.  How is that possible?  Little tiny leaves have pushed through the dirt already so I dug these tiny plants up this evening and planted them in a couple of urns that will be moved over to the COTTAGE.    

I hope I didn't kill the plants.  I tried to get most of their roots.  There are some more sprigs popping through the ground.  The urns will be moved over to the COTTAGE soon.  I spaced the plants just so-so and tamped them down then watered well.  Tomorrow I will dig up a few more plants and put them in the urns as well.  I am in such hopes that they will take and I will have MINT for iced tea, ice cubes and water this SUMMER.  

The crop we have has been super hardy.  A great way to be.

THINGS TO USE MINT FOR:

HEALTH BENEFITS OF MINT 

1. Filled with nutrients
2. Improved digestive health
3. Boost your immune system
4. Better brain function
5. Support your pregnancy
6. Reduce cold symptoms
7. Keep your mouth healthy
8. Help manage stress
9. Improve allergy symptoms
10. Soothe irritated skin

Cucumber and Mint Salad

Ingredients

• 2 English (hothouse) cucumbers

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup chopped red onions

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint




Directions

1. Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds, then cut into thin slices. Toss the cucumbers with the salt in a colander. Let drain in the sink for at least 30 minutes, then tap the colander on the base of the sink to release any remaining water. Lay a clean dish towel flat on the counter, and then dump the cucumbers over top. Use the edges of the towel to blot the cucumbers dry.

2. Meanwhile, soak the red onions in a small bowl of ice water for at least 10 minutes, then drain in a fine mesh strainer.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, onions, white wine vinegar, olive oil, vegetable oil, sugar, pepper and mint. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and let stand in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Serve cold.

MINT IS ON MY MIND.  

PLANNING ON TAKING SOME DAYLILIES WITH ME.  I'd like to dig up some of the DAYLILIES that are showing up.  We have a spot at the COTTAGE in the back yard that DAYLILIES would be lovely mid SUMMER.  Think I will dig some up this week and transplant them right away.

ALREADY TOOK THE IRISES.  Almost two years ago my Husband made some large flower beds in the back yard of the COTTAGE and transplanted most of our Irises.  I think we will still be here at the main house when the Irises bloom in April/May.  I'll see which ones are still here after they bloom and if there are some I still want, I will dig them up after they fade to plant in the COTTAGE front flower beds.  This month, the front flower beds will need cleaned up making room for more Irises.  I LOVE IRISES.  Love 'em.

WENT TO TOWN to run some errands.  Managed to get some goodies for Easter baskets that I hope to makeup.  SPRING is here especially in Manhattan as the trees are blooming and lawns are green.  It was wonderful to see after a long WINTER.  Weather was beautiful and it was nice to get out in the sunshine, but while driving the brake pedal acted up.  Felt like the car wasn't properly braking.  Hubby will check to see what is going on.  So we went HOME and parked the car for now.

In this part of the country, control burns are taking place which creates smoke pollution.  This is tearing up my asthma.  Coughing spells happen and my eyes burn.  The smoke was very thick today in Manhattan.  It smells of smoke and not much one can do when this time of the year takes place.  

Lil Miss came over this evening to help with some yard work.  Was good to see her.  I worked on the mint plants while she raked leaves that have stayed all WINTER.  

I worked some in the basement today bringing upstairs a couple of tubs to clean.  I need a large waste can to pitch some things that are not going with me when we move.  More decluttering.

GOALS THIS WEEK:
☆Dig up mint plants and place in urns.
☆Transfer large urns over to COTTAGE.
☆Make Easter Baskets for young grandchildren.
☆Dig up some Daylilies and transplant over at the COTTAGE.
☆Work some in the junk room packing stuff.
☆Clear the floor area over at the COTTAGE where the Victorian Desk will sit.  
☆Possibly get her moved this week.
☆Oil down the antique file cabinet.
☆Group all the metalware, thin out, box and put in cellar.
☆Put more Kitchen items in the Kitchen.
☆Babysit.
☆Celebrate Daughter's 43rd birthday.
☆Attend a Track Meet.
☆Keep tabs on President Trump's legal activity.

Give or take a few things,
~d

  

MONDAY MOMENTS

NEW THINGS I LEARNED TODAY were what Chinoiserie wallpaper is.         
Pronounced sheen·waa·zr·ee.

What a Scone Tower is.

How to prepare MINT for drying.

https://www.wikihow.com/Dry-Mint

Took a virtual tour of a house I use to live in which was completely remodeled.

Took a virtual tour of the Larrabee Mansion which is now the Coronado Museum in Liberal, Kansas.

Washed some dishes.

Washed a load of laundry.

Took a really, really long NAP.

Thumbed through some magazines deciding which to throw away. 

Spent time with my Sweetheart.

Ate a chocolate bar.

Did stretches.

Scrubbed the powder room floor.

Studied up on vitamins.

Went through the mail.

Virtually toured WILLIAMSBURG and the BASSETT HALL.

READ about Abigail Rockefeller.

Prayed.

A very slow paced day and I needed it,

d