May Flowers!

We are done with the April showers and snow flurries! I’m sure scorching heat is just around the corner, yikes! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Enjoy what we have at the moment. I am so proud of my pansies this year with their smiling faces. They put up with the cold spring just perfectly, didn’t complain once. I want to be like a pansy.

What is growing perfectly now is rhubarb. We have 3 giant clumps of it, and a neighbour asked if we want to add to it, he has some he wants to get rid of. Yes please, I will take it. We are ones to take extras of other gardeners toss aways (depending what it is of course, and if it comes from an organic source, ie. no sprays or chemicals). As much as I would love to take lilies, I cannot because of hubbies severe allergies to the pollen of them. Dizziness ensues, disorientation, and lightheadedness, swelling of fingers. Yes, we took him to the hospital first time it happened and the doctor asked if we were around lilies. Yes, massive amounts of them (it was around Easter). After a few tests to make sure it wasn’t anything serious, they concluded it was lilies. Good to know. For me, it’s sunflowers in the house. Outside and eating them, I’m fine, but I think the pollen in them bothers my breathing when they are inside. We are growing the giant ones this year, the 10′ ones, woo hoo!

So, what are you growing in your garden this year? Do you swap with neighbours? Do you find it helps with your grocery bill? (This should be a ‘yes’ answer). What ways do you store/preserve food? Have you ever tried pressure canning? (My answer to this is no, because it scares me; although if it could be done outdoors, it may not be quite as scary).

Stretches And Warm-Ups

Before you go digging, raking and weeding (if you haven’t already) don’t forget to limber up those limbs! A short routine of gentle stretches will do you wonders in the garden. There are many great stretches out there that can be adapted for everyone, regardless of mobility or ‘stretchiness’.

Work with gentle stretches of your arms, do arm circles, leg stretches, side to side torso stretches and even foot stretches (nothing worse than getting a cramp when you are crouched down, yikes! I usually end up on my butt on the ground, not being very elegant while trying to get rid of the darn thing).

Looking Forward to Strawberry Season

I can berry-ly wait, only about a month away! Cut up and froze some of my rhubarb already, waiting to make pies and tarts. I also like to make a crumble, adding frozen berries that I still have from last year. Our go to place is Marcy’s Berries, Hwy 97 in Valens, Ont. They are on Facebook if you want to check them out. They have expanded over the years. Some of their crops include, haskaps, strawberries, blueberries, currants, red and black raspberries, and corn.

Indian Head Massage Please!

Have you tried Indian Head Massage? It is magical! It is a tradition from India based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing system using the upper chakras. It is great for anyone who suffers from headaches, tension or migraines. You are made comfortable on a warmed massage table and are treated to upper back release techniques, as well as working on facial mucles that are soothed and treated. Also included in this specialized treatment are shoulders, arms and neck. You will soon find yourself in a deep state of relaxation; in fact, a lot of clients do fall asleep due to stresses melting away. Give it a try today! Call/text me at 226-755-0540.