The Homemaker Plans Her Week: Pollen Season

 

In my home this week, we are knee deep in pollen season.  Last week I noted the cedars had a bloom and that a few peach buds were peeping out but the hot humid weather these past five days have put everything onto hyper Spring mode and now the Peaches, Bradford pears, maples and oaks, pines, Scotch broom, a few azaleas and more are blooming their heart out.  Between pollen and the smoke of the pecan orchard fires, everything is a haze outdoors.  Any yard plans have been laid aside.  Until this mess calms down a bit there's no point in cleaning a thing unless I just want a massive headache and allergy attack.

Having looked ahead at the weather forecast, I've realized I've left it entirely too long to begin the late winter early spring planting I wanted to get done.  That is past.  I told John the only consolation is that since every single thing is in bloom right now, then we should have a shorter season of pollen than we did last year when Spring lasted for months.  Not wanting to rush the Spring by any means.  I want to enjoy what's left of winter, but it appears that Spring is here all the same.

Work:

This is a split week.  Part Zone 4 and part Zone 1.  That would be shed/pantry and kitchen.  I'm going to try to get back to doing proper Zone work now that I seem to have a slight handle on my life once more.  Though honestly, today (Saturday) has been as difficult a day for the few hours we had Caleb's care as all of last Thursday was.  So we shall see.  I do realize these days it's plan and hold those plans very loosely.  

At the least this week for Zone 4 I'd like to get the shed blown out.  There are tons of Mexican Bean Beetles on the floor out there.  That and possibly load up the basket of donations that I pushed to the front of the building.  In Zone 1, I'll work on cleaning cabinet doors (Started!) and wiping out the fridge.  And clearing the counters. This has been the biggest struggle since the other family moved in, keeping the kitchen counters clear of excess stuff.  I need the lack of clutter to help me feel I have a peaceful workspace since I spend so much time in the kitchen.

Order vacuum pack bags for the quilts in the guest bedroom.  That would free up some space for placing items that need to be out of reach and which are cluttering other areas.  I've asked if perhaps a small dresser that is in storage could be loaded up and brought here to also help store things that are packed too tightly at present.  We shall see on the latter, but the former is mine to deal with and can most certainly be done.

I need to...and now you will know the full extent of my procrastination these months...  make lists.  Lists of home needs, personal needs, pantry and freezer restock items, outdoor needs, etc. 

Potty Training...It's still going on.  

Look for new rewards and prizes for potty successes.

I ordered my first Christmas present of this year.  That means that at present, I have four, having a few items set aside yet from last year.  I need to make a list of Christmas gifts so I'll remember what I've got and who I need to remember for gifts.  As well it wouldn't hurt to do a birthday list and start looking now because that five weeks from end of May until end of June gets pretty darn hairy when you're looking at all those gifts at once.

Plant the star gazer lily bulbs I'd bought and tossed outdoors on the back porch.Done!  I've noted the other Asian lilies are up and know that it's high time I got those new bulbs in the ground.  Ditto for the daffodil bulbs I never planted.  They won't bloom next year but perhaps they will for next winter.

Kitchen:

I want to start a spring summer menu listing.  I'm afraid the warmer days are coming quicker than planned this year and it's always best to have a ready change of menus for the season ahead.  I've said plenty of times before that I have loads of fall and winter recipes that we rely upon and love, but I've never really worked on a consistent listing of summer menus.  You'd think, given that we have more hot months than cooler ones I'd have a better idea of hot weather meals, but I don't.  That's partly because come summer, I use my slow cooker far more often than I use it in winter.

This list will give me a better idea of what I want to stock for the warmer months.   Which is yet another list.  

I am out of fresh produce (lettuce, etc.) and have only a handful of fresh items left to work with.  If I can manage a trip to the grocery this week, I will but I'll plan my menu as though I cannot make it.

 Menus:

This week will be a great trial run for a warm weather menu.  It's been mid 80's here all this past week and it appears we can expect at least lower 80's and high humidity all this week.

I really struggled with this menu this week.  I'm telling you my mind just doesn't think very well when it comes to warmer weather fare.  I'm also limited by the dairy allergy, so we'll see how we manage.

BBQ Chicken Legs, Rice, Broccoli Apple Salad

Meatloaf, Italian Peasant Vegetables (potatoes and green beans), Garlic Toast

Carnitas, Red Cabbage Salad, Corn

Cottage Pie, Fruit Salad, Muffins

Tuna Pasta Salad, Tomato Soup, Saltines

Roast Beef, Smashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Tomato Salad

Leftover Meatloaf or Roast, Au Gratin Potatoes, Green Beans

Personal and Leisure:

I need a few things for warmer weather this year.  I typically wear capris about the house, preferably soft cotton knit ones.  They are not like pajamas but are more athleisure type pants.  I also need a couple of more bras, a bottle of the perfume suited for warmer weather, and a couple of pretty caftans (or muu muu's as John will call them) for those long days when I'm done with clothes well before bedtime.  I hate to wear my nightgowns when I know I'll be cooking or cleaning, but sometimes I just want something loose and flowy to wear that has coverage without being binding, you know?

Manicure and Pedicure.  It's the season.  I've let my nails rest for four months.  Time to get back to the pretty side of things.  

Spa moments.  I don't have time anymore to do a full two or three hours of self-care at one go, but I can have spa moments in which I take time to do one segment of self-care as well as I might.   So shall it be.

Read.  I'm well into The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart now and am eager to see how it ends.  I've a lot of new books (new as in I haven't yet read them) that I want to sink my teeth into as well.  Reading has proven to be an easy and doable escape from reality, lol.

Afternoon coffee.

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