Last updated on June 5th, 2016
Happy May 31, everyone! Shall I tell you what happened here over the Memorial Day weekend? I have some annoying news. But I also have some good news.
Friday: After weeks of playing phone-tag, I snagged a Saturday appointment with my favorite boxwood barber. I say “favorite,” because this particular barber, unlike others I’ve auditioned in the past, really knows his craft. He’s artistic. He’s fast. He can shear and shape the acres of boxwood here in 4 hours flat. In happy anticipation, I rented a gas-powered hedge-trimmer from the local hardware store.
Saturday: The barber arrived promptly at 9AM. He fired up the rented trimmer, and went to town on the boxwood. Meanwhile, to the accompaniment of the machine’s deafening strains, I busied myself with two culinary projects: a 3-ingredient Rhubarb Sauce and a Crusty Sourdough Boule.
But 30 minutes later, all seemed quiet outside. Too quiet. And then the doorbell rang. It was the barber, announcing that the machine was “stuck.” Since my hands were covered with sticky sourdough, I asked the barber to return the trimmer to the hardware store, and to pick up another.
Did you know that Memorial Day weekend is THE most popular weekend for hedge-trimming? The hardware store had not a single machine available. And the one I’d rented could not be repaired. Not on the spot, anyway. “Maybe next week,” said the rental-department clerk.
This was bad news indeed. My gardens will be open for public visitation on June 25, and there’s no guarantee that the barber will be available before then. He said he’ll try his best. I believe him.
The barber managed to finish only 2 1/4 of the 8 boxwood-edged beds. There are many more boxwoods elsewhere on the property, thanks to my overly-enthusiastic propagation efforts.
Above: The exact moment when the hedge trimmer bit the dust.
After I finished my cooking projects on Saturday, I loaded up the dishwasher. It’s a brand new machine that I purchased barely a month ago from a local appliance store. I pressed the “heavy duty” button, and then headed upstairs to stream Michael Moore’s Where to Invade Next. Probably this documentary isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Sunday: At 5AM, I opened the dishwasher door, and found dishes that looked…well, no better than when they were first loaded. A plate with a single crumb came out with the same crumb still attached.
I uttered a few choice swear words, and then looked up the phone number for the appliance shop. And then I remembered that it was Sunday. And that Monday was a holiday, too. Merde! As I write this, I’m waiting for the store to open. And then I’ll request demand a new machine. To my thinking, if an expensive appliance breaks during it’s fist month of use, it’s probably a lemon.
On a more cheerful note, over the weekend I received an email from the editor of a fun magazine called “Upstate Home.” They want to interview me about my blog and upcoming cookbook. They also want to take pictures of the house and, I presume, the gardens. The process will begin in mid-June. Hopefully by then the boxwood will look respectable and the kitchen counters won’t be piled sky-high with dirty dishes.
And how about you? What did you do over the Memorial Day weekend? If you broke a hip, my hedge-trimmer and dishwasher problems will seem trivial indeed.
xoKevin
Catharine R. says
When it rains it pours! Hope you get everything fixed soon. I did see Where to Invade Next, and I loved it! Amazing to see what children in France eat for school lunch, even at the poorest school in rural disctricts. Such a contrast to the slop that American schools serve our kids. Everyone should see this film.
Debbie says
I did not break my hip – but I do know some one with a prosthetic hip. Does that count? I ‘tidied up my raised beds… covered over my potato bins and planted a new Montmorency cherry tree – the one I planted in April was a ‘NO SHOW’. We had a Lobster Bake : lobster, clams, corn on the cob and baked potato on the patio and sipped the weekend away with a lovely carafe of Sangria-Sangria. Peace & Quite in this part of the ‘hood’. (BUMMER about the dishwasher… and gas trimmer)
Sherry says
Our A/C drain broke and water came down through the wall and I had a filling break. Good times.
Wendy A says
Dear Kevin,
It’s my sincere hope you have not purchased a Bosch dishwasher, as I did. It came highly recommended in all sorts of reviews and was touted as the quietest of dishwashers … the joke in our household is that it is the quietest because it doesn’t actually do anything. I nodded when you mentioned the crumb still attached. Hope you can get a satisfactory resolution.
I finished planting my raised beds and discovered that something (or somethings!) have been nibbling holes in the leaves of my bush beans and that every few bean plants, the entire top has been chewed off. I have to figure out something to fix these problems so I can get a respectable harvest.
Very exciting about the interview!
Marilyn says
So sorry to hear about the revolt of the machines. Hope today things can get straightened out. We found out our $900 brake job was done wrong. Loud noises. Also got some of the bills for Paul’s hernia operation. Not good. Onward!!!
Bill says
Inspired by your blog, I am attempting to grow a circular boxwood hedge (with Fire Meidiland ground cover roses in the middle) between our driveway and the front entrance to our home. We planted about 12-15 winter gem boxwood shrubs last fall, but right now they do not look good. About half of their leaves are yellow or white colored. I think the cold spring may have had something to do with them suffering from winter burn here in Zone 5b of upstate New York. Or, maybe it could be that we should not have purchased them from a mail order nursery located in such a warm climate such as Georgia. We got a wonderful deal on them, though. Did you have any problems with your boxwood leaves becoming yellow or white in their first year before they were established? I wonder if the plants would have come out of the winter better if we had planted them in the spring.
Yesterday, I used the newspaper method you recommended recently and put some mulch around the boxwood and rose shrubs. Despite the scraggly appearance of the boxwood shrubs, the little garden now looks neat and organized. We would be so happy if our boxwood hedge ever looks as nice and healthy as yours.
Over the weekend, I also tried propagating a privet hedge using the method you mentioned in one of your articles about boxwood. We already had a privet shrub on a far corner of the property, and I thought I would give it a try. Your website is highly informative and your articles are inspiring. Thank you, Kevin!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Wendy A – It’s a KitchenAid model. Quiet, too. Just like your bummer of a Bosch.
Hi Bill – During ferocious winters, boxwood can turn yellow or white at the tips. Trim these parts, keep the plants well-watered until they establish themselves, all should be well.
Mary S. says
Good weekend overall. Grandchildren were here, they went swimming in the association’s pool and loved it. On another note, the plumber will be back tomorrow to let us know how the hot water pipe leak under the slab in our kitchen can be repaired and how much it will cost. Life is fun.
Vicki S says
Hi Kevin! On Saturday I finished 156 cupcakes and the “bride’s cake” and finished the final hem and lining hem on my daughter’s wedding gown, and we then had the wedding! In Greensboro, North Carolina! On Friday our credit union had blocked our credit card, fearing that all these transactions in North Carolina meant our card had been stolen. So we had no credit card over the holiday weekend, including for buying gas to drive home. The wedding was fantastic, though the bride had forgotten that the wedding certificate was still in her tote bag in the building where she had gotten ready (the wedding was outdoors), so someone had to race over there during the Quaker Meeting for the Purpose of Marriage to get the certificate. Lots of blushes and laughter, but everything went off fine. People loved the dress I made and the cupcake tower wedding cake! On Sunday we had to clean out our rented condo and begin the long, long, long drive back to Kinderhook. Got home early afternoon yesterday. So does this rival your weekend adventures? Do you feel better now?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Mary S – Plumbing issues. Ugh!
Hi Vicki – Your daughter has a wonderful mother!
Teri Schultz says
Ahhh… a much nicer weekend than what was dished out to you. FINALLY got my tomatoes and cucs in the ground, made a trip to Lowes stock up on project needs for the next couple weeks (that store is my big girl equivalent of the Sears Christmas Wishbook when I was a little girl), gave myself a spa day, and fired up the grill for the first time this year to make some delicious burgers.
Hope everything works out for you!
Jill Moore says
Feeling your pain, Kevin! I too have dishwasher problems–my husband has tried everything he could do to fix but to no avail. Repairman coming today.
As for the hedge trimmers–we invested in some electric ones several years ago and long extension cords. Not expensive and definitely worth it–I can trim a little whenever I feel the need.
I have thirty baby boxwoods started–thanks for all your inspiration. Looking forward to trying the chive pesto!
Durf says
I basically kept trying not to sweat! Bought a bleeding heart and rugosa rose. Made brownies and Ina’s oatmeal cookies for my sister’s cookout. Today I took the day off and bought a hosta, baptisia and hydrangea. Michael Moore seems a little um . . . off to me. I read one of his books and was not impressed.
Heidi says
well.. that sounds aggravating but I have to admit I am surprised the boxwood guy doesn’t have his own tools?
Cheryl Ruscansky says
Must’ve been the moon; three cars in the house all need brakes! Bbq on Sunday, check the grill and the bottom has rotted out. Baked chicken satay, roasted sweet corn and a delish new side, sweet potato, black bean, red onion with chili powder, lime, garlic and cilantro. A hit! Eat drink and see what tomorrow brings
Linda A says
Did you get hacked or did I?
Kevin, I’ve been missing your blog posts in my email … the last received was May 5. So, I looked you up on the web and see you’ve posted since then. I wonder if others are missing your posts, too.
This could be added to the mis-haps with your boxwood project and new dishwasher!! All very strange.
Guess I’ll re-sign up to receive your posts. I thought maybe you were on vacation!
Linda A says
I signed back up, Kevin and your confirmation came through.
It’s weird, though, that I suddenly stopped receiving your posts.
Glad to see you back!
Mary in Iowa says
I’m with Heidi on this one. Why doesn’t a top notch expert, who is so booked he isn’t available for weeks, have his own equipment?
The approaching tour and interview with photo shoot were the absolute guarantee of maddening machinery malfunctions. These kinds of things don’t happen on an ordinary Wednesday in February with nothing scheduled but taking Lily for a walk. It’s the universe’s way of laughing at us. Maniacally laughing at us. Best of luck. It will all work out in the end.
Linda says
Oh dear ! Bad luck indeed. Not sure if this tops your misfortune. Saturday morning I woke up to pain in a new crown that was put in place just a month ago. And no dentist until Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon, I had had a root canal. My pretty porcelain crown now has a huge filling in it. And to my chagrin, when I went to check out I was told that they no longer take my version of Cigna Dental so cough up $1370. It wasn’t a particularly good weekend.
About hips, my good news is that I had my right hip replaced yesterday at 8:30 am and was home having lunch with my boys by 1:30! Now that’s something to celebrate 🙂
Barb Burrs says
I will have to cancel this website, Kevin, as you mentioned Michael Moore’s name—I despise the ground he treads!!
Karla says
I have vowed that my next dishwasher will be a short cycle (3 minutes) commercial with super heated water that evaporates instantly when you open the door…. Imagine that!!!! One load every 3 minutes plus loading & unloading time!!!! And NO drying cycle!!!!! Sure it’s pricy but I go thru a household type dishwasher every couple of years since I do about 4 loads a day… Small commercial model fits in the same space as household version
Jan Reid says
Hi Kevin,
I’m sorry about your weekend — Murphy’s Law never fails! here in central New York, the Saturday and Sunday were so humid and hot — for us — almost 90! — that I was even considering getting air conditioning.
To Bill — i too have a few “Winter Gem” boxwoods, and SOME tips turn yellow after every winter. Nevertheless they are all thriving, and the yellow tips can be trimmed off with no harm. (well, all of them are thriving except for one that a deer stepped on 3 winters ago and broke in two. The surviving half is NOW thriving.)
My boxwoods are serving as evergreen structural elements in a shrub border, so I don’t prune them except for the yellow tips. Eventually I will have to branch-prune them to keep them within bounds. At this point they still have a lovely rounded shape.
Kirsten says
Sounds like a letter to Santa is in order! Or maybe the Silver Fox will put a hedge trimmer under the tree..I won’t say, why the hell didn’t you just go and buy one? That would be too easy. PS. My dishwasher crapped out over that weekend also! Do you think it’s a Virus? Government plot?
Marcia says
Guess I am not the only one with challenges. I had three little gardening boys help, but they cut a water line to the drip irrigation system. They felt really bad and were going to send their Dad over, but the hardware guy gave me stuff to fix it and I FIXED IT BY MYSELF AND i”M 70!!
Weeds every where. I’m like you…..a deadline. Big party for my Master Gardener class….must come up with some killer recipes. Can’t you get a battery operated trimmer. I have a wonderful battery operated lawn mower and battery operated string trimmer. I have two batteries for each and I am careful not to leave the battery in them. I have a special charging station and charge one and use one. Best Wishes. Marcia
Debbie says
All I can say is be happy that your hardware store does still “rent out” equipment because my hardware store stopped renting out equipment last year unexpectedly. Claimed the machinery got too beat up and was abused when it came back to the store. I had to go out and “buy” my own equipment which is not used very often as I am only a part time resident and there was no other store in the area that rented. Better days are coming as long as it all works out but can be frustrating 🙂
Gail L. says
Kevin,
Your bad events Memorial Day weekend is my perpetual status quo. Always have problems.
The dishwasher has been non working for two months. Hubby was going to try one last attempt to fix it, but alas, his back problems ( 3 major spinal surgeries with little relief) have made him hold off pulling the thing out. After purchasing GE profile stove/oven and refrigerator, that have multiple problems, I have been afraid to spend the money on a dishwasher. Current one is a 15 yr old Kennmore! Stove & fridge had problems within months after purchase. For now, trusting my two hands for doing the dishes! That is a bummer about the hedge clippers. Better luck next time! Hope all goes well for the tour. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that my neighbor backed into my car and wiped out my drivers door! 5 months ago I had just had the car repaired on that side after hubby swerved to miss a deer and lost control of car and put us into a ditch. (No injuries for us) Such is life, lol!
Mary B. says
I own a Mele’ dishwasher that I highly recommend. Also viewed the Moore documentary at the theatre and found it to be most thought provoking. I always look forward to seeing your interesting blog in my Sunday inbox. You are appreciated. Namaste.
Tana says
It is so interesting reading everyone’s comments about their Memorial Day endeavors, however, it is disheartening to see that not one has mentioned observing the true meaning of the holiday… honoring our fallen veterans… those who gave their lives so we could spend ours in our gardens and with family and friends.
I spent my day at a memorial service for the fallen that is put on by our local VFW, then enjoyed a community breakfast with lots of visiting and sharing and laughter. Finished the day off with a trip up to the reservoir for some fishing with my husband. It was a beautiful day. Oh, and the flowers at the cemetery were stunning!
It is unfortunate we have to deal with the inconveniences and minor set-backs that life throws at us, but that’s all they are, inconveniences. The more fancy things and conveniences items we have, the more we have that can break. It could be much worse.
p.s. I still do my dishes by hand ;o)
Laura says
My neighbor next door has boxwoods along her sidewalk which is right next to my house. We live in a 55+ community so most of the houses are close together. I don’t enjoy working on that side of my house because the boxwoods smell like cat urine. It took me a while to figure out what that nasty smell was. I am assuming you have a variety that doesn’t smell? Love reading your blog because my favorite things to do are cooking and gardening.
Helga G says
I had my 3 Grandchildren over for a long weekend. I took them to visit their Dads (my Sons)grave in the Veterans Cemetery. On the way home we stopped at the playground, where they had a chance to get rid of some penned up energy. The rest of the weekend we just relaxed and Monday went to a Picnic, that due to the rain had to be held in our Clubhouse.
Cynthia Hil says
Please nothing more political – Mr Moore has a nastiness about him that just doesn’t work
with this lovely blog ~ I thank you for your consideration.
Heard this the other day – don’t buy sweet potatoes during the summer – they don’t do well in heat, so markets are importing them from China. Cause for concern, they don’t have safe
agricultural regs. This was a warning, not some light comment….E. Coli mentioned. Ick!
Lovely rain for the gardens today…my peonies are exploding under their plastic tent – I cal it their raincoat!
Happiness.
Cynthia
Apryl says
Thank you Cynthia Hil for the information re: sweet potatoes. Our mkts. up here in the Glen’s Falls area have horrible potatoes ( & fruit etc) Grades unsuitable for more affluent areas. NYC street vendors have better quality.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I have a lemon DW too and I can relate to the frustration. Paid a lot and was not rewards. The center spray arm FELL OFF at the 6 week point, about 3 months ago.
Julie R says
That was quite the adventurous Memorial Day weekend that you had, Kevin. It sounds like the kind of day or weekend in this case, that we all can relate to. Thanks for sharing all the details. Hopefully you will be able to get all of those shrubs trimmed soon, and dish washer repaired or replaced. I agree, if an appliance breaks down in the first month, it probably is a lemon. Congrats on your upcoming interview.
As for my Memorial Day weekend, we went to a home improvement store near us, and got the last gas powered hedge trimmers that they had, and spent much time trimming lots of hedges and shrubs at our house. Also planted tomatoes and basil in our garden, and got some more flowers and planted them in pots. After all of that work, we had a BBQ and then vegged by the tv for the rest of the night.
mary ann hanks says
of course the KA was quiet…..no running
sorry for lame joke of sorts, but KA is really a good product
perhaps water was not turned on after installation, it happens
hope your trimming will be done soon, enjoy making
your goodies…….good summer predicted here in
rochester ny
Barbara Robinson says
Sorry you had to mention Michael Moore. Your lack of political comments has been refreshing but no longer!!!
Nancy says
I too will be signing off. Your Michael Moore comment was the final straw. I don’t need your liberal insight when my main reason for subscribing was your info regarding cooking and gardening. Lots of other sites that don’t include this liberal garbage. Michael Moore should be sent to Iran to live.
Darla M. says
Sorry to hear about your weekend. Mine was great until I was on the way to the grocery store on Monday afternoon and a truck ran a stop sign, plowed into me and ran me into a ditch. I’m fine thankfully, but my car was totaled. Now the aggravation of dealing with insurance companies and trying to find a new car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg! Lots of fun.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Darla — Ouch! So sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you’re okay, and hope you’re able to find a new car pronto!
Karin says
mercury retrograde from April 26 – May 23 machines break down and plans go awry
Cheryl says
Kevin, I really look forward to your posts. Usually things break down on me when I have a few extra cents and I think they know it. I actually think one of my appliances etc tells the other one! I look so forward to your posts. I tried the newspaper idea on the side of my house and it worked like a charm. I am going to use up my fungicide spray and then try your milk and water solution. On my roses. Take care and your house and grounds look fabulous!
Gabrielle says
Cynthia Hil,
Kevin simply mentioned he was going to stream Michael Moore’s movie, nothing more. I think he’s entitled to that.
PaulaK says
love your posts Kevin so must give you a pass on Michael Moore…this time. Please lets enjoy cooking and gardening together and leave the rest….enjoying a bumper crop of strawberries, thankfully had mulched early in the season with grass clippings so the little berries do not rest in the mud. Had to use a light row cover over to protect from birds. The catbird sits on the fence post and scolds me every time i pick….so i toss him a couple.
Jasmin says
I love my dishwasher. It makes a lovely drying rack. Great for storage too!
I need a manicure.
Gabrielle says
Barbara,
It was a mere mention of Michael Moore. Nothing more & he did not elaborate. This is a wonderful blog with many helpful hints & free. Stating that after a difficult day, he was going to stream a movie and named it, which you don’t agree with, well that’s his right.
Gabrielle says
Well, that wasn’t nice. Someone can’t even mention the name of a movie that you don’t agree with? This is a wonderful blog with no political bent-but if you feel there is, you should learn TOLERANCE.
Mary in Iowa says
You go, Gabrielle!!! Kevin didn’t PROMOTE anything, merely mentioned watching a movie. I’m fortunate to have friends who don’t dump me because they disagree with what movies I watch–or don’t watch. And I’m fortunate to benefit by Kevin’s generous sharing of his vast knowledge of all things gardening and culinary. May he “live long and prosper”, and always keep his open mind.
Patricia Chiaravolloti says
I’m not without compassion for your disappointing holiday weekend, but compared to most people, especially people around the world, we are so amazingly blessed. My daughter-in-law would call your issues, “First World Country” problems. I love your website and I am in no way being unkind or disrespectful to the unfortunate circumstances you’ve encountered.
I love your blog. I have tried most of your recipes and ideas with great success. I love the subtle bits of humor you add too. Your house is so beautiful and it is understandable that you would want things to be perfect and that you take great pride in taking care of it and sharing it with others.
Lets never lose sight of how blessed we are in this part of the world! BTW, we also enjoy great freedom, so you have the right to choose whatever you want to view, read and express. We don’t all have to agree with everything about each other, but we should respect each other’s differences and choices. Let’s not forget what the Memorial Day holiday is all about!
Nancy Smith says
I like the uncut boxwoods better. Maybe I should visit before the new trimmer shows up.
Workwise, I planted six more rows of flowers. Can’t wait til they come up. (We have an organic flower farm). I just hope they get high enough before the rabbits decide to include them on their menu.
Marianne says
Tsk, tsk, tsk! A Michael Moore film, no wonder your rented hedge trimmer and your dishwasher broke. Bad Karma!!!
Caro in Canada says
Congratulations on the interview, Kevin! That must be exciting! Best wishes with it. I will keep an eye out for announcement of the article, and hope to view online. Also very interested in your cookbook. You go!
It’s Victoria Day weekend here that weekend (as opposed to Memorial Day), and the big planting weekend where I live (3b), as most years it roughly coincides with no more threat of overnight frost in our short growing season. Frenzy at the nurseries, and some good chats in the aisles.
A couple of weeks ago, smoke started coming out of our old, second-hand $100 dishwasher. I think it’s because “heat dry” was accidentally on for the first time, and there was build-up on the element. Felt apocalyptic at the time (“The cupboards are on fire!”), but ran a cleaning cycle and no more trouble (knock on warm plywood).
I enjoy any films that make me think…not threatened/insulted by other people’s opinions and preferences. Looking forward to that one!
PS Gabrielle, I would like to meet you one day. 🙂
Liz Kraemer says
Quote: “I uttered a few choice swear words, and then looked up the phone number for the appliance shop. And then I remembered that it was Sunday. And that Monday was a holiday, too. Merde!”
Although the French version is not quite as disgusting as the English version, bad words are not nice. LOL A bad word is what they called it when I was coming up (South Louisiana where we all spoke French). I love your blog. It is always so interesting. Thanks for posting. Liz
Cheryl Baertl says
“This, too, shall pass”. Looking forward to more on your interview.
Darla M. says
Thanks Kevin. My husband and I are spending tomorrow on the car hunt.
Love reading your blog. Can’t wait to read your interview.
Bobbi says
Any concensus among Kevinistas as to which of today’s dishwashers delivers cleaned dishes ?
Samantha Gray says
OH Kevin! It must be something going around, and it’s highly contagious! The coil in our water heater broke, something – gawdnose what – landed on the hood of my husband’s car in a parking lot and the entire hood must be replaced, and last night the refrigerator died… And the rain knocked all the petals off my newly blooming and favourite pale peach poppy. But this evening there is a lovely sunset,after a beautiful rainbow, and the repairmen will descend en masse in the morning to put things right. Please post your interview! Pictures!
Frantique says
Ah, since I am fulfilling a desire to help lots of people design and grow gardens I hired on at a local floral shop/greenhouse in March. I’ve planted seeds/transplanted seedlings and potted starter plants and am selling retail gardening plants like crazy! I love driving by their homes to see their yards and gardens come alive – potted plants guarding their front doors with beauty. So, I volunteered to work the memorial day weekend since this past weekend was to be filled to the brim with granddaughters birthday party and ballet recital, plus a long string of graduation social events plus the state track and field tournaments in our city. Here it is Sunday evening and the spa is calling my name – ahhh. Final guests will be leaving in the morning – leftover rhubarb crisp sounds good for breakfast – you know, oatmeal, a bit of butter, sugar, cinnamon – sounds much better than pancakes any day of the week. Was a nice memorial day weekend for me, nothing broke, no neighborhood fracas’s and this weekend involved too much good food and lots of wonderful hugs and smiles.
It’s frustrating when plans implode when ones energy and motivation is at its best but it will even out for you soon. Oh, the gin and tonics were delightful in the backyard this evening….
Ralica says
Kevin, I will pray your barber finds the time to complete the boxwood trimming before your garden tour. Have faith, it will happen & all will be beautiful. I just wish I could come enjoy the beauty, but it’s a little too far for me to make it from Santa Cruz, CA.
Ed P says
and if you had two dishwashers you’d always have a backup.
just sayin’
Sheri Rice says
I’m so sorry about your appliance woes. Our mechanical issues seem to come in threes, so my advice is: watch out for the third thing to break. Best of luck as you navigate all those repairs/replacements. Can’t wait to see photos from your open garden! BTW wanted to say than you for the propagation tips. We planted velvet boxwoods around our new patio last summer and added a few more this spring. I tried your tips for propagation and some took, others not so well, but the bushes are growing quickly so for the ones that didn’t “take” I just snipped a new few twigs and tried again. I am hopeful they’ll all grow quickly and before long I’ll have more issues with trimming than with empty spots!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Sheri Rice – You are right about mechanical issues coming in threes: My hot water heater broke on Saturday! Fortunately, it was still under warranty. Already replaced. Phew.
Kay says
I was just going to warn of the mishaps coming in 3s. We find that they do just that, here on the Prairie Farm. Hoping all is repaired/replaced in time and that You have time to Rest up before the interview and tour.
PS Really People! Such negativity towards our host’s choice of movie. Just beep over it if you do not care for the person/subject/etc. Kevin isn’t holding you hostage and forcing you to watch it. **rolling my eyes**
Love this blog and would love to have you come help me with my “wild & wooly” garden on the Prairie. Not as civilized as yours, but it works for me.
Dale says
I think you’ve already experienced the third bad thing–people heaping judgment on what you say and do. I just want to say how much I appreciate the recipes, gardening tips, inspirational photographs, and humor that makes up your blog. Don’t let a bunch of naysayers darken your day.
P.S. I wish I’d been a fly on the wall when you shared the comments from those High and Mighty readers with your partner. I bet you had some good laughs.
Dale says
P.P.S. I’m making your salmon and quinoa tonight.
Linda Shore says
Everyone needs to lighten up and not be so judgmental. Kevin, I hope your world has stopped breaking for you. Frustrating and amazing when they just keep acomin’. My husband & I flew to London on Memorial Day. We’re still there. Lovely! Beautiful gardens; I can’t stop taking pics of flowers/trees/shrubbery that I’m not familiar with.
Julie R says
This a wonderful website, so lets try to keep things upbeat. I learn so much from reading Kevin’s great tips on so many subjects. Keep up the great work Kevin ! I enjoy reading all that you share with us.
Just read about your hot water heater, Kevin. I’m glad it was still under the warranty and that you were able to get it replaced. I was reading about others having troubles with their dishwashers. Our dishwasher never really did work good, (it appeared to be quite old when we moved in ) and then it started to not drain all the way, leaving nasty dirty water sitting at the bottom of the dishwasher. It made for a terrible smell when you opened the dishwasher door. And then the spring on the door to the dishwasher broke, so you had to hold the door in your hand while trying to load or unload the dishes, or else the door would have fallen to the floor. I was tired of having to wash the dishes once they came out of the dishwasher, because of how lousy the thing worked, or didn’t work I should say. So now I do our dishes by hand, and have replaced the dishwasher with a little storage cabinet that serves us quite well. So I am happy with more storage in a tight small kitchen.
Deborah Goodman says
What a weekend. We planted a good share of the garden as we do every Memorial Day. Then we scooted off to town for an air conditioner. I’m glad we did because the store only had six left. I’m surprised you didn’t go out to the boxwoods and barber them by hand. I know you love your boxwoods. I can’t have any. Hubby is allergic to them (BBBOOO).
Laura says
Not a broken hip but I did spend the entire weekend plus a few more days in hospital, unplanned. Radishes went to seed and my waterer didn’t know about the seeds I’d just planted in the “empty” spot.. On the plus side, my dishwasher works great.
Mary Ann Zeimet says
Wow! I just finished reading the above posts regarding Kevin’s Memorial Day weekend. Kevin, I hope your barber returned with shears that work and the job is done by now. How did your interview go? I hope you’ll share it with us.
Since I”discovered” your weekly articles a few years ago, I have been an avid fan. Your garden hints and your recipes have been so helpful and enjoyable to read. I look forward to reading them and learning from them each week. I don’t know when your cookbook will be coming out but I will be in line to purchase it.
I also love to read about your home and what you have done to improve it. Our home is not grand as yours is, it is 1901 Folk Victorian farmhouse and I love it. I love these old homes and wonder what they would say if they could talk. Again, I continue to learn from you.
As you can see, I am learning a lot from you and enjoying your comments along the way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. And thank you for allowing your fans to comment online, it give all of us a chance to know a little about each other.
Barb says
Oh Kevin! What a bummer! So sorry about your less than enjoyable weekend! Agree with your other friends: These things happen in threes.
Just want to say how much I enjoy your blog and anxiously awaiting your cookbook.
BTW-It has been my experience I learn so much from other points of view. Friends should be able to intelligently and respectfully discuss issues – worldly or otherwise. Keep up your great work! We love you for it.
Barb says
Well said, Gabrielle. Friends are not friends when we must walk on eggshells in our conversation. Kevin is a beautiful soul.
David Deutsch says
Having been on vacation, I binge-read your blogs upon my return. I was especially tickled by your account of the crazed Memorial Day weekend or, as we used to called it in my home in the Midwest, Decoration Day. If I’d had the sort of day you’d had I would have binge-watched all of Michael Moore’s movies as it would make me feel better knowing that my home is far less of a disaster than the world at large. Anyway, your report on your dishwasher disaster and other calamities should have made you feel grateful that you don’t live in Flint, Michigan, as Michael Moore does. You would then have to devise all sorts of recipes adapted for brown and tainted water. You are such a creative cook that I know you could do it, and Michael Moore might include you in his next documentary about Flint, which is likely to be entitled “Don’t Drink the Water.” I have perused some readers’ reactions and am surprised that there are some sadly humorless people who read your newsletter. You write like James Thurber and cook like Julia Child, but uninformed people won’t know who those folks are either. Keep writing and cooking up a storm, Kevin, and the rest of us will be very grateful.
Julie R says
Hi everyone, I just want to say, Well said, to so many of you like Mary in Iowa, Gabrielle, Barb, Dale and anyone else who is in support of Kevin. I learn so much from all of you and of course from Kevin. I enjoy reading everyone’s posts. What a great bunch of folks you all are.
I have something to share that is so small, and yet it made my day yesterday. Hubby and I went to Lowe’s yesterday to get some mulch to put under our maple tree. And while hubby was getting the mulch, I smelled a sudden whiff of petunias. So I followed my nose over to where there was a clearance section full of petunias. Get this, they had 3 petunias to a pot for only $ 1.00 I had thought that I was done buying plants for this summer, but I could not resist to get myself 2 pots full of 6 plants. I love gardening and I love a bargain. It was great day for both = ) I plan on planting the new comers in a little flower garden where I already have a rose, begonias, verbenas, and moss rose. I’ll put the 6 petunias all around the rose. Can’t wait to see it all fill in.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I’m off to the yard to plant my new plants = )
Myrtle Miller says
Didn’t see the movie but I know France takes their food supply more seriously than we do. Hopefully, everything goes really well for you on the twenty-fifth. My favorite part of your blog is the garden.
Patricia Nadreau says
Hi Kevin, We returned Friday night before Memorial Day, from a road trip out west (WI to NV and back) . After a good nights sleep we headed to Galena IL to spend Saturday with old friends who always host a Memorial Weekend picnic. Another 400 miles on the road. We spent Sunday and Monday taking care of the family graves. My husband who is a veteran spent some time with other veterans, some he only sees on this weekend. (We weren’t home long enough for anything to break down). Unlike another reader here, my appliances seem to know when I’m “broke” and that’s when they decide to break down. Please keep doing everything the same on your blog. Readers shouldn’t be so thin skinned and narrow minded that they have to pick your dialogue apart. They should be more open to Michael Moore as he is only trying to educate us all and THANK YOU for educating us so well with your gardening and cooking tips. Hope 4th of July coming up will be better for you.