I have decided to credit the last 16 days of rain for the miraculous recovery of my blue hydrangea. I walked out there the other day and noticed buds forming. They still look a little rough around the edges, but they are quickly making a come back. I really think it’s due to all the rain and this is how I’ve come to peace with the current and apparently, ongoing weather.

It has made the rhododendrons absolutely glorious this season however, so there’s that.

Seriously though. 16 out of the last 18 days straight we’ve had measurable rain, with more to come. There might be a break in the forecast early next week. It’s enough to try a girl’s nerves.  On one hand, everything is brilliantly green and slightly tropical looking, on the other, I’m pretty sure my peonies would bloom if they just had an hour of sun. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently so.

I’ve not gotten the vegetable garden in, although I did get the bed here at the house prepped. I’m doing the community garden plot with Virginia again this year and have decided that I’m sort of tired of planting things that I get to harvest nothing of, so I’m only planting flowers here at the house.  Between the squirrels and the deer, I haven’t harvested a tomato in years, so I’m giving up on them. This has been an absolutely freeing decision.

I will however, continue to grow greens, so it’s not like I’m giving up on growing food here. The kale I planted last fall finally bolted, but the kale I planted earlier in the spring is almost big enough to start picking, so we’ve got kale. I’ve been experimenting with making an Asian-inspired greens and noodle dish similar to the Italian arugula pasta dish I also like to make. You know, to switch it up a little.  The first time was a total spur of the moment, left-turn on dinner after I’d already started it and realized I only had Udon noodles on hand and my original plan wasn’t quite going to work. The second time around, I purposely set out to make it, but realized too late I didn’t have any garlic on hand. (Major pantry fail). Both times it was a little too salty, so I haven’t quite nailed it yet, but I’ve stocked up on udon noodles at the Asian grocery and will keep on plugging away at it. Thankfully, my people are mostly on board.  When you have greens for dinner every night, one must get creative with it. Now if it would just stop raining….