Mr. Jefferies Loves His Sweaters and the Wheelbarrow, RIP False Indigo, and Strawberry Fields Forever

The boy just loves his sweaters. He kept bugging me yesterday morning, and I couldn't figure out what he wanted. I finally asked him if he wanted me to put a sweater on him. I did, and he immediately - and I do mean immediately - got comfortable and snuggled right up on my laptop case for a nice long snooze. That's what he wanted. It's like his blankie, I think.

 Could you just die of the cute?

In the afternoon I did a ton of yard work, with him at my side. I stuck him in the wheelbarrow for several rides as I was moving earth. He was afraid for about three seconds, but then he got the hang of it, hung on, and LOVED it. Following that time whenever I had filled it or emptied it, I'd say, "Want to ride in the wheelbarrow?" and he'd assume the position for me to pick him up and put him in. Beyond adorable, I'm telling you! I wish I could have gotten pictures, and a video would be even better, but I couldn't very well push him and take pics of it at the same time. One of these days I'll enlist someone's help with that so you can all share in the Death by Cute Yorkie.

Mad-crazy yard work tally since Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.: 9 hours and counting. The false indigo is history, the rosa rugosa are pruned (no small feat -- I have a hillside full of them, approximately 20 feet by 100 feet, and I clipped each one by hand), and various and sundry other tasks completed. More to go? Infinite.

On the agenda for today: Move and expand the strawberry bed. 

Fun fact about the strawberry bed: It was free. It started out from one plant that was a "volunteer" in the pot of some other plant I bought (I don't remember what). I basically ignored it for a few years, not expecting it to produce anything. Before I knew it, I had many plants, but they weren't all that productive. I started taking proper care of them, and hey! Now I have a raised bed of well-cared-for plants that are very productive, though last year the squirrels ate a lot of my berries. This year I'm moving them to an even more beneficial location, and I will cover them with netting. I'm also going to purchase some everbearing ones for the new front garden. New excellent tip I read in Mother Earth News magazine last night:  cheap and better (for a number of reasons) row cover: bridal tulle! Gonna get me some. 

Comments

[Jellidonut]

That is almost more doggie cuteness than what should be allowed.

[Renee]

that is some serious cuteness!

[noonie]

I think Mr J is trying to tell you something... REST!!!

Can't wait to see pics of garden and wheelbarrow rides... I finally planted the onions.....

[Lisa H.]

Tulle is a fantastic idea. When I was a kid, we had a cherry tree that my mom tried to protect from the birds. She sewed a gigantic "shower cap" out of tulle and used it for a couple years to protect the harvest. Neighbors thought it was hilarious, but it actually worked.

[Joansie]

I've used tulle in my garden in the past. You will love it. Nothing like fresh strawberries from your garden in the morning on oatmeal.

[Susan B]

Coffee hasn't kicked in yet - when I read the post title I thought "False Indigo" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were names of either yarn or patterns and couldn't figure out why they'd died. Heh.

Congrats on getting all that gardening work done! My plans to attack my yard yesterday were foiled by a raging migraine (ahh allergy season...) but hopefully today I can make a dent in the endless list of things to be done!

And I think a video of yorkie wheelbarrow riding is mandatory. Do you have a tripod? You could always put the camera on a tripod and wheel him past it!

[gayle]

Do you suppose they'd have old bridal veils at the Salvation Army store?
(Can you picture the employees reaction at SA when gardeners start trooping in asking for veils? We'll tell them Norma sent us...)

[Joannah]

Mr J, you've got a seriously cute situation going on.

Good luck with the tulle. Report back.

[Julie]

I thought I had convinced myself I didn't want another dog (our sweet Basenji passed on 5 years ago) but if you keep posting those adorable photos I might cave.

[kmkat]

When I read that you were going to cover the strawberry beds with netting, I immediately thought about bridal tulle and wondered about it. But it's nylon, isn't it? Should last roughly forever.

Yeah, I'm omniscient.

[Marilla]

That Mr. Jeffries is just too cute for words. It must be warmer in Vermont than here in Massena. I would not have wanted to spend 9 hours outside over the last couple of days, but it sounds like you are making great progress. Take care of your elbows, though. You won't be able to give that cute dog wheelbarrow rides if you hurt yourself.

[Manise]

Great idea on the tulle aka row cover!

[marianne]

For the love of all sweetness, I do believe I DID die from the cuteness! Awwww.
You do such good works, hand pruned the rosa rugosa? holy shit woman.
yes, it's never ending with the gardening and the cleaning up. :^)
Get David to take the video of Mr.J in the wheelbarrow.

[--Deb]

Aww ... using his sweater as a blankie so he could snuggle in to a cozy nap. SO cute!

[Cookie]

Where's your tripod?

You should be able to find that tulle on sale this time of year, and I want to say they sell it on the bolt, which might be easier for you.

[Judy]

Thanks for the great tip! Daughter got married 2 years ago, and I still have a ton of tulle, and 4 raised beds full of strawberries. Yeah.
worked like a fool in my garden today and can.not.move. I seriously need an intervention. Step away from the rocks. There really was no need to redo the entire rock wall. Looks good though :)

[Seanna Lea]

Bridal tulle is a great idea. I have a couple of tiny pieces, but they are for crafting and aren't big enough to protect any plants.

I have alpine strawberries starting in cowpots and a few other things (and oh my god, I have too many leaves for super composting). I can't wait for my seedlings to sprout and get to put stuff into the ground.

[Sarah]

Too much cute!

That is a lot of work. We have been attacking our garden plot all weekend, too.

[Kym]

Definitely go with the tulle. One year, I covered my strawberries with the "pest netting" they sell at garden centers. . . and the squirrels and chipmunks laughed at me WHILE THEY FEASTED . . . but I inadvertently "caught" butterflies and dragonflies in the netting. It was Not Good. (Now I use the netting to set up climbing guides for my clematis, so it did serve some useful purpose.)

As for Mr. J. So very adorable. Does he have any linen sweaters for summer?

[Laurie]

I don't what I like more...Mr. Jeffries or that sweater. Beautiful yarn! I think Wilbur feels slighted...Moooommmmm, why don't I have a sweater?