So a few weeks ago, we weeded all the walkways so that they looked pristine. Just like this:
So of course, I was told to keep it that way. To make sure things don’t get out of hand, you know? And that means periodically taking evening strolls around the yard and plucking out new weeds before they have the chance to completely take over.
Well.
Ahem.
If you’ve been anywhere in the NY/NJ area lately, you know that the past week and a half has been SCORCHINGLY hot. I mean, like…HOT. Like, the minute you go outside, you start sprouting water like a sprinkler HOT. From early morning to late at night, it’s been brutal out there. And really humid. Shirt-sticking-to-your-back, walking-through-campbell’s-soup-air humid.
So basically, I have been completely avoiding any and all forays to “Outside.” Seriously. I basically just cracked open the front door for thirty seconds a couple times a day to let Jake out to pee. And he pretty much knocked on the door to come in the minute he was finished doing his business. I did go out, but I always left through the garage, so that I would stay as cool as possible for as LONG as possible. Plus, I think I’ve just tried to AVOID looking out there. Which means that yeah…I may have let things go a bit.
It finally cooled down a little, so I decided to take Jake for a real walk.
And this is what I saw. Play this sound effect before you scroll down to the photo. It gives it a little somethin’ extra.
Mind you, these grew in like, under a week. Not even kidding.
So yeah. I’ve got some weeding to do. But now, I’m looking at the weather, and it’s supposed to rain all week. In fact, it’s raining right now.
Well played, weeds. Well played.
Weeds: 2
Sarah: 0
I love, love, love your family! I’ve tried several recipes and they have all turned out great, except for the milk bread. But, I’m going to re-try that one. A few months ago, I read where someone was commenting on your garden progress and you mentioned that you were going to stake your plants with garden straps. I wanted to share that I cut up pantyhose into strips and use them. They don’t hurt the plants and they stretch. Plus, I don’t know how expensive the garden straps are, but pantyhose are cheap! I look forward to getting my cookbook and thank you for your recipes and the family dynamic that you share.
We LOVE that tip, Nancy! We have lots of old pantyhose in a drawer somewhere (i.e. from the 90s, when we actually wore those), and that’s a great way to use them. Thanks so much for following along with our family!
Love the website, and LOVE LOVE LOVE that you poke fun at yourself for shortcomings in the garden (re: orchestra hit before photo). I was reading one of the other commenters and saw that you have a recipe for Braised Pork Belly. I’m putting that on my bucket list, if only to see how it differs from Fuchsia Dunlap’s recipe for Dong Po Pork in “Land of Fish and Rice”.
Thank you for those kind words, Daniel! Yes, we have several braised pork belly recipes on the blog:
https://thewoksoflife.com/shanghai-style-braised-pork-belly/
https://thewoksoflife.com/red-braised-pork-belly-mao/
https://thewoksoflife.com/braised-pork-belly-dong-po-rou/
Hi there –
Ayako Y. gave me the link to your delightful blog! (I was a big admirer of Jake, the Buddhist Yellow Lab). Definitely want to make Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly! However, the reason I’m commenting is regarding the weeds growing through the patio — I recommend spraying with vinegar, repeatedly if necessary. Plain cheap white vinegar (not Chinese vinegar), preferably when it’s dry and sunny.
Hahaha thanks Susan! You must be part of the Jake Thanksgiving crew! It’s funny you mention this, because after that incident, I did learn about the vinegar! It’s much more environmentally friendly than roundup. : ) Thanks for stopping by, and looking forward to seeing you in the comments!
Sarah, make short work of it with the weed whacker! Maybe bake some cookies and bribe Boris and his landscaping crew!