Plum Picking Time

The plum tree is overflowing with fruit. These are the smaller plums used to make prunes. But oh they are so sweet off the tree, you just have to eat about 6 to get your fill. Melanie and I went out picking plums just before another storm arrived yesterday. We saw the wind cloud and knew we had better get as many picked as possible in a short time. That wind would knock them all off the tree and since they are so ripe, most would explode when they hit the ground. I will be drying them today, making a slit in the fruit, pulling out the pit and then putting them in the dehydrator. We have all been snacking on them too. They are so juicy and sweet. All our fruits and veggies are grown organically, so we feel comfortable just picking them and eating them.
Its raining again today so no chance to dig potatoes this morning. The garden has take a back seat to a certain little baby, which means weeds are numerous. No pictures this spring, I would be embarrassed to show off the weeds, and the eposote has about taken over. I love using in when cooking beans as it works like Beano, but its spreading like wildfire all over the garden. I have enough for the entire towns use ! This weekend we hope to pull up a bunch of it.
We hung out the clothes late yesterday afternoon and had high hopes that they would dry some in the early evening and then finish drying in the morning....but I awoke to the rumbles of thunder. I ran outside, three lines full of clothes still damp needed to be brought in before the rains came. It was pouring as I walked through the back door into the house. I can only hope for a bit of sun sometime today and re-hang all three lines. Its a good workout, no need to go to the gym for an aerobics class. All that up and down motion and the lugging the heavy baskets outside once again is a weight lifting workout.
In the olden days ladies didn't need to go for a workout, their days were filled with exercise.
My arm muscles are strong from kneading bread and when we were milking goats the girls and I could arm wrestle the boys and lay their arms right down.
Yesterday picking the plums was another good workout.
Here is my simple solution for getting the exercise you need... grow your own food, hang your clothes and make your own bread, (without a bread machine that is) milk some cows or goats, and walk.

The last storm had sent so much fruit to the ground, which quickly rotted due to the wet ground
Still plenty left on the tree
Melanie enjoying a juicy plum
pluns picked and ready to dehydrate
Plum Preserves made today.