Our current clothes line was the retractable kind that stretched across the length of the back porch. It was easy access from the house, but the laundry was always on display from the windows, and you had to duck and swat your way out to the pool. Not very convenient when my son and his friends were over, running back and forth through a curtain of damp clothes.
I waited patiently for the weather to change, and picked a day after a brief rain shower to dig the hole (Our soil is like clay. Once it gets hot and the ground hardens you can NOT dig even a teaspoon of dirt without some kind of motorized machinery or explosives). I picked a spot between two young oak trees, thinking I would be needing some shade during the summer months to keep my clothes from fading.
I followed the instructions for the cement, setting the metal tube in the ground, back filling with rocks and dirt, and in a grand DIY moment, I sunk my pole. The best part is, it twirls around in the breeze! Gosh, it doesn't take much to entertain me. I didn't even get upset when I found bird poop on one of the pillow cases.
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| drunkards path blocks in progress. i love the hand sewing. |
I've been drinking copious amounts of lemonade from the lemons I picked off my tree. Just combine water, lemon juice, and simple syrup (1 cup sugar and 1 cup water heated gently until the sugar is dissolved. Store the syrup in the fridge until forever), pour into a tall mason jar over ice, and add a tuna sandwich and some potato chips (not in the jar silly, on a plate).
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| California "Ceanothus" a drought tolerant, native plant and one of my favorites |
Anyway, I'm trying to make the most of these gorgeous Spring days, since it's going to be 100 and sweaty degrees in a couple of months. I'll be back before the end of the week with a quick make from the Purl Bee, and then it's off to Arizona for a family getaway.
Lynne, I just want to climb into this post. Laundry on the clothesline is one of life's great pleasures, most definitely. Lemonade from your very own lemons that grew in your own yard? That's got to be the greatest thing in the world. Your hand-piecing is looking so beautiful, too. Just taking it all in, oooh, aaaahhhhh....
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne. I love line drying our clothes! Pegging it out is a favorite chore of mine. I almost got one of the umbrella type lines like you have. I like those. I wound up with a pulley line. I can stand in one spot and just keep pegging and then sending the line on down.
ReplyDeleteXO Kris
I agree with Kristen...is there nothing nicer than freshly folded sheets straight off the line! The HIlls Hoist is an iconic Australian brand of washing line that many Australians have grown up with! Much fun was to be had, swinging off the washing line, and going around and around, as children!
ReplyDeleteI can feel the breeze and sunshine oozing out of your blog. Oh that we had the warmth here. I love ceanothus too. The blue is such a fantastic colour. Philippa x
ReplyDeleteLovely post ... your hand sewing pieces are beautiful ... enjoy your days !
ReplyDeleteWhile we were out of our house last summer and staying with friends, I got to use a clothes line. Wowsers had it been forever, but I really enjoyed it (except for the crunchy towels). Hope you keep on enjoying your springy moments.:)
ReplyDeleteA have a cloth line just like yours, and today I had my laundry outside for the first time!
ReplyDeleteI can understand that you are excited about it, it is always a great day for me when I can dry the sheets outside for the first time in the year.
KATRIN W.
I think it sounds like a lovely place to sit and sew while your laundry is flapping in the breeze. It won't be 100 here only 93 with 90% humidity, I am not looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith