Potatoes all dug up

The wind persisted throughout the night and into the morning. S was up early, brewing coffee and feeding Stella, while J was asleep somewhere, then tossed cleaner into the hot tub. He ate his porridge then off to the rodeo grounds before 9. I took my time with my coffee and updated the blog with yesterday's events.

After he left, I set out to organize the garage to make room for the new workbench, but I needed assistance to lower the dresser. I reattached its hardware, sanded the chair, and applied the first coat of navy paint. At 11, I paused for a bowl of yogurt mixed with protein and berries. Britt arrived at noon to release the horses, put Roo's mask on, and feed Dave's horses. After applying a second coat of navy to the chair, I went outside to prune my dahlias and remove the remaining annuals, enlisting her help to lower the dresser before she and Cooper left to do their laundry. I also was in charge of running the hot tub pumps every hour to keep the clean going.

I backed up the car to move the huge work table but then returned to the windy, sunny outdoors, with the temperature at 17 degrees. I completed the plant cleanup and began harvesting theist few hills of red and Yukon potatoes. As the soil dried, I gathered some carrots and a few kohlrabi for a late lunch around 2. Before heading inside, I cleaned the dirt off and packed the potatoes, preparing a separate box for Paetz's with the smaller and damaged ones that needed immediate use.

Returning to garage organization, I set up a pet bed under the table, which will be exclusively for cats due to the limited space. S returned from the rodeo grounds after 2:30. We met inside for a cold beer before continuing with our chores. With snow expected on Monday, we're working on yard preparations. I unearthed a row of fingerling potatoes and let them dry for a while as S changed the oil in the truck, taking advantage of it being warm. I transported two boxes of potatoes to the mezzanine, hoping to store them there, provided it remains cool but not freezing. While up there, I gathered all the loose hay into the hay tub. The potatoes were cleaned and sorted into the Paetz box, a storage box, and a bucket for immediate use then that box tacked with the rest in the mez.

S unloaded the skid steer and put the water tote on the trailer to fill with water for the hot tub post-church tomorrow at Britt's. I emptied the deck compost bucket and completed the garden cleanup, hand-watering the raised beds beets, carrots, and strawberries, which I had mulched with straw. We reconvened indoors for another beer, bean dip, and chips. S settled down to watch hockey but dozed off. Meanwhile, I began preparing a mushroom potato burger mix for supper. Britt returned, secured the horses back in the paddocks, and took Roo out for a ride.

After the meal, I assisted Britt with the horse chores, which included bringing down more hay, sweeping up the loose bits, and holding Basil while she bandaged his leg. She and Cooper departed for home, S indulged in his hockey marathon, and I enjoyed a relaxing bath with a bath bomb. Later, I moved to bed to watch more episodes of Emily in Paris before turning off the lights. S woke up before 11, disheartened by the Flames' overtime loss following their three victories.