preservation?

I started looking up National Historic Landmarks and Historical Society information this morning - and I'm overwhelmed.  There are of course, National, State, and local levels of historic preservation categories.

I live in a house built in 1890.  We are trying to restore it, within reason, to as close to original as possible.  (no, I'm not taking out the bathroom in favor of an outhouse, but I DO know where the outhouse used to be!)

There are applications, fees, picture requirements (which are extensive and at least a page long of instructions, restrictions, exceptions, and lots more "tions") and I am already exhausted.  

I've only been looking at this stuff for two hours.  Sheesh!!

There's the National Historic Landmarks site, and then there is the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office and now I'm off to research grants and Flora Macdonald.  

I'd like to apply for this house to be put on the historic map, if you will, as soon as possible.  In fact, I'm making it a goal to at least the the application rolling by September.

Farming

I want you to know that I started some seeds today:  

Lavender

Dill

Tarragon

Basil

Tomatoes

Bell Peppers

Hot Peppers

Leeks

Sunflowers

4 O'Clocks

Lantana

Parsley

Eggplant

and tomorrow I'm going to start more tomatoes, tomatoes, and tomatoes.

The asparagus patch has been weeded.  The pear trees have been pruned.  

No Farms, No Food.

right about here Eddie would say, "and Amen".

You're Crazy!

One day, I got a new old stove.  And on that day, I was very happy.  Until I got shocked.  Dear Husband didn't believe me.  And so I cooked, and got shocked for about 3-4 weeks.

On another day, I complained about being shocked.  (side note:  I used to get shocked with the old stove too.)  He said, "you're crazy - this stove isn't shocking you - you're imagining things.".

Hmph.  (at this point, one IS asking oneself "are you SURE you're being shocked?")

And so I cooked some more.  And bzzzz'ed myself some more.  And, of course, complained some more.  While I enjoyed especially the new arrangement of the kitchen and the improved "flow" of all things related to cooking and spending time in one of the most used parts of the home, I was not enjoying the sporadic correlation between the oven being on and the burners intermittently working, or...not working.  Let's not forget the electrical figments of my imagination coursing through my fingers.  (smile)

One day (I'm sensing a pattern here) it happened.  I told him about the burners not working on medium, low, or warm.  So he started investigating.  He got shocked.  (secret smile)  So he worked on this stove and cleaned switches and removed stuff and put other stuff on and took something else off and then put it all back together again (technical terms, I know).  But it still didn't work right.

Then, an electrician guy that Ed works with (his boss) told him to check the ground.  Sure enough.  It wasn't connected properly.  Which would explain my insanity, er...uh - I mean, my getting shocked.  

Fixed.  The thing works like a dream.  And my husband not only thinks I am the best cook he also doesn't question my sanity (as often).