Tap, Tap, Tap...... Is this thing on?

 

It's been a hot minute!

But I'm here again. This time to go over and document our 2026 Birthoween costume builds!

We were Badger and Mushroom! (I forgot to pocket the snakes! Cackle!!!!)

I figured out and measured the shapes I needed to create a helmet style mask. Loads of net surfing to track down pattern reference pics. 

I used a hot iron to sculpt the thick foam shapes. We scored a couple rolls from Michaels last year at their end of season sale. Then I hot glued everything together. 

I had to make the eyeholes a bit bigger after a rough fit. 

I covered the whole shabang with a couple layers of plaster bandage and let it set up and dry out overnight. 

I was still unsure how to finish this thing. So I decided to give it a rough paint and see how that worked out. 

Found a stash of fun fur from previous years in various lengths and textures. Hot glued that on there. 

Seemed ok.

Shaved, trimmed, and painted the fur. The most fun I had with this project I think. 

Too dark to see, but I think it looked badgery and it was super duper lightweight. 

Mr. Jimmy did an amazing job with his fun guy hat! He used the same foam I did for his mask and built a cardboard mushroom cap featuring recycled furniture foam and fabric from the hoard to complete his look. 

Here he is showing of the girthiness of his majestic chapeau. 

He painted some details on there. No time for gluing moss!!! The party was starting!!!!

Looooook!

We are adorable!!!!

We took Chicken liver pate....

A full five pound roasted beast....

Sourdough discard buns....

and sourdough discard bread melba toasties.

Best year EVER!!!!!

But, we do say that every year. 

Long bed update for May 2025

Things are really growing well this year. We've had very minimal cold damage on a couple of tomatoes seedlings, but otherwise, we are pretty pleased. I've definitely overplayed. No big suprise.  

I think we may have to do something about the path. There is a bit of wear in the grass. We'll have to think on it 

Corn, broad beans and squash by the backdoor again this year. 

I brought the clumping summer squash to the front beds this year. I may regret losing pepper space. Only time will tell.

Radish are almost ready. 

We've been eating greens daily. Beastie is out there everyday grabbing biwls of crunchy lettuce and spinach. Maggs prefers spinach and arugula.

The arugula is almost ready to bolt on me. The enviromesh tents James made (last year?) Are working a treat. They keep critters out and shade the greens a bit, i think holding off the bolt a bit. 

I've popped beans in everywhere!!!! So many! I think I've six varieties of pole and runners.

The peas are climbing. I did crispy snap and pod. 

The potatoes have just popped through. I've three in each grocery bag. Hopefully these will be big enough to hill up a bit.

Pffffft. Sideways pic.... but look!!!! Luscious.  

Well, I'm off to play solitaire and have a cuppa.