1. One of my 101 in 1001 goals is to use one new recipe a month, and last month, I blew that goal out of the water by using 4 new recipes. One of those dishes – the tastiest, if I do say so myself – was Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings. They were so good that after two each, we decided to share the love with our neighbors. Our motives were neighborly, but I’d be lying if I said that was our only motive. We were worried we would eat the whole dish within a day if we kept it at our place! I took a picture of the finished product (thanks to my sweet husband who reminded me to take a photo!), but it’s not on this computer, so I’ll have to come back and update this post later this evening.
2. Earlier this week when I was grumbling about the return of cool, gray weather (ie being thrown back into late winter), I noticed these little buds on the bushes by our mail room. It was reassuring to see that the bushes and trees are getting their leaves back. Yay! See:
To make it all better, the snow has fallen off our forecast. We will have a few more days with lows in the 30s, but at least there’s no snow!
3. With spring at our doorstep, John and I have gotten an itch to try our hand at growing a garden. Perhaps Jim over at JS Johnson can give us some veteran tips. We are currently waiting for our seeds to sprout. We have a few weeks to go before we can move them outdoors. We’re a little worried about who will care for them while we’re out of town later this month, but hopefully we’ll figure out a plan and they won’t die while we’re gone. That would be a huge bummer. Oh, and here’s what we’re growing: strawberries, tomatoes, lavender, and sundance bicolor gaillardia. We also bought a few bulbs, and we’re hoping to get some good gladiolus and dahlias.
4. Does anyone else watch V? Was the end to this week’s episode not the creepiest thing ever? On the topic of TV, we’re loving Modern Family.
5. This morning Beni discovered a tennis ball outside while we were out for his morning walk. He low-crawled all the way under an SUV to get it. He is so proud of his find that he has been carrying it around every time I’ve seen him today. Super cute!
6. After 2 years here for me and 3 for John, we still don’t have a church. We are going to try another on-post chapel service this weekend for Easter. We really hope it goes well so we feel comfortable and good about going back.
7. I have already started the job hunt for next year. I figure it’s wise to scout out some companies I’d like to work for and get in touch with them. Unfortunately several of them don’t seem to understand that I’m not trying to get a job right now nor am I trying to get them to offer me a job a year in advance. I’m just trying to start networking and get my name out there. I do have a meeting set up with someone for whom I’d be thrilled to work. I have no idea what she’s going to say though. I hope it’s promising!
Happy (early) Easter, everyone! (I feel weird wishing people happy Easter on Good Friday. It doesn’t seem right…)
i have lavender in my yard and LOVE it! in fact, i’m planning on planting more, and throwing caution to the wind by throwing some seeds in tilled ground, just to see what happens. i love the smell. i have a rosemary bush/tree too. i should say i had. i think our harsh winter may have killed it. too bad. i love fresh rosemary. looks like i’ll be planting some more!
personally i don’t enjoy gardening (it’s so hot and humid here in the summer) but i do love the fresh veggies.
so glad spring is springing in germany. it’s been a slow start here, too. very unusual!
Our lavender seeds still haven’t sprouted, but I hope they come up in the next day or two! Our tomato bush (for pots!) and gaillardia have been coming up well, but I’m worried about the strawberries and lavender.
Happy Easter!
That’s too cute about the tennis ball!
I wanted to plant some things this year but Our building gets next to no sunshine 🙁
Thanks, same to you!
That stinks about your building getting so much shade. Maybe you could find some things that would do really well with all the shade? I found this list of plants that grow well in our “zone” in shade: http://www.backyardgardener.com/shade/zone7.html If you’re looking for low maintenence plants, you should chest our hostas. They’re easy and love shade.
Welcome to the gardening fun!!! Since your little seedlings will most likely all be inside still when you leave, you HAVE to make sure you have someone keep them moist. If seedlings dry out even once, they won’t make it. Also, as I’m sure you already know, those little tomato seedlings must have tons of intense light…if they don’t, they will become “leggy” and not make it once you move them outside. I need to take some photos of Johnson Family Farms right now…I’ve got tons of stuff in the ground and the strawberries, peas, garlic, and lettuce are all getting close to harvest!
Thanks, Jim! Question — how do we find a balance between drying out and over watering? Sorry if that’s a stupid question. We’re really new at this!
As for the tomato plants, I’m not sure I know what you mean by leggy. Do you know if that applies to tomato bushes too? (The packet said they could be grown indoors in a pot. We’re planning to grow half indoors and half outdoors – both in pots.)
I’d love to see what y’alls garden looks like now! And that’s so exciting that you have so much that’s close to harvest!