pieces of last weekend

Our weekend started off visiting a very special little one, who finally got to come out play::


Then there was a trip to my favorite market to get the ingredients for::


Pasta Sunday ~ another amazing day with family, friends and good food::


I have had problems uploading pictures and major memory issues. Thankfully my husband / IT man is on it... The garden is already starting to produce baby pear tomatoes and yellow star burst squash. I will be back soon to share more pics of some of the things that have been making me happy lately. Til then, have a great day!

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good::

Here is one of the bins we made with a Roma tomato plant we transplanted a few weeks ago . It's growing really fast but as you can see from the leaf color I need to back off the water. I am still trying to figure the correct amount of water for these "bottom water boxes". I think once I get the watering down they will do really great and hopefully produce enough to can several jars of sauce.


The Good::

This is a Cherry tomato plant blooming already! This year I began composting and I know it's early, but so far so good. All the plants seem to be doing really well. I can almost taste the Caprese salad, yum!


before::


After::


Also known as:: The Bad and The Ugly ::


Maybe his belly was just to full to continue? I don't know but thankfully I have several more plants that he didn't get to.

Rabbits 1
Jen 0

I knew planting a garden where rabbits and squirrels were my neighbors would be a challenge. I know as the garden matures and begins to produce food it will be more difficult to keep these unwanted visitors out. So this weekend I will be building more basket barriers in hopes of keeping my garden off the bunny lunch menu.

I hope you have a happy weekend!

Because

sometimes you have to multitask when you don't want to stop knitting.

This weekend

there were some still moments::
some baking and dog food making::
this cute face::
a little sewing::
some more baking for a special visit with some visiting family::
Our weekend was filled with impromptu visits with friends and family (always the best kind), lots of food, a little sewing and beautiful weather to go walking in. We finished our weekend with a quiet Pasta Sunday and a movie. I hope your weekend was great too.

Thankful Friday

Hello Spring I am so happy you're here! I am feeling incredibly blessed these days and have so much to be thankful for even in these challenging times. Here's just a few of the things that are making oh so happy:

:: a good book to feed my brain
:: the smell of fresh flowers
:: my hard working husband
:: good friends
:: early morning coffee out back
:: beautiful weather
:: my transplanted veggies growing despite the rabbits and squirrels
:: my fridge full of local and clean food for my family
:: walks with the dogs
:: a new quilt project for ME using fabric from my stash

Okay off to make dough for pizza night with the kids. Have a wonderful weekend!
Jen

(((Boing))) (((Boing))) (((Boing)))

I am jumping for joy because the sun is out and the warmth feels great. I know Spring isn't officially here until Saturday but for me it sprung today! I hope you find a little something that makes you go ((Boing)) ((Boing)) ((Boing)) too.

A time to celebrate

My son painted this flower pot for me when he was in kindergarten. I am so thankful for the memories and all the different flowers that have visited this little pot. Our Justy bug is 20 today. Happy Birthday Justin!!! We love you

ugh...

Back at the doctors everyday this week has been tough and with every passing day I feel worse... Ugh, but no pity party here. I am offsetting how crummy I feel by ((((squeezing)))) in a couple things that are bringing me joy and calmness like...


making a little something for a special someones birthday

and


some super yummy homemade granola to share with a friend

I will be back soon with pics of the transplanted tomato plants. The sun is shining today and it is not freezing. I am definitely looking forward to the warm weather heading our way. Have a great day!

Our Garden Tale Part 1

This years garden is a new beginning and a new challenge for us. Our new outdoor space is limited and I have a lot less room then I have had in past years. I read this book "Fresh Food From Small Spaces", and it is chalked full of really good information.



We set up several of these containers from items we already had::storage containers from when we moved::old yogurt, butter and cheese containers::we even had a pipe laying around. It felt really great to be able to recycle and re-purpose everything from around our home.

So with the containers ready to go so were we...

This last weekend in between the rain we got busy. Thanks to a local garden center for a couple bucks we were able to get clean top soil to mix with some sand and our compost to (crossing my fingers) create a good base for our veggie transplants and seeds.





I know... who puts dirt inside their car? well, we do and it worked out great!

The containers are now planted, watered and full of hope for a bountiful harvest. We have a major rabbit problem so I am hoping the organic garlic oil blend I am making will keep them away. If you have any suggestions for me I would love to hear them. Have a great day!

up up and away

Baking up some bread and learning how to upload pictures




I was excited to find this recipe on the King Aurthur website that uses whole wheat flour and skips the white sugar. This recipe was easy peasy to follow and came out perfect. I had some this morning with my coffee and it was really good.

1 1/2c lukewarm water
3 Tbs olive oil
5 tbs honey, maple syrup or molasses (I used molasses)
3 1/2c King Arthur organic whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp instant yeast

Combine all ingredients, mix until dough is shaggy, cover and let rest
for 20 minutes, then knead till smooth.

Allow dough to rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in bulk.
Gently deflate dough and shape in to a log. Please lightly in greased
8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch bread pan. Cover pan with proof cover and let rise
until the crown is about 1 inch over the rim of the pan (approx 1 hour.

Place in preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 45 minutes, tenting
with foil for the last 20 minutes.

Enjoy!