Author Archives: Annie
Garden Journal and General Life Update
I haven’t been here for a bit, but things are definitely perking.
This weekend, we managed to get both the patio bed and the veggie beds rototilled, after discovering that we could rent a small tiller at Home Depot for $30 for four hours. Jerry did most of the heavy work, but I tried my hand briefly. That little machine really vibrates, but it got the job done in a fraction of the time it would have taken me to turn the soil by hand.
We’ve hired some help who arrive tomorrow. They will put down new weed block and chip shred on the veggie garden paths. If time permits, they will cut our photinia fraseri at the barn. That should complete the heaviest work for the year. We will still need to plant the veggie garden and dozens of bulbs, run drip irrigation on the veggies and on two trees at the barn, and spread chip shred over the new beds.
On the positive front, our new bare root black walnut has sprouted some nice leaves, so something must be going right there.
In other news, I’m not sure if it’s the spring weather or just boredom with the usual grind, but my creative juices seem to be flowing. I have a renewed interest in my baby afghan and am making steady progress. Somehow, that afghan reminded me that I bought the beads and supplies to make a bracelet and earrings and the yarn and pattern to knit a lacy shawl. So, those projects are now seeing the light of day.
A recent shopping trip to buy some basic skirts for summer left me feeling frustrated. That reminded me of the sewing machine that has sat in my closet for a decade. One thing led to another, and I am now the proud owner of a pattern and some gorgeous fabric. My mom and I are trying to take a sewing class together to help us remember our previous skills. That should be a lot of fun, and I may end up with clothes I actually like!
And it seems that the gods are calling me to exercise. Just last week, my friend invited me to swim laps at our local pool. It was just wonderful, and I am so looking forward to going back, I hope with my friend, which makes it all the more fun. I also noticed that our local yoga studio has a special of 20 days for $20. A bit of research revealed that they have a 6:30 am class that I am looking forward to trying. All of this comes at a good time, as my elliptical is in parts on the great room floor while my spouse tries valiantly to figure out why a machine that is supposed to be very quiet, thunks like it’s falling apart.
Finally, the Sacramento Poetry Center has put on a great lecture series for the past few weeks. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to attend two lectures, and I hope to attend one more in the coming weeks. Those lectures have whetted my appetite for writing, so it is great luck that I just discovered a new writing group in Sacramento. Apparently, you just go to write for an hour, and nothing more. I love the idea of time dedicated just to writing.
Somehow, the world just seems cheerier with so many interesting projects and happenings to explore!
Hawaii Flora
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Cooking Adventures
I’ve been experimenting a bit in the kitchen of late.In the last two days, I’ve backed two loaves of Honey-Whole Wheat Bread from Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook.
and Coq au Vin from Clean Eating magazine’s November/December 2012 issue.
Truth be told, I’m not too thrilled with either endeavor. I prefer my bread to have more texture. Although this was wheat bread, it had the texture of white. So, I’m now in search of a bread recipe with more twigs and bark. 🙂
As for the coq au vin, it’s delicious, but somehow mine has the consistency of mush. I’m trying to figure out where exactly I went wrong. I’m thinking it has something to do with the potatoes. The picture in the magazine looks much more appetizing. Still, as I said, the flavor is good, and this dish wont go to waste.
P.S.: I think I finally realized why my coq au vin became mushy. The recipe called for new potatoes. I used larger potatoes that I peeled and diced. If I had used new potatoes still in their skin, I think they would not have become mushy. Next time!
Garden Journal
It’s been a bit since I’ve had time to update. In the meantime, spring has sprung on our property.
Forsythia:
Anonymous climber from Costco:
Fringe Plant:
Almond Tree:
For the past two weekends, our primary preoccupation has been with the irrigation system. With 24 separate stations, it’s been a big job to get it in working order. We have three more heads and one bubbler to replace.
On the planting front, Landry planted two bleeding hearts and three dahlias among the irises above my patio bed last weekend. We’ll see what comes up. Hopefully, these new arrivals will provide some color until I can plant more irises in August.
We are coming down to the heavy jobs of turning over the soil in the veggie and patio beds and laying weed block and mulch on the veggie garden paths. Then we will finally be able to get to some planting!
Hawaii Flora
