Planting Season has started

I was able to get out to the garden yesterday and start cleaning it. I even broke up the soil in the tires. And the potatoes were planted. They are actually in the ground earlier this year then last so I am hoping that the harvest will be larger. I was going to plant the onion sets but I was just too tired. And of course it rained all day today. So they will have to wait. But they will still be in the ground earlier then last year. I can't wait to see how things produce when they get planted when they are suppose to. I was so late last year. We did really well last year. The only thing that I was dissapointed in was the cabbage. I know better this year.

My kefir arrived in the mail yesterday. I followed the directions and drained them and added 1 cup of milk to revive them. Today when I drained them they had tripled in size. So I am hoping that by tomorrow or the next day I will be able to start drinking the kefir. I have a ton of banana's in the freezer so I figure that I will start with smoothies. It will kill tow birds with one stone. More fruit in my diet and the probiotics in the kefir.

Grim, tried to get the chainsaw up and running yesterday to cut up the tree we got a month ago. But the chainsaw decied that it didn't want to work. This thing has been a pain since we first purchased it. Actually, this is the third one, the first two had to be returned because they didn't work. So needless to say the wood still needs to be cut up. Ahhhhh!

Four days and the Brussles have sprouted.... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Spring Came

And with it brought sickness! Everyone has been sick with a stomach bug for the past few days on and off....Blahhhhh! But we did get to do some really kewl stuff! We took the monsters to the working farm that we get our eggs, milk and other dairy products from. They had a blast hanging out with the animals. I also was able to get my seeds in the dirt on Sunday! I know it seems like it took forever to get it done. I have so much planted I can't really remember. I know for sure I have Lavender and Calendula, tomatoes and peppers. I recently finished Food Rules by Michael Pollan. It was a very good read. Lots of common sense. I am reading Food Matters by Mark Bittman. Another very good read. Very informative. I use cake pans as my starter trays, 3 cups of soil and then the seeds. Plus, I have the lids if I need more planting space. This year I will take better care then I did last year. So then they will last. *confession time* I really didn't think when I started this last year I would succeed. Or even stick with it. But I did and I love it. So live and learn! Sorry for the sideways picture. This is the present I got for Valentines day from Grim. It is set up on the coffin *hope chest* in the living room. In front of the southern facing window. Lots of light. No sprouts yet but I am watching and waiting!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Quick Update

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks. We finally got started on re-doing the kitchen.
Before

After

We even used Low VOC paint!
Here is a picture of the fan with a new cowl .
The kitchen is far from finished but we do now have a new counter top and a new cabinet for the microwave to sit on. The doors have been stained mahogany and are just waiting for a coat of
poly.

I made cupcakes for St. Pats. I used a yellow mix and dyed it orange then white frosting and green sugar to represent the Irish flag. I would have prefered to make them blue with a harp pick but I couldn't find harps anywhere. I heard of using an ice cream ball scoop to scoop out the batter into the wrappers. I did it this time and I not only got the 24 cupcakes, I also had some batter leftover amazing! LOL!

I guess over the past couple of weeks when I wasn't looking Mother nature decided that it was time that spring sprung itself from the deep hollows of winter. While I was out in the mud pit yesterday this is what I found.

Garlic I planted in the fall. (I know not a great picture)


Tiger Lilly's and Daisy's

Buds on the Lilac

Chives

Sage that over wintered

I'm sure that I am missing something. But I will remember and write about it later!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Hope everyone had a good St. Pat's! All the cooking is done and the drinking has commenced. Now it is time for bed! Well, at least for me. I'm beat!


Gotta Run,
Yart

No More

I have given up wheat a week ago Friday. Since I gave up high fructose corn syrup and been eating healthier, I have been feeling better. I got to thinking that I am consuming a ton of processed flour. It is in 70% of everything I'm eating. Pasta, bread, croutons, bread crumbs, tortilla's, pizza, buns, on and on the list goes. So I have not eaten anything that has flour in it. I have eaten brown rice flour crisps. Now I am not giving up carbs. I am still eating potatoes and rice. This is making it a lot easier to change my habits.

With this change I have added a ton of veggies to my diet. I am eating salads for lunch most days. They include mushrooms, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce and measured dressing. At dinner I am eating steamed broccoli, cauliflower or brussle sprouts. For breakfast I am eating more yogurt and fruit. With the snacks I am eating brown rice crisps with hummus, or string cheese and a pear.

I have lost 1.5 pounds this past week. So apparently this change with my diet is working. I don't feel deprived and that is the reason why I'm sticking to this. My oldest monster has even said that she would be willing to kick wheat and see if that works for her.

Since my ankle is going to be a long time recovery process, I have to take it one day at a time. I am back on the treadmill and it is killing me. But it is something that I need to do. Dieting alone is not going to get me to where I want to be. So at least 2 days on the treadmill, 1-2 days of yoga, bicycle riding 2 days a week and then workout videos the rest of the days. A little bit every day should do the trick.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Begining of the Month

I would first like to Thank everyone that posted on the Closed Doors post. As soon as I can I will be getting one of the debit cards with the visa logo and see if that will work. And if not then I will look around to see what else I can come up with. Plus, if you see anything that your interested in purchasing let me know. I will also be posting pictures of some afghans that I have up for sale later.

The sun is shining and it is 35 degrees. That means t-shirt weather!!! You all think I'm crazy but with the temps around here lately, 35 is almost a heat wave.... LOL! I have to work bingo tonight. But I am so hoping that I won't be to tired and I will be able to start planting my seeds. I am jumping the gun by about 2 weeks. That is ok, it will just give my little beauties a bit more time to grow!!!! I never did show you all the gift that Grim got me for Valentines day. It is a mini green house, plus all the seeds and a book. I will try and get the pics of that too. Sorry I am so far behind with the pictures. I will get it all straightened out here really soon.

I went to the fruit market this morning. I got a ton of fruit and veggies. Then for lunch I made a huge salad. I used red and Romain lettuce, mushrooms, carrot, cucumber, broccoli, 1/4 of mexi-blend cheese, 2 tbsp of thousand island dressing and 3 slices of no filler turkey lunchmeat. I am stuffed, but a good kind. I know I will be able to walk it off at bingo tonight. I am going to see if all the walking bothers me. I hope it doesn't. I hate sitting at the desk doing paperwork. I use to get paid to do paperwork.... hated it then too.... LOL!

Yesterday, watching the USA -vs- Canada in Men's hockey was brutal for me. I wanted both teams to win. I was cheering for both and upset when things didn't go well for both teams. But all in all it was a hell of a game! Congrats to the All of the North American teams and indivuals that competed and took a medal! I had a blast watching and look forward to being glued to the tv again in 4 years!!!

I have to go and get some of the chores done! I slacked over the weekend and now I'm gonna pay for it... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart