28 April 2008
Well, this past weekend was supposed to be packed full of fun, thanks to the farmers market and the opening of my local garden center. It was not to be. We woke to snow Saturday morning -- snow! S and I headed out to the farmers market anyway, such was my excitement, but when we got there, there were only a few vendors. Hardly anybody! Perhaps we should have made their effort worthwhile by visiting anyway, but did I mention it was snowing? Which meant the garden center was also less than appealing.
So I went to Malmborg's today, instead. We're supposed to have below-freezing temperatures tonight, but after that, things should start looking better. I read that pansies can tolerate the occasional frost, so I got a mixture of those, as well as a four-pack of broccoli and the same of Brussels sprouts. The ranunculus was more of an impulse purchase, and I really should have read up on them before I brought the plants home. Anybody have any Midwest-specific tips regarding ranunculus?
I've got two Brandywine seedlings that seem to be doing alright. It seems pretty laughable to only have two, but I didn't plant my seeds in large quantities -- I just don't have the space (where the cats can't get to them). Most of my seedlings have either died or gone to spindle (a phrase which you may pass along), so I've not been very attached to what I'm growing. But I have to say that I'll be disappointed if these guys don't make it. Their leaves aren't very traditional-tomato shaped, are they?
Plants in my kitchen. As a follow-on to my previous post, I have three realizations about myself. Things that I didn't think were true or didn't think I had an opinion on.
1. I'm definitely a cat person. I've mentioned this before, so no big deal -- but I was convinced for years that I liked cats and dogs the same. I was lying to myself!
2. Cookies'n'Creme is my favourite ice cream flavour. I was sure I didn't have a favourite, preferring to love everything (I was also pretty confident that I liked chocolate ice cream over vanilla, but I don't.). But I've got to admit that the C'n'C can't really be beat, and not just as a fall-back flavour.
3. I want flowers and pretty things in my garden. Last year, I was strictly vegetables-and-nothing else. I couldn't be bothered to tend to anything that didn't feed me, and ornaments were out of the question. But I just bought a windchime (after going for a walk and hearing one and realizing that I NEEDED a windchime in my life), and I've even got a hankering for some of the little ceramic toadstools they have at Target. I don't know what's happened to me.
And I'll end with pictures of cats; you can click on the links, if you're so inclined. Here is Booty -- he's got the right idea today. It's cold and overcast, and we should all just wrap up in blankets. And here is Beany, on a sunnier day. She's at the end of her tether, much in the way she often has me at mine.
Well, I am kind of ashamed to say it - but I have nearly read your whole blog, archives and all - it is so gorgeous - you have such a way with words/presentation and obviously food!! you have inspired me so much.
So now, I am wondering, if you have a nice bread recipe that I could try? i tried the link for the no-knead bread but it is not working anymore - I have usually made a variation of Jamie Olivers bread (it is VERY salty so i less than halve the salt) but was wondering if you knew of a nice one? white or wholemeal is fine. Just if you have time :)
posted by Kendall at April 28, 2008 11:49 PM
Do you really walk your kitty? Does it work? I read that that cats just let you drag them.
posted by HB at April 28, 2008 11:53 PM
Kendall -- Thank you for the wonderful comment! I do really like the no knead bread recipe (if you Google 'no knead bread', you're sure to find it), but I don't have a favourite sandwich loaf recipe, if that's what you're looking for. You might want to try Amanda's WHO bread, though.
HB -- No, I don't walk Beany. Well, S calls it 'taking Beany for a walk', but really it just means following her around while she inspects the backyard and eats grass. I don't trust her to go outside without a leash -- I would be devastated if she were ever hit by a car or got lost.
posted by Anna at April 29, 2008 12:24 AM
Oooh, I'm envious of your tomato seedling! BTW I think I remember Brandywine being called a "potato-leaved" tomato.
I forgot if I mentioned folia after one of your earlier garden posts. It's like ravelry for gardeners. It's myfolia.com; folia.com is something else.
posted by anne at April 29, 2008 01:27 AM
SNOW?!!! I am jealous, I was sooo hot this weekend in super-sunny San Diego!! Wishing I lived somewhere with four seasons right about now:) Love your blog by the way!
posted by Holly at April 29, 2008 06:37 AM
love that ranunculus. no tips though. sorry. those flowers are quickly becoming one of my favorites. and that color is amazing!
posted by rebecca at April 29, 2008 02:47 PM
just wondered if you had ever seen this site - i noticed from some of your count you like to count calories etc, and while im not a counter myself, i thought this site looked very cool!
http://www.thedailyplate.com/
posted by Kendall Green at April 30, 2008 11:06 AM
Beautiful flowers!
posted by Wheeler's at April 30, 2008 08:56 PM
I've been reading your blog for a long time now, and thought I'd say hi. I was pretty shocked when I read that we share the same garden center!
posted by Julie at May 1, 2008 03:42 PM
Where have you gone?? i was so excited to have discovered your blog and now you seem to have just stopped posting :(
posted by kendall at May 5, 2008 11:30 AM
Kendall -- Hahahahaha. Sorry. I post very sporadically. Sometimes a lot in one week and then not for another week and a half. If you check through the archives, you'll notice this. Frustrating, I know, but real life just has a habit of getting in the way.
posted by Anna at May 6, 2008 03:36 PM