Garden Update

The indoor gardening set E gave me for Christmas is working really well. It came with a variety of herbs so that's what I started growing. I've got Thai basil, Italian basil, dill, mint, chives, parsley and cilantro.

This is what it looked like about a week after I planted it. The two basils, dill and chives had begun to sprout

Here's the garden about weeks after I started it. The chives took off first (which is funny because they were supposed to be the shortest.) The dill went crazy right away too. Now a few weeks more and I've had to raise the lamp up a few notches because almost everything has grown so tall. The only one lagging behind is the mint. After six weeks, it's barely peeking above the surface. I thought I took a picture of it more recently but I guess I haven't.

I needed to prune the plants so I've been looking for different ways to use them. For the basil, I went with my old standby, pesto. The dill and chives have been used in roasted potatoes and carrots. l love roasting vegetables. Just cut up he veggies, throw in a gallon size bag with some olive oil, salt, pepper and the herbs, shake it up, dump it out onto a pan and bake. Easy peasy!

The parsley was used with basil in a manicotti filling. And the cilantro was used in salsa. I used Roma tomatoes, a Serrano pepper (I like spicy salsa), lime juice, onions, a little bit of sugar, cumin and of course the cilantro. This salsa turned out better than my first attempt but is still not quite right. I'll have to keep practicing.

I've also worked preserving some of the herbs. I've got dill outside drying and some chives and dill in olive oil in a ice cube tray in my freezer. Hopefully this works for long term preservation.

 

2013 recap and 2014 resolutions

2013 was a pretty ordinary year but definitely had some high points. We took an epic family road trip at the beginning of the summer with my family. We visited my relatives in Iowa and and also detoured over to Mount Rushmore on the way home. In the process I also got to visit three new states. We also took the boys to San Diego for a long weekend with E's family. Plus E and I took a short vacation just the two of us to Las Vegas.

C finished up kindergarten and started first grade. He played basketball again this summer. He also lost his first tooth and is working on learning to ride a bike without training wheels.

J started preschool this fall and got to perform in his first school program. He's always such a bright, bouncing fun kid.

As with years past, I made a list of resolutions for the year as goals I wanted to accomplish. Just like other years I only made it through about 40% of the list. But that's okay - that's why I have a large list. If I miss on things it still doesn't feel like I completely failed. It also shows where my priorities change. For instance I didn't organize the pantry but I still worked on getting my house in order by fixing up the office somewhat. (I'm still working on some parts of it.

So where did I succeed? Well I finally lost the ten pounds that have been on my list for a few years. In fact I actually ended up losing 19 total. I knit a cardigan, which was done as a test knit. Unfortunately it was a little big to begin with and the aforementioned weight loss made it even bigger.

E and I did get an inground sandbox built for the boys. It's been great for them to play in this time of year, when it is so nice out here. I tried to garden again. It went okay for a while but then it got too hot out. E bought me an indoor garden set so I'm going to try again this year.

I used my sewing machine this year. I tried to practice by sewing a bear shirt for C. It doesn't look that great up close but it is actually shirt shaped and fits the bear so I'd call it a mild success. I also made some heating packs for my FIL. I made him one years ago with a hand stitcher but he really needed a new one. They looked pretty good when I was done. Definitely want to keep practicing though.

I also read more this year, reading five books. It doesn't sound like a lot but it's more than I had been reading in the past. I discovered my local library has a digital library available to subscribers so I've been taking advantage of that. It's super helpful since I can't seem to make it to the library during the week and they are closed on Sunday, leaving me only Saturdays to get there.

Now to this years list:

Read five books (Knitting Rules - 1/19/14; Things I Learned from Knitting; I've Got Your Number - 4/15/14; I think I Love You - 4/22/14; The Amazing Thing About the Way it Goes - 5/20/14; The Shopping Swap - 8/9/14; Shopaholic to the Stars - 10/24/14)

Organize the pantry (1/20/14)

Learn to play guitar

Learn a new cast on or cast off

Learn entrelac

Make a crochet project

Sew a needle holder (3/30/14)

Sew an item of clothing

Garden

Practice my frosting piping skills (4/8/14)

Make fresh bread

Make caramels

Make truffles

Lose 23 pounds

Blog at least three times a month

There are some repeats on my list - caramels, truffles and bread seem to be on my cooking "bucket list". 23 pounds is a really specific weight loss number, but it gets me to my goal weight. And if I did 19 in six months I should be able to do 23 in one year. I'm starting to get more comfortable knitting so I really would just like to expand my cast on/off variety. I'm kind of stuck on backwards loop and knitted cast on for the cast on types I know how to do. I can't seem to wrap my brain around it but I'll try again. After entrelac, I need to learn intarsia and then I think it will be a matter of fine tuning my skills, rather than big leaps. Maybe intarsia will be my 2015 resolution!

I kept some of my other goals the same but went more specific. I think that will help me have better luck at finishing. For example instead of blog more I set a specific amount (I pretty epically failed at this one last year). I want to practice my sewing so I set out two sort of specific projects. And I want to finish a whole crocheted project this year instead of the nonspecific "crochet more". Hopefully I can get to at least half this year!

Happy new year!

 

Gardening!

The weather here has been gorgeous lately so a few weeks ago I planted a few things in my garden. The soil here in the desert is pretty crummy so I stick with containers. Last year I tried basil for the first time and it grew amazingly (until it got too hot). I tried peppers too which were a spectacular failure.

This year I went with basil again and also am giving rosemary and oregano a try.

Here's the basil. Looks good so far. I can't wait until I can make pesto and bruschetta.

This is the oregano. I'm not quite as sure about this one. I took the picture a few days ago and it looks about the same, maybe worse. I actually planted two pots but the second didn't sprout.

Here is the rosemary. It is actually almost twice the size now (still tiny though). I need to figure out what I'm going to use this for.

On a non gardening note, E and I are putting an in-ground sandbox in for the kids. So far we've done most of the digging but still need to put the tarp down and the sand in.

J was "helping"

C wanted to help and offered to pull weeds. Who could refuse an offer like that?

(Yes they are still in jammies but it was the weekend so I didn't care too much)

Can't wait for the backyard to be done!

 

Bruschetta for one

My basil, shockingly, has been growing well. Between the sickening heat and my typical black thumb I'm really shocked I'm still talking about it in June. I did think I was going to lose the plant in late May when we had a couple of 110 degree days. But a good watering and they sprang back to life. I totally recommend basil for newbie gardeners.

This, however, has left me with the problem of what to do with it. I went for the obvious recipe the first time picked some leaves and made pesto. This time I went for another obvious recipe and decided to make bruschetta. The only problem is I'm the only one in the family who likes tomatoes. Many recipes serve 4-8 people so I decided to wing it and come up with my own. The great thing about bruschetta is the flexibility of the recipe. Like basil? Add extra. A big garlic fan? Throw in an extra clove. Here's my version:

Serves 1 (or 2)

• 1 ripe tomato
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
• Squirt of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Serve over toasted bread.

 

Linked to i heart Naptime and It's Overflowing

 

Basil Pesto

My basil plant has been absolutely flourishing, to the point where I finally had to pick some of it. Oh my goodness, it was so fragrant as I was picking it! Check out how much I was able to pick.

I knew from the moment I planted it the first thing I was going to make was pesto. I'm a big pesto fan! I've never made from scratch but it was so easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of basil, pressed down
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of pine nuts
• 1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
• Dash of salt
• Squirt of lemon juice (this is not for flavor, rather to keep the basil from turning brown)
  

Throw everything in a blender (I used my Magic Bullet) and blend until everything in chopped and it turns into a paste. Then enjoy! I spread mine on a few slices of fresh mozzarella - it was delicious. 

 

I'm linking up to Sundae Scoop today!

WIP Wednesday on a Saturday

I totally missed doing a work in progress update on Wednesday this week. I've been so busy at work that I've barely had time for anything else. On top of work it was Easter plus C's, E's, my mom's and SIL's birthdays. Fortunately we have a bit of a lull this weekend (I hope) which will give me a chance to catch up around here.

 

I have managed to sneak in a little bit of crafting this week. I've got two knitting projects and one cross stitching project going. First up is the socks. I'm going super slow on these; I'm still on the ribbing on the first sock. But there is some progress.

My second is the brown bear for my coworker. I've been paying a little more attention to it since I will rapidly run out time if I don't. I've got the bottom of the body done but nothing else and I only have two months to finish.

My last craft project is my cross stitching. I hadn't done cross stitching in years (cross stitching was my first crafty love but fell to the side when I learned how to knit) but I started again when I knew I would want something besides knitting to entertain me on the plane ride to Hawaii.

Right now it's a little dull looking since I've only done the pale blue but it does get more colorful. I think it will go on my desk at work or in the kitchen when I finish it. It's been fun to get back into cross stitching.

 

And even though this isn't a craft project, another thing I've got going is my basil. I planted it a few weeks ago and it's actually growing! I'm going to have a caprese salad and some pesto when it's ready!

 

Busy Weekend

Boy did I have a busy weekend (as evidenced by the fact that I'm writing this on Tuesday)! I spent part of the time getting ready for C's birthday party coming up. Plus E and I went to an event for his work. It was fun; my sweet MIL watched the kiddos so E and I had a chance to relax. On top of all that we took the boys to have fun at some bounce houses my church had set up.

I love the way their hair goes flying up when they slide!

I'm also trying my hand at gardening again. I was an epic failure last time; I managed to kill sunflowers (who does that!?) This time I am growing basil. I already have a few sprouting!

See the little green flecks? Cannot wait until it gets big enough. I need to get a few good recipes...

Knit along part 4

I finished off the mystery Knit along this week - it was a monkey! It was a lot of fun to participate in. I've never done a KAL before. Here is the finished product.








His mouth is a little wonky but considering this is only the second toy I've knitted I am happy. Especially since he required more shaping that the android. I also learned quite a few new skills - make one right and left, knitted cast on, French knots, kitchner, plus the designer's neat trick for making ears.

I'm also finishing up the latest android. As of this evening he needs ears, one arm (knitted but not sown on yet), a mouth and eyes. I should have a picture of him this week. My next project is going to be the bear from Itty Bitty Toys done in the grape colored yarn I received for my birthday.

On the gardening side, I have even more little plants! Once they get a little bigger I may prune some of them to give he others room to thrive.



Like my watering can? :)

And in other exciting news, J got his first haircut today. My baby is growing up! He didn't even cry, just looked at the lady funny and then went back to observing everything around him.


Isn't he handsome?

New Year New Resolutions Part 8

Today I crossed another thing off of my 2011 resolution list - I cleaned out my closet. It ended up being quite the epic project. I decided the best way to go about it was to take everything out and start from scratch. That way I couldn't just skim over what I had or ignore things back in the corners.

I started things off by going through my shoes on Saturday. I had shelves but wasn't really good about using them so I got rid of them and got a cute basket. This freed up space too.

Then today I went through the clothes. It's hard to get rid of things - I seem to have quite the sentimental attachment to some items. But today I was firm with myself. After all it's just stuff. And the finished result is nice!







On the knitting side of things, I just about finished the mystery toy. He just needs his arms, legs and tail sewn on. I'll post a pic of the cutie this weekend.

And on the gardening side of things, the sunflowers are beginning to sprout. I have three little buds in one bucket and two in the other. Yay!

Knit along Part 3

I finished the third clue of the mystery knit along today. The designer was right - this week definitely took the longest. This week was all about making the arms and legs. I also learned a new cast on method, the knit cast on. So now I know two ways of doing it (still want to learn the long tail method). Here are my animal's arms and legs:



The last step will be the finishing details. I still have to sew the pieces and stuff the critter. I can't wait until he is done!

C and I also started the garden today. We are beginning with sunflowers - they are supposed to be pretty hardy. We went to Home Depot yesterday and got our pots and soil. I need to go back and get more soil; I only had enough for two pots. C was so funny the store. He kept asking me about the oil we would need for the flowers. Also to him every yellow flower is a sunflower. Hopefully ours go well and we can try more challenging plants.