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Super quick post to those with Kindles - free download today "The Art of Saving Heirloom Seeds"!

A repeat! The "Seed Binder"...

Some of you remember my seed storage/garden planning system of using a binder I posted about last year.  Since mentioning it again the other day I've had a few requests to know more about it so I'll repost the link below.  


Some things worth mentioning - if you decide this type of storage is for you, purchase the big, repeat LARGE binder with the industrial strength D-rings!  These are only available in office supply stores, they are commonly used for large items like catalogs and such.  I've wasted money twice on the "regular variety large ones" and they fell apart and ruined pages every time it was opened.  Since blowing the big bucks (about $15 I think) on this big one a couple of years ago that problem was solved, and there's always room for more it seems.  Also, unleash your inner teenage girl and decorate it!  I love cutting out photos from the Baker Creek catalog to put all over the cover and spine.  Kind of like an adult version of a tween Trapper Keeper LOL!  Part of the reason this works well for me is that I keep it on my bookshelf right by the couch, so it's pretty temperature and humidity steady, I wouldn't keep it in a shed or garage, for instance.  


In an ideal situation of course I would prefer a sealed vault with air and temperature controls, but for my tiny space and matching tiny budget, this has worked pretty fabulously for about 4 years now.


Okay, for those that wanted to know more about it, read the Seed Binder post here!


Warm, in the 60's today, but rain moving in this afternoon through the weekend, looks like a catalog & planning weekend here...

Dodging responsibility!

I have a ton of things I'm supposed to be doing... and someday I'll update you on the madness, but for today - I'm not doing a darned thing on that list.


That's because other than the fact that my yard and garden are a complete mess in the photo below, look at that sun!  It's been raining for days, but it's now clearing up, the kids are at school, and it's already 62º here at 9:30 a.m.

I'm going to head out there and clean a few beds up and plant something, anything!  Heck, with the weather we haven't been having this winter, I may throw caution to the wind along with some zinnia seed!  Ha, more likely spinach and greens, but if the mood strikes it might be a fun experiment this year.


Still no Baker Creek, but thankfully I have a stash and I'm sure I can find something in there!


Now the hard part is trying not to think about what I'm pushing aside in order to go out and play in the garden, but I keep reminding myself that it IS what I love to do most, and I need to get back in touch with it, the weather has been so warm this year I wouldn't be surprised to find a thriving little community of Squash Bugs wintered over out there having set up their own commune, I better go...!  Unless you are the school nurse and my kid is throwing up money, don't call LOL!

One for Grandma!

The past weekend and this week so far has had me pretty busy, but I know my mom is anxiously awaiting  video of the boys'  annual "Talent Show" that their music teachers put on every year.  It's a good way for their students of all ages and abilities to build confidence playing for an audience, and they generate charitable donations for her church by charging "admission" in the form of canned goods or offerings for good causes.  The weird thing is that my kids appear to have no stage fright, they actually really like being up there in front of everyone!

Without further ado, here's Finnegan...

and Lochlann on fiddle...

See why I can't really cut this expense out of the budget LOL?  I'm still looking for ways to get back some money and time, but this won't be it :)

Where's my catalogs?!!

Everyone is getting their garden porn except me! (she says with a whine and stomping feet!) Where, oh where are you Baker Creek Catalog I covet so this time of year?   Look below, it's pathetic this year: on the top of the photo are the tons of what I call the "junk" catalogs, and below that, only 2 have arrived that I look forward to for real inspiration and ordering.  

Needless to say, I hopped online and actually requested a copy of the Baker Creek catalog.  Their site says if you haven't received one by now and are a regular customer, they apologize and please re-order, so if you are one who relies on that catalog for your "adult entertainment" and haven't gotten it yet, you aren't alone :)

In lieu of vegetable seed art, I present you with this lovely:  there's really nothing better than a lamb gyro smothered in tzatziki and feta, mmmmmmm!

Look fast before I delete it, a photo of me!  I just had to show off one of the awesome scarves I got for Christmas!  This one was made by hubby's sister and the colors are divine, and I'll have to post another photo one day of the gorgeous twist cowl my other SIL knitted for me, I'm a lucky girl this year, handmade gifts are the best, and I hope we have enough cold days so I can enjoy them!

Random:  A boy and his dog...

Note to self: more RED peppers need to be harvested this coming summer!   Don't you feel bad for the lone red pepper in that stir fry?

I don't really want to start making lists and ordering until I get those few catalogs that I always wait on, but I finally got out "The Famous Binder" and am ready to dig in and start inventory!

I keep a planting calendar with notes every year, something is telling me with the way the climate has been the past year I should just burn it, eh?!

Picture catch up...

The weather here is rainy and chilly, kind of has me in a funk!  Doing more things related to organizing rather than what I wanted to do, which is garden planning.  I am trying to get back into regular blogging, even if I have nothing earth shattering to report, however!  I know that before we know it, we'll all be having tons of things to report on with seed starting and spring planting coming up, so that keeps me hopeful.

One good thing about dreary weather... comfort food!

Potato Soup and Biscuits

Here's a good one from the other day...

Yep, that's snow - we went from 65º one day, these pathetic flakes the next, then up to 71º the next!

Spotted at Finn's school the other day... Finn introduced me to "the new kid" at lunch, my mouth was agape as I met this kid who sat down with his salad and even ate it!  With the lunchroom filled with McDonald's bags, Chick Fil-A, "Lunchables", strawberry milks and other horrifying stuff I wanted to cry seeing this, gives me hope that there are indeed other parents out there who care enough to teach their kids, and that the kids are actually listening!

And with the new year, change is in the air!

That's my thick old mop before...

and after!

Not sure why I even grew it out, other than laziness.  I think this was probably the longest my hair has been since age 4?  I don't even own any "power tools" for hair, so it's not like I ever did anything with it other than the same old ponytail every day.  Tired of washing it and having it still be wet that evening, tired of it in my face, tired of hair in the drain, hair on my shirt, blech, I was not cut out for long hair, so it's gone!

I am finally out of my lazy stretch I think, I actually have bread in the oven!  Hope this is the start of a new season of motivation :)

Happy Birthday, Finnegan!

After the ordeal we went through to have Lochlann, never in our wildest dreams did we think we would ever be so blessed with a repeat performance, but we were - and his name is Finnegan!  Our little guy turns 7 today!  Lucky for you readers this won't take an hour to read, since most of my photos are jumbled up after what happened to the old computer, but I did find a few!

Everything was funny to him, he was a very happy guy :)

Finn makes us laugh, even when he's not trying!

Thanks for being a good sport about all the getups, pumpkin!

We thought we were geniuses when you were naughty and we put you in the "time-out" boots so you couldn't walk off... you even thought that was funny!  I guess it was :)

 

Thank you for being "the one that eats his vegetables".  Your creativity with Mr. Potato Head parts is legendary.

 

 Thanks for keeping Loch busy answering all your questions, mommy's brain needs a break every now and then!

Also legendary:  your sense of style...

Remember your first snowman?  The one that was twice your height and you told mommy you made it "all yourself"?  Well, it's awesome... too bad daddy and Loch didn't help you :), they would have had fun.

We were amazed with the ease and speed in which you embraced the "at the cabin" filth mentality, I hear there is an ice fishing shack reserved with your name on it already!

You love your brother fiercely, even if you won't admit it.  Guess what?  He loves you too even though he won't admit it, either.

You have a patience level no child should have to endure, waiting for daddy's deployments to end.  We are so proud of you, and the best part of daddy's deployment is coming home to you and your brothers' happy faces.

As a blogger, I have to say thank you also for being so darn photogenic!

You are the best kind of garden helper, one that actually eats what you grow!

...but you are still weird for eating all that basil and parsley when we are working out there!  It seriously looks like caterpillars attacked my plant after you spend 5 minutes with it.

p.s.  I apologize for making you wear Crocs, that was before I realized how stupid they were :)

You dig the best holes.  I know, I know, I'm supposed to bury those tomatoes deeply, right?!

You are an excellent student, you love your brother (mostly), love your family fiercely, you are kind, you love your dogs, you are creative, funny, and generally a fun guy to be around.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

Now you are 7 and you dress yourself a little better but you have no front teeth.

Thanks for taking us all for a ride on the Finnegan train, can't wait to see where we'll go next!