It's here!

Yay!

The Baker Creek catalog arrived just in time, considering I have spent the better part of the last week stuck inside.  First Finn was sick, now Loch... it's amazing that hubby and I haven't gotten it.  Looks like the nasty norovirus, blech!

Along with finally getting some time (no choice!) to go through my seeds and catalogs, I've been able to get some random small chores done inside.  You know, the ones that get tossed aside easily but when they are done, it makes a world of difference!

Like... cleaning my desk.  My mind feels less cluttered now, too.

 Cleaning the freezer, isn't January the month for inventory?  This appears to apply to gardeners' kitchens as well as retail!  We are doing well still, as evidenced by the frequently appearing stir fry this time of year.  Still oodles of peppers and snow & snap peas to go through, but the canned tomatoes have dwindled down to 2 quarts.

I finally got the "canning closet" organized this morning.  I've just been stuffing clean jars, lids and rings in there as we used up stash, but it was getting pretty dangerous every time I opened the door.  My "Big Dummy" moment came when I organized the bottom 2 shelves, which contain my seed starting stuff, and it actually fit... I thought "wow- how did that happen?".  It didn't, LOL... I realized later that about 95% of my stuff was missing and that I threw the stuff in the shed last year and thought to myself that I'd get to it later.  

Yep, much later.... as in not until it was time to start again!  Below is what I found in the shed, all sliding off the shelves.  I zoomed in because I'm too embarrassed to show you all the junk all over the floor I will have to clean up before I can get to my seed flats!

I know I have a few weeks yet before I should start stuff, but now that the "seed has been planted" haha, I'm finding it hard not to start dragging out the lights, shelves, etc.  Yet I KNOW that I will be complaining about the mess and garish lighting very soon... still can't help myself... isn't this the very definition of having an addiction?  :)

I know it's not very mom-like of me, but why oh why do I have to be inside with a bottle of bleach on a holster and it's 70º outside?!!  I'm sure Thing 1 will recover just in time for the rain moving in tonight LOL...

It's just part of getting older...

It's that time of year again, the time where hubby waits until the last minute to tell me he needs all new uniform patches, this on what was supposed to be "my day", a day of nothing scheduled except my own list of things to do.

He moves from young guy to old(er), more experienced, more learned (hopefully), and more senior (citizen)!  In the Navy you can't hide, your status is proclaimed for all to see by your insignia going from red to gold for 12 years of successive honorable service (means you didn't get in trouble) LOL.  If anyone wants to count along that's one hash mark for every 4 years of service for a grand total of 12 years active duty.  Not really very long actually, but another year closer to retirement.

If I have any pre 2000's Navy veteran readers out there and this photo gave you pause, you aren't alone- I too come from the "old skool" where you would not earn gold chevrons at the 12 year mark, alas the New Navy is like the New Math we have to learn to help our kids.  Good Conduct Awards are also given every 3 years instead of every 4 like it used to be, which I find ridiculous...how hard could it possibly be to be "good" for 3 years?!  I'm starting to sound like my dad, the "old salt"  :)

Even though I'm a a bit of a traditionalist, let's be honest, this uniform is completely ridiculous.  Yep, it looks good in the movies and in photos, but it only gets worn once a year usually, for inspection, and if you've ever worn it you know how little would actually get done if you were wearing it to perform any type of real work.  It's heavy, raw wool, has these ridiculous inside out pleats that need to be ironed, and it's impossible to get on or off.  I don't even have words for the pants... better not be in a hurry to go anywhere in these!

Front:  yes that's 14 buttons!

The Navy isn't done yet with their comfortable design... this is the back LOL!

See?  Only good for photos and cheesy movies with Mickey Rooney!

The torture of finger pricking medals/ribbons pinning, sewing and ironing this uniform is now 30 minutes past and I can put it in the back of my mind for another year.  Anyway, love to blog about my progress on my "list" today, but I have to run because I think I may actually get all my items checked off today!  By the way... props to hubby because this is the uniform he was issued back in boot camp and IT STILL FITS!  :)  Our bank account thanks you!

Free Kindle Download!

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?!