When the year is coming to a close, do you like to look back and take stock of your accomplishments (or sometimes, lack thereof)? I always ask myself “did I do what i set out to do for the year?”. Most importantly, how did it all turn out, did I enjoy it, and how can I do better in the coming year? I am ending 2018 on a good note. We made a lot of improvements to our home and…
merry & bright
December 24, 2018holidays = home improvements
December 21, 2018We are looking forward to the coming week, which means some time off of work. Other than just enjoying the holidays and seeing family, we are planning a couple of house projects. Hey, when gardening is not an option…perfect time to do something constructive inside the house. I will be replacing the ceiling light fixture in the laundry room and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. Here is a peek at the current fixture and walls. I’ve been…
the very best lasagna
December 17, 2018Greetings all! Now that I have some photos to go along with it, I would like to tell you about the very best lasagna in the world. We served this for our holiday celebration this past weekend. Ingredients 1 lb tofu, firm 1/4 cup soy milk 1 tsp dried oregano 3 tsp dried basil 1 tsp salt 2 tbsp lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon) 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, chopped 2 cups spinach, chopped 6 cups tomato…
holiday gathering is tomorrow!
December 14, 2018If you’ve been reading along, you may remember that we had to postpone our Thanksgiving due to overbearing work schedules. Well, we are doing it tomorrow! Although of course, now it will be more of a Christmas celebration. We are keeping it simple this year, since we won’t be cooking a turkey and doing all the traditional Thanksgiving sides. Our menu will consist of: Lasagna (from the book How it All Vegan by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer) Loaves of…
ten lessons from the garden this year
December 10, 2018We’re getting closer and closer to the new year and while we still have a few weeks left in 2018, I started thinking back on the things I learned from my garden this year – or was at least reminded of. Isn’t real life always the very best teacher?? Can you relate to any of these? Timing can often be everything – especially when it comes to veggie plants. Mother Nature wins, every time. And definitely when it comes to…
holly…perfect for christmas
December 7, 2018Is there a more perfect plant for Christmas time than a holly shrub (genus Ilex)? Well, maybe poinsettia, for some folks…my vote is still with the holly. According to Wikipedia, Ilex is “a genus of about 480 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide.” Some interesting facts about holly taken from this really good article…
december garden activities
December 3, 2018This month we will officially enter that period of time known as Winter. For serious, and not-so-serious, gardeners like us, there are still things to do. Here is what’s on my radar this month: Some other things that might be good to do in December, depending on one’s location: Send for seed catalogs, if your name and address aren’t already on the mailing lists. Mulch perennials, shrubs, and fruit bearing garden plants. Keep straw snuggled around any crops still in…
a plant wishlist
November 30, 2018You know how almost any shopping website allows customers to keep a wishlist or favorites list? I began keeping a plant wishlist a couple years ago. Then I forgot about it – out of sight, out of mind. It lives on an app in my phone. Well, I just rediscovered my list. Right now we might be dreaming about what Santa may leave for us under the tree and trying to come up with great gift ideas for our loved…
window sill herb garden
November 26, 2018Greetings! As we enter into winter, my little kitchen window sill herb garden is currently barren. Usually, there is at least some basil growing in one of these pots and often dill, oregano, or another herb. Missing the readily available fresh herbs, I’m seeding the pots this week. I’m lucky that my kitchen window has a southeast exposure, so the plants get plenty of light. Note that the photo below is NOT the kitchen window, it’s in the dining room.…
