While I was out...

So...it turns out owning a home is time consuming. Like, VERY time consuming. There is a never ending "To Do" list, a yard that needs taking care of, stuff breaking, and my goal to have an organic vegetable garden to supply fresh produce. So know that in my absence, I haven't been slacking.

In fact, I've been working on sprouting seeds, researching, digging, tilling, and planting stuff in hopes for a bountiful harvest this summer. Fingers crossed!  So far, it's looking good:

These are my first crop of seedings, which are now pretty good size plants. I've got summer squash, straight neck squash, basil, and two kinds of lettuce in the shot above. I'm pretty darn proud of it, too! All the seeds I used are certified organic, and so are the soil and peat pots they're planted in. Not bad for the girl who managed to kill more than her share of plants in her lifetime, right?


Now, outside is starting to take shape and it looks more like this:

 

Lettuce (left) and chives (right) are doing very well. I've planted two of the Mesculen mix lettuces in a planter box to get it going, and I've already harvested some lettuce for a salad. The chives have been fantastic in spring soups and other delicious concoctions I've cooked up. I've also got some mint in the same area just waiting to be used in a mojito! I'm hoping that soon my compost will be ready and I can give my little plants an extra boost. I'm using vegetable scraps, egg shells, leaves, and coffee grinds to make the compost in this funky looking compost bin I got at Costco (what can't you get there?!). Never in a million years did I ever think I'd take after my mom and become a gardener, or even dig in the dirt all the live long day, save what normally ends up in the trash for a composter in my backyard, or spend so much time reading about how to grow your own veggies. I just can't help it! I hope that in some strange way, it inspires you to grow some herbs on the windowsill of your kitchen, or start growing some tomatoes in a container on your patio. Because, seriously folks, if I can do it....anyone can! And, if it turns out I can't, at least I'll have some good stories!

And with that, it looks like I'm back. So here's to my blog neglecting spell is over.