Two years ago Karl and I got the bright idea that we were going to create our very own vegetable garden. It was supposed to start out just being something small that we could grow a few things in and then if we wanted to we could add to it each season. If anyone knows Karl and I you know that we don't always see eye to eye.
As I said it was supposed to start out small....yet it turned into this gigantic garden that was probably 30 x 30 feet....MONSTROUS. I kept suggesting we make it smaller but my husband has a "go big or go home" attitude so I just let him go to it. Karl got the rototiller out and went to work, after that we plunked all our little seedling plants into the ground and waited. The best of intentions was planted along with all our seeds but as you know sometimes intentions don't always turn out...
Here are a few reasons our first garden failed...
1. It was HUMONGOUS...
2. It was sooo far away from the house it was an absolute pain to drag the hose over and water it...
3. It was HUMONGOUS...
4. The weeds became out of control becuase we were not very motivated to weed....
5. We attempted to put weed mat down in an effort to minimize the weeds but that just ended up killing some of the plants as well...
All in all we ended up with some zucchini...and a small pumpkin. Sad but true.
SOOOOO this year we are trying again. Since I am really into cooking now I would LOVE to be able to cook with my own vegetables (and not to be political but the Government is making me want to be self sustainable if you know what I mean)...so we decided to create a raised bed. It's MUCH smaller, MUCH closer to the house and we are going to put the weed mat down FIRST....hopefully in coming months I can write about how awesome my green beans taste and how juicy my tomatos are. :)
We are going this weekend to get all of our seeds and a few plants....can't wait. I will try and get some pictures so that I can define the moment!
25 March 2010
24 March 2010
Inspirational...
Here is an excerpt from one of the blogs on yogajournal.com. Reading this reminded me that I have to stop worrying and start enjoying. I have come to the realization that I am a rigid person and that rigidness is controlling my life, and not in a good way...so I hope that you are able to be inspired by this as well and I wish you a lifetime of being flexibleza and limber... : )
"After all--shift happens. We're all in constant state of flux, from our cells and thoughts, to our outer environments and relationships. Your experience is as transient as a hobo on a country railcar. The question is--in what direction do you want that train to roll?
If you allow life, and the external opinions, requests, and demands of others take you where it wants to go, you'll spend a lifetime getting steamrolled from the outside. Enough of that, and your heart will feel as flat as a pancake. If you want to fill your mind, body and spirit with the goodness of inspiration and transformation, you've got to do one thing for certain:
Get to work. Remember: intention without action is just a beautiful pipe dream.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali offers clue about how to change things according to your intentions. It begins with ishvara pranidhana. This word literally means "love of God," but like so many other concepts in the yoga teachings, it has alternate meanings. Ishvara pranidhana can also mean "to take your highest action." Have you noticed that in any moment when you're called to make a choice --Do I go to yoga class or skip it? Should I yell at my partner or take a time out? Should I take the job I hate for more money or the one I love for less?--there is usually one that will serve your highest good, and one that will, well...not so much?
When you take action that helps you express who you most want to be in the present, it will keep you on the road toward goals you want to reach later. I'm certain of this, because it's taken me from a dysfunctional practice and stressful life to inner strength and outer abundance. It will work for you too--but you have to work it.
Yoga is not a spectator sport. It asks for your full and unflinching participation. It can be scary, constantly facing down the unknown, but if you can go there--whether by hugging your thighs more in that Crow Pose, taking a deep breath when you want to say something hurtful, or choosing the high road in a situation where your habits and fears conspire to make the low one an attractive option--all your hard work will absolutely pay off.
In fact, the beauty of yoga is that it pays its dividends instantly, with a rush of prana, or empowerment, and the personal satisfaction of becoming more of yourself in the moments that you focus, intend...and try. This is the offer of Kriya Yoga, the yoga of action, and it's something that we can practice both on and off our mats."
Namaste
"After all--shift happens. We're all in constant state of flux, from our cells and thoughts, to our outer environments and relationships. Your experience is as transient as a hobo on a country railcar. The question is--in what direction do you want that train to roll?
If you allow life, and the external opinions, requests, and demands of others take you where it wants to go, you'll spend a lifetime getting steamrolled from the outside. Enough of that, and your heart will feel as flat as a pancake. If you want to fill your mind, body and spirit with the goodness of inspiration and transformation, you've got to do one thing for certain:
Get to work. Remember: intention without action is just a beautiful pipe dream.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali offers clue about how to change things according to your intentions. It begins with ishvara pranidhana. This word literally means "love of God," but like so many other concepts in the yoga teachings, it has alternate meanings. Ishvara pranidhana can also mean "to take your highest action." Have you noticed that in any moment when you're called to make a choice --Do I go to yoga class or skip it? Should I yell at my partner or take a time out? Should I take the job I hate for more money or the one I love for less?--there is usually one that will serve your highest good, and one that will, well...not so much?
When you take action that helps you express who you most want to be in the present, it will keep you on the road toward goals you want to reach later. I'm certain of this, because it's taken me from a dysfunctional practice and stressful life to inner strength and outer abundance. It will work for you too--but you have to work it.
Yoga is not a spectator sport. It asks for your full and unflinching participation. It can be scary, constantly facing down the unknown, but if you can go there--whether by hugging your thighs more in that Crow Pose, taking a deep breath when you want to say something hurtful, or choosing the high road in a situation where your habits and fears conspire to make the low one an attractive option--all your hard work will absolutely pay off.
In fact, the beauty of yoga is that it pays its dividends instantly, with a rush of prana, or empowerment, and the personal satisfaction of becoming more of yourself in the moments that you focus, intend...and try. This is the offer of Kriya Yoga, the yoga of action, and it's something that we can practice both on and off our mats."
Namaste
19 March 2010
A week of many firsts...
This week was jam packed with firsts...first for Emma AND Max.
This week Emma sat up all by herself....
This week she rolled over BOTH ways, which she is doing constantly now...she is never in the same spot in the crib when I get her in the morning...
This week she started sleeping through the night!! YEAH!
And today she held her bottle all by herself...
Max had a busy week as well...
This week he told me "I don't want to" for the first time...
This week he had to stand in the corner for the first time...
And he told me that yesterday was "the best day ever"....we went to a hotel in Philly for a playdate and had the whole pool to ourselves. (HUGE thank you's to Jessica and Dan for setting that up for our playgroup!)
The last one made up for all the other ones.
This week Emma sat up all by herself....
This week she rolled over BOTH ways, which she is doing constantly now...she is never in the same spot in the crib when I get her in the morning...
This week she started sleeping through the night!! YEAH!
And today she held her bottle all by herself...
Max had a busy week as well...
This week he told me "I don't want to" for the first time...
This week he had to stand in the corner for the first time...
And he told me that yesterday was "the best day ever"....we went to a hotel in Philly for a playdate and had the whole pool to ourselves. (HUGE thank you's to Jessica and Dan for setting that up for our playgroup!)
The last one made up for all the other ones.
16 March 2010
How fast the time flies....
Emma had her 6-month check up last night....her official 6 month birthday was March 9, 2010. I cannot even believe that she is already 6 months old...where has the time gone??? I better start planning now for her 1st birthday or I will never be ready!
She weighed in at 16.6 lbs., and was an even 26" long...the Doctor said that she is doing great and is right where she should be. Here are a few recent pics of her!
09 March 2010
Recipe Of The Week...
I have not posted any delish recipes lately but we had a dinner tonight that was GGGRRREEEAAAT and I wanted to share.
Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole
2- 2/3 cup dried bow tie, penne, or ziti pasta
2 medium onions, cut into thing wedges or 5 medium leeks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon crushed anise seeds
1-3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 10-oz. package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2 oz. prosiutto, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1. Cook pasta acorrding to package. Drain; rinse pasta with cold water and drain again.
2. In a large saucepan, cook onion and garlic, covered in butter for about 5 minutes, or until onion is tender, stirring occassionally. Stir in flour, and anise seeds. Add the milk and chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in parmesan cheese. Stir in cooked pasta, spinach, and prosciutto. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
3. Bake, covered, in a 350' oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand about 5 minutes. To serve, stir gently and top with chopped tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts:
Cal: 288
Total Fat: 3 g.
Fiber: 3 g.
(www.bhg.com/recipes)
Prosciutto, Spinach, and Pasta Casserole
2- 2/3 cup dried bow tie, penne, or ziti pasta
2 medium onions, cut into thing wedges or 5 medium leeks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon crushed anise seeds
1-3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 10-oz. package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2 oz. prosiutto, cut into thin bite-size strips
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1. Cook pasta acorrding to package. Drain; rinse pasta with cold water and drain again.
2. In a large saucepan, cook onion and garlic, covered in butter for about 5 minutes, or until onion is tender, stirring occassionally. Stir in flour, and anise seeds. Add the milk and chicken broth all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in parmesan cheese. Stir in cooked pasta, spinach, and prosciutto. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
3. Bake, covered, in a 350' oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand about 5 minutes. To serve, stir gently and top with chopped tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts:
Cal: 288
Total Fat: 3 g.
Fiber: 3 g.
(www.bhg.com/recipes)
07 March 2010
Old and New...
As many of you know I have started a gratitude journal...at the end of each day I write down 5 things that I am happy/grateful/blessed about. In just a few days I already look forward to doing this each night and I find myself thinking during the day when something happens that it would be great to write down....
One of the things that I have found I am grateful for is the Mom's Playgroup I have found. There are so many spectacular women in the group. I have made such a great connection with all of them and am so happy that Max is starting to call the other kids his friends, I LOVE that!
As I was thinking about how blessed I am to have all these new friends I started thinking about the old friends that I have back in Michigan, as well as Georgia. I had, no I mean I HAVE such amazing friends and I miss them every day...I have so many memories from all of you and I can't imagine not having any of you in my lives.
So today I am paying homage to all my NEW friends and all of my OLD friends.....Thank you for being a part of my life! (Below are random pictures just some of my friends....there are some of you that I don't have pictures of, but you know who you are and I love dearly! Some of the pictures of the kids are the children of my friends....)
I think that it is funny that in every single picture that I am in my hair is completely different...just an observation! HE HE HE HE!
One of the things that I have found I am grateful for is the Mom's Playgroup I have found. There are so many spectacular women in the group. I have made such a great connection with all of them and am so happy that Max is starting to call the other kids his friends, I LOVE that!
As I was thinking about how blessed I am to have all these new friends I started thinking about the old friends that I have back in Michigan, as well as Georgia. I had, no I mean I HAVE such amazing friends and I miss them every day...I have so many memories from all of you and I can't imagine not having any of you in my lives.
So today I am paying homage to all my NEW friends and all of my OLD friends.....Thank you for being a part of my life! (Below are random pictures just some of my friends....there are some of you that I don't have pictures of, but you know who you are and I love dearly! Some of the pictures of the kids are the children of my friends....)
I think that it is funny that in every single picture that I am in my hair is completely different...just an observation! HE HE HE HE!
03 March 2010
Gratitude....
American Heritage Dictionary describes gratitude as "thankfulness" or "pleasing". Why am I posting about the word gratitude you ask? Here is why. I am a natural born pessimist...always wanted to be an optimist but as I get older I am finally starting to accept me - at least most of the time. I still have many days where I can't stand anything about myself but I digress....
I have been reading all kind of articles about creating a gratitude journal and have been thinking about it for forever...so today while I was at Target getting a waterproof mattress pad for Max I saw a cute little notepad on clearance for a $1.78. I am a lover of all things paper.....as well as pens....it's a bit of an obsession. That is a whole 'nother story.
So I decided that today is the day I start thinking more about the things I am grateful for and less about the things that I am unhappy about or that I cannot change. As I mentioned I am a pessimist but I am grateful (see it's already working) that my hubbie is a total optimist. He is so good about not stressing about things he cannot change. I LOVE that about him and I am hoping that the longer we are married he will rub off on me. I am tired of focusing on negative things, it is making me miserable. And causing me to gray prematurally.... he he he!
Tonight before I go to bed I am making a committment to myself and to my family that I will write down 5 things that I am grateful for. Anything from my health, my family, etc. to just general things that make me happy. Such as the sun shining or giggles from my children. You get the picture.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
~ Buddha
I have been reading all kind of articles about creating a gratitude journal and have been thinking about it for forever...so today while I was at Target getting a waterproof mattress pad for Max I saw a cute little notepad on clearance for a $1.78. I am a lover of all things paper.....as well as pens....it's a bit of an obsession. That is a whole 'nother story.
So I decided that today is the day I start thinking more about the things I am grateful for and less about the things that I am unhappy about or that I cannot change. As I mentioned I am a pessimist but I am grateful (see it's already working) that my hubbie is a total optimist. He is so good about not stressing about things he cannot change. I LOVE that about him and I am hoping that the longer we are married he will rub off on me. I am tired of focusing on negative things, it is making me miserable. And causing me to gray prematurally.... he he he!
Tonight before I go to bed I am making a committment to myself and to my family that I will write down 5 things that I am grateful for. Anything from my health, my family, etc. to just general things that make me happy. Such as the sun shining or giggles from my children. You get the picture.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.
~ Buddha
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