This year's garden

On Monday, we went to White's Mill and bought veggies for our garden. We got 12 tomato plants (Christmas Grape, Tasty Yellow Cherry, and Brandywine), 4 acorn squash, 4 banana peppers, 4 chili peppers, and what turned out to be about 22 strawberry plants.



(Yellow Tasty Cherry on the right and Christmas Grape in the back left)

I decided to spring for real tomato cages this year and a bunch of 5 gallon containers. I'm hoping the actual cages (rather than random sticks from the yard) and big enough containers will help them grow better than last year's.



(Strawberries!!)

I'm so excited to have 20+ strawberry plants. The other good news? We got tons of rain yesterday and today, and they're already growing like crazy. One of these days, we're going to have strawberry shortcake with homegrown strawberries!



(Banana Pepper)

The other exciting thing is that John and I picked out and planted all of these together. So it's not just my garden this time. It's OUR garden. (The chili peppers and Brandywine tomatoes were John's garden picks). He didn't have gloves so I did most of the plant-into-dirt bit, but he filled pot after pot with potting soil (a mix of the moisture control kind and regular potting soil). I'm really excited about taking care of the garden together (and that I can say, "hey, it's your turn to water this time" ;) )

We also decided to go ahead and put all the plants in the sunniest part of the yard. They do kind of cut into Callie's space, but so far she's only knocked one over (and hasn't chomped on one yet).

I also resisted the desire to buy a bunch of flowers. Last year, I went way overboard with flowers. Then I got sick of watering them all (sometime in July) and left them all to die. I'd like to get two hanging baskets for the porch, but (to avoid last year's massacre) I think that'll be about it.

Blog-a-licious

It's just like Smitten Kitchen and Pioneer Woman around here...



well, kind of..

Tonight, I got really inspired and made the Raspberry Buttermilk Cake from Smitten Kitchen (with strawberries). I think I was a little over-eager in turning it out of the pan because half of it stuck (evidence above). All the bits I've eaten have tasted REALLY good though, so I think it'll be okay.



...but it is kind of embarrassing to mess up a cake. Maybe I should eat the whole thing before John gets home so he won't ever know. ;)

(I also learned how to make buttermilk when you don't have it on hand--how did I go so long without knowing this?!? If you've been in the dark like me, just read down to the bottom of the recipe)

I also made Baked Lemon Pasta from The Pioneer Woman.



It's creamy, lemon-y, and awesome, and there's a LOT of it (guess what I'm taking for lunch tomorrow and the next day and the next?)

Two new recipes in one day. I think that may be a record!

Happy Happy Happy

We grilled kabobs tonight--one of my all-time, favorite foods (right up there with cake and eggplant parmesean). We also got to use our new skewers. Cute, huh? Another plus-they don't catch on fire (one of my problems with bamboo skewers).

Unfortunately, I stabbed my fingers about a zillion times (or more like 15 times) putting the kabobs together. I was also so distracted by my excitement about the kabobs and the pain in my fingers that I kept forgetting to add tomatoes.

Notes for next time:
Be more careful with skewers!!!
Decide on a kabob pattern from the start (to avoid forgotten tomatoes)
Add more pineapple (I had my doubts, but it was delicious)

Dear knitting girls,

Thank you SO much for the wonderful wedding presents that you made for me and John.



We were overwhelmed by the amount of work that you put into your gifts (and the sheer amount of knitting items that you guys had gotten into that box)! When we opened it, there was just more and more and more (our families were there, and they were also really impressed!)



Knowing that you guys took the time to make every one of those washcloths and scrubbies and mitts (and rug and bag), and having to sneak around at knitting group so I wouldn't see your WIPs, and all the covert/black-ops style yarn distribution, it makes me smile just to think of it. I really feel like you guys gave us a box full of love (disguised as useful and adorable knitted objects).



We've already started using some of the washcloths, the bag, and the rug (thankfully it was just washed or else I couldn't have put it back in there with everything else). I've tried to get pictures of a lot of the different items--so I hope you can see something that you made! I just can't get over everything you guys have done--and all the cute patterns!!



I'd also like to thank you for the wonderful wedding shower you had for me (or was it the October business meeting of the Athens County Knitters? ;) ) I had such a great time, and it was so cool that my family got to meet you guys!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful gifts, the wedding shower, for being there on Wednesday evenings, and for being my friends. I am so glad that you are a part of my life.

Much love,
Abbie