Cottage Flowers for the garden...

It's such a shame when you get Spring Fever at the beginning of February.  It makes the shortest month just drag on and on.  It's all about container gardening here...I'm now in search of a galvanized water trough for big time planting.  Easy to weed, no bending over, and closer to the sun...important when your "garden" is downtown with lots of tall houses surrounding it.  At least it's almost time to plant the sweet peas!

After ordering vegetables Sunday, I decided to visit another of my favorite seed websites and purchase flower seeds.  My mailbox should be full by the end of the week.

Garden Planning

Uh-oh...it's an ADD day.  I really didn't see this coming on, but right after my Heart post, I received an email from Cook's Garden...on to their website...and I ordered seeds for my little garden.  Here's what will be growing at PlumWater Cottage:

Carmelita Tomatoes

India Paint Eggplant

Boston Marrow Squash

San Marzano Tomatoes

Pistou Basil

Summer Squash Mix

Summerlong Basil

I guess I should dig out the peat pots and seed-starting supplies before the next snow!

Get inspired...visit Cook's Catalog!

Hearts Aplenty...

Photos from BHG.com, except lower left primroses (my photo), and heart on a peg (unknown blog...isn't it pretty?)

It's a usual Sunday morning here along the river...CBS Sunday morning on the TV, coffee at hand, and I'm thinking of what to do for the rest of the day.  Football? (doubt it), DVD's (the third season of The Tudors), projects...embroidery, jewelry making, sewing?  Magazines?....lots in my pile to look at...Where Women Create, Apronology, Country Living...I love days like this.

I have a one week break from school.  Statistics just about did me in.  I can read and understand them, but do I really need to know how to arrive at them?  And all of the ways to do it?  I think not.  The next class is entitled Applied Research/Program Evaluation...proposal writing, critiques, and evaluations.  Delightful.  As I see it, it's just this class and a grantwriting class between me and the Master's Degree (that, and endless years of student loan repayment...).

It's a sunny day here...we had a gloomy, rainy (but not too much snow) Friday and Saturday and the first part of the week doesn't look too enchanting weatherwise.  There are pictures to be taken of a little Valentine decorating around the house...today looks like the day to do it.

Fruits and flowers...

Still craving color here along the river; we had a burst of sunlight just before sundown Thursday after a very gloomy week. As I recall, that's it for the week. We're still foggy, rainy, and gloomy---but not freezing. This is good.

I went for color as I grocery-shopped yesterday...carrots, cucumbers, lettuces, lemons, limes, tangerines...and flowers. Two more sets of violets and primroses doomed to an unpredictable future in my house. I hope they survive the remainder of the winter!

Monday at home...

Gloom and fog (and frog---frosty fog) have been having an extended stay here along the river. The temperatures during the day have at least been somewhat of a treat...the bone shivering cold has left temporarily, I'm sure. This is the time of year I need an infusion of color...any color.

I received my pattern order from Crabapple Hill Studios on Friday, and immediately went out to pick up floss...even though I had plenty, I wanted "new" floss---just for the pure color inspiration. While I was out, I picked up the latest issue of Somerset Life---also filled with colorful inspiration. I love the coffee filter crafts---the pink/teastained wreath and kissing ball are definitely on my "to do" for Valentine's Day.


Currently Reading: The Complete Magnolia Bakery Cookbook
Currently Listening To: Bob Marley & The Wailers

Be Present...

I did it again this morning...sitting in my chair, drinking that first cup of coffee of the day--I pushed my mind ahead to the end of the week. I hate when I do that, and this year I'm going to try (and it will be hard) to live more in the moment. The year has started with work--Saturday and Sunday and for the next four days (plus school on Tuesday evening) --will it kill me, I ask? I started thinking about the upcoming three day weekend. I've done that for the last several years...skipping my thoughts over the current situation and fixating on time off. Time goes by quickly enough without me doing major time skips.

This year I'd like to eke out as much quality time from each day that can be had...be more productive, be more organized, and definitely be present.


Currently Reading: The Italian Slow Cooker by Michele Scicolone
Currently Listening To/Watching: CBS Sunday Morning

It's Complicated

On New Year's Eve Eve, I went to lunch with my friend Carol. Lunch at Grand Traverse Pie Company...pie...so good. After, we went to the movies to see It's Complicated.

The pictures shown today are from the movie. Jane (Meryl Streep) had a fabulous house in Santa Barbara, with a fabulous potting shed and an even more fabulous garden. On top of all that, she had a fabulous business called The Bakery. Beautiful, envy-producing elements of a life.

Who wouldn't love this kitchen garden? One of the dishes Jane fixed for her architect was Croque Monsieur...ham and cheese. It looked so delicious, I found a recipe for it and had it for dinner last night (preceded by a trip to Sam's to get gruyere). It was pretty tasty, as was the movie. As my friend commented, all of the "good parts" weren't shown in the trailer. P.S. Loved the purse she carried, too.


Photos: It's Complicated website

Happy New Year!

"A new year is unfolding--like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within."

--unknown author

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to everyone. May they be everything you wish for.

Friday

Just a week until Christmas...and I'm looking forward to the big event being over. For some reason or other, I just can't get into the holiday spirit. It seems that so many people are overwhelmed by the shopping craziness and have forgotten the reason for the season. I've always enjoyed the week between Christmas and New Year's...it's become more of a time to reflect and rejuvinate to prepare for the coming year.
One thing I am looking forward to is a visit from my parents. I hope the weather doesn't cancel the visit.
Off to lunch with a friend...and a little grocery shopping. Ugh! Hope it's not too crazy at Sam's Club--but who am I kidding?


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