bee creative

Happy Birthday bee creative!

A year ago today I wrote my first post.  Seems like a good reason to make brownies!

Of course, it's made me think about blogging in general.  Sometimes I wonder why am I doing this? Couldn't I just keep a journal?

But there is something special about blogging.  About knowing that anyone  might come along and read what's been written.  That they might look at the pictures that have been posted. That they may go away thinking about what they've seen or that they might make a comment.   

I was hoping that by posting my projects and thoughts on a blog that I might be more productive.  And I have been.  I really don't think I've ever created so much! 

What was unexpected was some of the projects that I've tackled this year.  What I've appreciated more than anything is the support and interest I've received from others.  Thank you all!

The Growing Challenge, Part One

I thought it would be fun to participate in another challenge, The Growing Challenge.  The challenge is to grow at least one food from seed that you've never grown before.  Coming up with a vegetable/fruit I haven't grown before is kind of tough.   At least one that I know I like. 

One thing under consideration is sweet potatoes.  I had some from the farmer's market last year that were delicious.  If I can figure out what variety they were, and I can find some, I want to grow them!  They were white colored, able to grow in Zone 7, maybe Zone 8 (zones for the US).  If anyone has a suggestion....

The other thing I really want to try is growing a grain other than corn.   One possiblity is Emmer.  Emmer is a variety of wheat, also known as Farro.  Last year it was being sold at a local farmer's market, so it will grow in my area.  It also tasted good.  What I'm not so sure about is whether I can get it to grow and whether I can get it into an edible form!  I also have some Buckwheat seed.  Locally grown seed is being sold at my co-op, so it's worth a try.

The other part of the challenge is to post each week about how the garden is growing.  One of my favorite topics!

What was planted this weekend:
Brussels Sprouts
Kale
Cabbage
Sprouting broccoli
Broccoli
Chard
Lettuce
Cauliflower

And tomatoes! 

I almost planted a peanut too...found it buried in my container of seed starting mix I"d prepped and left on the porch.   Darn lazy dogs aren't doing their job of keeping the squirrels out of the yard!

Inspire Me Thursday - Kitchen

This weeks Inspire Me Thursday prompt was "Kitchen."  This is a combination of photos that I took plus a recipe that I scanned.   And a few digital tweaks.  And yes, my kitchen walls are really, really green.

Welcome to my kitchen....  Dinner tonight is stew made with mostly local ingredients. 

Illustration Friday - Victory Garden

This week the prompt for Illustration Friday was "Garden."  Generally taking pictures of flowers in the garden is  one of my favorite things to do, so this was  a prompt I really wanted to do.  But since it's spring and vegetable planting time, this seemed more in line with what I'm actually working on at the moment.

Now I'm off to make plant labels.  Tomorrow it's seed planting time!

Inspire Me Thursday - Too Lazy to "Leap"

Inspire Me Thursday's prompt last week was "leap."  I decided to make a frog using a pattern that I had found awhile ago (at The Purl Bee).  Very fun and easy to do.

It struck me that it was a lazy frog, not really willing to leap.  And somewhere in my usually hidden twisted sense of humor, I realized that the frog had to go into the pot.... 

For the unfamiliar, the way the urban myth goes is that a live frog placed in hot water will jump out.  But a frog placed in cold water that is gradually heated up will stay put until it is boiled.

I just want to say that I like frogs a lot.

Recycled materials:  Fabric from my scrap pile. 

Turning down the heat

I took this picture a couple weeks ago on my way to work.  The frost was so heavy it almost looked like snow....

There have been a lot of cold nights this year, a lot of frost in the morning.  The average temp for February listed on the electricity bill was an average temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.  Which means the gas bill was the highest it's been all year.  And yet, the gas company has decided to take the budget payment (prorated over the year) down 20 dollars a month due to the average gas usage over the year!  Victory dance! 

There haven't been any complaints about the house being too cold (other than from Lola the Chihuahua and her sister Maddie when she comes to visit) or frozen pipes.

I think that most of the savings have come from shutting off the  door to the laundry room, which also has an exterior door.   I've also been careful about turning of the heat before the dogs are let out.  Usually when the door opens it triggers the thermostat on the gas fireplace that heats the house.  I still think that we can get the gas usage down a bit more during the coldest weather.  Luckily it will have to wait for next fall, spring is definitely making an appearance!