Today, I started broccoli seeds indoors. :)

It's a first step!! Yay!

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I awoke this morning to a rare inch of snowfall. Fortunately, my present hadn't suffered. Randy and Rebecca had filled my dining room window box with mini-daffodils and a couple of annuals (primrose & pansy). Very pretty! Later I will move the mini-daffodils to my 'bulb bed' in the front yard. Flower gardening is fairly new to me.

Even more fortunately, I had left Randy's present in my van - it's a palm tree - fresh from the nursery and has never before spent a night outside. He's always wanted one. Tonight it resides on the front porch close to the door.

This afternoon, we went to the local bowling alley with a "One hour free" coupon, and threw three games each, plus Randy threw one more by himself (my arm was getting tired). Since we were "on-the-clock" so to speak, with this coupon, the children did not bowl. We will go together this Sunday when games are discounted. The kids are usually only good for one game before they get bored or tired.

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I'll be editing this post throughout the month and adding additional books to the top of the list.

* The Gift of Christmas Present by Melody Carlson - Somewhat disappointing, as the plot resembles the plot of Armondo's Treasure (below), which I preferred. Not a bad book in itself.

*Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich - Very interesting non-fiction book describing a journalist's attempt to live on a 'working wage.' Here is part of what is printed on the back cover: "Millions of Americans work full-time, year round, for poverty-level wages. Barbara Ehrenreich decided to join them...taking the cheapest lodgings available and accepting work as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing home aid and Wal-Mart salesperson...." It reminds a bit of Morgan Spurlocks TV series 30 days, but I read it in less than 24 hours.

* The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn - a short story, almost a devotional, about the importance of giving thanks to God. Enjoyable.

* Three Days by Melody Carlson - an excellent novel, written in the first person, from the perspective of Mary, mother of Jesus. It's set in the three days between Jesus' death and resurrection. It also contains lots of flashbacks that portray many of Jesus' miracles and preaching. The book is written in a familiar, casual style that make me feel like Mary is chatting with me over coffee. A great novel that brings the Bible to life.

* This Organic Life by Joan Dye Gussow - subtitled "Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader" - need I say more?

* Armando's Treasure by Melody Carlson - I really enjoyed this novel about a young fellow escaping a naughty past by helping an elderly woman. Both desperately need God in their lives and find Him in different ways.

* Everyday Cheapskate's Greatest Tips by Mary Hunt -  a nice little book of tips and tricks. Many are pretty obvious to me, but may not be to others

* Getting the Most from Your Garden by Rodale Press - an excellent gardening book covering "Advanced Intensive Gardening Techniques." I doubt that this is still in print. My copy was copywritten in 1980.

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I know, I know, it's so early!! But I've got spring fever. My mind is so full of all the things I want to grow. I got outside yesterday for four hours, most of which was spent cutting sod by hand.

In that time, I realized something very basic about myself. I like being outside. It makes me feel good in ways that I cannot explain.

I began to notice this last August when I started line-drying our clothes. I was doing it for financial and environmental reasons, but I found myself really looking forward to those fifteen minutes outside. Sheets were getting washed more frequently - just so I could have a reason to get outside.

This year I've decided to increase my garden space. I'm going to end up somewhere between tripling it and quadrupling it. There are so many things I want to grow! So many things I want to experiment with! At first, I thought that I should be conservative: just double it this year and see how it goes. If it goes well, I can always add more next year and the year after. Then I realized that - given my age - I probably only have 30 more gardens left to me, and I'd better make the most of it. NOW! Life is too short to be conservative.

Part of the decision should be credited to two cyber friends: Rhonda, who said, "Push the boundaries, Valerie, it's the only way of really knowing what you can do - both in your garden and life in general." And Diane, who put it a bit more clearly with, "Life is meant to be lived and dirt is meant to plowed...or tilled...or lasagna layered....or anything as long as it's for gardening purposes! Lawns are for wimps! "

Hence five hours of sod-cutting in the last two days. To say I'm a little sore would be an understatement, but you can bet that if it's not raining tomorrow, I'll be out there again!

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I pray that out of [God's] glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19.

Wow.

Whom do you love the most? Who are you head-over-heels in love with? That person that you love to listen to, look at, to touch, even to smell...would you die to save him or her from danger?

Would you die to save him or her from his or her own wrong-doing?

Christ's love for us is so much bigger than we can imagine, but Paul's prayer for us in - in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus - gives me hope that I will someday be able to grasp my Lord's love.

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I got in two hours of gardening time this morning. Here is what I accomplished, what I need to do and some of my musings.

Examined all fruit trees.

Small buds are beginning to form.

Last year, the birds were eating most of the cherries on the grafted cherry tree, so I used twine to dangle discarded compact discs from the branches. (I used a lot of those AOL discs that turn up everywhere.) The discs spin and twist and throw around light. It’s supposed to scare the birds. It didn’t work, so I took them down today. Had I chosen to leave them, I would have made sure that none were too tight for the growing branches. I don’t know what I’ll do to discourage birds this year. The tree is small, so I’m not feeling generous about sharing.

The Rainier cherry trees have now been in for two years, so I gently removed the stakes that were supporting them. They each have two or three main branches growing almost straight up. I’m going to have my husband help me train them to an open leader. You can read more about training young trees at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/ag29.html .

I’ve been thinking about my big black compost barrel.

Because of its design, it’s not easy to stir the compost. Stirring is important as it keeps the pile well aerated (oxygenated). I decided that another container might be more practical.

We have a large wooden box sitting in the yard. It is about 2ft x 4ft. Originally, my husband built it for me when I wanted to have a worm bin. You can read more about vermiculture at http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/compost.htm . (Scroll down, the worm links are near the bottom.) That was a few years ago and my worms all moved away very quickly.

About two years ago, Randy added height to the box, and a top that was half solid and half screened with ½” wire mesh. The solid section is easily lifted off. We used it to house the ducklings when they were babies. Since then, it’s been sitting unused.

Today, I brought that box up right next to my compost barrel and pressed it back into service. I transferred the top layers of compost into it. Those layers have not broken down much yet, probably because I haven’t been diligent about stirring it regularly. I also added some soiled straw that was sitting in pile, rotting away (rotting in a good compost sort of way). I found lots of worms in the straw and was happy to add them to my box. They will help break down the material more quickly.

About once a week, I empty my kitchen compost bucket (this is mine: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...WCT202&n=284507 , but I bought mine elsewere) into the outside compost bin. I’ve made a promise to myself to stir the compost every time I add to it.

The bottom of the compost barrel contained about 8 inches of nearly ready compost, which I will add to the garden in the spring. I am shocked at how much material it needed to produce a small amount of compost.

Berries

I started weeding the strawberries-got about half done. There’s a lot of grass that grows around them. It’s the kind that spreads with runners. I need to find a way to stop the grass at the edge of the berry bed. There are two blueberry bushes with the strawberries. I read recently that both prefer and acidic mulch, such as pine needles. Perhaps that would discourage the grass. I’ll check with a local tree removal service about getting some free chippings. Our raspberries also need some mulch this year. I wonder if they too prefer acid. I wouldn’t surprise me, as they are similar to blackberries, which thrive in acidic soil.

Garden hardware inventory

I went around the yard, checked behind the shed, etc and counted up beanpoles and fence stakes and tomato cages. The tomato cages I have are way to wimpy for my tomato plants, but I thought they might serve well to support the peas, which don’t need a whole lot of support anyway. I’ll be using fence stakes and chicken wire to cage my tomatoes this year. I also have to completely fence my garden to keep out neighbor dogs. Fortunately, chicken wire is enough of a deterrent.

Tiger pit

Doesn’t every suburban yard have a tiger pit?  My husband dug out a large hole several years ago. It collects excess grass clippings and oddments not suitable for the compost, such as a diseased vine. I did – upon one occasion – also toss a dead mouse into the tiger pit. It’s now nearly full and Randy was thinking that he would need to dig a new one this year. I looked at it today however, and I think that it’s decomposing (and therefore sinking) quickly enough that it’ll be good for another year, at least.

Random thoughts

I wonder if a cold frame would serve as a really fast composter during the warm season.

The barrel that collects rain from the roof of the shed is used to water the berries in the summer. Is it full?

I’m wondering if there’s anything with shallow roots (because of the septic system) that I could plant along the north side of the house. Currently there’s a big ugly bush – which neither of us like, a small fern, and a lot of nothing.

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You bet!

This afternoon, it actually wasn't raining! The girls were rough-housing and I thought, "They need some excersize," so we went outside.

I had some duck chores to do (cleaning feeders), so I took care of those. When I got done, the children were very involved in a game of Pocahontas and the Little English Girl, so I found more things to do.

I weeded the cold frame that contains 3 leaf lettuce plants and 4 spinach. It's sooooooo slow. I planted it in September (I think) and the spinach is up to six leaves per plant. The lettuce is coming along fairly well, though.

I also weeded the garlic. I planted the cloves last fall and they're not due to be ready until July, but (like a certain little monkey), I was very curious. So I gently dug around one to see what was going on --- not much. No bountiful cloves. But the clove that the greenery grew from is starting to split, so perhaps many lovely cloves of garlic are forming right now.

I watered my compost barrel (used for food scraps) and added a bit of straw and brown leaves to it. I keep thinking it's time to stop adding to this one, and start another, but... well, for one thing, I don't have another barrel. Because I compost so many food scraps, and because we've seen rats in the "Way Back" (see drawing of property in previous post), I'm not comfortable using an open compost system. Currently my compost is in an "Earth Machine." You can see one here: http://www.composters.com/docs/bins_p2.html. I don't know about this site, as we got ours for $20 when the local utility got a special purchase of them.

- - -

I've spent a lot of time lately working on my garden plans for the spring. I'm very eager to get started! In fact, I even checked the soil temperature today, hoping I might find that it was warm enough to plant SOMETHING! At 42*F, it wasn't.

In past years, I've done some plants in traditional rows, but others, such as carrots and lettuce in 1-foot wide beds. Last year - on the recommendation of approximately 762 people- I read Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening. I recommend this book for begining to intermediate gardeners. I applied his principles and did about 2/3 of my garden in the 4ft x 4ft squares that he recommends. The other 1/3 was a 3ft x 17ft bed of potato plants.

This year, I've read Getting the Most from your Garden - using advanced intensive gardening techniques. It was published by Rodale - known for Organic Gardening magazine & Prevention magazine - in 1980. This book recommends 5ft x 20 foot planting beds and has in-depth information on root systems and companion planting. It also strongly recommends sowing seeds indoors and then transplanting, in order to extend the season. I can't do that (because of my cat, who likes to eat green things), but I am changing my beds, and am working with graph paper to get a plan sketched out. This system is even more efficient (in terms of square footage) than Square Foot Gardening. I was pretty amazed by what I could fit in.

A big advantage to close planting is that very little weeding is necessary. The plants provide a 'living mulch" for each other. What remaining ground is exposed, I cover with straw. I rarely have to weed after that point.

When I get my plan finished, I'll post a drawing.

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We are planning a kitchen remodel for the spring/early summer. I've spent hours with graph paper and pencil, trying to find the best arrangement for our somewhat awkward space. I've even gone so far as to make little squares and rectangles from cardstock. They represent our dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, and possible cabinets.

Once I get the basic arrangement determined, we can go to town with adding fun features, so I'd appreciate comments that describe anything really useful that you have in your kitchen or have seen in a kitchen. Keep in mind that I have very limited space (about 100 square feet) and I cook from scratch a lot.

Thank you so much for your help!

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Wow! This is so cool! Today was my day to pre-cook some foods, so as to make future dinners easier - sort of my version of Once a Month Cooking. I thawed seven pounds of ground beef.

First I made taco meat. Two pounds were crumbled in my 12-inch frying pan (with straight, not slanted, sides) and taco seasonings were added. We used about a half-pound for dinner. The rest was packaged up and tucked in the freezer, in three containers (for three meals).

After dinner, I made three meatloaves. I put three pounds of ground beef in my Mixer. I whirled 2 sleeves of saltine crackers in the Cuisinart, followed by four onions. I added crumbled saltines and finely chopped onions to the meat and turned on the Kitchen Aid. As soon as I added the other meatloaf ingredients (ketchup, eggs, etc), they were quickly mixed. And thoroughly! No more squishing my fingers through raw meat! Yay! After scraping the sides of the mixer bowl, I put the meatloaves in the oven.

Without washing, I put the mixer back into use for making meatballs. My recipe mirrors the meat loaf recipe (except with Italian seasonings), but I used only two pounds of meat. As I formed the balls, I placed them in my 12-inch frying pan (which I did wash from the taco meat).

By the time the meatballs were cooked, the meatloaves were ready to come out of the oven. I got every thing wrapped up and into the fridge or freezer, in about 75 minutes!

The best news? Next time will be even faster. As I was forming meatballs, I realized that that is definitely the most time-consuming part of the process. So I thought, "Meat-balls, meat-squares, what's the difference?" I ran my idea by dh and we agreed. Next time I will cook the Italian-style meatball recipe in a loaf pan. After cooling , I will cut it into cubes. Behold: meat-squares!

So next time my order will be to get the meatloaves & "meat-squares" into the oven. While they bake, I can crumble and season the taco meat on the stove top.

On Wednesday, I will baking quickbread and muffins - for the first time since receiving my Kitchen Aid for Christmas. I can't wait to see how it lightens my load!

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Thanks for reading.

In this space, I'd like to share my journey. Hopefully, you'll learn something. Maybe you'll be entertained. Regardless, I will at least be able to blab on endlessly on those subjects which interest me.

The most important thing to know about me is that I'm a Christian, the bible-believing, Jesus-loving type. Denomination is not important to me, but seeking the will of the Lord and desiring to make Him Lord of your life is. I certainly am not perfect. In fact I'm not even very good; I might be pretty good. But I'm trying.

This week, I made a commitment to read my Bible every day. I started with a fairly easy goal: just ten minutes. So far, I've gone over every day.  A cyber-friend once said: "Don't worry about reading your Bible perfectly, just READ." I took her advice and began reading in an area that interested me: the New Testament. As much as I think I should, I just can't slog through certain parts of the Old Testament. So, I am currently enjoying the Book of Matthew and see no reason why I can't read straight through the New Testament.

My family is very important to me. I have been married to my Montana man, Randy, for 10 years, and we have two daughters. Rachel is almost 7 and Rebecca just turned 5. As you may have guessed, I homeschool the girls.

 Well, I think that's a brief introduction. I'll blog more later.

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