Here Comes the Sun (Eventually!) And zombies.

Even with my life in upheaval, not knowing what my job will be or where I'll be living in the next month, I couldn't help myself but buy seeds. I know. I know. ANOTHER thing to move if I do. But hey, if the zombie apocalypse happens in the next month, you're going to want to be on my team... 

Everything I ordered came from Baker Creek Seed Co, which deals exclusively with rare and heirloom seeds, and operates a huge seed bank (in case of zombies I bet.) They're a family-run operation, and they're just so darn cute I can't help buy buy from them.

They also carry all kinds of neato stuff, which helps. And look at that guy's shirt!!

So what did I buy?

Haha, complete randomness! I'm currently at work, but I got a bee in my bonnet about ordering seeds (I have a secret project in mind and I really want to get started!) I couldn't remember exactly what I already have (pretty much all the essentials I think) so I just ordered odd and unusual things.

Here's the run through, and any running commentary I have to offer.

First up, I bought Aoyu edamame. I am obsessed with edamame. It's green, which is unusual for me, but these little guys are better than chips!

I go through phases, but sometimes I'll eat a bag a day, which I think might mean I need a 10-step program... So, as they say, grow what you eat. And I eat a lot of edamame. It's also sort of low and bushy, so I'm going to try it in containers and see how it does.

Next up, I got some Stuttgarter onion seeds. I've never done onions from seed, so I'm interested to try. I bought this variety for sentimentality's sake... We used to live in Germany, and we always said something REALLY big was "Bigger than Stuttgart!" I think these guys might live up to that name!

Whoa.

Then, I got some small Spoon Gourds. Because HOLY CRAP I CAN GROW FLATWARE.

 

 No really. Holy. Cow. Isn't that neat? Again, when the zombies rise, I don't want to have to eat with my hands.*

Also, in case of zombie apocalypse, we're going to need a protein source, right? Well folks, quinoa is one awesome grain that also has almost entirely complete amino acids. (I'm pretty sure it's complete, but I thought I'd throw that qualifier out there for all you haters.) Quinoa is a grain, with a very light taste, that is delicious! It also looks to be easy  to grow (doesn't do well in hot weather though, sorry Patricia!) and is lovely to look at.

This one is called "Brightest Brilliant Quinoa." Lovely!

I also got two other veggies, but those are the super-secret ones. As soon as I've completed my nefarious plans, I'll let you know what they are!

Then I did something I rarely do: I bought flower seeds. I don't know why, but I hardly ever think to start flowers from seed. 

These zinnias caught my eye, and there's nothing like a huge patch of zinnias to brighten your day. They also make great cut flowers. 

 I've been wanting these Strawflowers forever, so I finally bit the bullet and bought them. 

Not only are they pretty on the plant, with a neat papery texture, but they also dry beautifully and last virtually forever (or at least until my cats chew on them.)

Lastly, I got these little babies: 

Dwarf Jewel Nasturtiums. Why? Why not! They're pretty, grow out of control (although these ones are supposed to be more compact), and, heck, you can eat the flowers. Do you need another reason?

I hope you all are as excited for spring as I am. All of this will likely be put in containers, so stay tuned to see how they turn out!

~Sarah

*I don't really plan for the zombie apocalypse. However, I do like knowing that, no matter what comes, I'll be fed. And spooned. And, ok, maybe I'm a little paranoid about zombie apocalypse. Just a little.

Saucy Lady

So, about a week ago, I bout a $5 basket of roma tomatoes from a Mennonite farm in Scottsville.



I was pretty darn excited since my roma plant (which took forever to find, because they all looked terrible) was the first to get eaten by something. So, I finally got around to doing something with them today. Sort of following this recipe, I tried first to put them through the food mill. No dice. So, I blanched, cooled, peeled, and de-seeded an entire basket of tomatoes. Because I am a crazy person. I made a hot mess of the kitchen (spilled tomato juice everywhere, seeds and juice splattered far and wide), but in the end, I wound up with a huge bowl of skins and seeds for the chickens (happy girls!), a good amount of tomato juice, and a huge bowl of tomato meat.

Not bad, before work!

Tonight when I get home, I'll cook them down, and see what I come up with. Tomato sauce is pretty much impossible to mess up. Anything that's mushed up tomatoes is good with me.


In other garden news, look what I found!!

It's MAGICAL.

My first pumpkin to grow successfully, to full term. I had one that I accidentally knocked off the vine too soon (it was adorable too...), and one that had gotten nibbled from the underside which went to the chickens. But this one is perfect. The vine had dried up, but it made it through. I'm so proud. Now I need to decide what to do with it. I don't think it will last long enough to carve, so I'll probably eat it.


In crafty news, I finished the entire tea set that goes with the cup I made the other day!! The tea cup pattern can be found here, and the tea pot and saucers come from this site. I just used white tissue paper to paper mache it, since I actually really liked the look of the box art. Are you ready for this? Cause really... it's amazing...

Oh yeah. I'm that good.

I'm keeping this one for me (Oh, the Boysenberry tea pot!!), but I've already cut out another to make for some very special little ladies in my life... Hopefully they enjoy it as much as I do!!

Long time, no post!

Hey kiddies! Sorry to be AWOL for so long, but in the Wild Wild West, I had very little wireless reception, and even less free time! Every minute was jam-packed with family, food, and fun (someone likes alliteration!)

So a quick run-down of what went on! GET READY FOR PICTURE MADNESS

First, we romped on Cannon Beach (mum and me.)


Looked at cool kelp colonies.


Found crab legs



Snuggled my niece and made dandelion wreaths.

Played badminton with my brother, against my aunt and uncle (mostly poorly.)



Rode horses. Apollo is a lovely Peruvian Paso Fino stud muffin.



Went to Multnomah Falls (mom, me, niece.)



Saw all the Cooper clan! (Mom, grandpa, me, Ian, dad, and uncle Chris.)



Got tattoos. I give Thom a big thumbs up.



Even mom got one!


Had a nice, relaxing flight back.



Before I left, Boo Boo and I had a date with the scissors.

He's looking a little rough, but feeling a bit cooler I imagine. I put up all the nice bits in a container, but I left a basket of all the dirty or matted bits in a basket and forgot about it. Came home and found that apparently the cats spent the week rolling in it and rubbing it into the carpet. How thoughtful.

The chicken babies that I got in March are pretty much all grown now! They're a little smaller than my big girls, but they're looking like real chickens.

Poofy cheeks is lovely.

The tomatoes and beans had a rolling good time while I was away!

Those are two of only zucchini I got this year. Tomatoes and beans look good though!

AND MOST EXCITING OF ALL!!!


PUMPKIN BABIES! I'm excited about these. I've been waging war against the vine borers, but I'm determined to win! I have two other HUGE ones that are oblong shaped and still green :-)

In crafty news, I made a carrier for my kindle, since I'm irresponsible and break things and/or leave them out where people can see and/or steal them. My supplies:

• Composition book: $0.40
• Mod podge
• X-acto knife
• Velcro tabs

That's it folks. What's it look like, you say?

THE BOMB, THAT'S WHAT!

I'm pretty excited. It needs more coats of mod podge, but it's almost completely done!! Yay!

Stay tuned for Patricia's next post!

Adios!