Day of Surgery

Feeling sleepy but already gave the new knee a spin!
So far so good for these reasons:
1. Pregnancy test was negative.
2. They gave me Oxycontin as soon as that was confirmed.
3. I am in love with my anesthesiologist.
4. I didn't wake up hearing any saws going to town.
5. When I woke up, I wasn't sure they had even started.
6. Resting comfortably and enjoyed the Reese's peanut butter cup Aimee brought me.
7. Chris brought me a stack of educational magazines I cant wait to read. 
8. I am blessed more than I deserve by God with amazing family and friends.

I Am Doing This!

Out With the Old. In With the New!

I decided to revive my blog for one reason : I am having a knee replaced tomorrow and I couldn't find anything positive on the Internet about the recovery. 
Most people who contribute to blogs seem to have had bad experiences, long recoveries, nausea and constipation. Since I am planning on having a great experience, I decided to restart my blog. Hoping to shed some positive light on the process. 
I usually write about garden stuff , but right now my focus is on my surgery. That is what I will be sharing about..

Today, the day before surgery I went out to breakfast. Then to the grocery store to stock up on things we might need in the house.
I haven't purchased  a sock putter on-er  or a grabber for picking up random stuff, but I did get things like: OJ, cans of soup and chips and salsa! 
I hope I'm not totally unprepared without the micro fiber cushion, or the grab on hardware and railings. I want to think of my neediness as being temporary.

I am totally blessed with family and friends who have called or sent texts with messages of encouragement. Offers of food, visits and massages-oh wait, the massage offers haven't come in yet, but I appreciate all of the support. It means so much.
I am not feeling anxious at this point. I am a little concerned that the knee I am not having replaced is really bugging me today. I think the reason is, I did some serious booty shaking last night at a Christmas party. I hope it will be feeling better tomorrow.  These are the things I look forward to being able to do with out pain and suffering afterward! 
A new friend recently gave me this advice: "This is your time to heal and get stronger so you can enjoy as much of life as you can. Don't refuse any offers of help!" 
I think I can handle that! Thank you to all the amazing people who have offered food. I say, bring it on! Rides, yes, I may need a ride home from the hospital on Wednesday.. Then I will need to get my nails done....etc.
So, here is the start of my journey! Tomorrow is the big day! 
First,  I will eat the cupcake in a jar I  snuck home from the party I  mentioned earlier and then , I will head up to bed, get the MRSA ointment in my nose and call it a night. 

This guy is part of my motivation!

Remembering Better Days

So it's March.
The garden is just starting to wake up and we get a surprise Winter Event.
According to NBC we no longer call them snow storms. 
For some reason I was not expecting it.
I am already dreaming of Pansies,  Ranunculus and Crocus.
Another thing I have been doing a lot of lately is remembering better days.
Now,  don't think I am unhappy and bitter about the life I now lead.
What's there is be bitter about?
What? I am totally OK with my son up and moving south with my favorite daughter in law and I am adjusting quite well to my baby boy living in the Pacific North West. Emerald City, whatever!
When he called after visiting for a couple of weeks to say he was staying,  I  hardly even cried.
I was totally brave when after 14 years I had to make the decision to say goodbye to our fluffy friend  
Augie the golden retriever. 
The house is incredibly quiet but I am getting used to it.
Sounds like some crazy stuff.
I can't dwell on what I don't have but cherish the memories....
Seriously? That's the kind of stuff my counselor charges big bucks for? ?
OK, Here I go....

One of the best weekends at the end of last summer was....
.... when we bought a ton of peaches from Troggs Hollow......

They were seriously, the best Peaches ever.
We shared a few with my next door neighbor and quickly turned her into a Peach addict.
 There were rumours of her hanging around the Farmers Market, begging for more even after Trogg told her there just wasn't any more.

A peach rhubarb pie!

Our plan was to can  jam, butter, salsa and sauce all from peaches.And we did it!

That's what I love about my family! They are creative, spontaneous, great cooks, funny and full of life! 

I will appreciate our time together even more since I know how rare it is! 

I can't wait until the next time we end up with an overabundance of joy in my kitchen! Or boxes of fruit, veggies, or brewing equipment.

I don't know when that will be but I'll keep you posted!  

What is your favorite memory of last summer? 

January Harvest

I was told that the longer you leave your carrots in the ground the sweeter they will be.
Some people leave them in until spring.
I wasn't sure how that would work with a raised bed but I was willing to give it a try.



These are the carrots I harvested last fall. Sometime in October. They were terrific!



I used them in a couple of recipes and they tasted great. I was so proud to have a garden producing in October. I felt like a pro!
Remember, the whole organic veggie garden is new to me and I started out feeling insecure.
Now the pendulum has swung over to manic.
Who is reaping a harvest from Spring to Fall?
Only an extraordinary gardener, like myself. My confidence was soaring!
There were still carrots in the dirt so I covered them with mulch.

Sometime in January I decided to make my favorite vegetable soup recipe.
Hummm... could I still have usable carrots?



I went to the garden and dug up some more.
I can officially declare my garden was still producing in January!
I know what some of you are thinking: So What! This isn't typical weather, it's been so warm and the ground isn't even frozen, really.
Stop with the negative self talk.
That's all true, but, I still had carrots from my garden in January and it made me happy! and confident! and excited for next year!

Here is my favorite Vegetable soup recipe. Great for any cold/warm January day! (Up here we call anything above freezing in January warm.)




Garden Vegetable Soup by Alton Brown

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 3 medium leeks)
• 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
• Kosher salt
• 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approximately 2 medium)
• 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• 2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
• 2 ears corn, kernels removed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Heat the olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the leeks, garlic, and a pinch of salt and sweat until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, and green beans and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the stock, increase the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the tomatoes, corn kernels, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the vegetables are fork tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and add the parsley and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with kosher salt. Serve immediately.

A couple of things to keep in mind....

1. Leeks will throw off a lot store cashiers. Especially at the super stores. They have no idea what they are or where to find the code.

2. I have used fresh corn but Trader Joe's frozen organic corn tastes great.

3. If you have canned tomatoes from your garden use those, but a can of diced tomatoes will give a good result.

4. I have added beans for protein and rosemary for extra flavor.

Let me know how it turns out!

Field Trip Friday!

Some people love to golf. They go every weekend. Even have a standing tee time. It's theirs. They own it. They spend a lot of money on their golf game.
Then there are the people that golf for work. I don't mean the pro golfers, I just mean they are people who are blessed enough to work for a company that still thinks golfing together is part of developing business.
My husband works for one of those companies. Every year he is allowed to spend a day at the Grand Geneva, golfing for a charity that his company supports.
A few years ago I figured out that I could tag along.Not to golf, but to visit one of my favorite garden centers.
I drop him off at the club house and I'm on my own.
If I owned a garden center it would look a lot like this.

Today, I will give you a little tour of Northwind Perennial Farm on Hospital Road in Burlington Wisconsin. Literally 8 minutes from the Grand Geneva-providing you don't get lost which I manage to do almost every time. I think it's because I am soo excited!

You are gonna love this place!



When you drive into Northwind Perennial Farm, the first thing you will notice is it looks like... well, a farm.







There are several display gardens you can wander through for inspiration and education!



Stay on the path or you may be attacked by robbers or terrorists! Not really, this is Wisconsin!



There are cute little signs here and there trying to educate plant lovers like me.



I want this plant. I have tried to find it down here but I guess I will have to trek north to snag it



See how helpful they are! Here is the name.




There is a pond with water plants and frogs. If you catch a frog they will cook it up for you.



Doesn't that look inviting? Don't fall for it though. When I jumped in everyone got all worked up and I was asked to leave.



There always seems to be something new at NWPF. This area is a little more formal.



I want her in a totally not weird kind of way....





Come on. There is more to see!



This is where I camped until they found me early in the morning and took away my sleeping bag. I'll get it back next time!



I'm going to photo shop my family in here for our 2011 Christmas card.






I totally have a crush on this guy. His name is Roy Diblik and he started this place.




Remember, stay on the path.



Did I mention it was a garden center which usually implies Plants For Sale?!?



More helpful little signs for those of us who are clueless.



Seeing these two was the highlight of this trip to Northwind. It's the only thing I bought and boy, was the car stinky by the time I got back to Illinois.



A few ides for people with shade.



One more thing for those of us who have a need....you can get married there!The donkeys can be part of the processional down the isle. You can't get that at most other garden centers!

I hope you enjoyed this Field Trip Friday. Next week I will have another awesome place to show you!
In the mean time, You'll be hearing about the veggie garden box.
I'll keep you posted....

She Don't Know Nuthin!

I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to read my blog.
It started out as a Veggie Garden Journal and then I started throwing in other topics, like it or not!
I have had fun with it and have missed checking in.
I am picking up where I left off.So, come on, ... admit it. You have probably had this thought a few times while reading my posts:
"What she talkin? She don't know nuthin!"
I'm warning you, I am taking this opportunity to say I Told You So!




Some of you may remember an earlier Blog about Proper Mulching (April29, 2011).
I got a little push back around here for some of my comments (little man syndrome).
Even so, I am sticking with my original diagnosis.

This is a perfect example of improper mulching and what can happen.
I'll admit, there could be other contributing factors in the death of this conifer.
But, there is also good, hard evidence that the 4 foot bank of mulch had something to do with it.
I have passed this dead plant several times in the past few weeks.
I can't help but wonder... how long will it take for this man to admit failure? Hummm....


Tomorrow I will expose a very destructive pest found in my garden...I'll keep you posted!

Is it an Alien or what?

Even after all the craziness- weather and otherwise, my Organic Veggie Garden Box is growing well.
I have been harvesting the goodies and enjoying lettuce, cherry tomatoes, kale, cucumber and zucchini. I try and water in the morning unless we are having a dangerous thunder storm. The weeding has been minimal.

.
The sugar snap peas have been amazing and we have been eating our fair share of them.

Since Peas are typically a cool weather crop they had really run their course and needed to be put to rest. I was more than a little excited, because there seemed to be a volunteer tomato plant growing amongst the vines. I would be very careful not to disturb that wonderful surprise.

After I pulled all the crotchety pea plants I stood back to admire the providential plant. That's when I was surprised, disgusted and scared all at the same time.



You can believe me when I tell you I am new to veggie gardening. Those of you who have grown veggies for years would know what this is but I did not.
Any guesses?



Its a tomato Hornworm. They can get big munching on your carefully cared for plants. They especially like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers. They will quickly defoliate your plants if you don't catch them. The best way to get rid of them is to pull them off. Sometimes you will need a pliers since they do not go peacefully. Birds may eat them, which is another reason to attract birds with trees and shrubs that bear fruit.

Nothing nice about them!


Now here is something reassuring(eeuw): If you find them looking like this with all the little white things on the back, don't touch them. When those things hatch they will become a moth that will actually parasitize other Hornworms. Nice to know and look forward to.


More super interesting info (school has begun early):
There has been a very strange wasp/hummingbird looking thing flying around our neighborhood. I am pretty certain that it is the Hummingbird moth and it's larvae is the Hornworm.



Start Lion King music...Circle of Life!