Enjoy! I sure am.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Hexagon Afghan
Ok - just one more post today. I wanted to get the pictures of the hexagon afghan up. Right now I've completed 56 hexagons (four rows of 14). I need to do 20 more rows of 14 and I figure at about 20 minutes a hexagon, that will be another, gasp, 90 hours of work. It will be big enough to stretch over a queen sized bed. I should probably not do any more time calculations as it freaks me out! I've been using Lion Brand Cotton-Ease with a size G hook. I used most of the colors from the first line of Cotton-Ease colors they released a couple years back. There are now several more colors, but I've stuck with the ten I initially started with - almond, snow, lake, taupe, terracotta, stone, charcoal, maize, violet, and lime.
Enjoy! I sure am.
Enjoy! I sure am.
Roof Deck Cookout!
Impromptu cookout on the roof deck with friends - so much fun. I made lamb kebabs with lemons - they grilled up so well! Here are the before pics of the kebabs:
I marinated them in some lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Mmmm, mmmm, good. Even better were the plates I bought for outside dining. Found them at the local Target and decided to get a little floral and pink with a little skull and crossbone action. The pals loved them; I love them more!
And the whole stack:
As this is the first season with the roof deck, we are starting off slowly. I'll be sure to take a few pictures of the deck and views of Boston, etc. Enjoy!
I marinated them in some lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Mmmm, mmmm, good. Even better were the plates I bought for outside dining. Found them at the local Target and decided to get a little floral and pink with a little skull and crossbone action. The pals loved them; I love them more!
And the whole stack:
As this is the first season with the roof deck, we are starting off slowly. I'll be sure to take a few pictures of the deck and views of Boston, etc. Enjoy!
Juneau
One of the neat things I've done this year is get my motorcycle license and buy a BIKE! Here's Juneau - a 2005 Hyosung GT 250 Comet:
Ahh, she's so pretty. It's been a little scary learning to ride, but I think I'm much more confident and comfortable with it. For a good two weeks I was afraid to go over 40mph but now I can open the throttle up a little more. I've only done one extended trip back to my parents' house with it - just about an hour and a half out - but it was in late April when the weather turned and I nearly froze to death driving home - even with all my riding gear on. Since it's been raining here for the past week and a half, I've been only intermittently riding her, which is a bummer. Took her out this morning to the garden though, so hopefully she doesn't feel too neglected.
Why the name Juneau? The bike was purchased in Alaska by the previous owner and she still had Alaska stickers on it. I thought it was fitting.
~GAC
Ahh, she's so pretty. It's been a little scary learning to ride, but I think I'm much more confident and comfortable with it. For a good two weeks I was afraid to go over 40mph but now I can open the throttle up a little more. I've only done one extended trip back to my parents' house with it - just about an hour and a half out - but it was in late April when the weather turned and I nearly froze to death driving home - even with all my riding gear on. Since it's been raining here for the past week and a half, I've been only intermittently riding her, which is a bummer. Took her out this morning to the garden though, so hopefully she doesn't feel too neglected. Why the name Juneau? The bike was purchased in Alaska by the previous owner and she still had Alaska stickers on it. I thought it was fitting.
~GAC
Rain's Been a Good Thing
So I made it back over to my community garden plot and found some interesting things - including lots of WEEDS! I planted everything about two weeks behind everyone else, so my plants are still on the smaller side, although I'm psyched to say that I have blossoms on all the tomatoes, tomatillos, and peppers! I even bought a "Polish" heirloom tomato plant (as that is the majority of my heritage and thought it might be interesting) and it has a tomato working hard on the vine! Exciting! Beans are about to start flowering too! Here are a few pics of veggies, herbs, and flowers:
TOMATILLOS!
California Poppy!
Herbs!
Beets - just watered and thinned so not looking so hot.
A lengthwise look at the garden - some swiss chard closest to the camera, followed by collard greens and cauliflower, along with brussel sprouts, tomatoes, dill, and an assortment of flowers. I can't wait for another month when things really get to growing. I also planted some soy plants - only a handful came up but I hope to get some pods just so I know what I need to do for a better output next year.
Hooray garden!
TOMATILLOS!
California Poppy!
Herbs!
Beets - just watered and thinned so not looking so hot.
A lengthwise look at the garden - some swiss chard closest to the camera, followed by collard greens and cauliflower, along with brussel sprouts, tomatoes, dill, and an assortment of flowers. I can't wait for another month when things really get to growing. I also planted some soy plants - only a handful came up but I hope to get some pods just so I know what I need to do for a better output next year.Hooray garden!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
EasyBloom
Ok - this is potentially cool - I want to know if anyone's tried it - the Easy Bloom plant sensor. 
Apparently, you put it in the garden, or a pot, let the Easy Bloom measure the environment and it can troubleshoot issues you might be having with a plant. It goes for $53.99 on Amazon. I wonder if it's worth it. The website says it does the following:
The EasyBloom Plant Sensor and website allow you to:
Hmmm...wonder if it's worth it. I should do a little investigating. Or maybe just stick to the trial and error I've been using for years!
Apparently, you put it in the garden, or a pot, let the Easy Bloom measure the environment and it can troubleshoot issues you might be having with a plant. It goes for $53.99 on Amazon. I wonder if it's worth it. The website says it does the following:The EasyBloom Plant Sensor and website allow you to:
 | Determine which plants will thrive in a specific spot in your yard or home. |
 | Diagnose an ailing plant so you can bring it back to health. |
 | Access detailed plant information on over 5000+ plants; create a custom plant library of your favorite plants. |
Hmmm...wonder if it's worth it. I should do a little investigating. Or maybe just stick to the trial and error I've been using for years!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Instead of jiffy peat pellets...
...I thought shoes would be the best thing to buy! I mean, when the Home Depot guy said they got rid of all their peat pellets, my immediate thought was, well, off to TJ Maxx then!
I couldn't pass them up - only $24.99 and a smart gray (or is it grey) color. I can honestly say I don't have any gray shoes in my collection - some of which can be seen here:
I wanted the peat pellets to start more lettuce seeds. I have seed starter soil so I'll just have to sow the seeds in rows instead of in individual "pots." Yes, my life is so tough.
I wonder where I should wear my new shoes? Perhaps out gardening?!
I couldn't pass them up - only $24.99 and a smart gray (or is it grey) color. I can honestly say I don't have any gray shoes in my collection - some of which can be seen here:I wanted the peat pellets to start more lettuce seeds. I have seed starter soil so I'll just have to sow the seeds in rows instead of in individual "pots." Yes, my life is so tough. I wonder where I should wear my new shoes? Perhaps out gardening?!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Pathetic
It's pretty pathetic that I haven't posted anything since May of 2007. So many changes have happened in that time. Some great, but unfortunately, some not so good. I'd love to say it's been a time of reflection and now I've come out on the other side ready to take on the world, but it's not always so easy. It's definitely not easy when you've had four days of rain and you're worried that your roof-deck garden is going to be sogged out! 
There's some eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of herbs going along with a few marigolds. We'll see if I get any produce out of it. I haven't been over to my community garden plot for a few days, which is home to many more edible goodies, so although I know I'll have my share of weeding, I bet it's fairing better with this rain. Back to the picture, I can't believe I had this many empty pots hanging around my apartment. It's nice to see them put to good use.
I've been attempting to get back to a little crafting as well, although by the end of a busy day, I'm more than exhausted. Right before a January 2008 trip to New Orleans, I started what I decided to name a "Jambalya Blanket" and only got about 10% through it. It's a hexagon blanket that I was inspired by after viewing Alex's of Moonstitches. The pattern is easy enough, and it just takes a bit of time. I ran across this blog yesterday, Attic24, as she also made one. After viewing her blog, that's all it took to get me back in the mood for a little hexagon madness myself. I can't believe the fantastic stuff Attic24 has made! You have got to check her site out! As for my blanket, I'll be posting a few pics of it shortly and I'll be sure to post updates as it gets bigger!
Off to check the chickpeas I have simmering on the stove....Yummy recipe to follow.
There's some eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and all sorts of herbs going along with a few marigolds. We'll see if I get any produce out of it. I haven't been over to my community garden plot for a few days, which is home to many more edible goodies, so although I know I'll have my share of weeding, I bet it's fairing better with this rain. Back to the picture, I can't believe I had this many empty pots hanging around my apartment. It's nice to see them put to good use.I've been attempting to get back to a little crafting as well, although by the end of a busy day, I'm more than exhausted. Right before a January 2008 trip to New Orleans, I started what I decided to name a "Jambalya Blanket" and only got about 10% through it. It's a hexagon blanket that I was inspired by after viewing Alex's of Moonstitches. The pattern is easy enough, and it just takes a bit of time. I ran across this blog yesterday, Attic24, as she also made one. After viewing her blog, that's all it took to get me back in the mood for a little hexagon madness myself. I can't believe the fantastic stuff Attic24 has made! You have got to check her site out! As for my blanket, I'll be posting a few pics of it shortly and I'll be sure to post updates as it gets bigger!
Off to check the chickpeas I have simmering on the stove....Yummy recipe to follow.
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