Read A Book!

It seems that when you watch certain news programs the supposed journalists always choose the loudest and most ignorant "man on the street" to make an uninformed and, frankly, nasty statement about the current hot topic.

To these media pawns I say, "Read a book! Pick up a book and read it. Not propaganda. Not rhetoric. But literature and honest histories. Because every time you read a book your mind opens a bit more and you see the world differently. Then, maybe, you'll learn something new. And after you've read some of these stories, maybe you won't hate your neighbor so much. Maybe you'll understand them a little better. Maybe you won't be used by the media so easily. Maybe you'll make a real, positive impact on the world. Maybe."

It's just a thought.

Gifting

I enjoy the giving of gifts. In fact, I am one of those people that can hardly wait to give a gift. I've tried to restrain from giving gifts too far in advance but usually I fail miserably at that task. If I can make it to within five days of the actual gift-giving extravaganza, that is a triumph. I also like giving gifts at random moments when it is completely unexpected, such as the third Tuesday of a month with the letter "U" in it.

In honor of my love of gifts I've posted some pictures of presents I've recently made for friends and family. I can't reveal all of the recipients because everyone hasn't received their gift yet, but here they are...


A suncatcher.


Stitch markers.


A bracelet for my mom.


Colorful socks for my dad's 60th birthday celebration!


And these stitch markers I gave to me. :o)

The Coconut Adventure

Jonathan loves coconut macaroons dipped in melted chocolate. He loves them like he loves pineapple and ham on his pizza. A whole lot.

I knew that he liked coconut macaroons and, yet, for some reason I had never attempted to make them. Maybe they scared me a bit. To me they looked slightly elaborate in structure. They seemed to be one of those sweet confections that required an extra amount of attention or it would all go horribly wrong.

Yesterday, I must of been feeling extraordinarily courageous because I got it into my head to try and surprise him with coconut macaroons. I went to Martha Stewart for help or at least her website. I found a recipe. Surprisingly, the macaroons did not look too difficult to make. So, I set forth on my coconut adventure and it turned out to be more like a stroll in the park on a perfect spring afternoon. They were super easy to make. It shocked me how easy.

Here they are, sitting around in they toasted, golden deliciousness...


I melted chocolate and even kept myself from sticking my finger in the chocolate and eating it all before it could get to the macaroons.


Then I dipped half of each one into the chocolate...


They are DELICIOUS!

If you like toasted coconut, you have to make these. Do it! Anyone else you know who likes coconut will love you for these. So, go forth on your own coconut adventure and have fun!

Crocus Awake!

Just another sign of spring's arrival!

Seedlings

The Cosmos and Zinnias started poking their tiny selves out of the dirt sometime during the night. I’m hoping I can fill the non-vegetable areas of the garden with a superabundance of flower awesomeness!



I’ve also been working on some knitting projects. I’m using the leftover Malabrigo from my Foliage project...



...for a Kitschy Kerchief.


It’s one of the beginner patterns from S ‘n B. Sometimes it nice to go back to basics. It’s like a bit of a breather in-between the bigger projects.

I’ve got some more knitty projects on needles of which I will write about later.

Keep smiling! :o)

Randomness

Today's post meanders a bit, touching on a few random thoughts and musings.

Random #1:
Today, while I volunteered at the 577 Foundation, I glanced at the bonsai trees (which are nicely displayed now on driftwood platforms) and I thought about why I love them. I love bonsai trees because they spark my imagination. As a child I always conjured up fairies or talking mice or talking fairy mice who lived and hid among the bonsai trees. Even now, as an adult, when I look at a bonsai tree, I see the potential for stories about hidden worlds overlooked by those to busy to see them. Trees in general, whether they are 12 inches or 312 feet tall, always remind me of one of my favorite quotes, "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

I try to remind myself of that when I think I need to rush my way through life. That quote always brings me back to center.

Random #2:
A couple of days ago, I ordered my seeds. I ordered them from Johnny's and High Mowing Seeds. Soon they will be here!

Today I started putting some seeds that a friend gave me into seedling trays. These are testers, while I wait for my seed order. Some of the seeds were a few years old, so I'm hoping they will germinate. Even though I have been gardening for awhile now, I am still amazed by the fact that something as tiny as a seed can create plants and veggies and fruit.

Random #3:
Last night I went to Insanknitty at The Yarn Cravin'. It was fun seeing everyone again, like Sarah and Karen. I think I'm going to try and make Insanknitty a habit. Oh, and HOORAY for Addi Purl, the cutest little puppy knitting mascot ever! I wish I had a picture of her, but I don't. At least not yet! She sat on my lap last night and tried to eat my hair. Silly puppy!

Random #4:
Just a picture of an orchid in bloom. Pretty.

The Sometimes Stinky, Sometimes Sweet Scented Geranium

Once a week I volunteer at the 577 Foundation and help out with all things botanical. This is the same place I have my community garden (garden planning has begun as well!!!). Anyhoo, today's volunteer duties consisted of taking care of the scented geraniums.
I pruned leaves, removed the plants from their pots, teased their roots, stuck them back in the pots, refreshed them with new soil and then showered them with a diluted epsom salt bath (apparently, their muscles get sore and achy too). I had to quarantine four of the geraniums because it seemed that they had become deluxe condominiums for white flies. Poor little geraniums had to go to sick bay.

Now, it might not seem exciting to hang out with geraniums (especially the stinky ones) and dirt, but I LOVE IT! There's something about flowers and plants and trees that simply makes me happy, inspires my imagination and just plain relaxes me (Except for when a big hairy spider surprises me while I'm pruning. At that point I am neither happy or relaxed and am focused solely on getting far away from the clutches of Shelob). So, other than the scary, bloodsucking, fiend-like bugs there are smiles all around.

Repotted geraniums all lined up and ready to return to the dome.

Besides hanging out in the potting shed today, I've also started planning for this year's garden. My garden's theme will be based on the foods of Mexico.
These are the contenders so far:
1. Pinto Beans
2. Cilantro
3. Sweet White Corn
4. Epazote
5. Onions
6. Scallions
7. Tomatillos
8. Tomatoes
9. An assortment of chili peppers
10. Pumpkin (I want to try making pumpkin seed mole from scratch)

There will also be sunflowers, marigolds, cosmos, zinnias and nasturtium.

I haven't worked everything out, yet. So, some more vegetables might be added and some might be taken away. I wish I could grow citrus (lemon and lime) trees and avocado trees!!!

I'm super excited! w00t!


Here's a little splash of color to help you survive this cold rainy day...