Aka puppy boy
Aka dextario
Aka little turd
Aka jingle turd
Aka J.T.
Aka dextina

About a month ago we raised the bed of my garden. It took two truckfulls of soil, a little bit of wood and a few metal brackets. I planted my garden a little bit later than I had planned, but got it in and it’s started to grow nicely. My problem with gardening is that I’m not very good at remembering to water it.

So over the past week Jim has been digging trenches and glueing little plastic pipes together to make an automatic watering system for the garden. He had to tap into our automatic sprinkler system for the lawn and figured while he was at it, he would also install a tap for a hose in the backyard which I’ve lusted after for the entire time we’ve lived here. He’s my hero.

My plan is to take progress pictures over the summer to see how well the garden does. I anticipate it will be much better than last year because it will actually get watered every single day. Here’s the pics from yesterday.

And here is a picture of the garden before.

But I really like these fabrics together and July is blanket month at Tangle, so… really I DO need another project. Plus, nearly all of these fabrics are discontinued, so I should get them while the gettin’s good.  Right?

I was thinking the other day about how many unfinished projects I have.  It’s something so embarrassing that I don’t want to dig them out and count. I didn’t used to be a project starter, but it seems that I am one now.  I think in my old age I’ve gotten a little ADD. How will I be twenty years from now? It worries me, for sure.

But there’s something about the lure of a shiny new project – the way the yarn looks at me on the shelves or the way fabrics just happen to be together… it’s hard to resist. And then, before the last project is finished, another one will call to me, and another, and another, and another… And here I am, a big pile of things to finish and something cute and new calling my name.

hmmm….

I love that my list of homemade things to eat keeps on growing.

I started making sprouts a couple of winters ago, got really into it and then randomly stopped. But it’s the easiest thing and I think kind of brilliant if you are wanting fresh, local greens in the wintertime. (especially if you could find local seed.)

At vitamin cottage, our local health food store, they sell the lids for the jars and just about every kind of sprouting seed you could imagine. The seeds come with specific instructions but basically the seed need to be soaked overnight and then rinsed and drained two or three times a day for 3-4 days, depending in the temperature in your house. I store mine in a ziploc lined with paper towels and they last at least a week in the fridge (they often end up being eaten before that).

These are a “protein blend” and will be a little heartier than the basic alfalfa sprouts. I think they will be especially good in salads.

In a few minutes I’m going to start my first bible study. It’s going to be with some girls I love, but I’m feeling just a little apprehensive. I think it’s because going to a bible study couldn’t be a more adult activity – I remember my mom doing bible studies when I was my childrens age and thinking she was so old. (Jim pointed out the other day that my mom was 36 when he met me.) Or because it couldn’t be a more “Christian” activity.

I’m actually not worried that these girls will be “religious” but I’m thinking the tequila will help it not feel cliche.

If I write a book someday i want each chapter to be the name of one of my friends. I want to tell the story of how each of them has made my life and how each of them has saved me in different ways.

Almost all of them are creative in one way or another. I think that is probably what has drawn me to them. I thrive on creativity – from full out art projects to domestic arts to everything in-between. Amy has definitely become my number one partner in the domestic arts. She is a interior designer by trade and is my go-to girl whenever I have an idea for my house. I love her joy for everything domestic and her excitement over things that some would find dull like canning and old jelly jars and paint colors and dishes. Amy is the one who got me hooked on Fiestaware.

One of the things that Amy and i have been doing lately is yard sale-ing. We have a standing date evey Friday morning to head out early in search if treasures. Today we found an especially amazing deal – four discontinued Fiestaware place settings with a serving bowl for $10. When we got back in the car after paying for our treasure, we both were a little bit adrenaline-shaky from the excitement of our find.

I love that.

I love that God knows exactly what we need and fills those needs through different people in ways we wouldn’t expect. I love that the burden doesn’t have to fall on one person to fill every single need (sad to say I once thought it did) but that our needs can be met fully and with great joy by a wonderful handful of people. I love the gift God has given me in my different friends. Having them makes me know that he loves me.

* I started working with a trainer last week. It’s high time I get myself in really good shape. I’m feeling really hopeful and excited to be working with her. It’s so nice to have the accountability that I haven’t been able to give myself. Aaand I think I’m gonna be real sore for the next three months at least.

* I also decided with my renewed need to eat good food and my work on getting into better shape that I’d start food journaling to keep myself accountable. To spare you all the constant updates, i decided to use my wordpress blog that i set up years ago. If you want to see what I’m up to here’s the link. http://pretendingsanity.wordpress.com/ I’d love it if anyone wanted to join me in food journaling.

* After the art and jazz festival, where we rolled out our knitted graffiti, we decided to leave one piece up permanently and see what happened. It lasted about 4 days before it was vandalized. I’m a little heart broken over the whole thing. (pictures still coming of all the pieces, i just need to get my computer to cooperate with me so i can edit them.)

* anyone out there use a yogurt maker? I’m looking at brands and would love a recommendation.

I’m allergic to cheese so I can’t ever just buy a bag of ravioli and whip it up for dinner. So I’ve been thinking of making my own. I figured while I was at it I should make a batch of potstickers because I’ve been pretty obsessed with them lately. I think the kind frozen at the store are only moderately good.

Anyone want to join me in a day ‘o tasty deliciousness?

I think for both of these recipes I would make the dough rather than use egg roll or potstickers wrappers.
* http://www.raviolirecipe.net/Ravioli/SpinachRavioli.htm
* http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/spinach-and-mushroom-ravioli-recipe2/index.html

Potstickers:
The problem with most dumplings are that they are made with pork. I like this recipe cause it’s veggie. Or I might just use my egg roll filling.

* http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/dave-lieberman/veggie-potstickers-recipe/index.html

• gathered clutch tutorial

• I’m in love with elastic thread. This is great way to use it. summer ruffle scarf tutorial

• pleated pouch tutorial

*I was spoiled for mothers day with a new iPad, so I spent this afternoon sewing it a new sleeve. (I’m posting this from the iPad!)

(pardon the cell quality pic.)

It’s not perfect but I’m happy with it!

*I guess it’s obvious that I’m in a sewing mood which is good because we are having a big party at Tangle on Friday to launch our sewing classes. Everyone is invited, 7-9pm.

Menu week of April 26 2010

Originally uploaded by pretendingsanity

Monday: thai chicken & noodle salad
Tuesday: spaghetti with Italian turkey sausages (jim)
Wednesday: Jim’s 35th birthday – out
Thursday: arugula with roasted salmon and potatoes
Friday: pineapple crackers CD release party @ Mesa theater (so probably whatever we can grab)
Saturday: chef salad
Subday: chicken veracruzano