tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88736572024-03-08T13:27:51.401-05:00Wenjomatic<b>A Knitting Not-So-Stay-At-Home Mom</b><br><br> <img src=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1355/1095633651_68a32f39aa.jpg><br>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-33043695665529833162009-01-12T09:47:00.003-05:002009-01-12T10:21:49.972-05:00Finding Little Wendy PThrough some ridiculous timing (CHRISTMAS WEEK, hello!?! what was I thinking) I decided to join a website to connect with people locally that are mommy friends so we could easily make plans with the kids and what not. What I found was that many people from my home town on there as well. Don decided to join as well and has had a blast looking up people from college and has found some folks from his old college paper days... thrilling for him. <br /><br />On Friday night I decided to just simply (I thought) scan in some photos from high school days and put them up to share with the couple of people from marching band days who I'd been talking to. Well!... you'd have thought I turned on a light in a closet full of cockroaches! People came out of the woodwork! And I mean that in the BEST possible way. LOL I have just spend a RIDICULOUS amount of time on this computer talking and reconnecting with some very old friends, looking at their childrens' faces and reading their stories. They touch me in a way that only the stories from my street, my school, my class can. <br /><br />What it makes me realize is that when I decided to escape the days of high school by moving away and choosing not to stay in touch, I was leaving a huge chunk of myself behind. I'll tell you what... I went to school with some pretty fabulous people. I tried pretty hard to be someone else for the entirety of my 20s. Thankfully I woke up somewhere around the age of 30 and re-found Wendy. And now that I've rediscovered these old friends and this little girl is shining through to me in these pictures, perhaps I can just build a bridge over all that darkness that was my 20s. Because the last ten years has been fabulous too!Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-46793413399595458812009-01-07T19:21:00.005-05:002009-01-07T20:05:02.865-05:00I'm sorry and the standard excuses...It seems like I can blog for a few months then I run out of juice. I think life just builds up and things get piled up and blogging just gets lost in the pile. Christmas stacked up fast for me this year with a really huge PTO project that I co-chaired just before the regular shuffle of things began to click off the list. But looking back, it seems like November serving up some unwelcome medical issues is what might have thrown me off track. <br /><br />Anyway. I'll try again. I'll play catch up for the holidays and post some photos via the slide show method: here is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/tags/christmas2008/show/">Christmas 2008</a> for our family.<br /><br />Of course the big family news is that we have a TEENAGER!!! Mary Grace turned 13 over the weekend. Ahhh! SHOCKING to me, because this mama feels like she should be 3, not 13. She is blossoming (she dislikes that word) into such a lovely young lady. She is so much like me (she'd probably dislike hearing that one too) it's scary. VERY into the 80s look, which thrills me to no end. Rock on, sistah! Here she is sporting her electric yellow shirt and finger nails with crimped hair. Of course she was wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor hightops to boot! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/3166309615/" title="Mary Grace 13th birthday by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/3166309615_fcbf8d51d4_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Mary Grace 13th birthday" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/3166308971/" title="Mary Grace 13th birthday cake by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/3166308971_b73256a889_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Mary Grace 13th birthday cake" /></a><br /><br />Overall it was a fantastic holiday. Lots of family time between visits with both sides, some dinners out with Don's parents, visits from the Alabama troops and a nice long two week stay for Mary Grace. And two weeks out of school for Andrew and Abi. We are truly blessed. We spent two weeks with people that we love dearly. Our family.<br /><br />It's funny... the word family means something different now than it did to me growing up. But, it's still just as precious and just as wonderful. Family now means the people that we are kin to, the families that we have married in to, the families our loved ones have married in to, the friends we have made in this area and their precious ones... and even online friends who have supported me for 7 years now since my pregnancy with Andrew. And they are the ones who make me who I am and get me out of bed each day. I love my family. Blended, shaken and stirred as it may be. I love my family.Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-52041145995105525442008-10-21T07:18:00.001-05:002008-10-21T07:18:56.408-05:00Somebody Turned 6 Today!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2956343178/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2956343178_b12bac6004_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2956343178/">Blowing Out The Candles</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>It's hard to even say it out loud. Andrew is 6.<br /><br />Andrew had a lovely Ocean Animals party over the weekend with our closest friends and family. The weather, after sweating the predicted cold temps for a week or more, turned out just lovely... super sunny and 62. I couldn't have asked for a better fall day.<br /><br />The kids all played so well and got along great, even though many of them had never met. Birthday parties are interesting as your child gets older. We have kindergarten friends now, plus the preschool friends from the last few years... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2956341628/in/photostream/">all mixed in</a> with playgroup friends we've known for as long as 6 years. But kids are still just kids... willing to play with anyone who will <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2956338772/">grab a hand</a>. I was lovely.<br /><br />Today we're sending in special snacks to school, spider cookies, as they are studying spiders this week. And a goodie of chocolate popcorn with spider rings inside. Andrew loved helping make them!<br /><br />Ahhh, my boy is 6 now. That seems SO old to me. He's the same age Mary Grace was, when he was born. Time truly flies.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2958335397/" title="Andrew's Special Snack by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2958335397_1e40e78cd5_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Andrew's Special Snack" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2959865582/" title="Chocolate Spider Popcorn by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2959865582_5421623af2_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Chocolate Spider Popcorn" /></a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-41824192647016765752008-10-11T09:29:00.001-05:002008-10-11T09:29:53.428-05:00Blue Ribbon Nutkins<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2931746004/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2931746004_9dfc953fca_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2931746004/">Blue Ribbon Nutkins</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>The Manheim Community Farm Show was this week so I entered some of my knitting into the "Fancy Work" section. That name always cracks me up. My Nutkin socks won a 1st place Blue Ribbon in the socks/booties exhibition. Abi's Little Sister Dress won a 2nd place Red Ribbon in the children's clothing exhibition. <br /><br />Andrew entered his coloring page in the farm coloring display and won a participant ribbon. He's so proud!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2930927121/" title="Farm Show Ribbon Winner by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2930927121_c93ddd0583_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Farm Show Ribbon Winner" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2930889133/" title="2nd Place Dress by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/2930889133_60283f4682_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="2nd Place Dress" /></a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-28092564335286421422008-10-06T11:12:00.001-05:002008-10-06T11:12:46.407-05:00Garden Picked Clean<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2919185216/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2919185216_57e0e4b15b_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2919185216/">Garden Picked Clean</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>By me!!<br /><br />Warm weather is coming to an end and our first Freeze Warning has just been issued for tonight. I went out this morning and picked the last of the things that might be bothered by the cold. There are still tons of green tomatoes on the vines, but we are about tomatoed-out at this point. I'll either fry up these green ones or see if they will turn, on the counter top, on their own.</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-17900392046949702172008-10-04T08:35:00.005-05:002008-10-04T09:55:15.695-05:00New LYS = Lancaster Yarn Shop = *LOVE*<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2911244637/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2911244637_55aa952db9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2911244637/">ShiBui Detail</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>The newest and most exciting yarn shop in our area opened last night, for First Friday, in downtown Lancaster, PA. <a href="http://lancasteryarnshop.com/">Lancaster Yarn Shop</a><br /><br />To celebrate, and to feed my addiction, I broke the sock yarn diet rule for one day. And oh, how happy I am.<br /><br />It was very hard to choose... she's already stocking several lines of yarn and some local goodies. But I've been eyeing this <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cauchycomplete/2348925891/">chocolate/aqua combination,</a> dubbed "chocqua" by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cauchycomplete/">cauchy09</a> for a long time. <br /><br />This is going to make my Socktober Fest goals VERY difficult to meet. I think I'd better tuck it away for a while.</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2912092090/" title="ShiBui Love by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2912092090_800c224d90_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="ShiBui Love" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-33068977932186734902008-10-02T07:18:00.004-05:002008-10-02T07:22:53.031-05:00SocktoberFest Challenge<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2907313174/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2907313174_ed03641132_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2907313174/">SocktoberFest Challenge</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span>I currently have 3 unfinished pairs of socks on the needles, in various stages. My personal goal for <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/2008/09/24/fourth-annual-socktoberfest-one-week-countdown">Socktober Fest:</a> Finish these socks!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2876690338/">Don's Socks</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2875858015/in/photostream/">Edelweiss</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2875859335/">Firey SuperMerino Socks</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/2008/09/24/fourth-annual-socktoberfest-one-week-countdown"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2906451807_6465ed4c9a_o.jpg" width="100" height="60" alt="socktoberfest" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-60607239406111428872008-09-27T08:45:00.002-05:002008-09-27T08:48:16.624-05:00Dried Tomatoes<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2892378910/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/2892378910_c3555289de_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2892378910/">Dried Tomatoes</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>More deliciousness for winter...<br /><br />My girlfriend, Ann, lent me her food dehydrator after telling me about drying her own tomatoes. I was so excited to give it a go. <br /><br />It was such a simple and easy process.. only taking about 20 minutes to wash and slice all of the tomatoes, the just plug in the dehydrator! Large ones cut in quarter inch slices, cherry tomatoes cut in halves. It took about 10 hours to dry the tomatoes and now I have a stuffed quart of dried tomatoes to add to salads, stews and breads this winter. Yum!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2891539603/" title="Dried Tomatoes All Done by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2891539603_9d2f6fae7d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Dried Tomatoes All Done" /></a><br><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2890571000/" title="Preparing Tomatoes For The Dehydrator by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2890571000_5bcdd25131_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Preparing Tomatoes For The Dehydrator" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2890570432/" title="Sliced Tomatoes Ready To Dry by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2890570432_8e58a91331_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Sliced Tomatoes Ready To Dry" /></a> </p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-85276991828348936162008-09-26T14:15:00.001-05:002008-09-26T14:15:00.568-05:00Cloudy Day Harvest<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2890568348/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2890568348_a2c0ab7e36_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2890568348/">Cloudy Day Harvest</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>It's quite gloomy today, but they garden is cheerful. With plans for a nice big veggie dinner, I went out to harvest the broccoli and discovered that other things were ready for me as well.<br /><br />- red bell pepper<br />- royalty purple bush beans (first handful)<br />- red radishes<br />- broccoli<br /><br />I love the seasons of the garden. The tomatoes are finally slowing a bit but they are still keeping us in sandwiches and salads. I'm just trying my hand at drying them for the first time (more on that later) as the fall greens begin to steal my attention. I love how things change as the days click by. It won't be long until it's time to pull things out and fill the compost bin. <br /><br />Meanwhile, my mind is already busy with details of how I'll do some things differently next year. Folia is good for making those notes. There is little free time for me lately with all of the school activities I've volunteered for, but it seems that the garden is patient with me... waiting until I can get in the back yard. Thankfully we're having mild weather right now... not too hot, not too cold. So everything is happy. And so am I.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2889735203/" title="First Royalty Purple Bean Harvest by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2889735203_e1f138a849_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="First Royalty Purple Bean Harvest" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2889734563/" title="Fall Radishes by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/2889734563_4a3b2111ea_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Fall Radishes" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2889733985/" title="Broccoli Bowl by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2889733985_6a73b64e16_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Broccoli Bowl" /></a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-63365734119789790952008-09-25T15:23:00.001-05:002008-09-25T15:23:47.384-05:00Caramel Apple Bites<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2887668429/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2887668429_8764c6e588_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2887668429/">Caramel Apple Bites</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>Andrew's class was doing a unit on apples all week. Today we sent in the snack. The idea is originally from Family Fun (I think) and passed on to us from a friend. Andrew said the class LOVED them!<br /><br />Caramel Apple Bites:<br />melon baller<br />lollipop sticks (cut in half)<br />candy cups<br />apples<br />soft caramel candy melted<br /><br />Cut out bites of apples using the melon baller. Dab the moisture from the apple then insert a lolli stick. Dip into the melted caramel and place in candy cup to harden.<br /><br />Best if made about an hour before serving or they will get juicy. Also fun to dip them in melted white chocolate morsels or butterscotch morsels.</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-89597584214764614922008-09-20T08:20:00.002-05:002008-09-20T08:22:10.220-05:00Andrew In The FunRun<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2871818403/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2871818403_914c6dee0d_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2871818403/">Fun Run Ribbon Winner</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>The high school cross-country team sponsored a FunRun this week and Andrew joined in the fun. He had a total blast! He was by no means the fastest (there are some flipping BIG kindergarteners around here, our town grows em' big) but he came in about 12th in a pack of 40 or so kgarten boys. I was so proud! <br /><br />All 3 elementary schools participated and Andrew's school had the most participation so they won a trophy, almost as tall as Andrew, to display in the entry of the school. Andrew dragged me inside to see it, he loves being a part of the whole school experience. <br /><br />Stretching before the race and crossing the finish line...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2871817193/" title="Stretching Before The Fun Run by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2871817193_9a92466400_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Stretching Before The Fun Run" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2872648288/" title="Crossing The Finish Line by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2872648288_fa097b1228_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Crossing The Finish Line" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-84858806628974391482008-09-12T08:07:00.003-05:002008-09-12T08:09:04.679-05:00Andrew Is Just SO Happy!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2850931190/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2850931190_de14e232e2_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="right" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2850931190/">great day</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> I am amazed at how MUCH Andrew loves school. I knew he'd enjoy the friends and activities but he is really digging into the learning too. His teacher just has that special something that gets him fired up about the work.<br /><br />They always journal first thing in the morning and she was telling me last night (back to school night) that he almost trips over furniture and other children trying to get in the door and hang up his backpack so he can grab his journal and get started. I am amazed at how much his writing is coming along in just a couple weeks of school.<br /><br />He sprints down the sidewalk every day to get into the house and do a project that has been on his mind all day, based on something from school. I thought he'd just be ready to play, but he wants to paint something they did at school, or try writing a word from a book. It's crazy. I hope this enthusiasm can last. This morning he was watcing Peep on TLC while eating breakfast and he sound out TLC... tilc... "mom, that's not a word!" I explained about abbreviations and The Learning Channel. It's 6:30 son, let me drink my coffee! LOL<br /><br />He goes to sleep singing about things from his school day. Last night he was singing in the dark about little yellow and little blue hugging so tight they both turned green. I turned off the TV so I could just sit and listen to him. It's infectious! I want to go to kindergarten!<br /><br />He is so happy... it does my heart good.</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-30022063776605162412008-09-12T07:58:00.003-05:002008-09-12T08:03:56.372-05:00One Great Day<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2840403462/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2840403462_7494885248_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2840403462/">Abi's Preschool</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> <p>Monday morning... I sent Andrew out the door with Don to walk to school. Abi woke up a little later, had breakfast and got ready then I walked her down to her first day at preschool. We had a brief parent meeting and I headed back home 30 minutes later. As I did I looked over and there was Andrew on the playground at the school across the street. His teacher saw me and waved me over. We stood there for about 10 minutes chatting, laughing and watching the kids. (I love my town and that the schools are on my street... it's all very Norman Rockwell.)<br /><br />Basking in the afterglow of a beautiful start to the day with beautiful children who are doing beautiful things... I walked him enjoying the alone-ness that comes with having school-aged children. I came in the house, folded a quick load of clothes and put them away, dusted the down stairs then sat down at the computer with a cup of coffee to catch up on things. I made couple phone calls. Then I sat out on the front porch for a bit, thumbed through a magazine. I decided the kitchen sink needed scrubbing so I got out the Comet and a toothbrush. Did that. Walked around in the garden for a bit. Still more than 30 minutes left before pick-up time for Abi. Put out some ground beef to thaw for dinner. Ran upstairs and made the kids beds.<br /><br />What in the heck? I know every day won't be like that.. I will be volunteering in the classroom, I'll be constantly chasing things down as room-mom, the house keeping will fall behind at some point. But for that day, just that moment in time... I felt in control of my little carved out world. I felt like I had a handle on things. Duties were done. Everyone made it where they were supposed to be with matching socks, clean faces and full bellies.<br /><br />It all sounds so good right? But why did it have to go so well? Now I'll be so disappointed when it goes bad next time.</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2840404172/" title="Abi Ready For Preschool by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2840404172_8faa4fa387_m.jpg" alt="Abi Ready For Preschool" width="180" height="240" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-77063275229424169072008-09-02T13:00:00.004-05:002008-09-02T13:02:33.668-05:00One Happy Salad: Fall Plantings Coming In<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2821531935/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2821531935_e3d2a04e9e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2821531935/">One Happy Salad</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> I'm beginning to get some things from my fall plantings that are big enough to enjoy. I pulled the first 2 radished today and some of the mesclun, both planted just about 3 weeks ago. I put them with some yellow tomatoes and onions from the garden as well, topped with some ginger sesame dressing.<br /><br />I am a pretty happy gardener.<br><br></p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2821531491/" title="Radishes First Fall Harvest by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2821531491_e1e4a94cda_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Radishes First Fall Harvest" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-203059883261052012008-09-02T09:50:00.001-05:002008-09-02T09:50:33.852-05:00New Sock Yarn!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2820991745/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2820991745_be6df9d4d0_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2820991745/">Sanguine Griffon Yarn</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>NO, I DID NOT BUY SOCK YARN! The sock yarn diet is still in effect! (That's for my knit circle girls) <br /><br />I received a lovely message from Hello-Knitty via Ravelry last week. She was drooling over my lightweight <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2255527283/">Socks That Rock in Jonagold</a> that I bought at Stitches last fall. We worked out a trade for this delicious <a href="http://www.sanguinegryphon.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=18_24_46&sort=2a&page=4">Sanguine Gryphon</a> sock yarn. Yarny details: Eidos in Parmenides... mossy greens and a touch of midnight blue. <br /><br />It's nice we can both be happy. I loved the Jonagold, but I love this EVEN MORE!</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-21675925711221269432008-09-01T14:39:00.004-05:002008-09-01T15:26:52.068-05:00Hot Salsa - Homemade Variety<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2818024223/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2818024223_1c1981bca3_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2818024223/">Salsa In The Making</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> <p>Today I skinned and stemmed my available tomatoes then gathered all the other ingredients for home canned salsa. The chopping, as always, is the most time consuming part. I boiled hot water first and poured it over the tomatoes, making the skins slide right off. The onions and bell peppers are from my garden too, hot peppers a mix of jalapeno from a neighbor and serrano from the market.<br /><br />My house smells so good... and pretty spicy. I went out back for a bit, then walked back into the kitchen. Whamo! I was hit with the aroma of hot peppers. This stuff might be very HOT in a few weeks. We shall see.<br /><br />Recipe shared by <a href="http://myfolia.com/gardener/gubeedal">gubeedal</a> from Folia....<br /><br />4 cups tomatoes peeled and chopped, 2 cups seeded chopped long green peppers (I used a mix of regular bell peppers and banana peppers), 1 cup seeded chopped hot peppers, 3/4 cup chopped onion, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar, 6 oz tomatoe paste, cayenne pepper to taste,<br /><br />Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. pour into sterilized jars. Process 30 in boiling water bath for minutes. Makes 3 pints.<br /><br />**note: to adjust the heat of each recipe, remove the seeds and veins of the hot peppers.</p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2818023105/" title="Hot Salsa Macro by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2818023105_4941085040_t.jpg" alt="Hot Salsa Macro" width="75" height="100" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2818024717/" title="Bell Pepper Harvest by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2818024717_395c6b58f0_t.jpg" alt="Bell Pepper Harvest" width="100" height="73" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2818023495/" title="8 pints Hot Salsa by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2818023495_0e8ba963a9_t.jpg" alt="8 pints Hot Salsa" width="100" height="56" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-414700441541794312008-08-26T08:06:00.007-05:002008-08-26T08:21:12.947-05:00Abi's Little Sister Dress<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2799081445/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2799081445_33bdea9779_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2799081445/">Abi's Little Sister Dress</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br><br>Pattern: <a href="http://knittingalot.blogspot.com/2008/01/pattern-for-little-girls-dress.html">Little Sister Dress by Tora Froseth</a>, 12m size (altered yarn and needle)<br /><br>Yarn: Beyond Bold by South West Trading Company in rose, white and chocolate<br />needle size: US4 circular 24"<br /><br>Cast-on 8-8-08 during the Opening Ceremonies for my <a href="http://blog.ravelry.com/2008/07/25/ravelympics/">Ravelympics Challenge</a> this is Abi's completed dress. It took exactly 16 days and I crossed the finish line off during Closing Ceremonies. And what a joy to knit! The pattern is a super easy top-down, no seam pattern. Written for an infant size, I sized it up with a worsted weight yarn on size 4 needles. It made for a modest fabric with good body and not too much stretch, which is often problematic with 100% cotton. I am super happy with the final fabric.<br><br>Abi adores it and was the fit is just right! It's great for late summer on it's own and will move into fall and winter with a shirt and tights underneath. And if we don't hit a growth spurt, perhaps spring as well!<br /><br />I highly recommend this project for those of you with girls OR for a quick baby gift, as the pattern is written!</p><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2799105035/" title="Abi's Little Sister Dress by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2799105035_a4845b8fe4_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Abi's Little Sister Dress" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2799080099/" title="Abi's Little Sister Dress Yoke Detail by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2799080099_6109c1f107_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Abi's Little Sister Dress Yoke Detail" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2799078753/" title="Little Sister Dress Button Detail by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/2799078753_d2fd78a8b7_t.jpg" width="100" height="75" alt="Little Sister Dress Button Detail" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-68332613598356992242008-08-25T11:40:00.005-05:002008-08-25T11:43:50.584-05:00Ready for Kindergarten<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2796972376/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2796972376_215a5e6326_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2796972376/">Ready for Kindergarten</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> Today, Andrew became a kindergartener! He was ready... he's positively thrilled. I'm not so sure I was ready.<br /><br />How did this day get here so fast?<br /><br />It was a very fun morning, just as we getting dressed we were hit with a heavy rain. The first real rain we've had here in more than a month. Timing is everything right? Thankfully it subsided just as it was time for us to take our walk down the street. Moms and Dads stayed with the children today, just for a short morning of school. Tomorrow will be a regular day.<br /><br />Mrs. DePatto had them do a scavenger hunt of sorts, finding the areas of the room. They found the reading center, activity center, math center, the art center and so on. We also went for a walk to find the cafeteria, the office, the playground, the library and the bathrooms. Andrew feels more comfortable there now, knowing his surroundings.<br /><br />I think I am comfortable too. I'm sad that he's on the school track now. Our lives will be very different... schedules, activities, meetings. Abi's playtime will be very different now too, I hope she's not lonely. We surely know how to keep busy... so that's just what we'll do.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2796126593/" title="Andrew's Desk At School by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2796126593_6b7d1423e3_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Andrew's Desk At School" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2796971286/" title="Andrew and Mrs DePatto by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2796971286_8c10a31411_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Andrew and Mrs DePatto" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2796125293/" title="Andrew Alphabet by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2796125293_d146a92081_t.jpg" width="75" height="100" alt="Andrew Alphabet" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-65476624011335361242008-08-24T15:13:00.001-05:002008-08-24T15:13:18.429-05:00Harvesting: An Onion Dig<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2793004357/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2793004357_b8250e4577_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2793004357/">Onions, Can You Smell Them?</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>Dig is not really an accurate word for what I just did with my onions. I learned that when onions are ready the greens lay down and begin drying. Mine started this process 7-10 days ago. Also, what I read said that once ready, they practically spring out when you tug on the foliage.<br /><br />Sure enough. They do. It took me all of 3 minutes to snatch them all out. There were a few that could have remained another week or so, but overall they were ready. They were co-planted around my broccoli and peppers (big plant in the center of the square, 8 onions in a halo around the edges of the square) so I had to get down on my hands and knees to reach around the center plants, which are still producing. This is my first one-time/full sort of harvest and I was smiling ear to ear. I kept giggling to myself that if one of my neighbors happened to come out at that time they’d have thought I’d lost it (again) seeing me all crouched down like that grinning.<br /><br />Oh well. My onions are happy so I’m happy. There’s quite a variation in size here, which will be VERY convenient for cooking, depending on what I’m making and how much I need. I do wonder how they can vary this much all in the same garden box, all planted at the same time, all getting watered together. Surely sunlight must be the answer. The ones on the outer edges of the box, less blocked by bigger plants, are the jumbo ones. But not without exception, some of the innermost were bigger too.<br /><br />So now to dry… they are laying out back now, on the newspaper. I left them in full sun for this afternoon. The dirt was pretty damp and needs to dry so I can brush it off before they lay out and cure for a couple weeks. Then to storage for winter. These will get us a far way into winter, but not all the way through. I’ll definitely plant more next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2793853388/" title="Onion Harvest 2008 by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2793853388_6fa0ddbb74_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Onion Harvest 2008" /></a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-55559044803164284552008-08-19T07:30:00.001-05:002008-08-19T07:30:41.312-05:00Seed Swap<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2777248043/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2777248043_7735c06aca_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2777248043/">Seed Swap</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>I'm packaging up some burpless cucumber seeds to go off into the world. My Folia has a very nifty feature that lets a gardener post their seeds stashed for swap. I had plenty cuke seeds so I marked them as available. And right away I heard from a gardener in NC who was interested. She's trading me some sunflower seeds for my cuke seeds.<br /><br />It's all very exciting. In a dorky-gardener sort of way. I can't wait to find out they are received and I look forward to seeing how they do down the road.</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-21997740907407871012008-08-18T08:47:00.003-05:002008-08-18T09:07:22.353-05:00What does a gardener look like?If you grow anything at all and haven't stumbled upon <a href="http://myfolia.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Folia</span>.com</a> yet, you have to check it out. It's an incredible way to journal your own gardens, plus meet others and discuss what's growing... around the world.<br /><br />Last week a journal entry sparked the most endearing and fun conversation about <a href="http://myfolia.com/journals/26668">What Gardeners Look Like.</a> I hung on every word and found so much comfort in what Kat Powers shared. I grew up much like she did and am trying to impart the dirt-in-your-toes philosophy to own my children. It's tempting, in the electronic age, to just plug them into something and do what I want. But it's so terribly unhealthy for their little minds. I'd rather them be out chasing bugs and digging in the dirt. More work for me of course, more water for baths, more band-aids required. But the pay-off is exponential.<br /><br />So grab a cup of coffee and read this wonderful journal entry about her garden life... and all of the great replies that came after. And by all means, register for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Folia</span> if you're got anything in dirt around you! Just add me as your gardening buddy!Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-90734263273391388982008-08-17T07:37:00.001-05:002008-08-17T07:37:16.409-05:00Inflammatory Breast Cancer... Have You Heard?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2770049135/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2770049135_a49e0cac3e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2770049135/">IBC</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" /><p>WATCH THIS VIDEO NOW! <a href="http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv">komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv</a><br /><br />If you think you know breast cancer, you'll be surprised to hear about this OTHER kind of breast cancer that mammograms and monthly breast exams don't find. This is important for you to know, and for those you love! GET THE WORD OUT!<br /><br />Research can be found here at <a href="http://www.ibcresearch.org/">The IBC Research Foundation</a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-42607764583508815252008-08-15T17:47:00.003-05:002008-08-15T17:49:38.090-05:00Making Pesto<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2765834365/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/2765834365_137aff232a_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2765834365/">Making Pesto</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span> Today I harvested all of larger basil plants from the square foot garden (the ones blooming). I was SHOCKED when I realized that there were 8 cups of leaves to process... and I mean 8 firmly packed leaves. It took two batches, but I was able to put up, in ice cube trays, 48 little blocks of pesto for the freezer! Plus there was just enough for tonight's dinner that didn't fit into the tray.</p><p> All of it from only 2 square feet in the garden!!<br /><br />Into the blender... 2 batches of:<br /><br />4 cups packed pesto leaves<br />1 cup Parmesan cheese<br />1 cup olive oil<br />1 tbsp minced garlic<br />1 1/2c walnuts<br />salt and pepper to taste<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2766682920/" title="Basil Harvest by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2766682920_2368924e00_m.jpg" alt="Basil Harvest" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2765835269/" title="Drying the Basil by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2765835269_681d9b4ec3_m.jpg" alt="Drying the Basil" width="240" height="180" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2766680890/" title="Pesto Crazy by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3056/2766680890_56fde475f8_m.jpg" alt="Pesto Crazy" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-76480267341509312852008-08-13T09:51:00.003-05:002008-08-13T09:54:59.401-05:00Cicada Fully Emerged<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2759301859/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2759301859_e657dcef2c_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2759301859/">Cicada Fully Emerged</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span><br clear="all" />This morning we walked over to a neighbor's yard to watch some construction across the street. While waiting for the big dump truck to drop the gravel, we noticed some cicada shells on a pine tree. Looking closer, we saw that some of them were actually molting at just that time. It was so incredible!<br /><br />This one was already molted as we walked up and was drying his new wings on the back of his old shell. As we stood and watched, he began moving around on the bark. The children were able to touch his soft wings without disturbing it.<br /><br />This was one of those moments that makes me so happy about our parenting decisions. If I were a working mom, these kids of moments would be so much fewer and farther between.</p><br /><br />Of course... we had to bring some shells home:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2760142702/" title="Cicada Shells by wenjomatic, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2760142702_b927627d55_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Cicada Shells" /></a>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8873657.post-67018465475879915232008-08-12T09:47:00.006-05:002008-08-12T09:50:27.253-05:00Sneaking Out for Breakfast<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2756221899/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/2756221899_9f8b6e77fe_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wenjomatic/2756221899/">Sneaking Out for Breakfast</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wenjomatic/">wenjomatic</a>.</span>They didn't hear me go out the back door...<br /><br />I was quiet.<br /><br />Very.<br />Quiet.<br /><br /><i>shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...</i><br><br /><br />I sat for as long as I could and watched the birds working my neighbor's sunflower heads. There were a few out in my back fence garden too. For a minute I was worried they were picking my seeds out, just planted yesterday. But I realized they were going for all of the goodies we turned up in the soil. It had been unworked for years.<br /><br />I wish I knew the history of that spot. There was improved soil (probably topsoil, didn't see any vermiculite) in that new spot we turned over by the fence. I bet someone had flowers there sometime ago. Maybe herbs... there is some apple mint growing close by.<br /><br /><br />Mr. Stripey tomatoes and basil from the garden, mozzarella and a splash of vinegar for the bite, salt and pepper of course.</p>Wenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12239853145148880357noreply@blogger.com0