Sunday, April 3, 2011
Genesis - Day 16
Well, those peas are still not up! Arggghhhhh. So, I soaked another batch, but longer this time. I think they must have soaked two days. I planted those out today. Waiting!!!
Two very large pots are waiting for blueberry bushes that I intend to get next weekend.
Four brussel sprouts are in two pots on the balcony. I bought these as slips at the LGS. I have heirloom seeds to start. Better get going on those.
Speaking of starting seeds, all the seedlings are looking great. Black Krim and Black Cherry tomator, yellow pear tomato, Italian ribbed zuchinni, and basil.
Still haven't been to Fire House Subs to check on those five gallon buckets. I will do that as I am actually going to attempt okra!
The solar lanterns look adorable hung from the balcony ceiling and although they don't shed a great amount of light (good thing I didn't expect them to), they shed just enough to add a wonderful, cozy ambiance. Hope they can withstand the wind!!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Genesis Day 10
We have babies!!! The basil, pear tomatoes and dill are up nicely, but my peas haven't sprouted yet!!! Germination is supposed to occur in 5 - 10 days and we're at day 10. Hrmph. Guess I'll try another batch. Tonight, I started Italian Ribbed zuchinni, Black Krim tomatoes and Black Cherry tomatoes. I did one row of each in an 18 cup egg carton (cardboard, of course). I was trying to figure out how to water them without making a mess. I used, with much success, a sippy cup! It was perfect! I had to squeeze it to get the water to come out, but the small holes was just enough to wet the soil without washing it away. April 22nd (our projected last frost date) can't get here fast enough. Especially considering we had snow on Sunday and are forecast for more this week! Sigh. Good things comes to those who wait...or so I'm told!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Genesis - Day Three
Gardening in the dark - not recommended! LOL
All I really did today was to start Sweet Basil and Dill. I intended to start some Sweet Peas, but forgot to put them in to soak this morning. Hence, they are soaking now and will be started tomorrow morning.
I'm trying to recycle/repurpose and/or upcycle in my efforts. Today's noble efforts included using a Whole Foods biodegradable food container, a small (and rather pretty) Chinese take out box from this past weekend's Thai dinner, and a dry cleaning clear plastic bag to cover them all until the seeds sprout.
I also had the idea to rescue a plastic soft drink bottle from the trash that I intend to cut the bottom off, plant upside down in a large planter to be used as a sort of "funnel" for getting water deep into the planter.
I'm wondering if Fire House Subs still sells their five gallon pickle buckets? I'll find out this week. If so, and they are still reasonable, at least two or three are destined for the balcony as the new home for a tomato, zucchini or pepper plant!
One more note about starting the seeds. Our apartment building has centrally controlled HVAC which means that even though I have my thermostat turned so far back that it won't come on, radiant heat still emanates from the register. Although it is a small amount, I think it's going to be just enough to essentially function as a heat mat for the seeds. We'll see. The tomato seeds that I started on Saturday were sweating profusely yesterday.
So, not only have I made time for yarn today (the requisite knitting), I've made time for dirt. Now it's time to make time for sleep!
All I really did today was to start Sweet Basil and Dill. I intended to start some Sweet Peas, but forgot to put them in to soak this morning. Hence, they are soaking now and will be started tomorrow morning.
I'm trying to recycle/repurpose and/or upcycle in my efforts. Today's noble efforts included using a Whole Foods biodegradable food container, a small (and rather pretty) Chinese take out box from this past weekend's Thai dinner, and a dry cleaning clear plastic bag to cover them all until the seeds sprout.
I also had the idea to rescue a plastic soft drink bottle from the trash that I intend to cut the bottom off, plant upside down in a large planter to be used as a sort of "funnel" for getting water deep into the planter.
I'm wondering if Fire House Subs still sells their five gallon pickle buckets? I'll find out this week. If so, and they are still reasonable, at least two or three are destined for the balcony as the new home for a tomato, zucchini or pepper plant!
One more note about starting the seeds. Our apartment building has centrally controlled HVAC which means that even though I have my thermostat turned so far back that it won't come on, radiant heat still emanates from the register. Although it is a small amount, I think it's going to be just enough to essentially function as a heat mat for the seeds. We'll see. The tomato seeds that I started on Saturday were sweating profusely yesterday.
So, not only have I made time for yarn today (the requisite knitting), I've made time for dirt. Now it's time to make time for sleep!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
GENESIS! Life Begins on the Balcony
It's such a small start, but I feel SO energized!!! My east-, southeast-facing balcony (pics and dimensions to come later) was as bare as a bone in the Arizona dessert prior to today. And now, although it's still rightly bare, there are at least signs of life!
I potted up a small (2 qt) strawberry terra cotta pot with 5 strawberry plants (Sequoia, Ozark Beauty, Quinalt and one "unknown"). I shamefully admit that all plants/seeds for the initial round were purchased at a big box that is to remain nameless. I need to find/settle on a LGC (local garden center). I've decided to adopt the vernacular from the yarn community in that we refer to LYS' (local yarn shops) that we prefer over big box stores.
In addition to the strawberries, I transplanted german chamomile (x2) in a rectangular planter that my DH cable-tied to the balcony. Sugar snap peas are soaking now and I'll plant three in the same planter with the chamomile. I sure don't remember my Daddy soaking peas before he planted them. I'll have to ask him...
For a "late" planting of tomatoes, I started orangic yellow pear seeds in the windowsill (again I shamefully admit that I purchased a seed starter). I will pick up some slips at Whole Foods and/or a LGC soon. I know it's only March, so I don't want to rush it and put the tomatoes out too soon. We are, after all, expecting 30 degree weather on Thursday.
The last thing for the day was a potted Rosemary that should be very happy for a couple of years in the container in which it came home.
Admittedly, I did not plan this heretofore. All decisions were made yesterday and plants/supplies were purchased yesterday!!! The remainder of the year will be planned using an online garden planner: growveg.com, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Well worth a $25/year membership fee. Very simple, very powerful web-based application. You can try it out at no cost at www.growveg.com
Stay tuned!!!!!
I potted up a small (2 qt) strawberry terra cotta pot with 5 strawberry plants (Sequoia, Ozark Beauty, Quinalt and one "unknown"). I shamefully admit that all plants/seeds for the initial round were purchased at a big box that is to remain nameless. I need to find/settle on a LGC (local garden center). I've decided to adopt the vernacular from the yarn community in that we refer to LYS' (local yarn shops) that we prefer over big box stores.
In addition to the strawberries, I transplanted german chamomile (x2) in a rectangular planter that my DH cable-tied to the balcony. Sugar snap peas are soaking now and I'll plant three in the same planter with the chamomile. I sure don't remember my Daddy soaking peas before he planted them. I'll have to ask him...
For a "late" planting of tomatoes, I started orangic yellow pear seeds in the windowsill (again I shamefully admit that I purchased a seed starter). I will pick up some slips at Whole Foods and/or a LGC soon. I know it's only March, so I don't want to rush it and put the tomatoes out too soon. We are, after all, expecting 30 degree weather on Thursday.
The last thing for the day was a potted Rosemary that should be very happy for a couple of years in the container in which it came home.
Admittedly, I did not plan this heretofore. All decisions were made yesterday and plants/supplies were purchased yesterday!!! The remainder of the year will be planned using an online garden planner: growveg.com, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Well worth a $25/year membership fee. Very simple, very powerful web-based application. You can try it out at no cost at www.growveg.com
Stay tuned!!!!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
First Restaurant Review - Chevy's, Pentagon City
After hearing several friends say that Chevy's was "good", "great", "really good", etc., we finally tried it on Friday. Before I begin, let me say that my husband and I are fairly adventurous eaters (sorry, I'll pass on the monkey brains) and love to try new foods and restaurants, always with an open mind. As I am a secret shopper, I'll write this review as if having been on an assignment.
Chevy's Fresh Mex, Pentagon City
"Early-bird" dinner at 5 pm
The restaurant was not very busy, probably due to the holiday (everyone was already in the process of leaving town) and the early hour. The bar was busiest with a World Cup match playing. Three tables were seated outside and four table were seated in the main dining room.
We were greeted right away and sat immediately. Our waiter explained that one of the menus was ending on Sunday. I appreciated him telling us that as I have been very frustrated before when I fell in love with a menu item, only to find out it was "for a limited time only". So, I put the seasonal menu aside and didn't even look at it.
We did not order an appetizer, but I did want a Margarita while I checked out the menu (it's a Mexican restaurant, right!?!?!?!?). There was a Cadillac Margarita on the menu which had my favorite elements: a reasonably good tequila (1800 Reposada), Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, and here is where they lost me...sweet and sour. I must tell you that I am a Margarita snob. Besides the point that sweet and sour mix gives me awful heartburn, it's just not right. The only sweet and sour thing that belongs in a margarita is Rose's lime juice or fresh lime juice and agave syrup. I decided to ask for what I wanted. I asked for a Cadillac with no sweet and sour, but with sweetened lime juice. I then proceeded to cross my arms and dare them to please me. Hrmph.
Much to my surprise, the waiter arrived back at the table with a "naked" margarita and a shot glass of their house-made "fresh" sweet and sour - agave nectar and lime. Sold!!!! I mixed in the amount that I wanted and proceeded to be a happy camper.
Back to the menu:
Apparently, one of the claims to fame for Chevy's is their super thin, house-made tortilla chips; I was very eager to try them. I LOVE really thin, crisp chips and I was not disappointed! The chips were super thin, crisp, crackled when you bit them, but were great at scooping and holding the salsa. Speaking of salsa, Chevy's is apparently "fire roasted". It was a dark salsa that tasted of roasted tomatoes and peppers. It was very mild, but with lots of flavor.
I finally decided from the nearly overwhelming menu, that I would order the BBQ Chicken salad. Bud chose the Dos Equis Shrimp Tacos with refried beans.
My salad was great with the exception of the crispy onion strings, which were cold, greasy and tough. Otherwise, the salad was a go. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, the BBQ sauce on the chicken was spicy with a kick and the chicken was moist. I would get the salad again, just leave off the onion strings, please. Which I must say was a disappointment because I tend to like them!
Bud's tacos would have been great except that the shrimp were way too heavily breaded. We both decided that a non-fried shrimp taco would have been better. But, not to worry; Bud ordered from that menu that ends today! I will comment on their refried beans, also. I particularly liked them because there were not "mush", and had lots of flavor. They were almost like a thick bean stew.
We were both too full for dessert. Bummer. Next trip will be margarita's and dessert! Bottom line: Not bad. They scored grande points for accommodating my Diva margarita request, but overall, the food was just not that impressive. So far, Uncle Julio's gets my vote for food.
On a scale of one to five, five being highest:
Cleanliness: 4
Food: 3.5
Service: 5
Location: 4 (validated parking for up to one hour)
Price: 3.5
Chevy's Fresh Mex, Pentagon City
"Early-bird" dinner at 5 pm
The restaurant was not very busy, probably due to the holiday (everyone was already in the process of leaving town) and the early hour. The bar was busiest with a World Cup match playing. Three tables were seated outside and four table were seated in the main dining room.
We were greeted right away and sat immediately. Our waiter explained that one of the menus was ending on Sunday. I appreciated him telling us that as I have been very frustrated before when I fell in love with a menu item, only to find out it was "for a limited time only". So, I put the seasonal menu aside and didn't even look at it.
We did not order an appetizer, but I did want a Margarita while I checked out the menu (it's a Mexican restaurant, right!?!?!?!?). There was a Cadillac Margarita on the menu which had my favorite elements: a reasonably good tequila (1800 Reposada), Triple Sec, Grand Marnier, and here is where they lost me...sweet and sour. I must tell you that I am a Margarita snob. Besides the point that sweet and sour mix gives me awful heartburn, it's just not right. The only sweet and sour thing that belongs in a margarita is Rose's lime juice or fresh lime juice and agave syrup. I decided to ask for what I wanted. I asked for a Cadillac with no sweet and sour, but with sweetened lime juice. I then proceeded to cross my arms and dare them to please me. Hrmph.
Much to my surprise, the waiter arrived back at the table with a "naked" margarita and a shot glass of their house-made "fresh" sweet and sour - agave nectar and lime. Sold!!!! I mixed in the amount that I wanted and proceeded to be a happy camper.
Back to the menu:
Apparently, one of the claims to fame for Chevy's is their super thin, house-made tortilla chips; I was very eager to try them. I LOVE really thin, crisp chips and I was not disappointed! The chips were super thin, crisp, crackled when you bit them, but were great at scooping and holding the salsa. Speaking of salsa, Chevy's is apparently "fire roasted". It was a dark salsa that tasted of roasted tomatoes and peppers. It was very mild, but with lots of flavor.
I finally decided from the nearly overwhelming menu, that I would order the BBQ Chicken salad. Bud chose the Dos Equis Shrimp Tacos with refried beans.
My salad was great with the exception of the crispy onion strings, which were cold, greasy and tough. Otherwise, the salad was a go. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, the BBQ sauce on the chicken was spicy with a kick and the chicken was moist. I would get the salad again, just leave off the onion strings, please. Which I must say was a disappointment because I tend to like them!
Bud's tacos would have been great except that the shrimp were way too heavily breaded. We both decided that a non-fried shrimp taco would have been better. But, not to worry; Bud ordered from that menu that ends today! I will comment on their refried beans, also. I particularly liked them because there were not "mush", and had lots of flavor. They were almost like a thick bean stew.
We were both too full for dessert. Bummer. Next trip will be margarita's and dessert! Bottom line: Not bad. They scored grande points for accommodating my Diva margarita request, but overall, the food was just not that impressive. So far, Uncle Julio's gets my vote for food.
On a scale of one to five, five being highest:
Cleanliness: 4
Food: 3.5
Service: 5
Location: 4 (validated parking for up to one hour)
Price: 3.5
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Which Came First...
No, not the chicken or the egg. We all know the answer to that one!
I'm talking about the yarn and the pattern/project. Which comes first for you? Or, does it vary?
My madness goes something like this:
I almost always pick the yarn. Or, should I say, the yarn picks me.
Typically, I walk around in the LYS just browsing all the yarn candy. It should come as no surprise that when I was very young, my mother would have to constantly remind me not to touch things when we were in a store as I LOVE to reach out and "pet" the yarn (if I may coin a phrase from Claire). Once a color or fiber jumps out at me, I take it home (usually one skein initially) and look at, touch it some more, maybe swatch it, until I come across a pattern that just screams for this particular yarn and THEN I have to go back to the LYS and HOPE there is more!
Sometimes, I find a yarn that I like so much, I'll actually buy three skeins and then go home, drag out all my magazines, books and search online patterns until I find something in which to use the yarn!! Then I have to go back to the LYS and buy two more skiens. Or five.
Only occasionally will I find a pattern first. I don't like this sequence, because then it becomes somewhat of a chore to find a yarn (you just simply can't use the yarn specified in the pattern, you know) and I'm afraid of making the wrong yarn choice; as if I can't frog it!!!!
So, in my world (and it's ok because they know me here), the yarn comes first.
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