And then, there was sun......

it really makes a difference.

Garden Bed, Part Two

We let the soil sit for two weeks, turning it every few days. There are more worms in there than when we started, which is a good sign, and I'm sure after a few good rains, there will be many more.

We went to Portland Nursery to buy seeds and mushroom compost. We combed the compost over the top of the soil about half an inch thick and then planted the seeds directly into the compost. It will help with nutrients and act as a mulch. We then diagrammed the beds, sectioning them up and planting seeds according to how much distance each plant needs. The packages give great directions as far as how close to plant the seeds, how far to space the rows, and how deep to push them into the soil.

We planted on a cool, cloudy Saturday morning and a few hours after we were finished, we received a nice, gentle sprinkle. Then, we had sun for a day and rain for three days. I figure those seeds are liking the weather, although personally, I could be happy with more sun.

Most plants will start to come up in a few weeks, at which point we'll have to keep the birds and cats out of the beds. Maybe chicken wire? A screen of some sort? In 40-45 days we will be able to pick the lettuce. Following the lettuce will be carrots, various herbs, radishes, beets, chard, broccoli, collards, cilantro, peas, etc.

In about a month or less, we will plant our summer squash, tomatoes, spinach, green beans, and anything else we start to crave. I will keep you posted.

Just a Taste....

I think I was happy in my dream last night
or was that this morning?
I can't remember
what happy feels like, but it seems
I was light.
no pressure in my shoulders.
I must have been drinking wine or coffee,
but now I'm making that up -
because that is what happy would feel like
awake
and maybe in this alternate reality I create
when I am breathing calmly
fresh sheets snuggled in around me
mind shut off from internal nagging,
happy is cool breezes and lush foliage
playing in moonlit stares,
maybe happy is calm
and I will never get there
awake.

Am I allowed to be obsessed?

Uh huh........

Not in Spain, but I can drink wine too!

My dear friend is in Spain, waking to fresh bread and coffee, ending the day with Tempranillo and Cava. Jealous much? Uh huh. But, instead of wallowing in it, I have decided to go to San Francisco to visit a friend in a couple weeks, take a day trip to Napa and Sonoma and get my own wine on.

I started my interest in wine when I was in college, but by interest I mean gallon glass bottles of Carlo Rossi with friends on weeknights or Yellow Tail drunk heavily during a Sex in the City marathon with my girls, half laughing, half crying. It fit the budget.

Of course, I knew what good wine tasted like. I have two older sisters and our family gatherings always had several bottles of carefully picked vino, paired to perfection with the delectable entrees that were planned out nights in advance. Our family loves to eat and drink, the only things we splurge on, even though most of us are constantly broke.

After college, I moved to New York, where I found my fair share of wine bars, wine shops, wine enthusiasts, and I quickly became one myself. I started shopping at a little place called Wine Therapy on Elizabeth Street. They had terrific $20 wines. I always accepted their recommendations, especially when asked first what I was having for dinner. They logged my name in the computer so they could track all my purchases, which was helpful when I couldn't remember name of the white wine, you know, the one with strong grapefruit, but not too sweet.

For my Spanish wine cravings, I frequented a tapas restaurant in the East Village called Xunta. Lucky for me, they also had amazing tapas, bacon wrapped dates (or, devils on horseback) being the most memorable, and futbol on TV.

And then....

We moved to Portland. The Willamette Valley. Pinot Country! And my love affair began. My knowledge of Oregon wines is mediocre, at best. I can't afford enough, or drink fast enough to know them all. New varietals come out so quickly, as well as new labels popping up all over. But that doesn't stop me from trying. I became a guild member at the small, but amazing Willamette Valley Vineyards and get specials shipped to me. I try everything recommended to me by friends. I started a wine diary, but forget to keep up with it. I am not hardcore. Maybe I just like to drink it.

So, we have this trip planned. Napa and Sonoma. Just a day trip. Maybe Napa or Sonoma. How many wineries can one really hit in one day? And in that case, we must make some very important decisions. Get out the wine magazines. Where should we go? Suggestions?

This Makes Me Feel Better

"Dull women have immaculate houses"

Let's hear it for B. Roy!

Thanks to Brandon Roy, the Blazers came through for us last night! Not to keep credit from the rest of the team, but damn! that boy was on fire. And that's just what we needed to pull a V over The Rockets.

Someone needs to step on that Brooks fella if we plan to win in Houston on Friday. He's like a mosquito who can shoot 3's from half court. WTF?

Go Blazers!