everything's coming up roses

I'm looking for something to put in the garden beds next to my porch. These previously housed vegetables for three summers, and some straggling lillies/hostas when I was replanting.  I just don't know what to put here.  I'm going to plant some vegetables to fill in (I still have extra tomato plants), and am really thinking roses.  This site is highly recommended on Dave's Garden- Countryside Roses. They have some great climbing and rambling roses.



Right now, my roses are Carefree Delights, and I love love love them. They are so easy to take care of- I cut them back once or twice a year when they grow over the sidewalk, and cut off the spent blooms, and voila! Gorgeous rosebushes.  I am thinking a bright pink bloom, maybe something with a bit of fragrance.  So many choices!

best idea EVER

Whoever thought of this deserves a Nobel Prize. A co-worker told me that these have been out for several years, but I've never seen them before. Individual Ben & Jerry's. Love it. Must have more!

I'm one of those people who will buy a container of ice cream and eat most of it in one sitting. Not on purpose; it's just so good! And so bad, too- I'm lactose intolerant, so I shouldn't be eating any ice cream at all. But these are going to be awesome when I just want a little splurge. I found them at Meijer. Oh, Meijer, how I love you. Let me count the ways...

but will they blend?

My local grocery store (K-roger) has strawberries on sale for 97cents a pound this week. No, they are not local. No, they are not organic. But they are priced right and taste okay enough to stick in my blender with other healthy produce for my green monster smoothies.  I've decided that a smoothie NEEDS strawberries. Otherwise, it is just too freaking spinachy. And that is just wrong.



So what to do with the six pounds of strawberries I just bought? Freeze them! I washed them first, cut the green top off, then cored each one and put it on a cookie sheet (cut side up, easier to detach from the sheet later). Coring is basically taking a paring knife and swirling it around the white inside of the strawberry. Alton Brown told me to do it, and you know he's right. It gets rid of the tough center of each berry, and any green leafy part that might still be in there.

I froze them for about eight hours/overnight, and then bagged them the next morning. Each cookie sheet held about two pounds of berries, give or take a few that my dogs ate.

happy dad's day!

first harvest from the garden

Those radishes I showed the other day were just popping up out of the ground- literally! I picked these three last night. These seeds were free with my order from Rare Seeds, and my Square Foot Gardening book says they do well under tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.



Too bad I don't really like radishes. I might try one in my Green Monster tomorrow, or, more likely, give them to my parents!

a tale of two dog crates

Me: Nellie, Bristow, get in your boxes!


Me: No, your OWN box.



Me: Sigh.


(sorry for the fuzziness)

as much fun as I can have on two wheels

Last week, I bought a new, cushy seat for my bike. My old one was literally falling apart, and I decided it was high time for a "comfort" seat for my ample behind. I have been trying to bike more and more, but my rear is getting a bit bruised from riding on a rock hard seat. Enter: new, cushy, gel filled seat!

Installing the bike seat took approximately NINE times what I thought it would- 45 minutes versus 5 minutes. There were pieces to unscrew, I needed pliers, then it got stuck on the frame, then I had to make sure it was level. Finally, I grabbed my helmet (safety first!) and headed out.

For about five minutes. Every time I hit a bump (which is often), the nose of the seat would flip up and hit in a not-nice place. I kept getting off the bike, adjusting it, but with no luck. I finally turned around and came home. I've tightened the bolts as tight as I can; I think maybe it's time for some new bike parts or maybe a new bike.

What's wrong with my old bike? It was my sister's when she was 10. I'm guessing I may have grown out of it by now (a good 16 years later!)

green monsters

I mentioned yesterday that I'm trying the so-called "Green Monsters" that are ever so popular on the blogosphere.



My friend Robyn first recommended them, then a Google search turned up Oh She Glows, apparently THE source of the Green Monster.

What's in a Green Monster? Some not so good stuff (but good for ya!) with some really good stuff to cover up the taste. Mine include:
-1/2 cup to 1 cup almond milk (I don't do soy or dairy)
-3 cups (approx, I really just grab a handful) of spinach
-1 banana
-strawberries or blueberries to taste

I've tried it with peanut butter, but that mostly stuck to the side and wasn't too fantastic. I've tried it with some protein powder, but need to get some more to see if it really works. It does fill me up, surprisingly, and I feel better and eat less crap, especially when I make my first snack of the day fruit and not a granola bar.

My #1 tip? Mix the spinach and almond milk BEFORE you add in everything else. The spinach purees beautifully and you don't get gross chunks in your smoothie. Yuck!

raised beds update

Both beds have been planted for a few weeks now, and here is the rundown of what is planted in each:
Left bed:

cucumbers		white squash/radishes
cucumbers		zucchini/radishes
beans	beans	summer savory	radishes
onions	devil's ear lettuce	big boston lettuce	carrots

Right bed:

tomato	tomato	pepper	pepper
tomato	tomato	pepper	pepper
onions	blank	blank	chives
devil's ear lettuce	radishes	iceberg lettuce	carrots

As you can see, a lot of the plants didn't sprout at all.
Left bed:

The missing string is from a bird that keeps trying to steal it for its nest.

Right bed:


Those crazy bushy things are radishes!

health craze

I've added several new blogs to my daily Google Reader blogroll. We've been doing Biggest Loser at work and, while I'm not winning, I'm not losing either. Or rather, I AM losing- about eight pounds so far, although the starting weight is artificially high because of a late breakfast and copious amounts of water before weigh-in. But the better news is that I'm not gaining either- despite not being able to run/walk for exercise. I've been able to maintain my weight by swimming and biking two to three times a week, with some weights thrown in on off days. I've also tried to cut out soy, make smarter choices, and lately, make sure I'm eating enough fruits and veggies.

Hence, I've turned to teh internets to come up with new workout ideas (especially strength, I struggle with a solid strength routine that is easy on my feet) and new foods to try. I tried Fage (Greek yogurt, I think) a few days ago and YUCK. The first bite is okay, but the aftertaste is rancid. Maybe it was rancid? It was on sale at K-Roger. I'm not too bummed; I don't like dairy anyway.

Some of the new blogs I'm checking out:
-Eat, Live, Run- she has an amazing story and eats SO healthy!
-Carrots 'n Cake
-Chandra's Shenanigans
-Jogger's Life
-N Her Shoes
-Run to the Finish

Okay, most of these are actually running blogs. I had to get my running fix somewhere! Why not from other women who are running and training? Many of them have sports injuries, too, right...?