romance and seeds catalogs

You might think those two don’t really go together but for me they oh so do.  I have said it for many years but during winter I can be caught romancing a seed catalog or two.  This year it really is true.  I can’t do a darned thing outside, unlike in Florida where winter is the best time to garden.  Actually last week, I decided my farm would be in my kitchen, that counts right?  Say. yes.

I drove to 5 different stores and could not find one store that had a bag of compost or soil for sale.  Dorothy, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore…  I finally went to a big box home improvement store and almost got frostbite in the 10 minutes I was outside in the gardening section.  It was silly of me not to wear gloves when the temps outside were in the negative but I honestly didn’t think being outside for a few minutes would cause me so much pain.  The pain in my fingers was so bad I could barely think straight.  Anyhoo, I’m getting off the subject here.  So I bought 3 large terracotta pots and 2 big bags of compost.  Took them home and was so happy to set up something living in dirt where I could play with it but the second I put those bags down in the kitchen, I knew this was not going to be an instant gratification sort of deal.  The soil was frozen solid.  I tried banging them on the ground, massaging to loosen and the only thing that happened was frozen fingers again.  So they sat there in my kitchen next to the warm air vent for the next two days.  Having that little area to grow something in is really helping me get through this winter.  I never knew how important being connected to soil is to me before.  It is as important as eating real food or feeding my crafting soul.  Yes, very important in deed.

I have spent the past week in full planning mode.  Needing to start a new farm is somewhat of a daunting task but oh so fun at the same time.  It is like decorating a new house except with the beauty of nature.  I am pouring through more than just seed catalogs though these two are my favorites for the past few years, this one and this one which is full of rare orientals that I just love.  I have been reading a slew of gardening books.  This one is really good, Paradise Lot.  Two plant geeks (hey I’m one too :), who start an urban farm and with their vast knowledge of perennials truly create a paradise in the city on just one tenth of an acre.  It is most important to me because they live in the north, so I know many of the plants they are growing might live here, especially the semi-tropicals and edibles that they have experimented with.  Really a great read.

This is going to be some learning curve for me in the garden.  This year I will be getting started when I am usually almost finished with most crops.  I am psyched about growing garlic, onions and shallots, oh shallots how I love thee so.  These things do not grow in Florida.  There are a few many fruits and veggies I have never had the opportunity to try either but slow and steady will be the plan.

I forgot to share my finished embroidery project with you all and it has now been on the wall for over a week but I guess it fits in with today’s post.  Grow Life and Love.  That says it all.

I am really excited (and a bit nervous) to share my Real food on a real budget with you tomorrow!!  I have been putting together all my techniques whenever they come to mind.  The other day I was driving to the bank and a few thoughts came into my mind.  Not wanting to forget them but not being able to write them down, I grabbed my phone and started recording a memo.  That memo turned into quite a long conversation, I have had to break it up into two 8 minute recordings on how we eat on a budget.  I got so into it that I missed the bank by a few miles.  Once home, I told the kids about it and after hearing it and laughing quite a bit, they thought you might want to hear it too.  No idea why anyone would want to hear what I sound like but the kids thought it would be a good idea.  I have Erica working on trying to figure out how to add that recording to tomorrow’s post.  I hope she can get it done because I am no good with those types of things.  I guess we shall see but either way, I will see you all tomorrow!