Life is emerging

Yesterday was a fabulous February day. We hadn't had precipitation in quite awhile so I started attacking the garden area. I was so excited to find new life already! I think that one is some cilantro growing - it's where the cilantro was last year that didn't really do much. The pumpkin leaves took over and shaded it and then pretty much squelched it.

This is the ever faithful chives. The garlic chives are coming up too and I need to figure out how to use these more this year.

Today with the help of my friend, we planted peas in pretty much the entire garden plot and some salad stuff in another little area.

Yesterday I had some help thinning out and re-arranging the phlox in front. The labor fee was some starts of the phlox which was a great trade for me. I was excited to pull 5 gallons of pretty good looking compost out of the compost pile to help the transplanted guys flourish. The automatic composter is up and running again so hopefully we'll have lots of great compost to use the entire year.

I love the emergence of new life in the spring! I still remember as a kid hating the garden though. I am not sure all of the factors that contributed to my change of heart but it's an exciting time of hear to like dirt!

No More Training Wheels!

Yesterday the training wheels come off and away he went! The only thing that makes this story slightly more interesting is that the training wheels and riding happened after 9pm! The same person who taught one of his friends to ride two-wheeled did the honors as well last night. There's no turning back now - no assistance required today and already wanting to race down the hill.

Wonders!

So, as many of you know, my life has changed dramatically in the last few years. I should probably be getting over that at this point but every day is a very sharp contrast to my previous life - which both have been good.

Tuesday we had our Cub Scout 'Blue and Gold' Banquet. I decided to wear a skirt for the event and even one of my nicer skirts and I put on hose too! This skirt was above the knee so quite a bit of my leg was exposed. I didn't change right when we got home (thankful for warmer weather), and so my hose covered legs were there during bed time stories.

Both of my boys were fascinated by how the hose felt on my legs. It was a very weird thing that both of them couldn't keep their hands off of the hose while I read to them. They were completely full of curiosity about panty hose - how did I put it on, why did I wear it and other questions. The contrast is that for the first many years of their life, I wore hose almost every day! Now, a few years later it is this great fascination.  The wonder of boys!

Broccoli Romaine Salad

I've brought this to many different events thanks to my friend Denise who gave me the recipe. (I can't bring to events where she is because it's one of her favorites to bring too.) 

Broccoli Romaine Salad

1 cup pecans

1 pkg Ramen noodles broken (discard seasoning)

3 T butter

1 bunch broccoli, coarsely chopped

1 head romaine lettuce, broken

4 spring onions

Sweet and Sour Dressing

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

3 T soy sauce

Combine dressing ingredients. Melt butter is medium frying pan and add pecans and noodles. Stir frequently to evenly brown.

In large salad bowl, combine lettuce, broccoli and onions. 

At the time of serving, combine lettuce mixture, with the noddle mixture and toss with desired amount of dressing. 

***Amy's notes***

I wrote the recipe as it was given to me.  All of my modifications are to the dressing except that I often forget to get onions though they do add to it! (Last night didn't have onions.)

I reduce the sugar by at least 1/4 cup. I also reduce the oil by 1/4 cup as well. I only use half a recipe of the dressing. It really is best to mix the ingredients right before serving and not ahead of time so the noodles stay crisp.

Enjoy!

Sign of Spring Coming!

I saw the tips of daffodils coming out of the ground today in multiple places in my yard! I love the daffodil blooms and knowing its a sure sign that spring is coming!

Missing my guys

It's been almost two weeks ago that they left on their vacation. I definitely miss them! It's been really fun doing my own things, but I kind of like doing their things too. This week I've seen their friends because I volunteered at their normal activities, but they weren't there and that definitely made me a little lonely for them.

I pray for a safe journey home and that they would have a wonderful time. Now I need to leave them in God's hands and off to get something done.