Why ask why?

Today is my mom's birthday, so this post is dedicated to her. I grew up learning how to do all kinds of things you would normally think of the Pilgrims doing, like making butter in a jar, crafting oil lamps out of milk jug lids (okay, maybe the Pilgrims didn't do that), and making applesauce by squeezing apples through a giant metal grinder. We grew our own pumpkins and popcorn in the back yard a few times. As a result, I often have an irresistible urge to do things myself. I see something at the store and think, "Psh. I could do that better myself. And cheaper, too." This inclination has been proven wrong more often than not, but for some reason I feel more satisfied when it's done anyway. Maybe the reason is as simple as enjoying working with my hands. As part of this inclination, I have inherited my mother's love of gardening, as well as what she calls her "black thumb" talent for it. In spite of our black thumbs, we have both managed to grow some passable edibles. I have always had some kind of herbs growing on my porch, they just tend to have a shorter life expectancy than they might have elsewhere.

Since we have a nice big new porch, I'm getting really ambitious. Today I planted about a dozen varieties of seeds to germinate, including some stevia. Faithful readers will remember that I blogged about growing my own stevia, oh, well, awhile ago. I'm finally doing it. Or trying to. Here's my box o' seeds, soon to be a box o' plants. I put them in a box in case we have more cold weather or torrential downpours, so I can bring them inside.

The box says gifts because that's what it used to hold, not because I am getting some kind of unrealistic, grand view of my gardening capabilities.

I also have a compost bin complete with worms, and I get a kick out of thinking of myself as a worm wrangler. (Thanks, Miranda, for the worms! See below.) I have some pots, some dirt, and a spreadsheet for keeping track of all of the soil, sun, and water needs of my plants. Wish me luck!

Comments

[Coach outlet]

I'm very excited to be coming to BlogPaws and I must have been distracted by my inspiration

[Miranda]

I've been WONDERING how the composting and gardening have been going! My worms are famous, they were never on a blog when they lived here! Hope it doesn't go to their heads. And spreadsheets, wow! Sounds like you're immersing yourself in springtime, good for you! And wonderful recipes, every single one.

[Mel]

Stevia powder is so expensive, I say it's worth trying to grow it at home and good on ya for giving it a go.