Faux Spring Better Than No Spring

Forcing some bulbs because of course this time of year in Ohio leaves one feeling pretty bloom-deprived. And thinking so doing will fulfill the "fresh flowers help sell your house" thing in a budget and eco friendly way since I have a bunch of these guys (fritillaria) plus tulips and hyacinths just biding their time in the garage. House isn't quite on the market yet, but only a few weeks till it will be.

It's not a Benjamin Button fritillaria, I lead with the impressive full bloom shots. :)

I started off with them in an old aluminum bundt pan, but things got too rusty, so transferred to this vase which is better support-wise anyway as they are a bit taller than expected.

Parrot tulips going too in a couple old apothecary jars. 

Loving the silver and glass with some twigs mixed in. Feel like it mirrors the outside world right now.

PS Changed up the look of the blog a little (finally made a header!). 

Hey, 2013. I've Got a Good Feeling About You.

Uh-mazing sunset last night. Just glanced up and there it was. (Color not enhanced in anyway, promise. All mother nature.)

I've jumped into 2013 with both feet. Trying to be more productive, mainly by dragging myself out of bed before the sun is up every weekday. Working on two archaeology-related volunteer projects to get myself reinvolved while I hunt for jobs in the field. Going to two yoga classes weekly and so happy to be getting the kind of instruction I've always hoped for, laying the foundation for a true understanding and practice. Plus getting other forms of exercise as I can squeeze them in in anticipation of a March trip to Puerto Rico(!). Eating less and more nutritious things after glutinous holidays. Getting our house ready to put on the market in a month or so including getting rid of stuff, stuff, stuff, so much stuff. Looking forward to moving with only the things we need and love, no extra baggage.  

So that's just to name a few. But not working on my blog or even taking many photos (with nice new camera or even phone) has been bugging me, because I love the creative outlet. So I've finally returned. 

One Warm Winter Night...

A week ago yesterday was our neighborhood's annual luminary lighting. Though it didn't feel much like the holidays as it was somewhere around 50 degrees out.

We took a little walk around and enjoyed the candlelight and the modern equivalents.

We had both going inside as well.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas or your holiday of choice this season!

O, Cwistmas Twee

As for the title, I am watching The Princess Bride as I type, so really, what choice did I have? We got a nice little twee three weeks ago (nearly) already (!) from the local lot, stuck it on a bucket so that we could see it from the sofa, used burlap for a skirt, transferred lights that were strung up around our screened porch...

tinsel or bead garland? Greg fought for the beads and won...

+ some ribbon...

+ some more ribbon + vintage baubles I found at a thrift store last year.

and then this came in the mail last weekend, a pre-x-mas gift from some great friends, a Cwistmas pickle, the finishing touch! 

Meet the Kids

Formal introductions here on the blog. Piper, the black lab and Elphie, the siamese x american shorthair, or something like that. I love it when they pose themselves. 

Exploration: Near Before Far

Last Friday, husband kind of took the day off (there were a couple of lengthy work phone calls in there) and we did a little culinary exploration/revisitation. As it turns out, we will indeed be moving in the spring, out west. Right now it's between Seattle, Portland, and Denver. He will be working in sales and the only constraint on our location is that it must be near a hub, so the final decision rests on my job prospects. I am looking for work related to my archaeology degree, and if I have a specific offer in hand, that's where we'll go. If the time comes and I haven't gotten a particular position, I think Seattle will be the winner. For several reasons including lifestyle, amenities, and potential prospects for me on both ends of my employment spectrum, the opposite of archaeology being flower-related. And Seattle is a hotbed for local flower love.

We paid a first-time visit to Commonwealth Sandwich Bar for lunch. Delicious. Will definitely miss the Columbus food scene, for it is top notch.

I had the Urban Cowboy involving pork shoulder, bacon and gorgonzola and Greg had the Chicken Club. We had slaw and fries on the side and a Mexican Coke. Mmmmmm cane sugar.

Next we drove down to German Village and peeped at Christmas decorations, then stopped into Pistacia Vera for macaroons and coffee to go. The classic pistachio is hard to beat. Good thing this place is safely at the other end of town.

It was rainy, so we decided to just come back to the cozy home until it was time to go out for a drink at House Wine and dinner (another first-time visit) at Pies and Pints here in Worthington, where on the whole, we were pleased with both the quality of pizza and beer. 

So not a let's-be-skinny day, but there was exercise had over the course of the weekend at least. 

More on the move as it becomes available.

Growing Seasons

Some of the lettuce and arugula I sowed way back when. Still going strong, thus far untouched by frosts and freezes, bunnies and deers, despite being completely unprotected due to my never getting around to doing anything to protect it. 50 and even 60 degree November and December days have aided in it's longevity too. We're having a little cold snap right now, but it looks like the warm temps will be back. Last winter was creepily mild, and so far this one's shaping up the same way.

This came in the mail the other day, featuring super-lovely Pink Senorita Zinnias on the cover of which I grew a nice little crop this summer. They were the stars of whatever arrangement they went into.

Not sure where the garden will be next year, nor if it will be a whole plot of flowers, herbs and veg or a few pots on a patio. But that doesn't make all of the possibilities a seed catalog in the mail (especially Baker Creek) holds any less exciting. I will continue to be and grow as a gardener, if not a flower farmer. More details soon.