Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Spring and Sprouting

The weather is getting more tolerable outside.
So naturally the first requests for outside activities are:
-running in the sprinkler
-having a picnic
-making a tree house
I was able to fulfill one of the requests at least.

 I realized that I had to then not only wash the kids clothes after playing outside,
but also my youngests' jacket...she is such a messy eater.

As I started picking up the yard, I noticed my rhubarb.
I didn't get to harvest any in hopes this years will be more plentiful.
It took a lot of will power when it was full last year.
The rhubarb was a gift from my sister-in-law for my birthday last year.

Last year I saved different varieties of my heirloom tomato plants.
This is the first attempt at starting seeds indoors.
I read so many books on propagation that I lost track.
There are so many different options to decide upon when starting seeds...
there are so many variables to consider.
I also heard many "horror" stories from people starting tomato seeds that I was a little apprehensive.

I noticed that some of my seeds are starting to sprout!
I still have a long way to go before transplanting,
but I didn't think I would get this far.
My heirloom varieties that I'm starting from seed are:
-Black Prince(first to sprout)
-Brandywine
-Mortgage Lifter
-Box Car Willie
-Green Zebra
-Cherokee Purple
My two favorites are Cherokee Purple (beautiful color and taste) and Mortgage Lifter(meaty tomato and great taste)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Tapping Trees

It's that time of year again...maple syrup time!
Not only is it exciting to enjoy the end result, but so much of the fun is getting it.
This is my oldest getting a tractor ride to the maple trees. 
For the past two years we have been tapping trees with family friends of ours on their farm.

Here's my hubby drilling the first hole into the trees we marked back in the fall.

The process is very simple:
-Drill a hole about 2 1/2 inches into the maple tree
-Secure the tap inside the hole
-Put your bucket or holder onto the tap
-Wait for the sap to start flowing

In some cases, like this one, it doesn't take long!

The kids watched the first one being tapped and took off running.
The were not only so excited for tapping maple trees, but they were loving the weather.
They had to get some of the energy out they have built up this winter.
And I can't say I blame them!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

A Weekend to Remember

This last weekend, I flew to Florida to see my sister, Megan, and her family.
My trip was my Christmas gift from my loving husband and my kids.
My husband stayed home with the kids on his four days of "vacation".
After arriving in Tampa, Megan and I went to the Mall to get outfitted for the beach.
I have never had fun swimsuit shopping before this...we had a lot of fun and laughs.
After getting spoiled, we got lunch at a restaurant and ate outside.
This was the salad I had for lunch(It tasted as good as it looks) and yes, that is a glass of wine...we indulged!
We then went to get pedicures and then got my hair cut and colored.
I felt like a queen.

The following day, we went to Clearwater beach and stayed at the most beautiful hotel.
This was the view from our balcony.

Megan and my favorite part of laying by the pool...the flags on the chairs.
You flip up the flag when you get thirsty and/or hungry and a nice pool boy comes and takes your order...
we had the flag up a lot of the time:)

That night we ate at a restaurant that we walked on the beach to from our hotel
and at yummy Shee-crab soup. 
After eating, we walked the strip, did a little shopping, and listened to some live music outside. 

Megan and I outside the next morning...excited about eating some crab.
We did some searching and decided to get crab legs for lunch.

Here is my darling niece at the Crabby Bills where we ate for lunch. 
Megan and I ate 1.5 pounds each of the most delicious crab for lunch.

My last night in Florida, we went to Flemings.
It was amazing.  I have never eaten such wonderful food in my whole life!
We had calamari, seared tuna, and Tenderloin Carpaccio for appetizers.
Megan and I shared a bone-in rib eye steak for dinner...I usually don't order steak at restaurants,
but it was the best steak I've ever tasted and that's saying something after tasting the tenderloin my dad grills!

I'm enjoying my first ever martini.  There were a couple of firsts this weekend:)

Laying by the pool at my sister's soaking up as much vitamin D before having to get back on the plane to winter weather.
I'm looking extra relaxed due to the hour and a half massage I had just had.
Nothing could have made this weekend better.
Thank you to my wonderful husband for sending me.
And thank you to Megan and Brian for spoiling me beyond belief!