Less Travel means I have a problem

I'm not traveling as much this year for work and it's been a very nice break. However, it has lead to two things happening (1) I see all kinds of things at my house that MUST be changed/fixed/updated/painted (2) My garden is becoming an obsession.


I know this doesn't sound like real problems, but it can be more expensive than traveling let me tell you. Buying paint, paint stripper, driving to El Segundo just to buy one particular plant - the Peony! Trust me it's adding up.



The benefits are blooming in the front yard this year. I have had time to do a full on Grub Worm War and so far I still have plants that are alive. Now if the grasshoppers will just stay away.


I, however, need a 12 step program from buying plants. I am just out of room now in the beds and keep eye balling the grass going "if I take it up 6 more inches out, I can get more flowers planted." This will not go over well with the hubs if I start ripping up the lawn.

Even the little side yard garden in the back is full of plants. I sacrifice the fennel in order to have a good spot for the peony I brought home. Here is the view now and the few bare spots are where I have seeds planted.






I'll end with my French Gray Shallots - I can't wait for them to finish up

I read blogs where people do all kinds of things

that I want to be able to do. They sew, they cook, they sculpt, they quilt...but then there is Missy! She cans! Look at all that goodness on her table. It just blows me away.

I remember helping my mom put up veggies in the summer. She made these awesome spicy pickled carrots that I loved to snack on. As an adult I think they'd be great in a martini.

So I'm on the hunt for some good canning tools - do I go with a pressure canner or a water bath type of pot? I know I need the jar lifter and the bottle tong, a food mill and jar funnel. Does anyone out there have any suggestions or advice they can pass along to me? I'd like to start planning for all those fresh summer veggies.