Gardening and Yarn Along

Today I found some sunshine in the middle of the day to transplant some of my plants to larger pots. I am trying out these fabric pots and hoping that they work well. The soil should be aerated nicely, but I am worried that the black fabric will mean very hot soil, which equals more watering time. We will see. I moved; strawberries, watermelons, peppers: sweet and hot, lots of different tomatoes and I think that might be all I moved today before it started pouring rain again. I am hoping to get some more gardening time in the morning before I head to work, which really means I should be sleeping right now and not writing this blog or thinking about reading some more before bed...yep, a bit of a night owl. We also spotted some random mushrooms growing in the yard, no wonder with all the rain recently. I did end up going back to Villagers to pick up that oil lantern that my husband told me to get and I am enjoying the warmth of the glow as we speak. I so do love old style lighting and the idea of "doing" according to the daylight. Did any of you ever watch 1900 house? I can't remember if that was on TV when I lived in London in 1999 or if that was a US show. I absolutely loved this show and the idea behind it. A family was placed in a house to live their lives like they were in the 1900s, a much slower pace of life without the conveniences of the modern world. Don't get me wrong, not all modern conveniences are bad, but I think purchasing some oil lamps may be in the right direction for us to lessen our carbon footprint and to try to live more of a life in tune with the rhythm of the day. Along . with gardening and new lamp pictures, I am also joining in with Ginny over at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along. This week I am working on my Gaptastic Cowl...some of you may remember that I was working on this same cowl quite some time ago, well I did end up having to rips it out about three times due to a mistake here or there, so I am on my fourth attempt and so far, so good. The yarn is Malabrigo, can't think of the exact name, but it is their super bulky. The book I am reading is really a delightful one. It is called "Little House off the Grid" by Michelle and Cam Mather and it chronicles their journey the self-sufficiency. It is one of those book that is totally honest with the hard work it takes to become more self sustainable while inspiring you to become more so. More than half way through the book and I am loving it. Ok time to go get that sleep that I need.

Peace,

Yasmin

Downtown Outing

Hello, hello friends...long time no post. A whole lot has happened since the last post. I survived finals week of the spring semester, and have now started a new class for the summer semester (just one class mind you). We went to Great Wolf Lodge to fulfill a promise for a belated birthday trip for the 8 year old boy. We kept it a total secret from the two kiddos and you should have seen the excitement in their eyes when they caught sight of the indoor water park. One of my sisters got married this past weekend (no I was unable to attend this somewhat last minute affair, but the plan is and was for the whole family to meet in August for a reception/rehearsal for some kind). I have finished a couple of knitting projects, which makes me so happy (yes the shawl for the 11 year old is finished and just needs to be blocked). I believe that is pretty much all that we have been up to. It has been quite rainy here and combined with my pretty heavy work hours, not much time in the yard has been spent. I will try to fix that soon enough, with a little bit here and a little bit there. So, about today...I had to run to the co-op for a bit of grocery shopping and decided to wait till the kids got home from school to run this and other errands around town. I really wanted to take them to a store that is all about bees called Asheville Bee Charmer, which apparently is still not opened even though their facebook page states that they opened earlier in the Spring??? Then we headed out looking for this supposedly great fabric store called Kitsch Fabrics which also apparently closed although I didn't see any mention of that when I googled the store. Bad luck in the finding places I wanted to go today. We did finally make it to Villagers though, which is a really cool store with gardening, fermenting, brewing, canning, bee keeping, and all sorts of other products. What a fabulous little store, I really enjoyed browsing the store and can admit that I so wanted to leave with so much more than just the Tatler's reusable canning lids and rings I left with. I did mention to my husband that I saw an awesome oil lantern there and after disclosing the price, he said I should go back and get it. So, there is a possibility that I might be visiting that store again tomorrow by myself while the kids are in school, which means I can browse in a leisurely pace and take it all in, yay! After the Villagers, we headed over to Farmburger for dinner. Vegan burgers, housemade pickles, housemade beet and potato chips...what else can we ask for, yummm. This time I brought home a vegan burger and sweet potato hushpuppies for my husband, which he almost totally devoured cold before I reminded him that the burger might be better heated up. Being downtown is pretty fun sometimes and if I do go to Villagers tomorrow, I might have to visit some other favorite spots of mine. Let's talk about the planting going on in the house. I planted quite a bit of seeds, but it seems to be slow going in the growing department and I'm afraid that maybe the seeds or soil I used were too old, or maybe I am being a bit impatient with the growing. I want to plant a whole lot more seeds, but have been restricted my the rain, work, and resurfacing of decks by the landlord. I will eventually get it all in though. Speaking of planting, we got our first strawberry...it isn't a pretty thing, but the kids are so excited about this first strawberry and what exactly we are going to do with it. One strawberry, two kids; hmmm not sure if that is a good thing. Anyway, back to sipping tea, knitting, and listening to the rain.

Peace,

Yasmin

Yarn Along

Joining in with Ginny today for the Yarn Along, but I don't really have any books to share at the moment. My reading time is geared towards textbooks at the moment. Two things I love are knitting and reading and truthfully they help keep me sane in this somewhat chaotic life of mine. So the project I am working on right now is a Baby Hat for a friend that just had a baby about a month ago, so I better get a move on it. I am knitting it with Malabrigo Sock Yarn 850 Archangel. Lovely colors, although the picture doesn't do it real justice.

Peace, 

Yasmin

Earth Day

Wow, almost a month since my last post...it has been a super busy semester, so busy that my planned planting has not happened until today that is. I believe Earth Day is the perfect day for planting. So, yes a little late but considering that it actually snowed in the middle of April, maybe I am not so behind?? The point is that planting has actually happened this year, which is an awesome things. Every year I hope to get it done and it never does, but as full time students, we have to do anything and everything possible to help us keep eating nutritious food. I am also happy to be working towards being more self sustainable finally. Maybe Spring is here to stay now.

Ms. Molly out on a super sunny day.

Jalapenos, New Mexico Peppers, Cilantro, Basil, Chives, Oregano, Tomatoes, Black Eyed Peas, Parsley, & Onions planted. Lets hope it is a good growing season.

Peace, Yasmin

Spring Break 2014 (Part 2)

This post is all about Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry is a bit touristy, but how can you not love a town full of hiking, outdoor activity, old houses, quaint shops, and the AT headquarters. I hope to one day hike bits and pieces of the AT, so the fact that it is a trail town was especially exciting for me. This town really feels like it is set in another time. We had great 60+ degree sunny weather on this particular day...really one of those perfect days for being outdoors.

Train tracks through the mountain, right by town.

The mighty Potomac river.

J giving me the "you better not be taking my picture" look.

Easy, breezy, beautiful.

Pap pap and Rian.

Snapping turtle.

Crossing the Potomac.

Harpers Ferry.

Lots of cool stories in this place and a really cool topographic map of the entire AT.

I am ready to revisit northern WV when the weather warms up a bit. For now...back to reality.

Peace, Yasmin

Spring Break Part 1

We just finished Spring break for the college that the hubby and I attend and since we are unable to skip classes during the kids' break coming up at the beginning of April, we decided to take the kids out of school for a day and a half and visit my father in-law up in WV. We haven't been up to visit in quite some time, so it was a nice use of our break. Lots of pictures so I am going to break the post up in to two. Part 1 includes a visit to a yummy Mexican restaurant for a late lunch our first full day there and a visit to Shepherdstown, WV on day 2.

Mmmmm yummy Mexican food. Really good totally vegetarian Huevos Rancheros for me.

Checking out the chicks at Tractor Supply. Rian begged to take some of these Araucania beauties home.

Delicious Homestead Creamery vanilla ice cream. We need to start carrying their ice cream here in Asheville.

Strawberry for my other munchkin.

Hot Tea on a frigid day in Shepherdstown. My son and his lovely adult tooth.

Shepherdstown, WV. Love this town. If only jobs were abundant...

Pap pap and Rian.

The public library in Shepherdstown.

Relaxing with the pup at the end of a day full of walking in not so ideal weather.

Come back tomorrow for part 2.

Peace, Yasmin