The First Supper

My garden has made a lot of progress in the 50 or so days it has been in existence. 


Day 1

 

Day 52

I really thought the first thing I would harvest would be my favorite tomato that was one of the first things to start growing.  But alas, I came back from Naples to see the ants had gotten to it.

It had a crack in it so I guess the ants saw that as a welcome mat.  It looks really good, though!  I can't wait until I get a chance to try one.  I should get my chance in a few days.

A couple of days ago I had my first harvest that ended up being okra (not my favorite tomato) and then yesterday I picked two more veggies.

Last night I took my prized veggies and created a little meal.  I sliced everything up and steamed/sauteed them on the stove and then threw them over some brown rice.

I was worried I wasn't going to really care for the okra (especially since it wasn't fried) but it was great!  The flavor of everything was awesome.  You could really taste the difference from grocery store veggies...or so I told myself.  My jalapeno was crazy hot! It's going to make for amazing salsa once the ants stop eating my tomotoes.

And So it Begins...

This morning I had my first mini-harvest.  Two okra were ripe for the pickin' (I think) so I did just that.  I'm going to cook them tomorrow night, at which time I may have a couple more.  I'll let you know how they are!

I think by this weekend I'll also have a few tomatoes, squash and peppers to sample.  I can't wait!

Tropical Landscaping

No, I didn't re-landscape my back yard into a tropical retreat this weekend.  But I did go visit some great friends and drool over their backyard.  Feel free to check it out over on my travel blog, Life Outside The Loop: Naples, Florida.

Lettuce Entertain You

My friend Carol forwarded me this picture of her dad and his garden the other day.  Have you ever seen such beautiful lettuce and cabbage? 

Note, Carol's dad isn't a cartoon but I figured I shouldn't go posting people's pictures on the internet without permission.  Anyway his lettuce and cabbage almost look fake they are so perfect!  You may or may not remember that I too planted lettuce in my garden (spinach actually) yet I haven't really mentioned it in a while.  Well there's a reason for that.

This is my holy spinach.  Obviously some bug has taken a liking to my Harmony Hybrid Spinach and doesn't have the patience to wait until harvest time.  I haven't given up hope yet but it is not looking pretty.  I think I may have to go out and buy me some more lettuce seeds and attempt to grow it in a pot.  Watch out, Mr. Crockett.  I consider this a challenge!  :)

Garden Update, Week 7

I am 7 weeks in since planting my garden and things are about to get really exciting.  For the most part, everyone is on schedule.

I think in a week or so I should have several squash on my hands.  I've got one that is about 4" long and then another plant is just crawling with 1-2" squash.

My lone Jumbo Jalapeno has some buddies coming in around him and my other pepper plants are starting to get with the program.

Mucho Nacho Jumbo Jalapeno

Fajita Bell Pepper

Cubanelle Sweet Pepper

Thai Hot Pepper

I have my first Tomato that is starting to turn red.  He has a little injury but he is my favorite since he was my first.  As you can see, now I have tons coming in.

Talladega Hybrid Tomato

Bush Early Girl Hybrid Tomato

Patio - The Container Tomato

Husky Cherry Red Hybrid Tomato

And last but not least, the Okra is doing great!

Tune in next week to see if anything's ready to Harvest.

New Computer!

My house is stepping in to the year 2012 with a new Ultrabook!  My desktop has about reached the end of its life and I've been trying to figure out what to replace it with for months.  I really wanted to go with the Apple MacBook Air but a few things held me back.  Namely, price and converting my life from PC to Mac.  Since my office runs on PCs I decided in the long run, I should probably stick with it as well.  After searching for non-Apple options that were still fast and super portable, I decided on the Acer Aspire Ultrabook.

It's pretty comparable to the MacBook Air 13" and it was about $400 or so cheaper.  It is so thin!  It's about the same thickness as my iPhone which is completely crazy to me.

This Ultrabook will fit into my handbag and make traveling with a laptop much easier than with the older models. 

I am excited to be able to take it with me to Europe this summer.  I'll be able to keep all my photos organized and blog as well. 

I also have a webcam now, so I can Skype with my out of town buddies!  I think I'm going to love being so up to date on my technology.  Now comes the fun part of trying to clean out my old desktop and figure out what all needs to be transferred over.  Zzzzzzzzz.

Air Plants

Back in December I bought a few Shane Power's glass bubbles from West Elm.  I gave a couple as a gift and then bought myself one.  They are open glass bubbles that you can grow air plants in.  It's like a terrarium minus the dirt.

Unfortunately I have never been able to locate the actual air plants that go in them.  I think I was out of season with my search.  This weekend I happen to swing by West Elm and they were actually selling air plants in the store!  I loaded up for my bubble and the two bubbles I gave my uncle Ken.  Here are my little plants.

They don't require dirt but you do need to water them and expose them to sunlight.  I'm very interested to see if I can keep these things alive.  I hung my bubble in the kitchen, tied to my curtain rod.

The plants just hang out.  I'm using a spray bottle to water them.

They are a little creepy looking or maybe just quirky, but I like having a little green in the kitchen.  I'm hoping I'm better at keeping air plants alive than I am at sustaining houseplants.  I've killed two of those since move-in day.

I would like to create some sort of succulent garden inside my house as well , but first I'll see how the air plants fair.