spryng | Sunday, July 7, 2013 DITL

Mornin'.

Oh look. The bucket catching the drips from our a/c is full. What a surprise. We've checked with our rental office four times in the last two weeks and already been assured that someone (might) be by (maybe) Monday. Meanwhile, I'll just go empty this in the garden.

Take a shower, more to shave my hairy legs than anything else.

Red-eyed with sleep still. Would not be up this early today if not for an appointment we have at quarter to seven.

Lady is awake and happily scooping.

Coffee (finally) finishes.

And now, breakfast time!

Throw the ten pound bag of chicken into the sink to defrost before I forget. It is Sunday, after all.

Finished breakfast. Blueberries and omelette. Nom nom.

Lady researches something or other pertaining to planting seeds. I think. Either way, she is Concerned.

I brush my teeth with my latest experiment: coconut oil and baking soda. Surprisingly efficient at making the teeth feel clean, waiting to see if the touted teeth-whitening effects of oil holds out.

Then we're on our way!

Time check.

Not pictured: stopping and chatting with some community garden people. Scoping out our new plot.
Pictured: Cow manure and compost mix, since our compost isn't yet... composty. Yum!

Lady shows off the seed mix we got at the Native Seeds store last weekend. Since monsoon just broke last week, it's time to get planting.

In the mix (if it's too small to read): squash, okra, watermelon, cowpeas, amaranth, corn, basil, and wildflowers.

Back at the plot, spreading our dirt mix and turning it into the soil.

We both forgot to bring anything to mark the different plantings, so I managed with what we had on hand.

The plots come with drip irrigation, but we figured it couldn't hurt to give them a bit of a spray after first planting.

Stop by the farmer's market on the way home to continue our motivation and excitement for this new garden

PEACHES.

TAMALES.
Oh, and duck eggs. Because apparently that's a thing? Since we're considering getting ducks (someday) (far away) (mostly to eat slugs) (and render their fat).

Cats investigate the produce bag, which still has a melon and some apples in it.

Cut up said melon for morning snack. It is DELICIOUS.

Then take another shower, because I smell like manure.

...feed the hummingbirds...

...do the dishes...

Then head out again before inertia can sink into our bones. Cats don't make that easy.

Exactly four hours later!

Stop in at the cafe next to Trader Joe's and whom do we spy??

Then some quick Trader Joes'in' and continually checking out their new spirits display. They just got a liquor license for this location and so far I'm not impressed by either the quality of boozes or the prices. But. Well. It's within walking distance.

Stop by our other trusty grocery store.

Then home and FIGS. TJ's finally had FIGS. OMG. This is my favorite time of year. :D

Lunch time!

Chicken? What chicken?

Oh hey, chicken!

Gotta get those marinades going.

While Lady takes a nap, I put on my manic hat. First step: LIST.

Second step: cider! (and zucchini!)

Zucchini noodles!

Chop carrots!

Brine and jar cucumber!

Cat has the right idea. Nap time it is.

Wake up. Have the rest of the Russian earl grey from - oh - five years ago. It's a little... old.

Have some bread and marmalade. This gluten free tapioca bread is AMAZING. Good crumb, super moist, not too chewy like rice-based breads tend to be. I <3 tapioca flour.

A storm is rolling in, but we figure we still have enough time to get our grilling on.

Why won't you stay lit, coals??

Eh, hot enough. I obviously still need to level up in the cooking-with-fire department.

While we're still coaxing the flames into life,

pennywhistle arrives!

She is super patient with us while we finish grilling what we can.

Then it's time for live action Sailor Moon!

DITL photo of DITL photo taking. Meta, man.

Oh, Mercury. You are forever my favorite. Not pictured: the atrocity that is Sailor Luna. :<

We try to get

pennywhistle to stay, but, alas, she has early hours to work in the morning and our hugs are not tempting enough.

As Lady readies the kitchen for morning, I use up some of my old B&N giftcards to purchase more books on farming. Because one can never have too many books on farming.

Lady cooks some fish.

I feed my small but significant gluten free starter collection. Teff and Bob were a lot bubblier the day before.

Kitchen scales are the best. thing. ever.

I also check on my ginger bug, which is a thing and I, loving ginger and ginger beer in particular, am in love. It's only on its second day, so we'll see how well it ferments, but I am SUPER EXCITED. Did I mention I love ginger beer?

Check the list - almost done!

Have dinner (salmon with blueberries and pecans) and watch Hannibal. I've already seen the whole season, but Lady got hooked about halfway through and now needs to see the first half. Gosh. Darn.