My Garden: May 25

I'm going to eat some of the lettuce up at the lake this weekend!! The big bushy area is all salad greens, and I'm going to take them up to the lake this weekend for everyone to eat.

Compare these photos to my last update. Whoa! Stuff has grown.

One note: I had to thin out my carrots and beets, because I read the the roots will be too close together and I won't get an viable plans. It was kind of a pain because I had planted a ton of seeds all close together and I had to cut them off so that plants were about 2 inches apart. I learned that I should be a little more sparing with the seeds next year and try to space them out more. For thinning, you don't have to pull them out, you just cut off the tops.

For harvesting the lettuce, I read that you should cut off the tops and then dig up the roots. This keeps the lettuce from getting dirty. Then, I can plant new seeds for a second harvest!

What's going on?

You may be asking: What's going on with Katie? We haven't heard much from her lately.

Well, friends, the answer is: A LOT!

Before we get into the details of my life, I wanted to note that this is such a beautiful time in Seattle! I went for a short evening run yesterday and felt lost in a fairy land of so many flowering trees and gardens. Seeing all the gorgeous colors and blooms, along with the sun setting over the Olympic Mountains always clears away every last bit of stress and anxiety. I picked one little poppy (I think it's a poppy?) to put on my table.

So, the big news. Pete and I are getting married! We're almost certain we'll tie the knot in Seattle on April 2, 2011 (the day my parents got married and Pete's dad's birthday). AND, I have a new job! I'm finishing up at my current job tomorrow, and will begin a new position June 7. In addition, I'm continuing to take classes at Seattle Central Community College.

I'll try to post updates with our wedding planning. There's a lot to think about. But, I'm finding it to be a lot of fun! I've found The Knot's book on wedding planning to be helpful so far, and I'm dying to get my hands on Martha Stewart Weddings newest issue, with is all about DIY. They've already put some great content online including these templates and clip art for wedding decorations.

I'm hoping to put up a few posts in the next week or two on:

• Our engagement and the adventures of wedding planning, and specifically planning a wedding in Seattle
• A couple more quick dinners
• The lessons we learned in New York (I'm waaaay behind on this one)
• An update on my garden

P.S. I'll use any excuse I can to post a Marvin Gaye song. His version of: What's going on?

I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.

Greta in the grass, originally uploaded by Maggie Skinner.

“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

- Groucho Marx

via

May Garden: May 7

We haven't had much sun, so there hasn't been a lot of progress.

Although, some beets have sprouted.

And, I think these are little carrot sprouts.

Denim Obsession

I've been slightly obsessed with denim lately. Partly because I just love denim in general, and partly because I just got these Frye-ish boots from Target.

I added them to an online order to qualify for free shipping, thinking that I could return them if I didn't like them. But, they are super cool and look pretty high quality. I think they'll go great with denim. I've also seen women wearing similar boots with black legging and black skinny jeans. I may have to try out that look this weekend.

I keep looking at this dress at the Gap online, but haven't gone to a store to try it on.

And, I think these shorts from The Gap are cute. They remind me of my favorite cut-offs from high school.

Isn't this Anthropologie skirt adorable?

Sunny Friday

It's FINALLY sunny here. I had almost given up hope that I'd ever see the sun again. Granted, it's not that warm (higher of 62 today), but I'll take what I can get. Blogs have been torturing me lately writing about spring fruit and spring recipes, when it still feel like winter in Seattle.

Some spring recipes:

• Rhubarb Lime Margarita and Strawberry Rhubarb Jam via From Me to You
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble from 101 Cookbooks
• Roasted Rhubarb from Orangette
• Spring Shells and Cheese from Bitten Word (I think I'll definitely have to make this over the weekend. I'll have to wait on the rest until rhubarb and strawberries show up at the Farmer's Market.)

P.S. I've been reading that strawberries are one of the fruits you should buy organic, since they tend to have more pesticides.