First Harvest

First there was this.



Then there was this.



Then I ate them. Did share some with Husband. They were very tasty.

Though the eating was preceeded by Husband inquiring "Are you taking a picture of your peas?" Followed by his shaking his head and walking away.

But they were the first peas I ever grew my own self.

So, things in my little veggie plot are coming along. One good thing about it being small is that I can easily keep it watered.



Cats lounging in it may not be the most helpful thing.



But doesn't he look good in green?



And George can never get enough affection.





So, starting from the nearest end in the photo above, we have...

Parsley and two thyme plants (one on either side of the parsley) that I got at the green house. Beside that, cilantro, dill and green onions. Then two Window Box Roma tomato plants. No blossom activity on the Roma tomatoes yet.



Here we have two Sugary Grape Tomato plants (at the back, starting to blossom now). In the front we have some pepper plants...can't remember which ones now. Between the tomato plants at the back there are Sunflowers coming up. Then in the middle, between the tomatoes & peppers there are Dwarf Sunflowers. Wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but did it anyway.



Next, my Scotia tomato plants which have green tomatoes on them already. More pepper plants in front, more sunflowers in and around things. However, you may be able to notice in this photo and the one previous, there are a couple of pepper plants missing. A new variety I had tried starting from seed this year that didn't survive when I transplanted them outside. A little disappointing.

Also, in the row between the tomatoes and the peppers, some basil seedlings coming up. I planted parsley, but it did not come up at all. I don't know why, but I can never get parsley to grow from seed.



Scotia Tomato


Here, not actually sure what these tomato plants are. I didn't label them. I was thinking they were more of the Roma tomatoes, but as they grew I decided they looked more like the grape tomato plants, though smaller so I must have started them later.

And in front, more basil, then peppers.



Tomatoes, herbs, peppers...These would be things that I love.

At the back, two pea plants and three green bean plants. Then a row of Pak Choi, though the end of that row didn't grow. But I've noticed Fred likes to sit himself down there and relax, so maybe that has something to do with it.

The row in front was supposed to be lettuce, but there are only two brave little sprouts coming up there. There are however, more Pak Choi plants at the edge of the bed. Must have dropped some seeds.



And, at the end, I have a mishmash of things...Two more tomato plants, four cayenne pepper plants, and some oregano, all from the green house. On the very end, fennel and catnip, though only a few catnip plants came up.



Cayenne Pepper


Then...

I went to the garden center looking for a large pot because I had some tomatillos growing in a pot that was really not big enough. Found a pot. Also found some sad looking little Cupid Tomato plants that needed a good home. Fortunately, there were two pots.



Also, a couple of Sweet Red Pepper plants, to replace the two plants that died on me.



But that's it. I won't add anymore. It's the middle of July already.

Beck Diet Solution - Chapters 1-4

Quick Review, as I finished reading chapters 3 & 4 while - finally - relaxing in my new hammock this evening.

So, chapters 1 & 2 were pretty much all about "why you need the Beck Diet Solution" and "how the Beck Diet Solution will help you." Not that I didn't find a few things to think about, but nothing very heavy.

Chapter 3, I had to grit my teeth a bit to get through. Pretty much along the lines of: you're overweight because you eat too much. I may be a li'l bit sensitive to that line of reasoning. Not that you can argue with it I guess, I know that food is my issue. It's just that how much is too much can vary so much from person to person. But we'll come back to that.

One thing I did find interesting, particularly in light of Charlotte's post today. Dr. Beck is of the opinion that most thin people are careful of/do restrict their eating, even if they say they don't. They may not even be aware that they do it because they are so used to it.

Dr. Beck does mention emotional eating as a cause. I know that when I am stressed out or overtired, I am more likely to make poor food choices. So I will be interested in strategies for dealing with that.

Another thing that is mentioned is the idea that it's not fair that others can eat this but I can't as a rationalization to allow oneself to indulge. This is something I have noticed coming up recently for me, born of frustration I think. I know it makes no sense, but every once in a while I find myself thinking it. It's not fair that I have to count calories and restrict what I can eat when other people can eat whatever they want!

In the first place, that's not really true. Second, even if it were true - tough! I am not other people.

That is something I noticed reading other people's weight loss blogs, the weight watchers forums, etc...How much some people can eat and still be losing weight compared to me.

But...

I am 5 feet tall.

I am 38 years old.

I sit behind a computer all day.

My metabolism is not exactly going to be humming along, even with my regular workouts. I have to accept that I am going to have to eat less in order to lose pounds. And I am going to have to stick to a reduced calorie level for more than a week or two. That's just the way it is.

I think the way I eat now will probably be fine for maintenance, but it's not cutting it for actually losing.

Chapter Four was a short chapter about being/getting ready to start the program.

So that brings me to actually starting. I will be away this weekend, so I'm thinking the earliest I am likely to start will be next week.

So far, the overview has not given me any light bulb moments. No sudden realization that: Aha! This is my problem! Now I will fix me! But, I haven't actually started yet, so we shall see.

Kejimkujik photos, take 2

I know I said I'd post these earlier, but the weekend ended up being busier than expected. So, continuing on from where I left off in this post, more photos...(Trying out this Windows Live Writer thing to see if I like it.)

Our campsite:

Backing up a bit, you can see the van parked at the entrance to the site. At night, we'd back it in and there is a bed in the back of the van which is where I slept. Sis & BIL had the tent.

As I mentioned, on our second day we went to Mill Falls. There is a look-off area that looks out over the falls. That is my sister standing at the fence.

From here, we walked up the trail.

We came up evidence of the resident beavers.

There is a floating bridge across the river.

You can feel it bobbing up and down in the water as you walk across. Sis says they have to coax the dog because she really doesn't like it.

On the other side of the bridge, we came to the start of the Beech Grove trail. The walking trails in the park are quite nice, there are interpretive walks that you can do. You will come across the odd bench along the way, or sometimes even picnic areas.

My sister wanted me to get inside the hollow so she could take a picture. I probably could have stuffed myself in there, but my strong aversion to creepy crawlies just wouldn't let me to do it...Even though I couldn't see any, I could see a web at the top and I was too much of a wimp. (Rare occasion here, an actual picture of me, but I thought you might get tired of trees, trees, and more trees...)

Coming back, this is the view of the Mill Falls look-off from the other side of the river.

My last morning, we went for a walk along the trail from Slapfoot beach toward the Jim Charles campground area. It was a damp morning, which made it easier to leave. I never want to leave and head for home when it is bright and sunny.

Also, wanted to say thanks to everyone for the comments on Friday's post. I know I am doing the best I can, working out and trying to eat healthy. Sometimes things just get to me. But I'm hanging in. Eventually I'm sure I'll get back to the weight-loss blogging, but for now it seems like there are usually more interesting things to talk about.

We now interrupt this garden blog...

Thought perhaps I should write a teeny, tiny update on where things stand with the weight loss issue. I started a longer post, intending to go into more detail, but I could feel the crazy coming back, so this will be brief.

I'm not getting on the scale as often.

I am still working out.

Most days I am counting my calories.

I've been trying to journal what I'm thinking and how I'm feeling about things.

I've started reading The Beck Diet Solution to see if working on the mental side of things will help. I'm 2 chapters in and it looks like I have 2 chapters to go before I actually get to the start of the program. Will keep y'all posted.

I will say this.

When my in-laws were here, my MIL & I were talking about weight loss. She is a nurse, and she struggles with her weight as well. She was saying that in order to lose she is finding that she would have to cut back on her eating to the point where she is always hungry, and it's hard to live like that. She has done the gym thing. They have a treadmill in their basement and she uses it.

Some people really do have slower metabolisms. My MIL, husband and one of his brothers all have the same body type. You can see it if you look at them standing side by side. Husband was in the military for 6 years, in the infantry. He got lots of exercise and even then he was never thin. He just barely stayed within the weight requirements.

The thing is, I often hear statements about how weight loss is all about calories in vs. calories out, and if you are not losing weight then obviously you are doing something wrong. But I do think it is harder for some people than others, even when those people are doing the right things. I'm not saying I expect dieting to be easy, but I think it's not always as simple as "just cut back on your eating and get a little exercise."

I'm not saying this as an excuse. I still want and need to lose weight. I'm not happy as I am. But at the same time, I'm tired of beating myself up for being a failure.

All that leaves me right back where I started - not quite sure how to do what I need to do. But somehow, it must be done.

Well. Guess I had more to say than I thought I did.

Side note: I did finally get a new card reader, so stay tuned for more Kejimkujik pictures (tonight or tomorrow).

And there are cat photos in the post below this one. They are darned cute kitties, trust me.

Remember those pea flowers?

They seem to be turning into peas...



Imagine that.

Not in a talking[typing] mood tonight. So random pictures it is...



















Well.

Maybe not so random.

More Garden Progress

When I was planting in the flower bed by the driveway this spring, I kept reminding myself that things would fill out as time went on. I fought the urge to cram in more plants. A little time makes a big difference.

This photo was taken early in June, after the planting was done and the beds had been mulched.



This photo was taken yesterday.



I have had a couple of casualties, I think from the deer running through and trampling things. And as you can see, they stop for snacks as they are passing through.



If you look at the top photo, you can see a little green bush (Spirea) right in the middle of this flower bed. It should have lots of flowers like this:



But an examination of the bush showed that it's been deer food as well, so it just has that one little bunch of blossoms. I think I'm going to have to move it. It's probably not in a good spot anyway. Spirea bushes can grow to be quite large. This bush is from a little cutting given to me by my mother-in-law, not long after we had moved into our house. At the time I didn't know what I was going to do with any of the gardens, so I put it there. I have been thinking for the past couple of years that I should move it, just not sure where.

The plant with the blue flowers here is called periwinkle (if I'm remembering correctly), and the one with the yellow is Creeping Jenny.



The Creeping Jenny I got at an end of season sale at a garden center a couple of years ago. It wasn't looking too lively when I planted it, but it has survived. It hasn't spread much though. I put a couple little periwinkle plants beside it this year and they spread more than I expected. Hopefully little Jenny won't get crowded out.

I really like this stuff and I wish that it would spread more:



It is a Sedum, though I forget the name of the variety. Those buds will open into pretty pink flowers.

And two more varieties of Sedum:



The yellow one kept migrating into my yard from one of my neighbors - she has it all over the place. I think I've said before, when I first moved in there wasn't much in any of the gardens in our yard. I was a novice gardener and it took me a few years to even figure out what I wanted to do. But, I wanted something in the garden, so when I would find these plants popping up in my yard, I would dig them up and plant them in the garden.

I'm thinking I may have to dig this one out though - or maybe cut it back? I'm afraid it is going to keep getting bigger every year and take over. It certainly has grown enough to push back the other Sedum that's right next to it.

That one is called Dragon's Blood. It will bloom with deep pink flowers, and then the plant will turn dark red in the fall. It adds some colour in the fall when things are dying off, which is nice.

And last for today:



I planted some columbines this year. They grow in the gardens at my parents place, and I thought I'd like to have some here. I'm seeing buds now, so hoping for flowers soon!

Shortcake Biscuits

Found my recipe notebook, so here is the Shortcake Biscuit recipe for Bionic Woman (love that name by the way). I think this recipe came from my Mom's Purity Cookbook.

Shortcake Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425° F.
Sift together
    2 cups flour
    1/3 cup granulated sugar
    3 1/2 tsp baking powder
    1 tsp salt

With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in finely
    1/2 cup shortening

Add
    1 cup milk

Stir with a fork to make a soft dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 8 to 10 times. Dough will be a bit sticky, keep some flour on hand for dusting your hands & work surface. Don't overwork the dough, you basically just want it to come together so you can roll it out. Gentle is the operative word here.
Roll or pat 3/4 inch thick. Cut with a floured 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter. I don't own any cookie cutters; I use a glass, just like Mom did.
Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 425° oven for 14 to 16 minutes.
Split, fill and top with sweetened fruit. Serve with whipped cream.