22 to 0

I am frustrated. I know it's silly. I get that. When we got home from the beach two weeks ago, I had 22 new and growing tomatoes. I was really excited because I had already picked and eaten over 20 and I thought that was it for the season. We bragged about how we have city squirrels and they don't know what an urban garden is. Spoke too soon. I must admit, I blamed Derby, the Golden Retriever we were dog sitting at first...sorry Susan and Jonathan. But Derby left and I lost the last 2 tomatoes. Are you kidding me? So, the learning curve has caught up and no more tomatoes for me. Adam suggests chicken wire. We'll see. I don't even have any more buds right now. If I get some, I will see about what to try. That is if they live long enough for me to survey my options. Sad day.

Emerald Isle and other visits

It's been a couple of weeks now, but I wanted to do a short update on the beach trip. We went to Emerald Isle, NC, a little south of the Outer Banks. Adam always calls it Outer Banks, but we learned real North Carolinans do let let it qualify. I am really turning into a beach girl. Let me tell you. Two weeks in one summer at the beach! It was what a beach trip should be. Relaxing, reading, and talking to family. This trip was with the other side of Adam's family. I literally got up when ever I wanted to, headed to the beach, came in and ate lunch, back out, shower inside, nap, eat dinner, go to bed. Amazing.


This week, Adam's cousins Kathy and Eddie came to visit. Actually they were here for a conference but we will take it as a visit. Adam and I laughed so hard at their stories our stomachs hurt. You guys are great story tellers. We always have a good time with them. Wish we saw them more. We had drinks with them one night then dinner with them and Marty and Andrew another night. Andrew came for some big soccer game Adam has been talking about for months. Apparently it was a big deal. Fun week.

Juror 0310

Yep, I was thinking this week how lucky I am to have never been "summoned". You are reading this blog of potential juror 0310. My streak has ended. Now I have to figure out how to go on my Caribbean cruise 7 days later...

Wheat germ

Anyone know what wheat germ is? Not me! I am very far from a health nut. I wish I was more of one. I found a recipe today Rosemary put in my recipe book for my wedding. I decided to give a try in my effort to make "healthy" cookies as if there was such a thing. Well here's what I learned.

According to What is wheat germ?:

Walk past any health food store and you will no doubt see advertisements for wheat germ. Wheat germ is one of the most nutritional products available. In fact, wheat germ contains 23 nutrients, and has more nutrients per ounce than any other vegetable or grain.

Wheat germ is a part of the wheat kernel. The germ is only a very small part of the kernel, approximately 2 ½ percent in total. The word germ does not have anything to do with bacteria; it simply refers to germination. The germ is the reproductive part that germinates and forms the wheat grass.

Wheat germ is very high in protein. It contains around 28 percent protein and has more protein than can be found in most meat products. The human body needs protein in order to repair tissue damage and to help minerals and nutrients reach our cells.

The amount of nutrients that are contained within wheat germ seems endless. It contains more potassium and iron than any other food source. Also found in great quantities are riboflavin, calcium, zinc magnesium and vitamins A, B1 and B3. Vitamins B1 and 3 are very important to maintain energy levels and maintain healthy muscles, organs, hair and skin.

Another important vitamin found in wheat germ is vitamin E. Vitamin E is a very important antioxidant. It is helpful in preventing the body's aging process and also to prevent heart disease. Vitamin E also helps to prevent blood clots and is needed to strengthen the body’s immune system.

Wheat germ has been found to be very beneficial in order to keep the body in tip top condition. It is used by athletes in their diet to improve cardiovascular function and improve endurance levels. Body builders will also add wheat germ to their diets in order to bulk up and maintain the nutritional levels they need to perform.

Interesting huh? My cookies are done now and are pretty good. It's no tollhouse but I know I am eating healthily.

Garden Update

I'm quite proud of my little garden, I must admit. This first bed's credit goes only to mom. She got all the flowers and planted them. The flowers I planted first did not make it. They got attacked by bugs and were demolished. This have done very very well. Thanks mom!

Both of these are basil. I am going to make some pesto maybe today. I think it looks so good! My cilantro and mint are done. They were really good during their seasons though.

I got about 20-25 tomatoes this year! Yea! I was so excited about them. Most have been picked and we can't eat them fast enough. They are good and so fun to grow them myself! Squirrels didn't get them or anything. Adam's theory is that theses are "city" squirrels and not very smart to urban gardens. I'm buying it.


Lastly, this is not a very good picture but my porch pots are doing fairly well. They die when we got out of town and I have to work really hard to revitalize them, but I take it as a challenge. :) My impatiens on the front porch are still living too. I forgot to take a picture of them.

Obviously I have been having fun with our house and experimenting with flowers and vegetables and herbs. Some do well and some die really quickly. There is definitely a learning curve!

Furniture

Again this is mostly for mom, but Adam and I redid this headboard a while ago. I wish I had before and after. I really hated the headboard before. Adam had it in his bachelor days and I pushed hard to get rid of it. Well, Mom started stripping it when she was here then we finished it. I say we loosely. Mostly I supervised while Adam painted. I'm not a very good painter, so he does it so it is not streaky. I think it turned out well. It's a little of a soar subject because we have a beautiful headboard on our queen bed downstairs, but it won't fit upstairs to the master bedroom. So instead, Adam and I were sleeping on a double with no headboard. Adam is 6'3" so needless to say a double bed is small! At least this headboard makes it a little better.

Peachtree Road Race and July 4th

The picture looks like it is dark outside because it is!!! It was only 5:30 am! Holy it was early. I'm so glad I was able to do the Peachtree Road Race 10K. My dear friend Susan was signed up to race, then had a last minute ankle injury and graciously gave me her number. Adam jumped in and ran with me a little ways in. It is truly an Atlanta tradition so I'm happy we were able to participate.

I went home and slept for about 4 hours then it was time for a traditional July 4th! We had about 15-20 people over to grill out and hang out. We had good food and good fellowship. Our neighborhood had a parade then fireworks. I have to say the fireworks were awesome. I had very low expectations, but they were as good as I have seen. We brought blankets and enjoyed the show. It was a fabulous night. We have such good friends here.