Sunday, March 18, 2012

Project-ing like Whoa.

This was a big weekend for us. We have hit the ground running trying to accomplish some of the outstanding projects that were put on hold during "winter."

First, my rents came into town on Saturday and I convinced my father to help us construct our raised bed finally!

(Materials cost under $50, yay!)




Now, we have to dig four holes for the legs so it'll be secure and flush to the ground, and then we'll just have to fill it up with soil. Soon I can begin my gardening magic! If this goes well, I think I'll want to add another bed next year.

Then, just as I thought J & I would share a relaxing Sunday, I heard him making a LOT of noise on our back porch. He was ripping up the nasty, blue carpet!!


He didn't stop there, either. Next he ripped down the screens. Apparently we're going to repaint, put up new screens and lay carpet next weekend. Ambitious much???


These are fun times around the Melville house. Feel free to stop by and help him so he doesn't kill himself!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Spring has Sprung!

My favorite time of year has arrived once again (yes, I can still appreciate it after a winterless winter)! We celebrated in the Melville household Saturday by spending the day outside.

I have a crazy strong sense of smell and, as you know if you read my blog or have ever met me, am obsessed with flavors. So, this spring I've made it my aim to make my yard a sensory experience. I took the first step Saturday when I planted lavender. I will enjoy its sweet fragrance all summer, and I will collect the dying blooms, dry them out, and create sachets for my closets and dresser drawers.


I will soon be planting rosemary as well (we're lucky to be getting many cuttings from Nonna's garden). I can already taste the rosemary potatoes and rosemary chicken.

Saturday, I also planted my first blueberry tree — though we apparently need to plant something else nearby for the two to cross-pollinate?? I guess I should have read the fine print!

(Sorry the pic is horrible, I was using my phone!)

We've sketched out plans for the raised garden bed. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the lumber we needed at Lowe's so that project has come to a screeching halt. Now we're considering just doing a regular ol' garden... thoughts? Where could we get custom cut lumber and not pay an arm and a leg??

Boy, I missed our weekend projects and that feeling of exhausted fulfillment!!!!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The perfect salad.

It's gluten free. It's fiberiferous (is that a word?). And it's just plain pretty:


Thursday will make the third day in a ROW that I've had this exact salad for my lunch. I start with a spring mix and add edamame, black beans, diced red peppers, crushed tortilla chips and yummy jalapeƱo ranch dressing (you can find it in the refrigerated section of Kroger near the produce). I love the dressing because it tastes like a combo of ranch and buffalo sauce, so it's not too spicy, but it's enough to rev the metabolism. Oh, and I have to give props to my friend Meg who helped me devise this salad plan — not to mention introduce me to the salad dressing.

There are many reasons why this is the perfect salad for me: Perfect blend of flavors and textures. Lots of fiber. No gluten. Vegetarian. The salad gives me energy and keeps me full longer than most meals. And, last but definitely not least, I was skinny at 3 p.m. today! IBS sufferers will tell you that by most afternoons, you probably weigh an extra five pounds and go up a few inches in the waist. That's me every day. Except today. On day 2 of eating this salad I was skinny. And, despite beans and a raw veggie, my stomach was blissfully silent. :-)

I may just eat this salad for lunch every day for the rest of my life.