Where the wild things grow

A couple weeks ago I started seeds for my annual container garden and in no time the tomato and pepper sprouts were here! I usually buy starter plants for the tomatoes and peppers, but last year I started a pepper plant from seed. I started it too late and ended up buying a starter plant anyway. It did produce fruit, but very late in the season, so I wanted to get a head-start this year, we'll see how it goes. I waited a little longer and started my herbs two weeks ago; basil (my fav), parsley, chives, and cilantro. Each day the little guys get bigger and bigger and are outgrowing their baby hot box! Yay!

I couldn't wait for fresh basil, so I bought this great fresh plant at the grocery store. This isn't the kind you plant in soil, but just leave it on your counter in a cup of water! It was a little more expensive then the pre-cut variety, but I think it will yield more fresh basil and is a happy, beautiful and fragrant addition to my kitchen for this weekend when I had guests.

While I was at the grocery store, I scored these pretty little daffodils for $2! Ever girl needs a little flower love and dose of spring once and a while, especially with the crazy snow fall that we got this weekend.

Crazy weekend

This weekend two of my best guy friends from high school, John and Loren, came down to visit me and it also happened to coincide with Jeremy's (a college friend) hockey tournament in KC! I had an itinerary schedule (as usual), but the nasty weather foiled some of our plans. I'm still recovering from Saturday night, so here's the highlights via bullet points:

- Friday night hockey (they won!) & drinks at Paddy O'Quigley's

- Saturday morning walking through the freezing rain to go to the Liberty Memorial, only to find out it wasn't open due to the weather (we're assuming)

- Settling for a 45 minute animated classic, "Fly Me to the Moon" in 3D at Union Station about 3 flies that travel with Neil Armstrong to the moon. We got to wear those sweet 3D glasses... we look hot and you're jealous I know

- Heading to P&L district for a little afternoon appetizers and running into Loren's roommate from Ames, they didn't even know the other was going to be in KC! (nice communication boys)

- Making homemade pizza & Chocolate Turtle cheesecake for Jeremy's birthday at home after our afternoon naps (look at the boys lounging in the background while I slave over the cheesecake... men!)

- Going to Monsters vs. Aliens, notice a theme in our movie selection?

- Heading to P&L for waaaay to much fun and running into a fellow J-town graduate

- Arthur Bryant's and cheesecake for lunch on Sunday. Maybe the best bbq around.

Count me in!

One of my personal goals is to be a little more spontaneous and not plan everything in detail. So when my friend, Megan sent me an e-mail Monday night and asked me to road-trip with her to Chicago I found a hard time making excuses.

I was going to write about our spontaneous little trip, but guess what? Megan already did! She captures it better than I would have anyway.

Apparently my not-so-planned, come-as-it-may goal didn't get too far as I have a detailed itinerary for this coming weekend... I'm working on baby steps here people.

Beans! Beans! The wonderful fruit...

I volunteered for the BackSnack program again tonight... this time I got to pack the beans! How appropriate?

(Anyone who knows me, even a little bit, knows my love for any kind of bean!)

sneak peek: "red" atc trade

I just finished my ATC (artist trading cards) for the Hallmark trade this month, the theme was "red." I decided to go with one of my favorite flowers... red poppies. I bought a recycled poppy tutorial on etsy.com to learn how to make these little lovelies. The tutorial is so simple, yet yields stunning results!
I can't to see what others bring for the trade!

Spring countdown

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring... it just may be my favorite season (I think it has something to do with my birthday being in April!). I created a couple spring color palettes, both inspired by nature. The first picking up on the very beginning of colors of the season, full of moody blues and greys infused with the bright green of new growth. The second is inspired from the more mature blooms, creating a much more vibrant palette. Hmmm... I can't pick a favorite!