Pookah and I mixed up this delicious old-fashioned version and the pitcher was empty in no time.  It’s more of a technique, really, that can be altered to your taste.  Isn’t that really the best “recipe” anyway? 

Put your own “twist” on this one.

First, wash the lemons, then use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the yellow skin of 5 lemons.  Avoid the white pith as much as possible.  You can use a zester as a quick alternative, but it will require more straining later on.

grate or peel the lemon rind

This step makes your home smell so fresh! 

Sprinkle 1-1/2 Cup granulated sugar over the lemon rinds and allow it to sit for 1 hour until the sugar has absorbed the lemon oil.  Resist the urge to stir or squeeze the lemon peels.

Boil 5 cups of water and pour over the lemon peel/sugar mixture and allow to sit for 20 minutes.  Again, resist the urge to stir, just let them steep.

Meanwhile, squeeze and strain the juice from your lemons.

Remove the lemon peel from the hot water mixture and discard.  Add in the juice.  Now taste and adjust water and sugar according to your personal taste.  The lemon oil from the peels give the drink a bit of a sour touch, which creates a unique depth of flavor that can’t be found in those powder mixes.  

Enjoy with a big straw hat and someone special.

For pink lemonade, puree a handful of strawberries or raspberries and pour the puree through a sieve when adding to the lemonade.

For HOT PINK lemonade, we used blueberries. 

Instead of digging up a large area at once and planting everything in rows, the square foot gardener divides the garden into smaller, more manageable areas.  Each square foot is assigned a number of plants, according to their size.  I was surprised at the suggested numbers per square, it seemed like a lot in some cases, but the point of the book is to create an efficient, compact space.  Not only was I able to cram more vegetables into our small space, but I was able to work 1 square at a time, using just the hand tools, which saved me energy and time.  Working step by step, preparing the area for each variety of veg, I didn’t concern myself at all with the weedy area assigned for another day.  As I worked along, I appreciated how much this system would benefit a person of limited physical ability.  I thought about some of the mature folks I’ve spoken to over the years who “used to garden” but find it physically overwhelming now.  As for me, in my condition, I would not have had a garden at all last year.  This year, I’ve decided to use the same technique on a larger scale.

So, if you want to give it a try without looking at the book, you’ll essentially do something like this:

2 ft by 2 ft squares divided into quads

That’s my interpretation of it, anyway.  My squares are side by side because I only have a 17′ x 3′ space to work in, but you could make a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed and divide it up as such.  I used all scrap wood and I have to admit, I probably could have looked harder for more of those nice, flat, 2 foot boards, but I’m short on time these days.  The boards should be something you could step on to get to the back of the garden.  In our case, we don’t have that kind of depth to be concerned about.  Do you see how they control weeds and keep you focused on a small area?  I did take advantage of the space in front of those short boards by planting marigold seeds.  If you don’t have marigolds in your vegetable garden, consider adding them as an organic method of insect repellant.  They look cute, too. 

After dividing the space, we assigned plants. 

To calculate how many plants per square, look on the back of the seed packet.  If the suggested plant spacing says:

• 12″ apart, plant 1 per square
• 6″ apart, plant 4 per square
• 4″ apart, plant 9 per square
• 3″ apart (or less), plant 16 per square

Here’s the visual:

Broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts require 1 full square.  Green beans can be sown 9 per square, so we chose 3 non-connecting squares for 3 different varieties.  Assigning squares in this way also makes crop rotation easier.  Next year, just move your vegetables to a new square.  It’s important that you wear pink tulle during the process as this contributes to the collection of loose soil and dry leaves.  

these transplants get 1 square foot each

You can maximize the squares by allowing companion plants to share space.  We tucked some herb seeds in the center of each quad, then we rolled out the soaker hose.  Here’s what it looked like when we unfurled it.  It will calm down after a while, but it’s probably wise to lay it out in the sun for a day or two so it’s not a real wrestling match to set it down.

Native Violets

Tulips

Kitty enjoying the perennial garden

Cherry blossoms and bright blue sky

A closer look

When re-flooring the greenhouse this year, we built 2 raised beds that needed to be filled with soil.  Any old person can go out and buy soil, but hey, we’re The Frisbie’s, surely there is some way we could mechanize this process and use what we already have… right?  

“Honey… bring me the power tools!”  

DIY Sifting Screen

In his usual problem-solving manner, Silverback built a screen to sift soil and separate rocks… and then juiced it up.    

Power tools are your friends

It was fun watching him tinker with it, and it came together pretty quickly.  He truly amazes me when he builds things.  He thinks of everything – it sits on top of the wheel barrow and is compact enough to store easily.  The reciprocating saw unhooks and goes back into the toolbox.  When he perfected it, he began clearing the area under our deck, which is the most rock-laden part of the yard and definitely needs a re-do.  Within a short time, he screened enough soil to fill the need in the greenhouse.  Soft, fluffy, beautifully screened soil!  Next, I want him to screen some compost to enrich those beds.  The machine makes it easy, fast, and fun.

Soil goes in the wheel barrow; rocks fly like the dickens

The by-product is some gravel and stones we can use in landscaping.  I’m a little freaky about stone.  I love it.  I earned a 4.0 in Geology.  When I see a pile of rocks I want to build a wall, line a path, or just stare lovingly at it.  After all, I grew up in the country where farmed fields were deliniated by acres of rock wall.  Beautiful.  Primitive.  Interesting.

One day, I will update you with a before/after photo of our deck project.  Until then, here’s a peek at the new greenhouse beds where some lucky plants will snuggle in for the season.     

It’s National Poetry Month.  Here is a reminder that change is good:

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Getting bigger each week. 

See how the roots are forming along the planted stem of the tomato plant?  That will make the plant strong.  The birth leaves are dying back.  Their work is done.  We can remove those by pinching the base of each leaf with our thumbnail and finger, being careful not to damage the stem. 

And here are the leaves of that plant.  This is the happiest plant we have.  Tomatoes definitely benefit from being planted in a deep container.

Remember that I am a few weeks ahead, so if your plants don’t look like this yet, that’s okay.  Go back and look at the weekly photos from past weeks to compare.

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

I saw you lurking around on Friday, checking to see if I’ve posted my results.  It was such a crazy week, I thought I’d never get around to this.  It seemed that every time I settled in to start my work, somebody would need something.  But, that’s okay… that’s my job.  Everyone is down for an afternoon nap, so here I sit in the glow of the newfound light of a clean refrigerator.  I am so very glad I had the chance to do this today because there was a grand adventure waiting for me in that freezer.  It was like the doorway to Narnia.  I feel much better having gone through it. 

Something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time is to make that bottom shelf a kid’s snack shelf.  Pookah can help herself to milk, juice, string cheese, gogurt, fruit, and veggies anytime.     

I never did get around to the pantry cabinet, but it’s not too out of shape.  I’ll put it on the list for another day.

While I was grocery shopping this week, what I kept in mind was replacing all those sugary treats with healthier options.  See the pineapple?  Sweet Yummy Heaven.  Lemons were on sale, a whole bag for $2.  Having sliced lemons on hand always helps me stay hydrated and makes dinner a little bit fancier.  Pookah eats them just like that.  I pucker just thinking about it.  The ice cream is gone (I cannot divulge the manner in which it was disposed) and replaced with whole fruit bars.  We should always have frozen fruit for quick smoothies (just blend w/yogurt & milk or juice) and frozen veggies that are so quick to heat up for a healthy side dish.  Our low-cal after work/after school treat is often Laughing Cow cheese spread (Sam’s has the best deal going on those) and Special K crackers. 

Other sensible snack ideas:

• air-popped popcorn w/no-cal spray butter
• wasabi peas & other freeze dried* fruits and veggies
• fresh fruits & veggies, washed and prepared in advance
• nuts & nut mixes w/seeds & craisins
• Nutella on graham crackers when a sweet tooth acts up

Keeping crunchy, salty, sensibly sweet options available when cravings kick in is wise.  The simplest way to stay away from junk food is… get ready for your brilliant answer to that lifelong dilemma… d o n ‘ t   b u y   i t.  Did that revelation hit you yet?  Just don’t have it in the house.  And please, please don’t send it to mine! 

And now for…

Confessions of a Desperate Housewife

Last night, I had a conversation with someone who means the world to me.  Someone I admire for her well-mannered, delightful children, and beautiful, well-loved, organized home.  She’s been one of the biggest influences on my life since I was… what… 12?  And I greatly respect everything she has to say.  Then she hit me with this one!  She said something complimentary about me being “organized” – wasn’t that so nice?

So, when I got up off the floor, where I spent several minutes laughing my BUTT off, I asked her why on EARTH she thought I was organized.  Project Simplify was her response.  And then I realized that what my writing is revealing about me is a great untruth.  See, I had thought that by posting those horrible “before” photos, you’d get the impression that I’m desperately trying to get myself together over here.  But instead, I seem to have revealed a more industrious, pulled-together, perfection-y vision of myself.  SO untrue, folks.   

My life is incredible, filled with the awesomeness of parenthood, speckled with laughter and decorated with fingerpainted art galleries.  But it is in no way organized.  It’s a daily struggle to get the dishes and laundry done so we can stay one step above cave-people.  A surprising amount of my time is spent rocking a teething Tootsie to sleep so I can play a game with Pookah.  Or helicoptering over Tootsie while she tests her leg strength.  If I can get a shower in during that time, the world rejoices.  (I don’t care how I look, that’s what hats are for, but society in general cares how I smell)  There’s library time, playgroups, dance class, Sunday school, and walks to the park.  In between these lovely things: teaching, crafting, spill-catching, diaper-changing, hand-washing, and cuddling, I’m trying to get into this organizing, simplifying, generally life bettering routine.  Bit by bit I’m getting there.  But I am not there yet.  I’m still tripping over a pile of toys to get to a pile of laundry.   

So, after a delightful time cranking about just how hard it is to stay on top of things, I think we both felt much better.  It’s so nice to hear a veteran parent confirm that this is just the way it is with very little children and that time spent enjoying them each day is more rewarding than being “organized.”  My dear friend, the sister I never had, has inspired me once again, to pick up and continue on in the name of motherhood.

…and that’s the only reason I haven’t given up yet.   

 ———-

*freeze dried is far healthier than dehydrated, as dehydrated fruits often contain added sugar.  Look for freeze dried veggies in the bulk foods section of your grocery store or order them online.  Freeze dried green beans are surprisingly delicious and (our favorite) strawberries make delicious snacks on the go.  The blueberries did not go over so well, they tend to lack flavor, in our opinions.  In the event that happens to you, you can still prevent wasting them by experimenting with them as additions to pancakes, waffles, and muffins.  Also, freeze dried fruits found in the baby food aisle are perfect for make-your-own oatmeal packets.

Here is a little experiment to help Pookah understand what is happening under the soil.  We used a clean, clear plastic bottle from our recycle bin, cut the top off, and poked holes in the bottom.  We gently pressed the plant against the side of the container and filled it with soil.  Then, we covered the container with a sleeve made of black construction paper to prevent light from affecting the roots.  We placed it in a shallow bowl so we can water it from the bottom and set it under the light with the rest of our plants.  Let’s watch the roots develop over the coming weeks together.  I’ll share the photos with you and we’ll see what happens. 

Here is what it looked like last week, right after we planted it.

Plant the entire stem of the tomato seedling

And here is what it looks like now, 1 week after transplant.

Root development 1 week after transplant

Pretty cool, huh? 

But, we’re not just throwing out the fuzzy things and wiping down the shelves, here.  We’re going to think about the food we eat, what we keep in stock, and why.  Let’s try to replace the junk food with some healthier snacks and envision our family enjoying good eating habits for life.  I believe this week’s journey will be more about what is inside us, than the insides of our refrigerator.  Let’s see what we find out…

Comment, call, or email me this week and tell me what healthy foods you will keep in stock from now on.  Good luck, everybody!

Here’s your before shots:

The refrigerator is housing a lot of weekend leftovers and tonight’s dinner is defrosting in a baking pan, taking up a lot of room.  There are 2 boxes of pie crust leftover from March 14th, and a box of blueberries that are going to get baked up in them since they tasted awful out-of-season. 

BEFORE

The freezer looks disorganized, but it’s mainly bags of freezer meals and veggies.  I think there are some Christmas cookies lurking in there, surprisingly, I think it’s time to chuck those.

BEFORE

And the baking cabinet.  It’s functioning pretty well, even though it looks haphazard.  When I print out a new recipe to try, I have a habit of taping it up on the door.  Some may be better organized, but I kind of like it that way. 

BEFORE

NOW DON’T JUDGE ME!  Those boxes of cake mix were on sale and I had coupons, they were practically free, so I stocked up.  I know they are not healthy, but what a great math & science lesson for Pookah, eh?   

I see a lot of sweets!  I knew we were “bad” but I didn’t know we were that bad!  There’s something to think about this week.  We did just have a birthday around here, (see the cake and ice cream?) but perhaps we’ve gone overboard.  Okay, Silverback, we have the tough job of getting rid of all of the sweets this week.  Do your part, get the ice cream scooper, I’ll get the sprinkles.