The Vegetarian Accountant's Garden
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Country & Rural Garden News (13)Newspapers (6)Other Gardening News (A-J) (29)Other Gardening News (K-Z) (30)Although not technically Autumn, late August starts reminding me that the year is winding down. Most wildflowers and bulbs are bloomed out and the leaves begin to change color on the Liquidambers. The only miracle in the yard is the appearance of what my grandmother calls "naked ladies... So many weeds! Somewhere in this picture, there is a lemon tree, Japanese iris, and Nasturium.... The Dutch Iris are doing exceptionally well this year, despite the weed infestation in the back yard. We've been trying especially hard to keep them out of the iris beds, but it's difficult this time of year... Wildflowers are starting to bloom on the hill and the iris are all starting to bloom in the circle flower bed. I'll try to get better close up photos later. I love Spring!... Hiking at Castle Rock Recreational Area:This was a fun hike this time of year, because the creeks are still running, causing many places to be crossed with care. It would have been easier if I had remembered to bring the baby back pack, but we made a good go of it with the jogging stroller (even though my shoes got quite wet)... I will not run today. I will not run today. I will run tomorrow, but I will not run today.Oh, and I think that I will not make any more exercise-related posts here because (1) I think I am the only one who cares and (2) it probably imposes some sort of legal liability on me because no one should follow the stated routines without a doctor's consent and a bunch of other knowledge... Baby Boot Camp: 75 minute classRunning (lots today): close to 2 milesStrength training: quads, glutes, calves, biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders, abs & obliques.Tomorrow, I am taking the day off.... ... I read recently that one should take at least two days off every week from exercising, to let the muscles rest and revive. I totally agree and was forced to take Sunday off because of the rain.Monday, March 2, it was still raining... Berry-Walnut Muffins1/2 cup sliced walnuts2 cups flour1.5 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. baking soda.5 tsp. salt2 eggs.75 cups buttermilk.75 cups packed brown sugar.5 cups butter, melted1 tsp. vanilla1 cup raspberries, blackberries or blueberriesMix wet ingredients... ... I recently read that a way to motivate yourself to exercise was to post on your blog about your day's exercise "accomplishments." Neat.Running: 2.0 miles to school with Elizabeth and Helen in strollerRunning: 2... Another "Bird Walk" - this time at the Martinez Regional Shoreline. This is an easy walk, with flat, gravel-paved trails through marsh and along the shoreline of the Carquinez Strait. We didn't see a huge amount of birds, but there were a few... ... At last, today was Friday and that meant another hike with East Bay Moms. I just had Helen with me today, in the backpack, but that didn't make this hike a walk in the park. The weather was gorgeous though, and I do love this often-overlooked park in the Oakland hills... ... Ever since spending summers with my grandparents as a little girl, I have harbored a secret love of birds. I love finding them. So today, in addition to starting up East Bay Regional Park's 2009 Trail Challenge, the girls and I walked around the San Leandro Bay and did a fair amount of bird watching... Let the Christmas cookie baking begin! Here are the first try for the season -- raspberry pinwheels. Quite good, but I need to work on my jellying and rolling technique.... ... So... I still have many photos from over the summer from the camera phone to publish. Since it involves both girls, I guess I will use my blog (that way I can avoid describing how horrid my back yard looks right now)... Our patio garden is doing exceptionally well this year, thanks to my little garden helpers. In addition to the front landscaping project, we are trying to grow more of our own produce at home. I wish I could say that it was more productive, but at least the girls are getting a lesson in farming... What have I been doing with my time?!?!One project this summer was to remove the lawn in the front of the house. There were several reasons behind this decision. First, we are being asked to conserve water... More photographs from our recent day trip to Yosemite National Park:As you can probably tell, all of these shots were taken from the valley floor. We didn't do any adventurous hikes up to half-dome or bridalveil, as that seems darn near impossible with two little ones in tow, but we did walk all around the valley floor on the wonderful paved bicycle paths... I love Springtime. And I love the proliferation of large, perennial wildflowers in the back yard. I am still struggling to fight off the weeds and blackberries, but their presence is offset by a tremendous sea of poppies and daisies...
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