IN THE GARDEN: seed tray

I've been a bit behind on my home garden, and my blog, but I'm getting back into the swing of things. Here I've planted some tengergreen cucumber, lacinato kale, parsnips, curly kale, and Japanese eggplant. 

 

IN THE GARDEN: mutant (organic) carrot

I swear this carrot wasn't the result of radioactive levels in the soil or something (chuckles nervously). But really, I grew this little guy as a bit of an experiment. I'm sure every kid has rammed a couple of toothpicks into a potato, stuck it in a glass full of water, and watched roots and leaves grow from it as a sort of science experiment. Well, the principle works really well with carrots, too (among other veggies, but I'll get back to that).
After you've chopped off the top of a carrot for your dinner, instead of discarding it, you can place it in a shallow tray of water. Provided you change the water everyday to prevent it from turning to mush in its own decaying pool of carrot-flesh-eating bacteria, it will develop thin roots and regrow its leaves. After the roots form, replant it into some healthy soil, keep it well watered and watch your carrot top grow. It may or may not turn into a tangled mass of deformed fleshy roots...it may only grow single taproot, or it may not even produce anything but a bushy set of parsley-like leaves. But it's a cool way to use something that would have been thrown away without a second thought.

I left mine in the ground for too long, and the pill bugs got to it before I could. This is the second time they've gotten into my carrots, and so I'll have to keep an out for them if I ever want the chance to make my own home grown carrot cake. 

IN THE GARDEN: spring has sprung

Macro photography is the best way to make you feel like a real photographer. I know I sure feel like one!

Poor photography skills aside, I love watching the first shoots and sprouts of spring emerge (alliteration alert). It's technically spring time if bulbs start sprouting, right? Even if it's early January? (I actually took these pictures around Christmas time, but never mind that.) Spring always comes early in Southern California, and this year is no exception. It's been unseasonably warm though, even for LA.

Not to say that I mind, but I do wish we had a longer cold season this year. Although my definition of "cold" is objective; as a Southern Californian, "cold" is anything below 60° F. Christmas just isn't quite Christmas if you need to wear a tank top and sun screen. (I know that those in Australia have warm Christmases, but my implications are for the Northern Hemisphere.)

Well anyways, the light showers, warm weather, and carpet of tiny green leaves means that it's time to start getting the garden ready. Spring is here!

(PS, I have a tendency to use a lot of comas and parentheses, if you haven't already noticed.)

Long time, no see

I'm getting back at it. I've been telling myself for the longest time to start blogging again, and I want to say that things like school, work, and life in general prohibited me from doing such, but that would just be an excuse.

I'm a notorious procrastinator.

It's quite inhibiting, and yet I continue to do it. But I'm really pushing myself to start it up again. So here is "sour orange tree", part two.

WHAT TO MAKE: envelope clutch

These cute little envelope pouches can be used to  protect your glasses, keep your make up in one convenient case, or replace your wallet. I think they're absolutely adorable, and they look so easy to make. I am looking for a new wallet (the zipper on my last one broke), so this would be a great DIY to try out.



1. Oh Joy!  +  2. Design Sponge  +  3. See Kate Sew

WHAT TO MAKE: painted porcelain

What's not to love about painted porcelain? They add a lovely DIY and Scandinavian inspired touch to your home. I especially like these DIY's, which really play up the sharp contrast between the black drawn lines and the clean white ceramic.



 
               




1. Curious and Catcat  +  2. Craft and Creativity  +  3. Mormorsglamour  +  4. A Bird's Leap 

WHAT TO MAKE: leather projects

Warm, rustic leather combined with touches of cool metal make for beautifully modern pieces for you and your home. I've always had a fondness for leather; it's so sturdy and versatile. It's no wonder that I found these leather DIY's so appealing with their straight cut edges and metal pieces to complement.

Leather and brass pull tabs from Brick House

Leather folded basket from Between the Lines

Leather portfolio from DIYolo