The Busy Bride is a Garden Bee, Eating Well, Trying Stuff and Enjoying Life!!!

I regret to tell you all that the International cooking project has been put on hold at least for a few weeks. With the ramping up for the wedding (diet) and with our friends (the lucky SOB's that they are) who were in Hawaii for two weeks, I find that it is best that I hold off on the added craziness of International Night. Not to mention that I have a bunch of other projects going on right now!

Recently Jason and Christi took us to McKay's (the holy mecca of used books/dvd/cd's) and I purchased a huge cart full of cookbooks. The interesting part is that I also purchased a how to become vegetarian book and a vegetarian cookbook. This book has been amazing. It has some of the coolest recipes. I am enjoying taking the time to learn to cook vegetarian.

The thought of becoming a full time vegetarian is hard to commit to because I don't think I can give up my yearly oysters at Christmas or not eat southern turkey dressing at Thanksgiving. Other than a handful of times I found that meat is really not that important to me and I could probably get away with being an occasional meat eater. Of course I do not agree with the way the beef/pork/poultry industry is raising animals (and if you watch Food Inc you will too) but I think the idea of not having the option to eat meat makes it hard so I do not want to give it up altogether. So I am flirting with the idea of eating less meat...at least for now. As of today I have not had meat since March 17...that's almost three weeks!  I haven't really missed it, nor have I craved it. I am making some pretty cool stuff too. Here are the two meals I made recently. Not bad huh?

This one was a wonderful risotto with peas and asparagus. It was amazing! And I paired it with a confetti salad. (Both recipes are in the book...but the salad I added some extras)

And a Mushroom, Kale and Leek soup. This one turned out to be weird since after it looks like this you throw it in the food processor, but it was very tasty.






I have also been out in the yard working my booty off! I have been digging out flower beds and preparing to plant the garden and all of the flowers that BETTER win me the freaking Yard of the Month! If the people down the street with 400 lawn ornaments can win it than I should be a shoe in with tasteful gardens! Here is the before and afters of my progress so far:

I dug out a flower bed around the phone wires. I really hate the phone pole and I am trying to disguise it.

 Then I planted some Iris here that are transplants from Christi's garden. I can't wait until they bloom.

Hideous right? In an attempt to hide this hideous silk fencing that stands at the edge of our property I dug out another bed. This is ridiculously hard when you have to dig grass out of clay...and did I mention the rocks? Unearthing rocks is pretty tough...but a great workout.

I filled this one with Red Canna's (another transplant from Christi's garden) and some White Azalea's. This is going to look awesome when these finally get big and bloom.

I also dug out flower beds around all of the trees in the back yard.  i have an assortment of Blue Hydrangea, Caladiums, Forget Me Not's, Dahlia's and other cute little flowers. I can't wait to see them bloom. And for those of you who have tried to dig in Tennessee know what a feat this is. :)

And around this Large tree I have Red and Purple Zinnia's. This will look awesome when they bloom.

I also made myself an herb garden which contains: Rosemary, Dill, Oregano, Sage, Basil, and Cilantro. I know that it just looks like a pot with dirt in it, but I think it will be adorable when they sprout up.

I have also started all of my seeds for my garden. I am doing: strawberries, spinach, bell peppers, banana peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, Swiss chard and zucchini. Plus I am going to get a transplant of raspberries from Christi. :)

Plus at the Farmer's Market today I bought a Granny Smith Apple tree. I really can't wait until this little guy starts giving me some apples. Granny's are my absolute favorite!!!

I also added some Primrose, Dianthus, and Stargazer lilies to this bed. Really excited that my Japanese Toad lily and Easter lily are sprouting up. Even though my Easter lily is running a little behind this year. :)

And of course there is my front flower bed...the Hosta is peaking out, but I am still stuck on what to plant this year. This and digging out the veggie garden are the only two large projects left. Well that and trying to grow some decent grass. :)





Other than the current food venture and of course all of the yard work I am also eyeball deep in wedding planning, day dreaming about the cruise, and preparing for Stephanie's wedding. We leave for the beach in 15 days. AHHHHH! And just in case I don't have enough on my plate I am working on another blog called "Lauren Tried It". It is a place where I can share products and experiences that I have tried and loved. Maybe that one will be a fun paid blog. :) I am putting the finishing touches on one about my favorite doggy shampoo and I am in the process of trying a skin care line from Avon.


Upcoming events:

This Thursday April 8 I will be volunteering at the Special Olympics. I hope that I can share a wonderful story once it is over. :) I am really excited.