Author: mrs. dejo

and more rain…

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Raspberries remind me of my dad…

My veggies are kinda boring right now. They have no desire to grow.

My basil needed a little attention, I am growing a ton! I can’t wait.

I’m done!

Spinach and beans were the last things to be planted.

We went downtown on Monday to watch the marathon spectacle.

It was a beautiful day to walk around…

Pink trees = spring…

Three years ago today I was in St. Louis meeting Mr. Dejo for the first time… sigh:) He is so dreamy…

The Bloody Mary’s at this place were divine… Enough to make you want a layover in Denver.

I forgot about this picture, that duck makes me laugh out loud… He’s haulin ass!

They were so sweet…

I love love love St. Louis! I would go back anytime.

That shirt looks so new! And no tattoo… weird.

What a lucky girl I am…

Thats it, I’m out of titles…

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Looks like we will be in our little house for another year. I am glad a move is not in our upcoming future, but a huge spring cleaning/reorganizing most certainly is. May my fathers mad organizational skills come out of me next weekend…. I don’t need more than a 1000 square foot house, I don’t need more than a 1000 square foot house, I don’t need more than a 1000 square foot house…

Lord give me the strength to keep from choking the neighbor dog til her vocal cords pop out of her throat…. Thanks!

So, my first sewing project since 1991 was a success, I re-hemmed J’s pants. They were tailored too short (not by me of course). My man does not wear floods well, I don’t suppose anyone with size 12 feet does.

White trash winter… I am happy to say it does not look like that anymore, all nice and tidy.

I made the kiddies play outside while I cleaned the house. I can’t wait till they turn 18 and are living in the back yard. Mommy loves you but you are making me claustrophobic.

Wynn and I had our first “picnic” of the season. Beef veggie soup, Yum! Actually I had veggie soup and Wynn had the beef.

I fell in love with Kinder Eggs in Italy.  I have yet to find them in the states,  maybe that’s why I like them so much. Because my husband loves me, he brings me one back every once in a while.  They are milk chocolate on the outside and white chocolate on the inside and there is a surprise when you open them. Good to keep in the fridge, but let them come back to room temperature before trying to open them or they will shatter into a million pieces. Maybe the Easter Bunny will leave one in each of my favorite kid’s Easter basket…

I don’t know who you are my around the corner neighbor, but I like ya!

Seaweed is my favorite.

OK mother, here is my guacamole recipe…

Per one avocado…

  • Around one tblsp of purple onion (I have tried with other colored onions and I don’t like it as well) I grate it on the small side of the grater so I get kind of a puree.
  • juice from a quarter lime
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of pepper
  • half of a small tomato cut very small (I like lots of tomato)
  • 1 tblsp  salsa
  • sometimes it needs a little vinegar, I usually use tabasco but if you don’t want spice use about a tsp of white vinegar

If you keep the seed and put it in when it’s done, it keeps it from turning brown. The lime helps with that also.

I am experimenting with freezing it, I’ll let you know if it works.

I make this to taste, this is just a starting recipe… Good Luck!

We headed up north to the farm and Newburyport, If I have a choice, this is where we go.

Connie’s stagecoach is our favorite little cafe, great diner type food and fast, very friendly service. win win in my book….

Newburyport is a little touristy town right on the water, I would love to move there… sigh.

I miss my mom…

Tree 2, sidewalk 0… Don’t mess with mother nature!

It’s a monkey riding a pig… need I say more?

And I’m spent…

I heart Tendercrop Farms! It’s how food is suppose to to be.

Love you all!

April Grey’s…

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Andee and I went to the fabric store over the weekend. Color everywhere!

Next time I won’t be going on the weekend.

 

 

We never go out to the bars anymore, they are loud and full of silly half-dressed people.

This weekend because we had a friend staying with us who likes that scene, we headed out for a night on the town.

We were home by midnight…

I don’t know how those girls kept their straws straight.

We went and played pub trivia Sunday night.

A bit more “us”

In my on-going search for an above par Bloody Mary, this is one of the better ones in the city so far…

 

Back to the dentist…

I now have beautiful chip-free bottom teeth.

 

J came with me to yoga. What a great man.

 

I transplanted some of my seedlings that were ready into bigger starter pots. I cut off the bottom of lunch sacks, they seem to be perfect for holding my little adolescents .

I am looking forward to the day they can stay outside. My living room is feeling a bit  cramped.

My lone Red Tomato is doing great!

Overflow into my front entryway.

 

There aren’t too many things better than veggies and meat in a really spicy sauce.

 

Randomness from our walk…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

march smarch…

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ummmmm…

 

 

All of my seeds are officially germinated! Time to leave the ugly blue basket and into the sun…

 

The yellow tomatoes are getting so close to getting a new bigger pot of dirt.

 

The peas are a little leggy, like most everything else. I still love them.

 

My sweet, sweet Red peppers.

 

I have a basil in my cilantro.

 

I try to keep water off the leaves, buuuuuttttttt…….

 

I have about ten tulips peaking out of their containers so far…

 

Thanks to Andee, I now know how to use my sewing machine. I can’t wait to play!

 

I went to the dentist the other day… Even though they don’t take care of their plants, I still like them.

I just want to take all neglected plants home and love them.

I love that you can see my nose ring…

These girls are fantastic! My dentist is like 24.

 

We headed to Quincy to have breakfast with J’s sister (and brood) the other morning, I’m glad we got to see them while they were in town.

I miss her chocolate chip cookies.

 

This is the house J lived in until he was eight…

 

The early spring flowers are starting to bloom! Finally color.

 

One of my favorite childhood meals, Denver Sandwich (not a sandwich).

Oh ya, and it’s super healthy…

6 thick strips of bacon cut up
6 eggs
grated or diced half a small onion
1/8 cup of water
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper

Throw everything but the eggs in a frying pan, cook bacon and onion to your prefurred  doneness. I cook it til the liquid cooks almost out.

In a separate bowl whisk the eggs,  dump over bacon and cook until done.

If you serve it with toast it’s kinda a sandwich…

I have been going to a Yoga studio down town…

I am slowly starting to take advantage of this fantastic city we live in.

I hung out at the book store while waiting for Wynn to get done at the beauty parlor.

 

She hates the T but people on the T love her…

 

Until April… fool.

It’s Spring!!!

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I really wanted to post this on the first day of spring… two days late is good too. And it’s Tuesday!

The seedlings are taking off, the broccoli and tomatoes are starting to get their second set of leaves. They do about as well as I do without sunshine, these last two days have been a little sad and grey. My seedlings will be a little leggy this year. I will use grow lights next year… I have it all planned out.

Most all my peppers are up, I’m in love with them already…

I thought green fingernails were fitting for the first day of spring…

We went to the beach the other day for about five minutes. My soul always appriciates the sun and the ocean.

The wind on the other hand can suck it…

It was a great five minutes…

The first flip – flop wearing of the season…

My orchid bloom has a sister…

Photographing them made me miss Kari.

He is a good man…

The basil, cilantro, and peas are all planted. The only thing left is salad, beans and spinach.

Yes, I forgot spinach on my last planting…

I have never been a big bbq fan buuuuuttttttt, I’m in LOVE with this meal!!

Crispy Pulled Pork Sandwiches with homemade bbq sauce and spicy coleslaw…

 

Pork sandwiches:

  • pork loin
  • 5 cups water  (I usually throw some red wine in there for flavor)
  • buns or rolls of some sort
  • provolone cheese

Cook the pork loin in a crock pot on low over night, or  all day. Remove and shred apart with a fork.

Use what you need and freeze the rest.

Pile pork on bottom bun, add cheese and stick in the oven under the broiler for 5 min or so (keep an eye on them) The broiler is a fickle friend.

 

BBQ sauce:

  • 2 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2  tblsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2  tblsp onion powder
  • 1/2  tblsp ground mustard
  • 1/2  tblsp cayenne
  • 1   tblsp lemon juice
  • 3  tblsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup water (I use liquid from the cooking pork loin)
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Throw everything in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, stirring frequently  for an hour.

 

Spicy Coleslaw:

  • 1 head of cabbage (the good parts minus the tough core parts)
  • 4 medium carrots
  • 2 tblsp pureed white onion
  • not quite a 1/4 cup agave necter (or sugar)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1  1/2 tblsp white vinegar
  • 2 tblsp lemon juice
  • 2 teasp cayenne
  • 2 teasp chili powder
  • 1 teasp of each salt and pepper

Shred cabbage and carrots on a mandolin (don’t cut yourself, it is the devil) or chop. In a large bowl, whisk the rest of the ingredients together. Mix in the cabbage and carrots, cover and chill for an hour. Stir (with a pretty spoon) before serving.

Enjoy!!!

My favorite christmas presents ever are peaking through the dirt on the back step. I can’t wait to see them!

It’s spring all over our house.

I heart Robert Plant…

My man loves him some corned beef hash! Remnants of our first St. Patty’s in Boston.

I hope the light has a bit more life in it tomorrow, my little guys need it.

This picture is a couple days old, you should see the peas now. They have grown an inch in a day and a half.

The broccoli’s new addition.

Happy Spring!

one more time…

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Since we live in the city and rent, I am growing 100 percent of my garden in containers.  I’m starting a lot of the seeds inside to get a jump on the season.

I love love love high mowing organic seeds!   I already have the nja convinced we need to go up there for a weekend. Vermont isn’t that far away.

 

*       Seeds I’m starting indoors

**    Seeds that are going directly in the containers

***  Seeds that are getting transplanting twice – I decided to transplant some of the seedlings into a little bigger container (bottom of a brown paper lunch sack – I’ll show when the time comes) before going into the final container. I think it will be easier and better for the seedlings (and me) during the hardening off phase. Lugging big pots in and out every day sounds like the opposite of fun.

 

What I’m growing this year…

Amish Paste Tomato  *  ***

Yellow Perfection Tomato  *  ***

De Cicco Broccoli  *  ***

Ancho Poblano Pepper  *  ***

Early Jalapeno Pepper  *  ***

Ring-O-Fire Pepper  *  ***

Olympus F1 Sweet Pepper  *  ***

Sugar Snap Pea  **

Tarpy F1 Hybrid Spinach  **

Aton Basil  **

Santo Cilantro  **

Strike Snap Bush Bean  **

High Mowing Mesclun Mix  **

 

My seed starting containers are short tubes made using a cut up paper bag and a flour/water mixture. You can cut up TP and PT rolls also. You don’t need to buy containers in the store. A little planning and DIY attitude is all you need!

  • Cut the front and back panel off of a paper bag on the inside of the seem.
  • Cut the panels into aprox 2.5 x 6 pieces, draw lines or use a paper cutter, you want to cut strait so they sit sturdy on the tray.
  • Mix 1 ts flour with 4 ts water in a little dish.
  • Dip about an inch of the paper in the mix (flour settles to the bottom quick so stir the mix with every piece of paper) let the end of the paper soak for about 10 sec.
  • Bring the ends together to form a tube let the ends overlap about an inch and pinch the seem together until the moisture goes through both layers.
  • Let them dry…

Andee is trading me brush-up sewing lessons for gardening lessons… It’s like the eagle leading the blind.

Put seed starting mix in a bowl and pour boiling water over it (kills a lot of the bad stuff thats in mixes and soil).  Stir it around with a spoon, not your hands, until it gets to the sponginess of chocolate cake. By the time you get the mix into tubes it will have cooled down enough to put seeds in. I think they prefer warm soil to a cold, I would.

If you firmly pack a about an inch of mix into the bottom of the tube first, there will be a base so you can safely move your starters around without the whole works falling out the bottom. Fill the rest of the tube up to the top with very loose mix, tap the tube lightly to let the mix settle a bit. Read the instructions on your seed packet to find out what depth to plant your seeds.

The only place in my house that’s ever warm is the ceiling. So that is where my seedlings will hang out until they germinate. I check on them twice a day to make sure the moisture level is ok. Use a squirt bottle to water with, way more control.

Good luck little guys!

Headed your way…

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Wynn and I walked to the post yesterday to mail miss Jane’s care package.  I love the whole idea of a care packages. I also love that the guys in the post office sing while they work.

I’m craving spring in the worst way.

These little guys are hard to come by in eastie. It’s been far too long since I laid on my stomach in public to photograph.


Girls night

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As softball sized snowflakes drifted  to earth…

 

I’m always up for a night with the eastie ladies.

Andee came over early and helped me cook, love that girl!

We ate healthy, drank wine, laughed, debated, talked about boys….

 

One of my most prized treasures, my Grandma Natalie’s china. It just makes every dining experience that much better.

 

Living in a city definitely has it’s perks…  A six-pack of cupcakes is a beautiful thing. We cut them into sample pieces so we could try them all. Oh key lime cupcake, we will meet again…

Home from his night with my ladies other halves…  good times had by all!

 

 

 

 

Blustery day

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The wind’s all a sudden on a move….

Those of us who know, love the yellow carry sack.

I hope to come back this weekend with a different lens. I am going to pray for warm wind and beautiful light.

I’m in love with composting…

I’m going to try to eat at least one salad a day. For today, mixed greens, feta, mandarin oranges and  home-made vinaigrette.  And a grilled cheese sandwich.. I happen to think they go with everything.

Damping off Disease

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I killed my very first set of seedlings…

It makes my heart hurt to think about. It is one thing to make a mistake. It is quit another to murder something in the process.

I first noticed this mold growing on the outside of my starters, so of course I Googled it.
25 min later I came to the conclusion either I wait and watch them die or I give them a happy final day and start over next moon cycle.

I’m glad this happened on the first planting cycle and not late in the season. I will prevail!

 

I heard freezing to death is a nice way to go, you just fall asleep.
They had a lovely final day out in the sun…