The Saga of the Peas...Part 1

So, I am not a gardener. In fact, it would be safe to say that I would be thrilled to never have to plant or be apart of a garden. Mom loves them and had them often when we were growing up, but I always hated having to go out and work in them.

Generally, I'm not of fan of food straight from the garden. I don't know why, but I just don't like the flavor of fresh veggies. I know that's strange. But for example, I love frozen green beans, but I don't like fresh from the garden green beans at all. And, for those of you who think I'd never know the difference if I didn't know where the beans came from, you would be wrong. I can always tell. ALWAYS.

So, anyway, for some unexplained reason, this year, I decided that I'd like to see if I can grow sugar snap peas. I love the frozen ones, and I thought I'd see if I have the same unfavorable reaction to fresh sugar snap peas that I do for fresh green beans.

However, HERE IS THE CATCH...I have a black thumb. No really...every living plant I own dies a terrible death. I just can't keep them alive...usually because I forget to water them. But, never the less, I am going to see if I can grow these peas. I bought them probably a month ago. My Mom was kind enough to let me use one of her planters and even got the potting soil and a stick thing for the peas to wind up around probably two weeks ago, but I didn't get them planted until today.

I went out and with a spoon (didn't want to use my hands in the dirt...yuck) I dug out spots for the seeds, but as I dug, I seemed to be just uncovering the seeds that I'd just planted, so I'd have to press them back into the soil. I really didn't have a clue what I was doing so it's already a possibility that I've killed these seeds before they even had a chance to grow. But I did water them and tried to make sure that all the seeds are at least covered in the dirt. Hmm...if that's any indication of the care these peas are going to get, they may be in trouble. But, well see...and so begins the SAGA OF THE PEAS....will they live or will they die. Hmmm...I'll keep you posted.

Vacation in Ohio

What a wonderful weekend I just had. On Friday, I drove to Ohio to spend the weekend with Erica and Kris Miller. Erica is one of my very dearest friends and it had been WAY too long since we'd been able to visit. Plus she's due to have a baby girl, to be named Aurora Rose Miller, on July 3rd and I'm so excited!!!

But before I met up with Erica and Kris, I was blessed to spend Friday afternoon with my brother Rick. We met up in a place called Yellow Springs, OH and did some window shopping in some of the interesting shops in that town...including a cool used book store and a comic book shop. Rick collects comics and I am a huge Archie comics fan since childhood. He also took me to this small coffee shop where I got something called a "Hot Shot." Wow!!! It was an expresso shot in coffee and it was FABULOUS!!! We had a marvelous time. I love spending time with Rick and we don't get to do it very often, so this was very fun.

So then I went to Erica and Kris's home and got to spend the weekend with them and their dog, Cincinnatti (Cincy for short). We had a blast. We went out to eat with Kris's parents one night, did a bit of shopping, watched some movies, chatted, and just had a fabulous time catching up. I was blessed to go to a cool baby shower for her and saw Gloria Hancock there along with her boys Andrew and Joseph. That was a cool blessing that I wasn't expecting. She's awesome and her kids are just too too cute.

On Sunday, I went to church with Erica and Kris in Cederville. It's a lovely church with great people. I felt very welcome and at home there. I got to see many of them again on Monday at a fun Memorial Day picnic. Sunday lunch was at Cracker Barrell where we met up with Rick and Jenn and Kris' Mom Kim.





The whole weekend was just great. The only crazy thing that happened was yesterday when Erica and I decided to finish the day by getting some ice cream from Young's Dairy. There was a carnival in the parking lot and I guess I must have gotten distracted or something because as we were walking across the parking lot, I somehow lost my footing and fell spread eagle in the lot. No rhyme or reason for the fall, but then, I guess I've never really needed a reason. So, I ended up the vacation with some road rash on my arms and legs and I'm sure a few bruises, but no big deal. It was worth it. The ice cream was GREAT!!! :-) And THEN, we watched a great Doris Day Movie! It was a fanastic way to end a wonderful visit.

Thanks so much to Erica and Kris for letting me hang out with them this weekend. It was a blast. I look forward to seeing them again when I get to greet little Aurora. :-)