Thanks, everyone! The soil here is way different than what I'm used to. I've always had a clay soil (or fill dirt in some cases). Here I have very sandy soil. There was already a garden spot (not in use when I purchased the place), so, I just used that spot. I tilled in a bunch of leaves this weekend. I've been told that the previous owner did the same thing. By next year, I'll have a compost pile set up. :-) I feel like I got pretty lucky with my new place. I had been looking for a long while, and this one popped up. There was another offer on it (in less than a week on the market), but, that fell through and I jumped on it. Now I just have to sell the old place. The Brain Strains had quite a bit of variety in shape, but, I think that pic represents the majority. I got the seeds from Romy6. He warned me of the pod variations up front. I just wanted the wrinkly / bumpy texture, I'm happy with them. :-)

Good to hear from you Maryliz....wow you have been busy...I took a fabric dying class and it was a lot of fun...not something I want to do much of in my house. I am going to visit a lady for a class on painting on fabric and then you put it in the sun to set the colors...maybe then I can decide what I want to invest my money in, paint or dyes. Wonderful you are moving your sewing out of the basement to your very own space....you will love it...don't forget to include good lighting in your new room...aren't hubbys wonderful when it comes to our hobby. This summer is pretty quiet for us...last year we painted the house, garage, fences...15 gal. of paint and my shoulder still complains. We also had quite a bit of company and I did get to the Moose Jaw Quilt Show in April...so I guess I will enjoy seeing pictures and writeups on trips others take this year. I have dragged out a quilt that I started quilting in 2003 by machine....gave up because it was too heavy....couldn't get the stitching out so now I am hand quilting what is left. This was a block exchange my guild did so I treasure it. Looking back I sure have learned a lot...my borders are terrible...I did diamonds on the sides and they didn't work out even...I am chuckling as it is almost ugly. Keep us posted on your projects and pics and have fun with that new sewing studo. Jean

I'm glad you had time to let us know how you are with as busy as it sounds like you've been.... I hope you enjoyed some lunch and had a little rest. Please pamper your back as best you can, you don't want that crick to turn into something more. It's been that kind of week here too. Not vegetable gardening but our wet cool spring has slowed down my own outside work. Now the family that lives in the house below us is having graduation party Sunday for their high achiever son. The hill (mine) leading down to their house and visible from their drive has been wild with weeds, winter debris and I'm trying to get it in shape before their guests. I hope some of these shrubs and ground cover take hold before too many more years, I don't know how much longer I'm going to want to be climbing around on it like a goat ;0) - very steep. I'm jealous of your asparagus. I looked at it at the grocery store this afternoon and it could have been fresher this week for $2.99/lb. I didn't buy any today even though DH had said how much he enjoyed what we'd had a few days ago.

I just got back from a Horse Expo. I rode on Friday morning and left from there to drive up. attended the Expo on Saturday. Met a lot of interesting people from all over, did some networking and did some shopping for the place I ride at. There were way to many vendors with more bling than substance but I managed to find some quality bits and leatherwork. Saw some nice demos. I enjoyed the ones by the less known horsemen and their actual riding/teaching than the more famous so called whisperers. Drove back this morning directly to the ranch to make my Sunday ride. I didn't feel tired until I got home. Laid my head down and that was all I remember before waking up a few hours later. I'm on a new horse now, a taller very pretty darker red mare. I feel invigorated with the challenge. She's very nice and well mannered but definitely the most sensitive horse I have ridden thus far. Requires utmost lightness and can go from zero to sixty if one doesn't take care. It's definitely leg off with this one. LOL Today was my third time riding her and she has a lovely trot. We did some very nice transitions. We also went out on the trail for a bit. She is very curious and alert to her surroundings but doesn't seem at all spooky thus far. She has only been ridden by "experienced" riders. Not a schooler, so her focus is definitely on her rider. I am enjoying the ability to put my knowledge into action with a more advanced horse. Recently I found some old friends of ours online and we have had fun reconnecting and catching up on our lives. They were from DH's side when we met and he has been having some lengthy phone conversations with one of them. Last time we were together we were in our twenties. Lost contact after marriages etc. It's beach weather. Things are opening up and I plan to have a busy summer. It was so nice to have a weekend away and be normal.