Zucchini Harvest

Our zucchini yield this year is plentiful. I'm trying to use all of what we've grown by baking, cooking, freezing and preserving in any way that I can. My friend Susan Foster's Chocolate Zucchini Bread has been our favorite, although Burl would rather try to feed his to the dogs.

Chocolate Almond Zucchini Bread

3 eggs, 3 c. flour

2 c. sugar 1 tsp. salt

1 c. oil 1 tsp. cinnamon

2 squares unsweetened chocolate ¼ tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. grated/shredded zucchini 1 c. almonds, chopped

Mix eggs, sugar & oil. Melt chocolate over hot water & blend into egg mixture. Add vanilla and zucchini. Sift all dry ingredients together then add into zucchini mixture. Add almonds. Spray two bread pans & bake 1 hour at 350. Makes two large loaves.

Next on our list to make, Curried Zucchini soup, Zucchini muffins, and Zucchini Creole. And we still have plenty shredded and chopped in the freezer for use during this winter.

Propagating Hydrangeas

When I was younger, I saw a poster of a wall of hydrangeas with a vintage bicycle in front and immediately fell in love with the flowers. They also grow all over Mendocino and my love grew even more while I was living there.

By the way, this is my favorite B&B in Mendo.

For the past several years, I've had good luck propagating them. There are several tutorials on the web that I first followed, but now have my own system. I use a homemade organic root hormone. I'm anxiously awaiting honey from my dad's bees, but until then, I've been using Moon Valley Organic Honey. I have the best luck if I leave them in their original pots for a couple seasons to establish their roots before planting them in the ground during Springtime.

This little guy was from three years ago. He's doing pretty well, despite Burl's fascination with picking the flowers.

My 2007 plants did fantastic for the first year. But this past winter, the moss smothered them and most of them didn't make it. I didn't propagate any during 2008, since I had a newborn and was slightly overwhelmed with all that being a new mother brings. I'm hoping this 2009 planting will bring success.

An Afternoon Alone

With Alex home from work yesterday, and Burl napping, I found myself with a couple of rare hours to myself. So in the sweltering heat, without air conditioning and stuck in the thick of mid-day Seattle traffic without my little carpool buddy, I made my way down to Weaving Works. I've been researching spinning wheels for an upcoming purchase. I'm so, so very excited about learning to spin, because what I really need is just one more hobby :).


My next stop was the bookstore. Telling myself that I'd stay away from the children's isle, and after browsing the craft section and coming up empty handed, I found myself thumbing through board and picture books. The only things I came home with yesterday were a couple of new Dr. Sears books.

It's ironic, when he's fussy and being difficult, it's so easy to think "Ahhh! I wish I could just get away!" But when I am away from him, I long to be near him and can't wait to get home to squeeze him. Motherhood.

Some New Longies

What do I think about when the weather is 90 degrees outside? Winter of course. I tend to be a few months ahead of the rest of the world, or behind depending on your perspective.

I have a head start on some winter longies for Burl. I knit this first pair using this yarn from Spincycle Yarns. I love their stuf! And I'm almost finished with another pair. Oh, and if you're wondering, yes! The only things I'm knitting lately are things for Burl. But I've got some things planned for Alex and myself.

I've also been working on another pair of picky pants for Burl using Yarn Pirate's hand dyed BFL. This is my first time to magic loop two circumferences on the same needles.

Just Burl

Since I've had two themes going on in my blog, I've decided to start a new site dedicated just to Burl. Head on over there for the latest happenings regarding him.

I'll keep posting here about all of my crafty endeavors.