Growing, growing, growing.

I can’t believe I didn’t post pictures from September of the plants, but alas, I did not. And now, the spring season is here and my herbs are planted and I have updates for that, too.

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And now, in March:

This was Merv when I first planted him, back in June of 2012.

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Here was Merv in the beginning of March – look how far he’s grown…except I need him to grow wide, not tall. No matter, we can fix that!DSC_0896

We just have to do a little surgery on him…

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Snip, snip! Now Merv is TWO plants!

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It took him a couple weeks, but he’s starting to grow back now!

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And, his top half has rooted…this is Sally. She needs a name plate, coming soon. I don’t know why Merv became Sally, he just did. I just write down the names I feel in my heart.

So this is my aloe plant, which started as a small baby plant wayyyyy back years ago as a window plant.

Just to show you, this is the aloe last year in March. Also, please note the flowers to the right – there are pink, and white, and some yellow.

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Look at these beasts now – out of control! The pink and the white have totally overtaken the yellow, and the white have actually started to turn pink.

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But at least the yellow is finally sprouting, despite the bullies surrounding it.

Anyways, back to aloe.

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So this is the aloe now – overgrown, sad, and it has recently started stabbing the UPS man. Seriously, I think he cut himself once. I felt horrible, and knew that it was time to put it apart…I didn’t know exactly what to do, so I of course Googled it, and researched how to fillet the aloe so I can store it.

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aloe

Step one: Remove from the aloe plant with a knife. YOU GUYS ALOE PLANTS ARE SMELLLYYY AND THEY EMIT YELLOW SAP. Don’t be alarmed, like I was, sappy and Googling “yellow slime + aloe.”

Step two: Cut the spiky sides off, and the tip w/ the sap on it.

Step three: Slice horizontally off the top green part. Then do the same for the bottom. Try to do it so the curved side is down the first time (you’ll understand when you see it.) (If you ever actually do this.)

Step four: You have aloe! Hurray! It’s slippery, isn’t it? I put mine in the freezer for burns I will inevitably suffer someday in the kitchen.

Up later…seed bombs and herbs!

At least give me time to change your mind.

Hello friends! Wednesday, we’re almost to the end of the week. And, since it’s 11 here, that means it’s 2 for most of you, which is much closer to the end of the day. Hooray! Here in California we are soaking in the rays of the sun that will disappear come June. Yep, that’s right. Months to not look forward to in SoCal? June, November, December, and January. And February sometimes. But our complaints are minuscule – we don’t like those months because that’s when it rains. And, for the month of June, it’ll be cloudy here. Hopefully the weather will hold off until my birthday, but right now it looks like it’ll at least hold off through Jeff”s.

We’re rolling towards the end of the middle of the week, so I figured I’d give you something entertaining to keep you awake this afternoon.

1. Pictures from the Icelandic volcano

2. New Death Cab album. Listen up, folks!

3. How to plant salsa in your backyard. You can thank me later.

4. Omelette you finish…but…

5. Because we all need a little help, sometimes.

What Internet sites are you browsing, lately, friends?

 

Monday morning: 5 Good Things

1. Soccer began again this weekend. Translation: hanging out with 4-10 year olds, Saturday morning, learning the basics of soccer. Referring, coaching, learning, stretching, loving.

2. Guys, Sam Summer is back in action, and here to stay until August.

3. Pizza night last night. Pictures to come. Including: Jennie lays  her own dough, and slides pizza into and out of oven. Success.

4. New planner. New space for planning. Planning for new things.

5. Farmer’s market: basil and rosemary plants. I cannot wait for May.

Bonus: 3 more PW recipes made. More to come.