I scratched my most recent attempt to write a post almost as soon as I started. Why? It was a list. Bleccchh! I have done a lot of crafting since December, and I have several finished projects. I have made everything from quirky hats to exposed-seam gifts bags. I also started to repair a duck mask that Anna made in art class once. Eventually, I may post pictures of some of them, but not all at once. The mask will probably get its own post.
I have been to the fabric store (twice) since then, mostly for thread and other small supplies. I did buy some fabric for a few pairs of pants I wanted to make. It is hard to find enough fabric for dress pants or jeans in the scrap pile. I also caved in and bought a few remnants (two, to be precise). So I haven't followed my resolution not to buy new fabric perfectly, but I have been good.
Anyway, spring is here, and I have been doing a lot of gardening. Anna and I sheet-mulched about half of the yard on the west side of our house last fall. Sheet mulching involves laying cardboard or paper on the soil and covering it with compost, then (if possible) leaves or some other non-woody mulch. This spring, we are working with the results. I don't think we put quite as much soil on top as we should have. There are sprigs of grass growing through it in many places, and we have needed to dig holes through the cardboard for most of the things we have planted. On the other hand, there are tons of worms in our garden this year, and most of the new seedlings are thriving.
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The other picture here is something that I nearly pulled up, as it looks so much like one of our common weeds, wood sorrel. Wood sorrel is lovely to add to a salad, as it lends a tangy flavor, but you can only eat so much of it. I end up throwing it in the compost most of the time. This plant is oca. It is closely related to wood sorrel, but the stem is a lot thicker. The thick stem reminded me that I had planted something there. It is a South American tuber, which the Inca often ate right alongside their potatoes. I can't wait to find out what it tastes like!
One more picture:
Monie enjoys the grass that I haven't yet pulled up.
