Monthly Archives: March 2013

My Winter – Spring Garden and Meal Plan – Week 8

The winter has been a little longer and colder which means my vegetable garden has been producing very slowly. This is my first winter garden and it seems to be going ok. Lessons I have learned:

  1. My swiss chard did not survive as something ate that – not sure what. So, next time I may have to place little wire cages around them
  2. Next year, I will invest in some recycled windows to create a cover so I have a mini hot house

Two surprising things happened with this crop:

  1.  My plants survived the snow and ice. I will definitely get a crop of  broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and cabbage (respectively in photo’s below)….and a little bit of spinach.
  2. And my parsley which had died out came back to life and is flourishing.

Broccoli Cauliflower Carrots
Cabbages Parsley

In the meantime, waiting for this crop to grow, we are buying our veggies (still within the $70 budget). Here is our meal plan for this week – it will be similar to last week (its better not to even talk about it :-)). I have decided to cook most of the meals in the weekend to see if that it is easier to stick with the plan.

DAY BREAKFAST DINNER EXERCISE
Saturday ^Breakfast Sandwich Creamy Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie (thanks to Kristel’s list and links)
Sunday Bircher Muesli (with soy) Chicken and Vegetable Cacciatore + Quinoa or Wheat berries 3-4 Mile Walk
Monday Bircher Muesli (with soy) Vegetable Frittata
Tuesday Whole Grain Cereal+Soy Vegetable Soup (Slow Cooked) 3-4 Mile Walk
Wednesday Oatmeal with Banana and Almond butter ^Pizza @ zPizza (love the options at this place)
Thursday Whole Grain Cereal + Soy Slow-Cooked Indian Dal
Friday Smoothie Vegetable Pasta Bake + Quinoa Pasta 3-4 Mile Walk

^ indicates my splurge for the week

February goal wrap-up and March goals

This was the first month, I linked up with A lovely year of finishes  and The Girl who Quilts. I made the realization that with normal life getting in the way that I need to reassess what I am committing to in March :-).

Here are my March goals (which includes a lot of the unfinished goals for February).

  1. Bottom, Baste and Quilt, the “Four Seasons in one day” (named after a crowded house song).
  2. Finish 2 sets of chair bags.
  3. Finish 1 set of pot holders (custom order)
  4. Finish a E-reader case
  5. Sew + Finish the Triple zip pouch
  6. Kiwi Paper Piecing Cushion Cover
  7. Make 1-2 Blocks for our Madrona Road Challenge

Continue with my more general goals

  1. Continue with Life Style Challenge with a focus on:
    – No Sugar or Processed Food
    – Exercise 3 times a week
  2. Post 3 times a week min.
  3. Post a new recipe each week

A Lovely Year of Finishes The Girl Who Quilts

Anyway, this is how far I got in February….

  1. As mentioned on Friday 1st, complete top and back of my “Four Seasons in one day” (named after a crowded house song)
    I have now completed the top and started the back. You can see my first quilt top finish here.FourSeasonsInOneDay_1
  2. Finish 4 sets of chair bags.
    I have cut out 2 sets of chair bags but have not started sewing yet. I did not get any further.
  3. Finish 4 sets of pot holders.
    I have 3 sets of pot holders completed.IMG_0865 IMG_6892
  4. Cut out fabric for my son’s quilt.
    Not started yet – I have landed up ordering two new fabrics.
  5. Triple zip pouch.
    Fabric and other materials selected but did not get any further.
  6. Try out a paper piecing block.
    I tried out the techniques but I want to make this kiwi pattern from Tartankiwi and make it into a cushion. 

More general goals

  1. Continue with Life Style Challenge.
    I am continuing on even though February saw some up and downs.
  2. Post 3 times a week min.
    Check – doing well.
  3. Post a new recipe each week.
    Check – doing well