Finally. I’m starting to work on my garden. In my garden. Around my garden.
But. . . .
Geez Louise. I’m late.

Last year, all my plants were in the ground by April 4th.
Oh. Woe is me.
But then I looked again, and in 2010, I didn’t get around to it until April 16th. Guess what today is? Yeah buddy. April 17th. I’m right on time for being behind.

What a relief.

It was stressing me out a bit.  I kept telling myself, gardening is a hobby. Don’t stress crazy cakes. Just plant and be happy.  It’s as simple as that.

So I did.
I planted hanging baskets.

I always love the planting.
But what I really dig (ha!) is the crazy creatures that pop up here and there.

Look what I found in a flower pot saucer that had some gross slimy water in it.

He won’t even look at me.

I think he’s kinda pissed. Sorry man.

And then I found this joker.
Who looks and moves like a snake only he has legs. And quite frankly, I don’t care if HE is pissed. Because he creeps me the mess out. Ick.

So after I gauged my eyes out with my hand shovel after witnessing that horrible yet fascinating lizard, I actually finished hanging the baskets.

Look.
So pretty.
Totally worth the 3 hours it took me to hang them.
Not sure why it took so long.
But, I’m trying not to think about it.
Just trying to keep it simple.
Just trying to breathe.
Just trying to stay. in. the. moment.

Because tomorrow, I’ll be tackling this. Hopefully.

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Lately, my life has been a bit hectic. Lots of softball, volleyball, field trips, and field days, church and all sorts of nuts that has got me wondering who I am.

Because I forget.
You think I’m kidding, but I’m not.  I really do forget.
So I have to plant.
I have to dig a little, and pull and prod and get my nails dirty.  It helps me remember who I am.

And then, when I start to remember, it always makes me want to eat.
Not surprisingly.
But special foods. Vibrant foods. Food that beckon, and call to me and promise me life, and nurture, and realness.
Foods prepared from the earth.
Simple flavors. Fresh flavors.

It reminds me that soon my face will be golden from the sun and my hair frizzy from the humidity.
And I won’t care.
Because my kids will smell like suntan lotion and they’ll giggle even more than they do now.

Oh my sweet lovely spring time, that whispers of summer to come.
Send your rain,
Your droplets of gold,
Let your sunshine shape and mold,
Nurture my plants as you do my soul.
Oh springtime.
Grow. Grow. Grow.

You didn’t know I was a poet did you?
Yeah well, I am. Blam.
Want to know what else I am?
A giver.
Does that make you shiver?
It should, cuz man I deliver.

Okay, I’m totally going to stop now.

Because I want to tell you something that is a little hard to put in rhyme:

I’m giving away a $25 gift card in honor of  H-E-B’s Ready, Set, Cook! Challenge.

H-E-B wants YOU, to stop, and be in the moment. To remember who YOU are. They want you to Cook! And they’ve got a host of some great healthy and simple recipes that YOU can cook at home, while giving YOU a chance to win A YEAR’S WORTH OF FREE GROCERIES!!!! (among other great prizes 🙂 Their promotion runs from 3/12-4/27. So go check it out, and get cooking.

But first. . . . .

I want YOU . . . . .

TO ENTER My $25 H-E-B Gift card Giveaway:

Just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:

“What did you do or cook this week that helped you remember how wonderful you are?”

THE RULES

One entry per person, please. Though I’m sure you did so many wonderful things this week it will be hard to narrow them down.

The $25 H-E-B Gift card Giveaway will end April  23rd, 2012 at midnight CST. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012. Entrants limited to US. They will be chosen randomly using http://www.random.org/

Good Luck!

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And the WINNER IS. . . . . . .

And now. . . .THE FOOD!

Honey-Lemon Watermelon Salad (with a little mint thrown in)
This recipe was created and posted as part of the HEB Ready! Set! Cook! Challenge!  kickoff.

Ingredients:
8 cups of cold watermelon (cut up into 1 inch cubes)
1/3 cup Mango Pineapple Juice ( also try OJ, Plain Pineapple Juice, or you favorite juice)
1/3 cup Lemon Juice
1/4 cup Honey
2 Tablespoons of fresh Mint (chopped), optional
Kosher Salt, to taste

Directions:
1. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the Mango Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice, and honey. Set aside.

2. Into a large bowl, place cubed watermelon. Pour juice mixture on top. Add fresh mint. Mix well. Sprinkle with salt, to taste.  Serve cold.

Blogging with Integrity:  H-E-B provided me with a gift card to purchase ingredients for a healthy and simple recipe to share as a part of their Ready, Set, Cook! Challenge.

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‘
And the WINNER IS. . . . . . .