The Dishwasher Dilemma

We decided not to replace our dishwasher when it pooped out on us. This was an important decision because it, 1) saves us money, 2) uses less power to wash dishes, and 3) gets us more storage space in the kitchen, which, if you have seen our kitchen, you know it is clearly a necessity for our family.

The other part of the dilemma is that our old dishwasher is still sitting out on the deck. We have to find an eco-friendly and economically reasonable way to get rid of the non-working dishwasher.

So, washing dishes by hand is really not so bad. And, actually, hand-washing dishes is the kind of task that puts you into a meditative state, so that you can do it while thinking of things that seem important at the time, and all the while you are also getting some work done!

I have heard recently, I think on the radio, that lately people are replacing their DW's less, and choosing to wash dishes by hand. This may be because they are unemployed, and have more time for dishwashing, so they can justify the logic of it. If they were working full time, a dishwasher might just make alot more sense.

Still, at the moment, I am happy with our decision to not replace our dishwasher. And that extra storage space, however quaint it may look with the curtain and all, is sure nice.

Planting

Did some more planting today, and Patrick and I put a netting over the raised beds, mostly to keep the cats out. Would hate to find those cats digging up our new little seedlings.

We have some strawberries up on the deck in hanging planters. We are hoping the squirrels will not get them this way, but the birds may be a different story. Tomorrow I'll be planting some herbs in a big pot which will go on the deck.

Getting Stuff Done

It's been a cloudy, rainy day, and the sun would not shine. I walked early in the morning, but mostly stayed inside, working on small design jobs, and puttering around. Time goes by fast when working on the laptop.

I have moved the zucchini sprouts out into the garden plot, 3 of them. I hope I don't regret it later. Pat suggested we keep one plant for just growing one, giant zucchini and entering it into the zucchini olympics at the end of summer. Worth a try, I guess.

I'm helping mom tomorrow, and meeting my old boss for dinner later. It should be fun, haven't seen her for awhile. The news from the old place should be interesting. We're meeting up on Capital Hill at a place called Café Presse.

Garden Prep

The sprouts are growing and getting bigger. Today I added some worm castings to the garden plots and actually planted some tomato starts and a pepper. Our seedlings are doing well and I have transplanted the lettuce into small pots. The egg carton compartments only hold so much.

I am looking forward to moving the seedlings into the garden in the next two weeks. I will have to move them to the deck during the day for hardening off, and once it warms up a little bit more, it's show time!

Here's to sun, and growth, and future salads!

Sprout Update

We have sprouts! Three varieties of lettuce have begun to sprout, along with the spinach and the brussel 'sprouts'. It's so exciting.

The weather is warming up a little every day. Our veggies should be sprouting the next couple of weeks and then it will be time to transplant them outside.

It's Leonard Cohen Week

It must be Leonard Cohen week. I have heard Leonard Cohen songs all week, and it's only Wednesday.

Right now we are watching and listening to a live performance by Leonard Cohen in London on the Canadian chanel, CBUT.

Earlier this week I got the CD, "Famous Blue Raincoat", which is songs of Leonard Cohen sung by Jennifer Warnes. I don't know why; I just felt compelled to.

We have talked of Leonard Cohen and his music at the dinner table this week, and about how strange it is for a person to have such a talent for writing beautiful songs, while having such a limit to the appeal of his own voice. Still, he manages to sing his own songs, and have a following that is quite remarkable.

So it must be Leonard Cohen week.

At long last, gardening again

Well, we have our garden plot ready. We have two raised beds that are 3.5' by 16'. I am starting some seedlings under lights in the basement. I am waiting anxiously for them to sprout. I feel like a new mother. Hope they come up.

We can start planting some seeds directly, so I have to decide just when to do that, and how to mark them somehow.

I am so excited about having a garden again. Hope our lettuce does well. We eat a lot of salad.

Photos soon.