We've crossed into Spring since we last spoke.  The sun's path is now fully in the "more light" mode.  Gardens are in the "more growth" mode.  The weather is still trying to decide what to do, and so are many of us.

 

Funny, I've never really loved Gladiolus, but here, in a little bed next to my kitchen, is a clump of the flowers which persist and flourish and spread with no help from me.  I actually pulled them all out at one point, but here they are, stronger and fuller than ever.  Sigh. 

 

I must admit that I admire their spunk.  "We're here to stay no matter WHAT you do," they exclaim. 

 

And so they are. 

 

 

Monday, March 25

Chicken Marsala and Parsley Potatoes 8.95

 

Tuesday, March 26

Portabella and Roasted Poblano Enchilada with Rice (GF) 7.95

 

Wednesday, March 27

Braised BBQ Ribs with Sweet Potato Polenta 9.95

 

Thursday, March 28

Local Beef Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes 8.25

 

Friday, March 29

Salmon with Sautéed Grape Tomato, Lemon and Olives 10.95

 

Casserole to go:

Wednesday, March 27

Full: 55 Half: 27.50

 

Lasagna of the week:

Friday, March 29

Full: 59.95 Half: 30

 

I'm really good at growing things that are rugged bits that grow in dry, scraggly spots in the world.  My little patch of home has its own scraggliness about it. Ah, I fit right in. 

 

This thyme persists, thrives, even, in a little bit of a garden bed on my front steps.  It doesn't get much pampering, but it does seem to enjoy its spot, spreading and enjoying its drips of rain off the roof and full sun from its south-facing perch. 

 

I'm not neglecting these babies, per se, but have yet to plant them.  Their brightness perks up my front yard, even though they are still in their pots and haven't made it past the brick walk.  Hmm, perhaps when I finish writing I'll go stick them into the soil.

 

I have managed to keep this orchid alive for two years!  And it is about to bloom!  WOW!!!  Go me!

 

(okay - I can't take too much credit...)

 

Still, this beauty is about to bloom and I couldn't be prouder.  I'll keep you posted as the buds open.  I spent the morning today at the Biltmore Estate where there are masses of gorgeous orchids in full bloom, loaded with blossoms.  Mine, with its three simple blooms-to-be fills my heart.

 

As the weather warms I ready my home for this spring's bees.  I have some new ones on order to fill out things at my tiny apiary.  I continue to try to become a successful beekeeper.  I have learned a lot, mostly about how challenging it can be to try to raise and sustain colonies of these delicate creatures.

 

 

March 24, 2013

 

Hiya,

 

First of all, Happy Spring! I don’t know about you, but I breathed a small sigh of relief this past week as we entered the Spring portion of this year. I, for one, am fine letting the winter slip away. It was not so easy for me this year and I am looking forward to the lightening of the skies and the warming of the air and the ground.

 

I spent the morning today at the Biltmore Estate. A friend was visiting and we took her to see the big house. Today is the second day of the spring Festival of Flowers there. At this point things are still in the all-green phase in the outdoor gardens but the house, as I mentioned earlier, is filled with orchids. The Palm Court is open and is crammed with blooming flowers of all colors. Today is also a big orchid show at our Arboretum. And in my kitchen, as you see, I have my own tiny, one-plant orchid extravaganza. Ha!

 

As Spring comes in I feel a cleansing of my own self, my body. I finished treatment last week – hopefully for a long time. But just having the last treatment does not necessarily mean that one’s body is done so quickly. It takes time to get all the chemicals out, to let my cells respond to the treatments, for my heart of believe, for my mind to trust. My sister compared it to a jet taking off of an aircraft carrier. It is airborne but after it clears the deck, it dips down a bit before it fully takes off up into the air. So it was with me this week. Off treatment but dipping down. So yes, I had a bit of a rocky week but today is today and I feel good and refreshed at the clean Spring air and the lighter skies and the freshness of the dirt and the promise that those buds will open. Soon.

 

This coming week we are going to be interviewed for consideration to be a part of a new television show. This is a big deal in the world of food tv. I’m excited to get our name and food out a bit beyond Asheville and am excited that these folks found us! I’ll let you know how it goes. Filming is this summer. Broadcast is, well, I’m not sure when.

 

This week I go to get a new photograph of my insides. Fingers crossed all will look good and I’ll move to the next phase. I’m not sure how to dress for this photograph. A new dress? Probably not, since the pictures are interiors, not exteriors, know what I mean? Anyway – fingers crossed that all will be good and that these extra credit treatments will have done what they need to do. I am tired of the chemical onslaught and am looking forward to being a regular gal once again. 28 treatments is plenty, if you ask me!

 

At this time of year we all clean our homes and our lives. For Passover we dust crumbs from the corners of our cupboards with a feather, cook and eat on special plates, and think about the stories that brought us to where we are. For Easter we celebrate rebirth, in whatever way we understand it. I celebrate the life in all things and the goodness in that life. This afternoon I will plant my pansies and clean another corner of my home, though probably not with a feather. I will continue to clear out the cobwebs and will try to open space for my new life, my real post-treatment life. And I’ll tell you more about it all next week. Okay?

 

Do you know that it costs $515.00 for one person to go through the Livestrong at the YMCA program?  This amazing support group and exercise program for cancer survivors and their families is free to the participants.  And all fundraising for the program is done locally.  The Livestrong Foundation provides training but not funding for the participants. 

 

I'm a graduate of this program - a program that was a lifegiving experience for me.  Now I'm hoping to do some fun(d) raising in return. 

 

As you may have gathered, we're doing a fun bike ride on May 19th. 

 

You can ride with us on a real bicycle on the road or on the track at Carrier Park (kids will ride on the track while adults can ride 25 or 50 miles on the road.)

 

Or you can become an InSPIRIT rider, either riding at home or in the gym or on a stationary bike or some such thing.  OR you can be a Virtual InSPIRIT rider simply by donating to the ride.  However you join us, we'll be thrilled to have you.

 

Our aim is to raise $51,500 which will cover the cost of 100 participants in the Livestrong at the YMCA here in our area.