Yesterday, was one of those days when I was so contently domestic. I baked bread and rolls, sifted together a pancake mix, and made chicken stock. (Fortunately, after a terrible mishap last week while making bread this weeks turned out terrific.) The pancake mix was a new attempt and I’m sold. We’ve had pancakes for breakfast the last two days. (If you’re interested I used this recipe.) We’ve only recently started making chicken stock, but I really love it. The flavor is delicious, in a “make you remember your grandma” type way. As I was making it I realized this is another way to compost! I have a compost pile, but I’m not nearly as vigilent about making sure all my organic scraps go into it, however as I chopped up limp carrots, celery, and cabbage for my stock I got that delighted feeling- the one my Mother radiates when she takes her kitchen scraps to her chickens. It’s like Skip said, there is something very respectful about using every part of a chicken [or carrot or cabbage], it’s as if you are showing gratitude and true appreciation for the chicken’s sacrifice. I grew up in a home where waste was avoided at all costs- (we won’t talk about the costs! wink, wink). While, I don’t follow my parents example strictly, I do feel a great desire to minimize waste. Perhaps that’s why I love knowing that I made use of every part of that $5.00 rotisserie chicken from Costco! 

Monday, Scotland and I visited Gale’s Gardening Center and bought our summer annuals. I’ll have to admit to feeling a bit shameful about the amount of money I spent. I just got so excited about all the variety of color, texture, and size. I’m kind of crazy about flowers. I justified that it was my birthday money, my Mother’s day present. I felt a bit better when Sabina assured me that I hadn’t been outlandish at all, flowers cost and if you want constant color you have to be willing to spend a little. Sigh.
The vegetable garden is planted, though I’m contemplating planting some green beans. So far I have: several varieties of tomatoes, several varieties of peppers, peas, beets, swiss chard, basil, mint, thyme, chives, basil, cilantro, lettuce, eggplant, zucchini, blueberries and strawberries. Oh, and fennel! Let’s hope for a plentiful harvest!