Thanks to everyone who made it to the swap Saturday -- it was a great time! We had perfect weather, and wonderful food. Thanks to Denise and Jennifer and Linda, Kim and kin and the Terris and everyone else! We had some wonderful plants -- I picked up some great starts of spirea and lilac, enough lambs ears to cover a troublesome slope at work, and several 'new-to-me' plants. Thanks to Jennifer for the "Twist of Lime" hosta -- I know just where I'm going to tuck that into the garden! Whoever brought the beatifully patterned prayer plant -- it's already potted up and in the (indirect) light of the upstairs the bathroom. And the bag of perennial wildflower seeds are ready for a late night trip past some abandoned lots -- prettifying my neighborhood one handful at a time..... Best of all, it was a lovely afternoon sitting around the firepit (thanks, David!) chatting with fellow gardeners about plants, food, dates -- and everything else. Looking forward to the srping swap -- andthe next fall swap as well!

Back to winter here in central Maine after a lovely lovely warm sunny day yesterday. I met a couple of high school friends for lunch. We went to what passes for a deli in Maine - not bad but I don't think any of my jewish ancestor's would recognize my sandwich. Lol. One friend is dealing with chemo and being the primary caregiver for a mom with Alzheimer's and a husband dealing with long term diabetes related health issues. Somehow she is her gentle upbeat self. Inspiring. And there I was in the neighborhood of Johnny's Selected Seed and Fedco seed. I spent a happy hour buying way too many veggie seeds while employees were scurrying around fulfilling ordered. I am most excited about trying some new varieties of peppers and tomatoes. Also bought pumpkin/squash, pea, bean, basil, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, turnip, carrot and other seeds. Fedco has a lot of people working on strains of various plants good for our cool moist climate... So fantasizing about a summer meal and preparing to start seeds...

I have a Sprouts nearby in NC and they have wonderful fresh lamb. But, mostly in cubes or chops. Around Easter they had whole legs but I was not brave enough to attempt leg of lamb. Last week they had shanks. As I have just learned to appreciate lamb, I may attempt shank . What I did not like about lamb previously was the strong gamey flavor and toughness of the meat. I am now inclined to believe I had old poorly prepared lamb. As for tri-tip, love a good smoked tri-tip! But, have been told it is a "regional" cut and can't seem to get one in NC.

So sorry Neely is having sign in issues. Maybe try a new tab link using this?, HERE Her sunset is 5.15pm..? Crazy we are into spring/summer months...8pm sunset here.... Look at that gorgeous crust. I keep forgetting to check my raspberries. I think you will love the smoker. I gave similar as a stocking stuffer for DH over the holidays, (we don't gift but often some surprizes)...it was last minute but came with everthing so we smoked that day in the snow on the back deck off the kitchen...cheese, salmon...45 minutes, the salmon from frozen! Kitchen sink bake with super crispy salmon last night. I left all my veg with my parents last day visit. So had a few things like leek and fennel they would not know what to do with. A package of bacon tips remnants, excellent, (just used a 1/4 of the package)...seared the salmon in the bacon fat. So crispy yet rare on the other side. Not pretty but delicious and good lunches today. Usually an egg dish the day before veg delivery. But want to make marinated eggs tonight. Leek, red pepper, edamame, corn off the cob, cherry toms, feta, lemon ... I like the new Misfits system. Tried the meat/fish trials. Rock solid frozen NYstrips, chicken thighs i will smoke tomorrow for a chicken salad...two atlantic cod fillets. Bacon. Small portions so no re-packing. (we prefer our local farm share but we suspended being out of town) and have to order a larger amount per delivery. First strip steak in months! looking forward but so solid deep frozen it may be a couple days. Good timing placing a minimal order, then added some greens and pantry items. Sent a box to mother she just opened. Adorable she is over the moon getting greens and baby watermelon and things she had when we visited...purple radish, persian cukes, golden beets, Braggs AC vinegar...they have never had lacinato kale. Misfits let me use my 20$ off code to send them a box and i'll get 20$ off my next box. I'll send them a box maybe once a month. I did not need much to meet my minimum. With the meat trial. Two leeks off camera are enormous. Sent the same grain blend to dad. He will love it. He makes a mixed grain every few days. Sadly she boilded to death the 2 pounds of garden sugar snaps i left in their fridge... served all week visiting in a mixed quick pickle they loved. Oh well, 😂 My baby seedless cukes and the small lemon cukes are a few months away...we have been so obsessed with the raw foods all winter...Dad said he was most digested normal in years the week we vistied providing all day meals....9.15 am, boom, lol. Snacking on raw veg quick pickles he plans to continue...boom.