Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Well, it's that time of year again... Valentine's Day. Full of hearts and pretty pinks and candy and flowers and etc. etc. My hubby doesn't believe in V-day. He thinks we should be celebrating love every day so what's the point of V-day? So, another year goes by without the mushy cards or roses or candy boxes. But in all reality, do I mind? Nope. Not one bit. I told him that I would make him bring any flowers he buys me back to the shop because they are so darn expensive at this time of year. I can't eat candy because I get sick from the sugar content. A mushy sentimental card would be nice but kind of a waste of money. Besides, he really does show me how much he loves me in other ways. So I don't care if I don't get more than a verbal valentine because it means alot just like that.

That aside, I do have to confess that each time I walk down those candy and card aisles in the store, I miss those elementary school days. You know, when everyone would bring those cute little cards with kitschy messages on them folded in half around a piece of candy? We used to make card holders and then hurriedly toss cards in them so we could eat the candy sooner. *Sigh* To be a kid again... Almost makes me want to buy the candy and cards. I said almost...

Five Favorite Things

I have come to realize that I like things in groups of fives... I am currently obsessed with five authors (see sidebar) and five homemade things (again-see sidebar). It gets to the point where I go to the library and check out each book by a particular author (not all on the say day, mind you). Once I have read them all, the books become ho-hum so I switch to another author. Same goes for the handmade things. I will do/make that thing until I lose interest and then something else takes it's place but it's always in groups of fives. I have a college pal who once claimed that she had to eat things in pairs (eg. two chips at a time). My sister-in-law Heidi tends to be interested in things for three weeks. Lanny's interests last about three days. If it lasts longer than that, then I know he's serious about it. Does anyone else out there have idiosyncrasies like this or is it just a select few of us?

Organic Farming

Well, it's official. We are organic farmers. Yep, we got our organic certification just the other day. Lanny argues that the full calendar year for transitioning to organic is up on March 1st, but I say that since we got the certification, we are organic now. What's a few weeks difference matter?

I may be big into organics now, but I wasn't always. In fact, I knew very little about organics (aside from the fact that organic groceries always cost more in the store) before I met Lanny. Now, it has become an integral part of how I approach gardening, farming, grocery shopping, just about everything! Sometimes I wonder if I am a bit TOO gung-ho about it, but I just think about how much better I feel about what I am eating, drinking, using, and doing. Then I don't worry about it. My mother-in-law once said that she doesn't feel like she needs to worry about eating an unwashed organic apple (compared to conventional) because it doesn't have all of the sprays and chemicals on it. I concur.

Sloppy, Slushy Days

Is Ol' Man Winter just toying with us or is Spring actually on the way? It is so wonderfully warm outside right now. (Well, it is for this time of year in MN anyway...) I am getting so itchy to be outside and just BREATHE! In fact, I am starting to daydream about my garden this year. Shockingly, I ended up with quite a bit of produce from my weed-laden garden of the past year (see first post and you'll understand why I am so shocked). We are just now eating the last of the potatoes and green beans. I got my seed catalog out and have thumbed through it, daydreaming of rows filled with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, green peppers, tomatoes, etc. I can't wait to start! Unfortunately, it's still Winter and the ground is still covered in snow. While it's been warming up enough to make me daydream of my dream garden (though not all of that weeding!), it's also been warming up enough to melt the snowbanks lining our driveway and the roads. What a mess! All of that slop and slush and mush... That's the part I don't like about Spring-the thaw.

This warm weather has also got me thinking more about exercising. I can't wait to get out and start walking again! I know, I know... I could be out walking right now, but it's too sloppy to really get moving. You can walk but once you get up to speed, you had better watch your step! I slipped several times this past winter due to slick roads and driveways and would prefer to keep myself upright. Although, I have discovered snowshoeing. Fun, fun, fun! BTW-an update with the whole lifestyle change, it's a work in progress. I have lost some weight (quite a bit in my mind but still got a ways to go...) and am feeling SO much better about myself. Unfortunately, I have found myself slipping back into some bad habits-too much starch and sugar, not enough sleep, not enough exercise. Still, I have noticed many things have changed for the better. I do tend to think more about what I eat, especially when my hubby points out how much I am eating of the bad stuff. The sugar cravings are getting more manageable, especially since I get so sick from eating the stuff. Exercise has become fun! What a surprise to find out how good I can feel after a workout! If I keep myself in a routine, I find it easier to work working out into my day's schedule. Unfortunately for me, if I skip too many days, I get out of that routine and BAM! I am back to couch-potatoe status. Grrrr.... Got to work on it but no one said that this would be easy.