As of 28 February

About two years ago, I started getting interested in gardening. Why, I am not completely sure. I've never thought that I had any shade of green thumb, and one of things I hated the most growing up was mowing the lawn. Ugh.

But with my interest in cooking, it was becaming more important to me to use fresh ingredients, and so I've been trying my hand at growing herbs for the past two years. This year, I am ready to branch out.

What helped me branch out was a post I read on one of my favorite blogs, Get Rich Slowly. The author lives in Oregon, where he and his wife keep a garden of fruits and vegtables. His wife wrote a book review on The Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Naggie Stuckey. I went to the bookstore to check it out, and I was completely sold on the informative format and the fact that one could grow zucchinis, apples, and peaches in a container. I picked up a copy and decided on what to try this year - strawberries.

I had to make a choice between buying starts or growing them by seed. I wanted to buy starts but I couldn't find a store that sold the variety I wanted and if I purchased over the internet, I had to buy about 25, which is way more than I need. So with the encouragement of Kayla, my gardening-expert friend, I purchased a packet of seeds of the variety I wanted and decided to grow them myself. I planted them on 15 February, since the packet said that it took about three to four weeks for the seeds to germinate, and then would need time before being transplanted to it's final home by the last spring frost.

Well, to my surprise, I started to see green flecks one week after planting (see above). I was so excited, I took pictures even though it was 11pm and I was traveling for work the next day.

Thomas took care of them during the week and by the time I came home, they had grown their first set of true leaves!

I had planted extra seeds for insurance, but I ended up with too many. I cut some at the soil line today, so the ones left over have room to grow and not compete with the others. I still expect that I may have more than I can care for, so if anyone is interested, let me know and I can give you one!

I am completely excited at my progress, and I can't wait to update everyone on how it's going next week!

Welcome!

Yay! My first blog!

I wanted to start this blog to have an outlet that everyone can get to and be updated on what I am currently doing. My life really isn't that exciting, but I want share stories about things that happen and what I learn on the way. If anything else, it may help you sleep if you are suffering from insomnia.

I also hope to hear from everyone else. Let me know when you think I've posted something dumb, if you have any ideas for me, have some exciting news or generally whenever you want. I always look forward to news.

Without further ado, welcome to Fraise et Crème, which means "strawberries and cream" in French. I wanted the title to be in French to emphasize the French influence I have in my life, and I chose strawberries and cream because I just like sweet things. I hope you enjoy reading and coming along on my life happenings. Can't wait to hear from you!