*SIGH* We are due for yet MORE snow today. 6-10 inches of the stuff. I have been decorating for spring around the house to try to lift everyone's spirits a bit. Yes, I know. We live in New England. It's February. Usually it's not a big deal, we've had snow storms in April and haven't gotten mopey about it, but this winter seems to be wearing on everyone's nerves here in New Hampshire. Even the skiers! So, aside from decorating (pots of fake but believable hyacinths and tulips and other spring-y flowers as well as chickens, eggs and bunnies- and of course my vintage Easter postcards) I have been literally drooling over the seed catalogs that have recently arrived. I love Burpee's catalog, and have always had great luck with their veggie seeds. http://www.burpee.com/  I have taken a hiatus these last few years from a big veggie garden, but this year I've convinced Dear Husband to build me raised bed gardens (like he made for us at our old house many years ago, I had 10 4'x8' beds. Divine!) . Although I will be the first to confess I am domestically challenged, it is mainly in the housework department. To me, it is pure drudgery. I have tried to make joyful work of dusting, vacumming, washing dishes and  endless laundry, to no avail. (Although I love to hang freshly laundered clothes out on the line during the warmer months -using my Great Grandmothers clothes pins- as nothing beats the smell of fresh air and sunshine on your clothes and sheets! I used to help my Me'mere' Yvonne hang clothes out- I was the official clothes pin hander-upper (I was around 4 or 5 years old ) every time I hang clothes out I feel especially close to her. I wish I had inherited her knack for whipping through housework- in a happy state of mind!  I do love a clean, neat and tidy house, just don't (can't!) appreciate the process. However, I love to cook and I love to garden (veggie gardening- I love flowers, but the perennial kind, low maintainence and all that) and I love to can, freeze, preserve, and dry all the fruits of my labor. For me, there is great satisfaction in nurturing vegetables from seed to dinner plate! Gazing upon gleaming rows of glass jars of preserves, colorful veggies and even homemade fruit cordials on our basement shelves. Ah, such smug satisfaction in all of that!

During this economicaly stressful time in America and the outrageous prices at the grocery stores, it is awesome to have the luxury of one's own vegetable garden! (Alright, yes it is hard work, but good for the soul- unlike housework!) I wish the government would bring back the Victory Garden campaign of WWII. Encourage people to know what goes into their food, and the satisfaction of knowing your family is not only saving money with a little hard work, but eating healthy.

I made a rather large (and very ambitious) wish list from the Burpee Catalog.  Have to trim it down to a "workable" garden size. I stopped by our local discount store days later, (Ocean State Job Lot) to graze for Girl Scout Troop useable items (project ingredients- like yarn- so cheap there for Lion and Moda brand yarn- less than 1/2 regular price! I am teaching "my" girls to knit during the next few meetings.) and I saw a big BURPEE SEED display- all 2009 seeds, including organic seeds and Heirlooms (YAY!Be still my heart!) at a whopping 40% off! I actually found 2/3 of my wish list, which is perfect as I had to trim it down anyways. (I really don't need 3 varieties of carrots, do I?!)  I LOVE when things like that happen- it's a sign from the Universe (the Powers That Be) that yes indeed, I am meant to garden this year and it will be bodascious! I will share favorite tried and true canning recipes later this spring. Pumpkin Butter, Dilly Garlic Green beans, Atomic Pickles, Corn Relish (ok, so I'm not actually planting corn, but I love corn relish!) Stewed Tomatoes, etc. And some cordial recipes as well- Fresh Blueberry, Autumn Spice, Cranberry Raspberry and Peach, okay and Chocolate Covered Cherry as well!  And it will be Spring soon, I'm hoping!