Our fear of death is like our fear that summer will be short,
but when we have had our swing of pleasure,
our fill of fruit,
and our swelter of heat, we say we have had our day.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

One night a week, I try to make my parents a new dish. Since they are always conscious of consuming veggies, I thought this was the perfect marriage of meat, veggies and carbs.

This was a scrummy dish for a week night dinner. Thanks for the recipe, Elise.

This Kitchen Sisters story really made my morning drive in to work worthwhile. Gardening, community and food all in one spot – how can that be more perfect?

Read more about the garden allotments vs. 2012 Olympic Park development in London here.

See some pictures of the garden allotments here.

I finally made the switch away from a gas mower. I feel better that we didn’t own the gas mower – our neighbor next door had one from her previous home and generaously shared it with us since we both have small lawns. Mike will tell you how much I hated the idea of having to mow the lawn because he was going to be gone. But it didn’t take me long to learn. Still, the gas mower was heavy, full of fumes and made enough noise to prompt this switch.

Today, I am the proud owner of a quieter and lighter push reel mower – Brill Razorcut 38 Push Reel Mower. I had a tough time deciding on manual or electric (gas was definitely out) but I’m not one who likes being tethered.

I will try it out this weekend and I’m proud to be doing my bit for the environment, however small.

By the way, only 23 more days!

The unseasonably cooler days that we’ve been having here started me worrying about the basil seedlings that I recently rooted and potted. So yesterday, I recycled some plastic pop bottles to make these cloches for the seedlings. It is clear that the seedlings in the cloches are happier than the ones without. To be extra careful that these basil seedlings make it this year, I have made it a point to bring them in at night.

Thanks to Gayla at You Grow Girl for the fabulous idea!

Aren’t these just adorable? I am so tempted to get them for my garden but I am not sure if I could stand to have them out in the rain even though they say it’s impervious to rain. Silly me, I know.

Ignoring the fact that the title of this post is reminiscent of a Europe rock ballad, I am stating a fact. Today begins the final countdown to having Mike back home again. He left early this morning and once again I’m counting the days. This time round, I only have a fraction of those to worry about – 32 – less than half of the first countdown. I have a feeling that this one will go quicker, with less unknowns. Those good ol’ “been there, done that” feelings that come with a 2nd round of anything.

We spent a glorious week together – it was new and familiar at the same time.

I miss him already.

I feel so fortunate these days. Mike is home (for a while before he heads out again one more time and then back for good!) and my mum is spoiling me with her good cooking. We go grocery shopping and I request all sorts of dishes for her to cook up for me! It’s not all for me, sometimes, I do share! *grin*

I’m sorry to hear about the heat on the east coast and the floods in the mid-west, but the PNW is no better, still shrouded in remnants of winter! It’s bloody June for god’s sake!

I have the rest of the week off from work – the longest break (6 days!) since December 2006! I’ve had the odd day off and the long weekends but this one is going to be so nice. It’s great to just get away and do whatever I please for a couple of days.

Steamed Spot Prawns

1lb live spot prawns (still jumping in bag)
3 inches ginger root, grated
4 cloves garlic, chopped finely
spring onions
3 tbsp shaoxing wine

Add ginger root and garlic to prawns and place on a plate, then into your steamer. Make sure the water is already boiling furiously. Steam for about 15 minutes. When done, drizzle wine all over prawns and sprinkle chopped spring onions over. Serve immediately with a dark soy sauce (2-3 tbsp) and sesame oil (1 tbsp) dipping sauce.

I have 2 more sleeps to go before I get to see Mike again. I can’t wait. He will be home for just over a week and then he goes away again for another 5 weeks. I hope those 5 weeks go by quickly.

Today, I started yoga again after a long while. It was good to stretch (creak, really!) and get reacquainted with my body. It is funny how one can go through life and not be conscious of how one’s body helps to get you through each day.

Joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic – because life presents so much to us, we just have to learn how to accept its gifts.