PupCake has had spring fever for about a month. I think it was the first morning we went out to potty and heard birds singing that set him off, and ever since he has wanted to do nothing but frolic and sniff and rub his face in the snow. Huge change from my usual sad winter dog who is ALL business about doing his business and then practically drags me back into the house all shivery-like.
My own personal little Punxsutawney PupCake. And yea, I did have to google the spelling of Punxsutawney just then.
He is SO ready for a little of this:


Bring on Spring!
What have you got cooking, on the stove or otherwise, for the warm season?

Do you have your CSA share all lined up? If you need help finding or choosing a farm in your area-anywhere in the U.S.-, check out localharvest.org. That delicious weekly box of fresh veggies will be the best thing about your whole summer, I promise!

My outdoor to-do list is already a little out of control. At the moment I'm OD-ing on vegetable garden planning and feeling a little panicky, as this shall be my first official year at that sport in this place, and really, I've only ever grown the basics before anyway. Intimidated and overwhelmed is probably a better description, and being that we are a wild critter-rich environment here at Modern in MN, I have to plant a fence first which complicates the whole deal. I think I've narrowed down my choice to bamboo uprights and a top rail with some kind of wire infill so as not to block the light. Should be interesting.
So my gardening goal, in addition to having week-to-week fresh stuff for the table, is to grow enough of the staple items (and then process and can them, yikes.) to get us through the winter. Mostly we're talking tomatoes and salsa ingredients and fall storage stuff like onions, potatoes and squash plus dry beans and several sorts of pickled things. Because I've never met a pickled veg I didn't love.
Again--this should be interesting, and if you don't hear from me for a while you'll know why, right?

Incidentally, did you read the fascinating article in the Times about aquaponics? I am SO putting that on my future to-be-explored list.

Anyway, in between working and weeding and cooking, I'd also like to get a wee shed designed and built out back. Something quaint yet modern that ties into the fenced garden area and has that enticing destination feel about it. And an outdoor fireplace. And a seating area. And lots of flowers.

Whew.
It's going to be a busy season.