While I like the ideals of the Anya Hindmarch “I’m not a plastic bag” bags, am I the only one who thinks they aren’t the least bit attractive? Perhaps I’m marking myself as not “high fashion” or something here (and I am ok with that), but I have a huge selection of “not plastic” tote bags already in my closet that I actually don’t mind being seen around town with. I can’t say the same for this bag. I love the message behind them (don’t use plastic bags!), but wouldn’t be seen with it in public. There is a case to be made for “pretty & environmentally friendly” here, I think.

I find myself especially annoyed that for all of it’s green potential, that potential was totally wasted. Why make a bag encouraging people to make environmentally friendly choices (like not using plastic bags when you could have a reusable tote) when you are going to not be at all environmentally friendly or ethical about it’s production?

Anyway, this is a case of love the idea, not so hot on the execution – at least for me.

after getting frightfully tired of waiting and waiting and waiting for bryson to have room on it’s list for more centretown deliveries, I stumbled across Ottawa Organics on the weekend and immediately ordered myself a medium fruit & veggie box. It arrived tonight.

Inside:
nectarines, bananas, apples, salad mix, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, pears, oranges, green onions, red onion, hothouse tomato, and a giant bunch of radishes.

We also ordered a rosemary & garlic baguette from Art-Is-In Bakery. It’s delish!

SO HAPPY.

last summer, adorned with two brand new porches, I took to balcony gardening like nobody’s business. The only thing I didn’t manage to kill? A giant container of basil. I *love* basil on the porch in the summer, and I guess it just wanted to hang on as long as it could.

But THIS year, I am all about the not killing of things. I have an eggplant plant! And it is flowering! I have jalapeno plants, and banana pepper plants, and cubanelles, and sweet reds, and about a dozen other plants that grow peppers, along with *the* cutest tomato plant I’ve ever seen, a giant basket of basil, and peppermint coming out of my ears. I’m also growing spinach and butter lettuce. I don’t know what that’s all about, but what I can tell you is that is multiples – and fast! The photo above was taken just over a week ago. I’ll post another photo later today with this week’s growth to compare. You will be astounded.

I have so far: forgotten to water all of the plants for days on end, left them to the no-good intentions of a squirrel and a raccoon, planted too early for the unexpected June near-frost and yet they have not died. They have wilted, mind you, but they have rebounded and now they are not giving up.

This is the year I get my green thumb!

Update: this week