The garden is coming up nicely with peas, spinach, onions, carrots and beets. The asparagus are poking up more each day. I'm really looking forward to the first asparagus soup of the year. We're hoping to see the first potatoes break through the ground very soon. Last week, I began my first batch of nettle ticture. I've taken nettles along with quercitin for spring allergies for many years. Last year was the first time I've grown nettles. I dried some, but mostly left it to establish itself. I've been adding several of the dried leaves, crushed up, to my kefir smoothies the past couple of months. Nettles are full of nutrients and decrease inflammation, in addition to their histamine blocking action. A pretty good plant to have around, I'm thinking. One of my goals this spring is to learn more ways to use it, particularly in cooking with it. I know I have soup recipes using it, and some others. If I have time to experiment with any, I'll share the results. And if you've used nettles in cooking, I'd love to know.
Yesterday I enjoyed listening to the whir of the sewing machine accompanied by soft dog snores. While the pups nap, I've been sewing up some rice & lavender therapy pillows and wrapping soap, getting ready for next weeks show. While washing dishes yesterday, I was delighted to see the first hummingbird at the window. In just minutes, a pot of hummingbird food (4 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar) was on the stove and one of the feeders put up. I expect it may not have been one of "my" usual birds, but maybe a scout coming through. In any case, I'm ready now, and hope there will soon be hummers at the feeders.
