Arp and I have loved mojitos ever since we discovered them, quite a few years back. When we lived in Manhattan, we’d have to scour the local markets to find some decent mint. It was sometimes hard to find, which was irritating when we had the urge for a Mojito.
Since we’ve lived in our current house in the exurbs, I’ve invested some effort in growing our own mint. My favorite variety for mojitos is chocolate mint. The first year, I listened to all the warnings about …

I placed my order for herbs on Saturday. I went with Richters, as I did last year. I love looking at their catalog and being able to pick from dozens of varieties for any herb I am interested in. Plus, their catalog tells you a little bit about how each herb is used medicinally. If I’m honest with myself, I know I’ll probably just cook with the darn things. But it’s nice to know there’s another purpose for some of the plants.

A few crocuses have appeared on my lawn, but the other signs of Spring seem seriously delayed. Maybe I’m just being impatient. Have other Springs come on so slowly? Or maybe it’s just because one of my bedrooms is filled with stinky 3-week-old ducks that poop day and night.
Modified Homesteading Lessons, 101 (I say modified because I don’t really feel I have the right to call myself a homesteader, but the ducks are our first tiny step): Be sure to order your ducklings at the right time. …

Yesterday was lovely. It was nearly 70 degrees and the first day this year that I’ve gone without a coat or hat. The kids and I spent lots of time outside while I dug around and tried to find some signs of Spring.

Ever since watching Jesus Camp, I’ve been wondering why someone would teach a child that global warming is not real (aside from the pure politics involved). The National Arbor Day Foundation has released updated hardiness zones for planting in the US and, shock of shocks, it’s actually getting warmer in the US. The New York Times chimed in with an article on it earlier this week, stating in it that
Cameron P. Wake, a research associate professor at the Climate Change Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, …