1. Fresh basil.
I’m trying my hand at growing some of my own herbs this summer and I’m loving it! Instead of doing planters filled with flowers on our back deck, I have pots filled with basil, oregano, and parsley and they are getting more attention than any of my potted flowers ever did! The basil is by far my favorite, and it’s growing really well. My favorite summer sandwich is roast beef and fresh mozzarella, smeared with pesto and topped with a few extra whole basil leaves. I love stepping in from the deck, my hand filled with basil leaves freshly clipped from my plant, shaking them at G and proudly declaring, “See this right here? This would’ve cost me THREE DOLLARS at the grocery store!” It never gets old.
2. Composting.
I hate hate HATE to see things go to waste, which is why I was so excited to volunteer for a citywide composting pilot program that began in June! Instead of tossing them in the trash, we now put any kitchen scraps such as egg shells, vegetable peels, etc. (a.k.a. “household organics”), plant clippings, food-contaminated paper that can’t be recycled (ex: ice cream cartons), and even Kate’s disposable diapers!! in a compost bin provided to us by the City of Madison, and every two weeks our bin is set out and emptied right along with our trash and recyclable bins. Our compost materials are then taken to a large composting site outside of town where they are eventually broken down and used for other resources, including generating methane used to make electricity and power vehicles. We’re one of 600 households piloting this composting program for the next two years and I am crossing all my fingers and all my toes that it’s a success and something our city implements full scale!
3. These Old Navy wedges:
I picked up these super cute wedges at Old Navy a couple of weeks ago and they go perfectly with so many of my summer skirts. They’re also quite comfortable–I even went for a walk in them!
4. Vicci Martinez’s performance of “Dog Days are Over” on NBC’s reality singing competition The Voice. It was absolutely incredible! You can watch it below, or CLICK HERE to see it in a larger screen.
Few things smell or taste better to me than fresh basil!
I’ve had to restrain myself a few times from eating it ‘raw’. Glad to see you’re composting! That’s an interesting program — hopefully one that’ll make its way south someday!
you’re so lucky that you got picked for the composting program – I so wanted to participate! maybe i can just bring my materials up the hill to your bin. 😉
btw – i think we might have ran passed one another last night. if it was indeed you, your hair is longer than i thought it was. lol
We do the composting thing too here in Seattle. I am waiting for the day when EVERY city offers this important service. There’s no reason NOT to.
jbhat
Dangit, I am in love with those wedges and I must have them. Off to Old Navy to see if they have my size.
Loving this series!
xo
Kate
I just picked up ingredients at the store for grilled basil, tomato, and mozzarella sandwiches. Mmmmm. However, I had to purchase my basil ($4…ouch). Next summer, I’m all about growing my own! Thanks for the idea!
That basil looks amazing! Sadly, basil doesn’t grow well in my climate, I think its too cold or wet.
I think it’s fantastic about your city composting program. I’m in Seattle and we have yard waste collection (along with garbage and recycling) which allows food scraps and other compostables. I love knowning I put less and less in the landfill. You might want to check about the ice cream carton though. In my area you can’t compost any wax-coated paper like that. Only things like pizza boxes or uncoated paper plates (like chinet). Any wax coated coardboard can be rinsed and recycled. I’ve got a cheat sheet taped inside my cupboard which the garbage service provided to us.
Here’s some info from my area. You might double check with your city/program about the cartons.
http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Yard_Waste_Collection/WhatsAccepted/index.htm#no
http://wmnorthwest.com/seattle/yardwaste.html
That compost piloting project sounds AMAZING! I think it’s fantastic. And now you’ve inspired me to try to grow my own basil.
I am fascinated about the diapers and waxed paper! Guess that’s part of the whole experiment. I hate that I can’t recycle or compost either of those things at home.
Cute wedges and good job with the basil