I spent the whole weekend working in the garden and it was exactly what I needed. The soil was finally dry enough after all that rain we had so I was able to plant the tomato seedlings I started indoors last month. I also put in some basil and peppers along the back fence where they get the most sun. There is something really satisfying about getting your hands in the dirt and watching things grow. I pulled out a bunch of weeds that had taken over the flower bed by the porch. My back was sore by the end of the day but it was worth it. The robins have been visiting the birdbath regularly which is nice to watch while I am out there. I am hoping to get some cucumbers going too if the weather stays warm. My neighbor gave me some zucchini starts so I might try those as well. It has been a good season so far.

I also added a few new perennial flowers along the walkway. The lavender should attract more bees and butterflies which I love watching. I found some really nice stepping stones at a local shop and placed them leading to the shed. Everything is coming together nicely. My goal is to have the whole yard looking great by midsummer when we plan to host a small get together. I already have a list of projects for next month including building a small raised bed for herbs right outside the kitchen door. Gardening has become my favorite way to unwind after a long week.

I attempted that complicated recipe you sent me last night and it actually turned out better than I expected. The sauce was the tricky part because it kept splattering everywhere but I managed to get the consistency right eventually. I substituted Greek yogurt for the cream since I had some in the fridge and it worked fine. The spices were a bit intense for my taste so next time I will dial back the paprika a little. I served it with rice and a simple side salad. My family was pretty impressed which never happens with my experimental cooking. The whole thing took about an hour and a half from start to finish which felt like a lot but the result was worth the effort. I would recommend giving it a try if you are looking for something different for dinner. Let me know if you want me to send you the adjustments I made.

I also made a batch of those cookies we talked about last week. I doubled the vanilla extract and added a pinch of sea salt on top before baking. They came out chewy and golden and disappeared within a day. I am thinking of trying a version with dark chocolate chunks next time. Baking has become my weekend ritual lately. There is something calming about measuring ingredients and watching the oven work. I have been bookmarking recipes from that blog you recommended and I am working my way through them slowly. The lemon tart is on deck for next Saturday.