This and That

Let me fill you in on the past few days:

I turned 22. That number is the same forwards and backwards. How extroidinary! Pam surprised me by ordering a pizza, and Jim Paterson came over for supper, and Pam's sister Leslie (who brought with her homemade mint wine!) and we had ourselves a nice dinner. Pam also made me a birthday fruit crumble:

It contained raspberries, black currants, red currants, apples, zuchinni, peaches, ground cherries, arctic kiwi, and strawberries, all either grown here or locally. It was delicious. I felt like a very special birthday girl because people here hardly know me, and I still had a lovely birthday dinner.

Also, I dug up and transplanted a whole lot of peppermint plants into a boxed bed.

They are really quite pretty, aren't they? They also smell better than you can imagine.

I enjoyed this task quite a bit. Peppermint is really easy to dig up. You wouldn't believe how long the roots are, all entertwined amongst each other. It really gives you an idea of why peppermint plants take over the way they do.
Also, today Pam and I went to her neighbour, Andrew's, and cut nettle. Yes, stinging nettle.We looked quite attractive in our long sleeve shirts and baggy pants and gloves, but it is very important to protect ourselves. Then we put the nettle in bunches and hung them in the granary to dry.

Apparently, when it dries it no longer stings. Pam uses it in teas- and even in lasagna! She says it tastes like spinach. Honestly, I learn a bazillion things every day.

Today we also harvested some greek oregano and lemon balm. And I must say: lemon balm smells the best.

Also, I think this is pretty:

Also, this is Buster, the pogo stick dog (you should see him jump up and down when we come home... or when visitors come... it's really very impressive):

Ain't he some cute? (This is how some of the people talk here. You would never guess it, but there is a fair amount of drawling that happens in these parts. This is another thing that I have learnt. And I must warn you, I might sound a little different on my return to Winnipeg).

Also, to close, I will make a few resolutions. Perhaps you could keep me accountable.
1) I will stop beginning sentences with "also" and use a wider range of vocabulary.
2) I will stop describing things merely as "good" and "lovely" and "the best", and use a wider range of vocabulary.
3) I will stop screaming when I almost step on a big, fat, juicy, foot long night crawler. It's gross, but perhaps I could express my disgust and surprise in a less alarming fashion. I know Pam would appreciate that.

Also, I hope that you have a good night.