One of the advantages to being a teacher? Vacation time.  It bothers me when people assume teachers have it easy, but I can only agree when people say that vacations are the best part of being a teacher.  In my mind, it makes up for the countless afternoons and evenings I spend at the high school for extra rehearsals, parent nights, performances, and on and on.  That said, most vacations I’m either traveling to go visit family, or taking the high school kids on a trip.  But this vacation?  This sweet, lovely, warm, sunny April vacation?  I’m staying home…and it. is. DIVINE.

I started up the garden yesterday and today.  Last year, I tried growing things on my own for the first time.  Just herbs, but it was fun!  This year, I’m trying some different stuff, and I’m excited.  I was going to try to put some stuff in the ground instead of just using containers this year, but the only area where there is room to put stuff in the ground gets no direct sunlight…so containers it is! :)

Here’s the list:

• Tomatoes (Better Boy variety)
• Garlic (…out of season, which will mean small bulbs but that’s okay with me!)
• Celery (got the idea from this pinterest link!)
• Chives (which returned from last year)
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Cilantro
• Lavender

I think I’m most excited for the lavender.  I love the smell, and I’d also like to try doing some baking with it.  I’ve found some neat recipes online.  Here’s a picture of my container garden…

Obviously, lots more growth to come.  My herbs are sprouting as we speak (er…as I type?), so those will go into pots in the next week or two.

I’ve also been enjoying having the time to tackle a few cooking endeavors…which I’ll post about later.  In the meantime, I have a homemade loaf of bread with roasted garlic and chives (from the garden!) waiting for me in the kitchen. :)