And by Sunday Projects I mean Monday Projects...

Yesterday we started a project I've been wanting to do for some time now: drying fig leaves and herbs for the off season months. Well, after a day filled with cooking, neighbor visiting, and gardening, we just plum ran out of time. But that's ok, because projects can wait, Sunday Funday cannot. 

We weren't able to hang the hooks I originally wanted because we actually grabbed the wrong ones at the store, but I figured we could MacGyver our current setup to at least get a jump on the drying process.

After collecting 16 leaves from one of our community fig trees (yes, we actually have two community fig trees, isn't that lovely?), I soaked them in some cold water to help remove some of the sap (that sap is vicious!), rinsed them off, and laid them out overnight on two tea towels to dry a bit. 

This morning I hung some gardening twine from the underside of a bookshelf and began to group bundles of fig leaves together by tying them with the same twine. I don't know what the magic number is for perfect drying, so I tried a couple of different combinations. Then I harvested some mint, rosemary and chives from our terrace orchard garden, washed them, dried them, and hung bundles in the same manner. 

Looks pretty good if I do say so myself. 

Not to mention the house now smells like rosemary, which in my book is always a win-win. It makes me feel like fall is right around the corner, even if it's really about 6 blocks away. 

I've read that in order to dry properly the bundles should hang for no shorter than a week, so I'm thinking that somewhere in the next week or two they'll be ready to store in glass jars. We'll see though. I'm hoping to spend the next two months rotating different leaves and herbs to dry. This really makes me feel like a mountain woman, like we're planning for a winter of being cooped up in the house and surrounded by two feet of snow. (I wish. Le sigh.) I'm just so happy to know that we won't be wasting our herbs this year, and that they can go into lots of comfort food this fall and winter, whether surrounded by two feet of snow or not. 

Next week I plan to get some fig leaves from the other community fig tree in town, and harvest some basil, sage, and parsley from our collection. Hopefully by then we'll have the proper hooks in place. Long live homesteading projects! 

A la prochaine friends...

Honey 

Sunday's Project: Drying Fig Leaves and Herbs

I'm really excited about today's project, as it's one I've dabbled with in the past, but haven't committed to doing the right way. I've been saying for the last few years, "this year, this is the year we'll really do it." So this year, we are. 

Today we will be hanging a few hooks in our house, stringing twine from one to the other, and beginning to dry some of our herbs, and most importantly, fig leaves. 

Every year I find that I let some (or a lot of) our herbs go to waste, and it always makes me sad. It just feels like such a waste. Especially when those herbs could be used in cooking or tisanes once the weather turns cold. 

What's a tisane? I asked the same question a few years back when I noticed them on the shelves at the bio. Essentially think of a drink that is made just like tea, but doesn't actually contain tea leaves in it. Drinks made with dried flowers, dried herbs, etc., but without tea leaves, are tisanes. So that post I did last summer on Fig Leaf Tea was actually a Fig Leaf Tisane. (Hashtag whoops.) Semantics aside, it was still delicious. 

So that brings me back to this project. The other day I made a delicious fresh fig leaf and fresh mint tisane that was out of this world. Drinking it made me feel like I was at a spa. And I thought to myself, now is the summer to dry all these leaves I've wanted to, so that once the leaves have fallen off of the trees outside I can still enjoy a nice tisane. I refuse to feel the pangs of regret at yet another winter of no fig leaf based tisane drinks, or having to buy dried herbs!

We're starting off small, as this is the first batch, but we should be able to get a couple of drying rounds in before the fall hits and the leaves begin to drop. In today's round we're drying fig leaves from a few of our local trees, as well as mint, rosemary, and chives from our terrace orchard garden. If our drying process yields enough by the end of the summer, I may have a small amount available to offer to some fellow fig-loving-tisane-drinking-readers, if you'd be interested. 

Never had a tisane? Try one out! You can make them with so many different herbs or flowers, dried or fresh, and many have some great health benefits if consumed regularly/properly. Always either ask your doctor before consuming, especially if you're pregnant, and do a quick Google search as some have cautions. Check out my fig leaf tea tisane from last summer here, or try adding a sprig of mint (about 10-12 leaves) into the tea ball with a chopped up medium sized fig leaf for the heavenly drink I had the other day. 

Check back for more updates on our drying process!

A la prochaine friends...

Honey 

Recipe: Warm Paprika Chickpea Salad

As a new mama, I'm learning so much, every single day. And not just about how to care for this little human in our life, but about myself. I know that probably sounds pretty cliche, but it's true. 

I'm learning to treasure the little victories. The load of laundry I finished. The warm cup of coffee I was able to consume. The short run I was able to get in on the mountain. Being present enough to catch the one big toothless laugh of the day. But one thing has been weighing on me for awhile now, since before Oswin was born actually, and that's the fact that I went from cooking every single day, to just, not. 

In my defense, Doc and I decided that with the limited energy I had while pregnant, that I should focus my energies on staying fit, and that he would take over the cooking. I'm thankful for that, and I think it made a HUGE difference during labor. But now that I'm no longer pregnant, I've been wanting to jump back into the kitchen and get reacquainted with my pots and spices. It's been more difficult than I thought. 

In the beginning I was tired and recovering, so we continued on status quo from when I was pregnant. But now that I'm feeling good, and feeling ready to cook, I've got another factor to figure out - an adorable little baby girl who wants to be held by mama all. the. time. I LOVE how snugly she is, but sometimes I could  use 20 minutes to make myself a quick, healthy lunch, so that I could give the granola bars a rest. 

Well, like I said, we're constantly learning.  I've been using our Sakura bloom sling more and more around the house, and have found that I'm able to get more little things done when babywearing. Also, Oswin falls asleep almost immediately upon getting in there, so she at least gets a little bit of a nap. All this while still getting to snuggle with her? It's a win-win! 

Today I decided to test out making myself lunch while babywearing. I didn't want to make anything too involved, or anything that would cause hot oil to possibly splatter all over and hit the babe, so I decided on warm paprika chickpea salad. This recipe is super simple and super healthy, and got me ready for an afternoon of trying to make this little dragon laugh and smile (spoiler alert: totally did). You can also change up the veggies in it based on what you've got in the fridge, so you can't go wrong. 

PS: I also read that chickpeas are good for nursing mamas...just saying.

Warm Paprika Chickpea Salad

Ingredients:

 

1 can of chickpeas 

1 diced tomato

1 diced onion

1 clove minced garlic

5 artichoke hearts, halved

10 black olives 

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon paprika 

Directions:

1. Simmer chickpeas on the stove on low-medium heat. Once chickpeas begin to simmer, turn off heat and drain out the liquid. 

2. Put chickpeas back in pot, turn heat on low, and add olive oil. 

3. Add diced onions and paprika to chickpeas. Allow to cook for a few minutes until the onions are tender.

4. Add artichoke hearts and black olives. Stir for a minute or so until warmed. Finish off by adding garlic, stirring for a minute, and turn off heat. Salt and pepper to taste. 

This dish is perfect for those who think they're too busy to cook, from the new mama to the grad student to the overworked. Customize it as you like, and enjoy this super healthy dish! 

A la prochaine friends... 

Honey 

Recipe: Maple, Brown Sugar and Sweet Potato Oatmeal

 

Maybe it's the recent drop in temperatures in our region, or because one of the pet names we've been using for little miss Oswin is our "little sack of sweet potatoes," but regardless, I've had a hankering for sweet potatoes as of late. Low and behold, while lurking on pinterest (because what else are you going to do when baby gets into her 40th minute of nursing...oie vey...), I found what seemed like an interesting sweet potato oatmeal recipe that I got excited to try. Oatmeal not only gives you a ton of energy for your day, but also is apparently really good for keeping up a good milk supply for nursing mamas. A practical and delicious morning dish? Sign me up.

 

This recipe has been adapted from foodie crush, and the original recipe can be found here. We've changed it a bit, as we wanted more sweet potato. We also cooked it on the stovetop, rather than in the microwave, though if that's more your style the original recipe is a good place to start. The original recipe also calls for pumpkin pie spice, and since you guys know that I refuse to acknowledge that as a single entity, we had to change up the spices a bit. Our recipe makes for a thick and creamy oatmeal, so if you're not as big on the sweet potato creamy thickness as we are, use a little less sweet potato. You also may want to adjust the cooking time for the oatmeal based on whether you like yours thick and creamy or a little more liquid-y. (Simmering the mixture for less time would make it more liquid-y.) 

 

Maple, Brown Sugar and Sweet Potato Oatmeal

(adapted from foodie crush)

Makes 2 servings

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup of mashed up sweet potato

1 1/3 cup of whole milk (you can use low fat or skim or almond or whatever if you prefer...)

A pinch of salt

1 cup of uncooked rolled oats

Maple Syrup (to taste)

2 teaspoons of brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/32 of a teaspoon (or a pinch...we just happen to have a 1/32 teaspoon) of ginger

1/32 of a teaspoon (or a pinch) of cloves

 

Steps:

 

1. Peel, boil and cube a sweet potato. Measure out 1 cup worth and mash it up with a fork in a bowl.

 

2. In a pot bring milk and a pinch of salt to a boil while stirring constantly. (This will prevent the milk from curdling.)

 

3. Once it boils, turn heat down to medium low and add rolled oats and sweet potato. Stir constantly and simmer for about 5 minutes (or less if you want it less thick and creamy).

 

4. Once the rolled oats are cooked to your desired consistency, turn off heat and add in maple syrup (as much or as little as you like), brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. 

 

5. Serve it up and start your day energized from the power of oatmeal!

 

What's your favorite oatmeal combo? I'm always looking for new ideas!

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



DIY: Propagating succulents

 

A quick post this Saturday morning before I use the last of my energy to go out thrifting and garden shopping with Doc. This week has been tough, and I was sure I was going into labor about 8 different times last night. I keep bargaining with Homekid to try to wait until early to mid-week to make their appearance, as I really want this weekend to continue to work on his/her room, relax with Doc, and watch PSU (my alma mater) crush IU (Doc's) in some college football. I've also been promised nachos. Homekid has been informed that they do not get to enjoy the nachos if they decide to show up today, but there really is no reasoning with an unborn Homekid, is there?

 

But I digress, as per usual. Earlier this week I noticed that a little side project I had started about 6 weeks ago had made some progress, and I wanted to share it with you guys. I had heard that it's easy to propagate and root succulents merely by removing a few leaves, leaving them on a sunny windowsill, and forgetting about them. I decided to put that propagation method to the test, and low and behold, about 6 weeks later, 2 out of the 4 little leaves that I had so haphazardly placed on the windowsill and forgotten about decided to root! So that's fun. (The other 2 shriveled up and died rather quickly...) Sorry for the horrendous picture, but it's rather difficult with a 38+ week belly to lean over and worry about lighting. :)

 

DIY: Propagating Succulent Leaves:

 

1. Gently remove a few leaves from your succulent plant. (I'm not sure what the exact name of this plant is, as my mom got it for me as a present last year, but when we go to the garden center today I will scout it out...)

 

2. Put said leaves on a sunny windowsill.

 

3. Seriously, forget about them. You don't have to do a damn thing. Either they will root, or they will shrivel up, and I don't think there's really anything you can do to ensure one or the other, based on what I've read about the process. Just make sure they stay dry and get some sun.

 

4. One day, a few weeks later, for the ones that didn't shrivel up and die, roots will magically appear. Yes, magically. This process took about 6 weeks for us, but that may differ based on your climate/time of year that you attempt this.

 

5. Plant in a pot as you would any other succulent. Remember they don't like a lot of water, so don't oversaturate it when you water it. Just a little bit of water will suffice.

 

Sidenote: I also tried another method of rooting, and I think it worked as well. It's hard to tell, because it involved gently removing a leaf, and just sticking it in the soil, with the cut side down in the soil. I say I think it worked because the little leaf is still green, and that was a long time ago, so if it were dead it would not be green. I say I can't tell if it worked because I can't see the presence of roots, being that it is in soil. But I imagine that if it hadn't worked it would have shriveled up and died, like one of its counterparts that I tried in the same pot. So give both methods a go and see which works best for you.

 

Do you have any other methods for propagating and rooting succulents? I'm all ears as I'm new to this type of propagation!

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



DIY: Propagating Rosemary

{Never mind the dust bunnies. Whoops.}

 

I'm excited to share another propagation DIY with you all today, especially since I was pretty sure this one didn't work. That is, until about 2 days ago.

 

At the end of June I decided that we needed more rosemary. But I didn't want to buy it, and wasn't feeling much like planting seeds. So I decided to try to propagate my own with a branch from our current rosemary plant. Low and behold, with a little patience, it worked! It was really easy too, the hardest part was the waiting for something, anything to happen.

 

Want to propagate your own rosemary? Here's how!

 

Propagating Rosemary DIY:

 

1. Find a rosemary plant. Cut off a sprig (mine was about 6 inches long).

 

2. Remove leaves from bottom 1/3 - 1/2 of sprig. Make sure enough leaves are removed so that there will be no leaves under the water line.

 

3. Put in a small jar on a sunny windowsill. (I used a glass yogurt jar.) Fill with water to just below the bottom most leaf. Refill water as necessary.

 

4. Wait and wait and wait. Curse at it a bit. Forget about it for awhile. Remember it exists on the windowsill and curse at it again to do SOMETHING. Eventually, after roots begin to form (for me that was about 3 months) pot in soil.

 

 

This little guy is getting potted this weekend, and I can't wait. I've been in serious fresh rosemary withdrawal as of late.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update Dix (and final)

Here we are, after 10 weeks, at the conclusion of our figs in water experiment. Here you will find the final update on all five original fig cuttings, regardless of whether they have departed to fig cutting heaven, or are happily living in a pot of soil.

 



Le sigh, Cutting #1, in the left living room window. I think it's safe that we can officially declare you dead. 



Some cuttings just don't root my friends.

 





Ok, so I know that last week I said that I was going to pot rock star Cutting #2. I changed my mind. I've since had a better idea. Why not spin off of this experiment, shall we? I've already got 2 cuttings that have been transplanted from water into soil, so why not try something different with this third one. Awhile back while perusing Pinterest, I came across this picture:

 

{Pic via here.}

 

Looks pretty amazeballs, doesn't it? I'm not entirely sure how the person has set this up so that the tree not only survives, but looks incredibly awesome, but I'd like to try my hand at it. (That or maybe they just set it up for the photo shoot? The sense of wonder in me hopes this is not the case...) This weekend we have to pick up some things for Homekid at IKEA, so I'm going to pick up one of these vases, albeit smaller in size since the cutting isn't nearly as big as the one in the picture, and give this DIY a go. I'm pretty sure that is a little bit of soil and rocks at the bottom, with a layer of water on top, but to me it seems like if that were the set up that it would just rot. We'll see I guess. I'm not going to update every week on this new project, but will do so as it becomes appropriate. So keep an eye out (and your fingers crossed).





As for the roots, it looks like the slightly warmer weather we've had the last few days may have helped increase the root growth a bit from last week...

 



...but I don't notice any difference in the leaves, good or bad. I can't wait to see what happens with this little guy in my new project!

 

And, as promised, Cuttings #3 and #4, potted in soil several weeks ago.

 



Cutting #3 is looking the strongest of the two, which is consistent with how it looked while in water. He loves his little spot on the windowsill, (still in the right living room window), as well as the espresso grounds that I've been feeding him.

 



I think it's also safe to say that this new branch coming out of the side of the main branch has doubled in size since potting him in soil.

 

 

Cutting #4 - He may not look as big and strong as Cutting #3, but this guy is nothing to shake a stick at either.

 

 

I love this picture. Looks like such a happy little fig. I've kept the two of them together in that same right window that they were in as little cuttings in water, and also have given this guy a healthy serving of espresso grounds. Also, if you're wondering how much I'm watering them now that they are in pots, it's been about once a week. As it gets colder I will start watering them less, probably somewhere between every 10-14 days. I give them just enough water to moisten the entire top layer of soil, without over saturating them. I'm also going to start misting them with warm soapy water every week or so, just to help keep away any indoor bugs that might decide to make them their winter home.

 

 

And last but certainly not least, Mr. Consistency. Still no changes from the cutting in our bedroom window. For WEEKS now.

 

 

Something has to happen at some point, right? I mean, either it has to fully root or those leaves are going to have to die off like Cutting #1? Even though this experiment is ending I'm not going to give up on this little guy, but I'm also not going to update weekly on him. I will however, let you all know what happens with him, whenever that is (I have a feeling that will be once our room goes from being the hottest and most humid in the house to the coldest and dampest). Until then I'll let him keep on, keeping on, or whatever it is that he is currently doing.

 

Final Rooting Tally:

 

2 Rooted

1 Died

1 Undecided

 

Conclusions:

 

1. I'm happy I did this experiment, though I think that for future cuttings, 9 out of 10 times I'll use my old method of propagating straight into soil. I've never had a cutting not root in soil, where with this method my current outcome rating is not 100%. I am happy however to have an alternative way to root cuttings, and it's fun to switch it up sometimes.

 

2. From what I've seen with this experiment, and with a few other cuttings that I was trying in water not associated with this experiment, it is more difficult to acclimate a newly rooted cutting from water to being an outdoors tree, than it is when the cutting is in soil and outside to begin with. (In the warmer weather I typically put the cuttings directly outside, though against the house to protect it from the elements.) To go from being in the somewhat constant temperature and conditions of the house, to outside with drastic changes in temperature, rain and wind was too much for some. Of those, one died, and one is struggling along. A lot of attention needs to be paid to the new cuttings once you put them outside, as too strong of rain can kill the new little baby leaves that are starting. They also shouldn't be allowed to dry out too much in the beginning weeks. I think that the propagating fig cuttings in water method is fine if you're trying to make a strictly indoor fig tree however.

 

Phew. What a ten weeks! Thanks for sticking with me!

 

Confused with what I was trying to accomplish here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

Week 7 update.

Week 8 update.

Week 9 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update Neuf

 

Well here we are, in our next to last update on my propagating figs in water experiment. Next week I'll do a final update including all five cuttings, even the ones that have been potted in soil.

 

 

On Cutting #1, I still feel like these root nubs look alive, though a glance at the picture below tells a different story.

 

 

I will say though that the wood on the top of the cutting looks very different than the wood at the bottom where the root nubs are. The wood at the top is hard and dried out, and the wood at the root nubs is still flexible. Though my gut tells me it may too be too late for this little guy.

 

 

My rockstar of a cutting (#2) still looks really good, despite the fact that growth has dramatically slowed. His leaves still look healthy and green, with no curling or yellowing. I plan on potting this cutting before the Week 10 final update of this experiment.

 

 

I'm also going to continue to hypothesize that slowed growth in the leaves and roots means that it is indeed time to be potted in soil. I think that potting it this week will be perfect timing for this particular cutting.

 

 

Cutting #5 in our bedroom window still looks identical (to me at least) from last week...

 

 

...both in terms of root nub growth and the leaves. I just compared the above picture to last week's, and they look pretty much identical (I swear I took 2 separate pictures). I'm intrigued by what will happen to this cutting, as I feel like it's been weeks upon weeks since there were any significant changes, so I will continue to monitor it after the experiment has concluded next week. I won't continue to do a weekly update, but once this cutting decides whether it's going to fully root or die off, I'll be sure to let you all know.

 

Where are Cuttings #3 and #4 you ask? Here's the link to the post where I announced that they had been potted in soil, as they were definitely ready to move out of their jars of water. They both continue to look great in their pots, and I'm excited to share their progress with you all next week.

 

Check back here on Monday for my Week 10 (and final official) update!

 

Confused with what's going on here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

Week 7 update.

Week 8 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update Huit

 

Slow week over here in terms of the experiment, as I think we're winding down with changes that we can expect to happen. I think I'll keep updating until Week 10 just to be sure.

 

 

Cutting #1 in the left living room window continues to confuse me. The root nubs look bigger to me...

 

 

...but the tip of the cutting tells a different story. The leaves are dead and dried, and the cutting itself is hard, rather than flexible (as you see in a healthy cutting).

 

 

Cutting #2 continues to be my little rock star. I plan on potting this cutting sometime soon. As you can see, lots of growth going on at the roots...

 

 

...and the leaves have gotten bigger since last week.

 

 

It's also interesting to remember that Cutting #1 and Cutting #2, despite their difference after 8 weeks, came from the same original cutting (it was a little long so I cut it in half when beginning this experiment), have spent the same amount of time in the same window, and have lived together in the same 1 liter Le Parfait jar. Some cuttings make it, and some just don't I guess...

 

 

As for Cutting #5, I honestly don't see any difference in the root nubs...

 

 

...or in the leaves. It seems to have halted all growth for the time being, but doesn't look as if it's dying either. I'm intrigued.

 

Where are Cuttings #3 and #4 you ask? Here's the link to the last post where I announced that they had been potted in soil, as they were definitely ready to move out of their jars of water. They are both looking great in their pots, and I'll give an update photo on each in my final wrap-up post of this experiment in Week 10.

 

Check back here on Monday for my Week 9 update!

 

Confused with what's going on here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

Week 7 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey



A New Twist: Fig Tree Propagation Update 7

 

 

More changes this week - some good, some ugly. But [spoiler alert] at least Cuttings #3 and #4 made it into their new homes in soil this week!

 

 

Ohhh Cutting #1, why must you toy with my emotions? I swear it looks like the root nubs have gotten bigger on this guy...

 

 

...but the fact that the leaves are completely dried up, and that the tip of the cutting is hard and dry as well speaks otherwise. Or so I think. It typically doesn't speak well for the plant when the end looks like a gnarled old dead stick. Normally I'd have pruned the tip off just below the dead looking part, as this often saves the plant (in soil at least) and causes leaves to grow lower on the cutting, but for the sake of science and this experiment I'm just going sit back and see what happens.

 

 

Don't get too sad though, as Cutting #2, in the same window and jar of water, is a total rock star. Look at those big beautiful, green leaves! They've gotten a lot bigger since last week...maybe the fact that it's jar-mate appears to be dying is helping it's growth?

 

 

And those roots! This cutting just seems to be growing so much neater and tidier than it's rooted counterparts of Cuttings #3 and #4.

 

 

I could probably pot this guy now, but I'd like to wait for the root system to develop more if possible. However, if the leaves start looking a little sad and/or yellow, I'll definitely pot this cutting sooner rather than later.

 

 

It finally happened - Cuttings #3 and #4 have found their new homes in terra cotta pots with soil. I plan on trying my hand at making these strictly indoor fig trees, as I've never tried that before. I've said I'm going to try it multiple times, but then once the weather warms up in the spring I always end up putting those designated for inside on the terrace. Fingers crossed I can stick to the plan with these fig trees.

 

 

Pardon the atrocious lighting on these, I need to remember to take these pictures earlier in the day. But I did want to showcase a point I had made way back in the beginning: if I am to do this again, I will not submerge the cuttings so much in water. This was a decently long cutting, but I had the cutting submerged in water so much (2/3 of the way up the cutting to be precise), that when I went to plant the cutting there was only a few inches of growth coming out the top. In fact the cutting is pushed all the way down to the bottom of the pot, and we were just barely able to cover the roots. That being said, I highly anticipate lots of shoots coming out of the soil in the future from various spots lower on the stem, as that often happens when a cutting is planted too far in the ground. (I have a habit of doing that, but I've never had to bury a cutting this far...)

 

 

I'm not sure if I'm going to continue to update on Cuttings #3 and #4 since they are in soil now. We'll see. Maybe more from a "how are they doing as indoor plants" standpoint.

 

 

Oh such horrendous lighting. Many apologies. But as you can see Cutting #4 also appears to doing well in it's new home...

 

 

...and is also buried all the way down in the pot to cover it's root system.

 

 

As for the sleeper cutting upstairs in our bedroom window, Cutting #5, I feel like his root nubs are a little bigger, but if they are it's only by a little bit...

 

 

...and as for the leaves, I just can't tell. I keep switching back and forth between last week's update, and I really just cannot tell. But at least it doesn't look like Cutting #1, right?

 

Check back here on Monday for my Week 8 update!

 

Confused with what's going on here? Want to review past week updates? Here's some links for you then!

 

What I'm trying to do here.

Week 1 update.

Week 2 update.

Week 3 update.

Week 4 update.

Week 5 update.

Week 6 update.

 

A la prochaine friends...

 

Honey