Marseille Basil and metering

I was delayed in my previously posted plan about herb planting by the need to use the pallet box for some party decor.
On the day I planned to plant this week the weather was gorgeous.....until I started planting and the rain and wind came.  I'm also convinced we can blame the more than foot of snow we have on the fact that I sorted and cleaned my flower pots for the front porch yesterday.

I did finally get the herbs planted and made quick and fun work of the markers.  I just did what came to me quickly as I really wanted this task off my list and I'm happy with how they turned out after 15 minutes and $0.

I ended up with two pots of cilantro, two of sweet basil and one each of Italian parsley and Marseille basil.

I also had some good practice with light metering to get these pics.  It's quite a challenge to take a picture facing a brightly lit window-especially when the room you are shooting from is quite dark.  I've been practicing metering lately and this was a perfect opportunity.

Here is what I mean............

I have the camera on aperture priority.  If you shoot into a bright window like this without metering, the camera automatically takes an average of the light which makes the dark areas extra dark.

Metering allows you to tell the camera which parts of your picture you want to be correctly lit and adjusts the light accordingly.  It's also great because you can avoid using the flash and washing out the whole picture and any definition by just taking advantage of the light you have.

So, by metering on the darker areas you get...............

........all with no flash.

These guys get lots of great light in this window and hopefully I can move them outside in a couple of months.  I'll keep you updated on their progress and I welcome any harvesting tips for longevity......hint, hint AB!

 

forcing some green

Today is President's Day. February. Not. Spring.  I think the lack of green around is driving me extra crazy because so much more stayed green all winter (including our lawn) when we lived in Wichita.  Now that Heart Day has passed and I can take the hearts out of the pallet box, it's time to plant some herbs.  My Mom kindly dropped off some liner pots for me and a planting I will go.  

Upon starting this project I instantly thought that these pots would need some markers.  I also thought about how prominently they will be displayed in my kitchen (read: take up LOTS of counter space.)  So I jumped onto Pinterest and saw just how domestic diva-ly challenged I am.  I do not actually own a metal stamping set or have a supply of copper in my craft room as it seems many people must. 
Anyway, there are some really fun and beautiful seed markers available in the world.  I will post a few of my favorites today and in a few weeks when my seeds sprout, I will reveal whatever solution I come up with.  My hope is for somewhere in the middle of sharpie on popsicle sticks and hand stamped copper. :)

 
These ones from Etsy are 3 for $21.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100322558/herb-garden-markers-plant-stakes-a-set?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_query=garden+marker&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&show_panel=true



These aluminum ones on Etsy are 8 for $32 and can be customized however you like.
 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/100411060/customized-garden-markers-hand-stamped?ref=sr_gallery_14&ga_search_query=garden+marker&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all






Both of these are links to nowhere on Pinterest but both claim to have "easy" DIY tutorials.  I guess for people with kilns or metal shops they would be easy indeed!