the little pitbull might be hibernating for a while.

i am temporarily admitting defeat in my ambitious blogging endeavor. i seem to have chosen quite a challenging path for myself that i can only take one day at a time. it's an understatement to say i'm busy; i am having quite a hard time coming to terms with the fact that there are lots of things i became accustomed to that i can't have anymore - one of which is free time to myself. when not in class, i'm working in the greenhouse on campus, and when not at either of those places, i'm at work at the garden center. these are all things that i wanted, which makes handling this schedule that much more frustrating since i brought this on myself. but, the resounding message i'm getting from my family and friends? this video contains the general gist.

midterms are over. spring classes are signed up for. it's almost christmas!

i should schedule blog time.

things aren't slowing down. in fact, it sometimes seems like i get busier each week. it's pretty tough. ask anyone around me (ahem.. andrew..) and they will agree.

however, i am learning. i am learning about myself, my learning style, my study style, what i need to do to achieve my balance, how stress affects me (and others), and to not give up. because even in the midst of all this, i get confirmation every day of why i am doing this. i love the horticulture department at nc state, and i can't wait to sign up for my spring classes.

i am also excited to start my new job! this thursday, i will begin as the newest employee at logan's trading company in raleigh! i can hardly believe it. it's so strange to think about where i was one year ago at this time and where i am now - things have completely changed, and it's all going in the direction i had hoped. it's truly bittersweet to be finished with my job at lulu, and i will miss my coworkers very much.

working in the greenhouse has been one of those invaluable opportunities i've been unable to pass up, and i've learned so much there. my daily activities change depending on the time of day and need, and i really like that about the greenhouse. the work is not always easy - water-logged sneakers, sore arms, orange fingers - but it is an experience that i have never had and am so grateful to be there. one of the projects i worked on for a couple days was helping a graduate student with an experiment. unfortunately, i never worked alongside the student, but the trial has something to do with geranium propagation i believe. i took a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

this is the beginning. look at all the beautiful blooms!

instructions: remove blooms. result: sore, orange fingers.

naked geraniums.

sadness in a trashcan

more good stuff to come. let me get through midterms first!

PAX plant sale, j.c. raulston arboretum, raleigh.

sunday, september 26, was the nc state chapter of pi alpha xi's fall plant sale. i had the pleasure of working at it and spending time with some really great people. pi alpha xi is the national horticulture honor society, and each semester they hold a plant sale at the arboretum. proceeds from the sale go right back into the university's chapter, as well as the nc state horticulture club.

i was nervous about this endeavor. at this point, i'll be the first to admit that i still do not know much about these plants. but, this seemed like a great opportunity to learn as well as get to know my peers in the field better. so, what the heck. i dove in.

what started off as a slow day picked up quickly. many people (including my mom and dad!) stopped buy to make some plant purchases, and the sale was quite successful. as i was working, documenting the event was a challenge. however, i must say, the selection was impressive and the organization clear and helpful. i got away with two scented geraniums, which i was very pleased with.

at the end of the weekend, packing up the leftovers was a challenge once the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. everything got cold and wet fast, but the people i worked with were an inspiration and all of the necessary tasks were accomplished with speed and accuracy. i dipped out due to prior engagements, but the rest of the team stayed late into sunday evening to ensure the unsold plants made it back to their homes. i was inspired by the experience, and i cannot wait until the spring sale. i will be more prepared and better equipped by then!

fall plant & craft festival, duke gardens, durham.

plant & craft festival!

this past saturday, my mama cj and i paid a visit to the duke gardens' fall plant and craft festival!

i happened upon the festival last year, while helping my friend jess prepare for her fall wedding. the wedding took place at the gardens, and during one of the weekends prior to the event, my friends and i went to duke gardens to scope the place out since we were helping jess with decorations for the ceremony and reception. that day happened to also be the day of the plant and craft festival, so after we got our business sorted out, we perused the goods. i had a great time, so when i found out the day of the 2010 plant and craft festival, i made plans to go.

mama at the festival.

mexican bush sage.

beautiful pitcher plants.

an amazing orchid vendor!

we left with one eucalyptus, one lipstick plant, and two soaps. it was a great way to spend a fall saturday morning, and i'm so glad we were able to go. there will be another plant and craft festival in the spring!

secret garden.

six hours of the week, i spend my time working in some of state's greenhouses as an intern. nc state has two greenhouse locations: there are some at the j.c. raulston arboretum, and the ones i work in are located behind fox labs on the north campus. when i heard about the opportunity from a fellow member of the horticulture club, i jumped right on it. by the end of the week, i was basically set to start. getting the paperwork completed was a different story, but as of about two weeks ago, i am official.

fox greenhouse. right about quittin' time.

the succulent conservatory.

the tropical conservatory.

it's been a wonderful experience. it's like have a private, hands-on, tutoring session. i am learning so much about plants and watering and maintenance and greenhouse management, and my "teachers" kerry and diane are great.

i hope to get some better pictures soon. the specimens in the conservatory are quite impressive. for now though, i think these stalker-style-cellphone pictures give a good idea of how lucky i am to have this gig!

i promise not to do this again.

i am going to brag about my grades for a second.

i am very proud of myself. last week, i had four exams. to celebrate them being over, i made zucchini bread with zucchinis from the nc state campus farmers market. it was delicious and you can find the super easy recipe here.

zucchini bread. you can never really go wrong with a paula dean recipe.

this week, i got my grades. I GOT ALL As!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

to celebrate that, i made pumpkin bread! i added chocolate chips and pecans to the downeast maine pumpkin bread recipe that i found on allrecipes.com.

is it time for pumpkin pie yet?

both were really successful, and it felt good to be baking some things again; it had been a while, you know, with all the studying i was doing. i want to break out of the quick-bread rut, but they are just so good. i accept any easy cookie recipe suggestions. or pie would be good. or some cookie bars. holy moses. i might have to cut this short. i'm suddenly having a strange craving for the molasses cookies in the kitchen.

i survived my first round of tests!

one in every class last week, and they're over! at least until midterms in a month, but one week at a time!

classes have been great. i actually enjoy them all, but it's still hard to get used to working with freshmen on group projects. they're almost 10 years younger than me and are in a different place in their lives. the thought of finishing college and getting a job and then going back for fun is pretty unfathomable to them, so it takes a little work to ignore it sometimes. i have to resist the urge to talk like the experienced old lady. i can't be too upset though; when i was a freshman, i may have thought about rolling my eyes at the strange older person in my class too...

in any event, things are good. i have started an internship for credit hours at the greenhouses on campus, and it's like having a private teacher 6 hours a week. last week i learned how to water (there is a very serious technique), how to test for pH, and that i need to bring a change of shoes on the days that i'm working. also, sunscreen. i need to stash some in my backpack. i have a sweet racerback tan on my back from all the time spent outside the greenhouses washing pot after tray after pot then spraying the dirt from the pots down the drain like some opposite form of vaccuming. i like it though. hopefully, i'll be able to get some pictures of the conservatories at the greenhouses. they're beautiful, and an inspiration every time i go to work.

speaking of inspiration, here are pictures of our finished plant shelf, as promised! andrew did a great job. whatcha makin next, love?!