Lessons Learned in the Garden: Bolting Spinach

I read up on the plants I chose for the garden, but having never really gardened before, much of the information was not exactly usable.  For instance...bolting.
I read that you must harvest spinach before it bolts or right away once you see it bolting.  I did not exactly understand what I was looking for (having not further looked it up on the Internet).
This is bolting:

Once spinach gets to this point, the leaves become bitter and are generally not eaten.
I tasted the leaves.  They were bitter.  But how could I just toss away four spinach plants???
I couldn't.
I cut out the bolted spinach just below the soil level and harvest a few chard leaves and parsley.

A friendly visitor on our chard. :)

My first harvest:
I quick rinsed everything off in a bowl of cool water (benefit of growing organic) and we had super green smoothies for dinner. : )

Take away points:
1) Spinach bolts if the temperature gets too hot (spinach likes it cool and a little shady) or if the plant is stressed by dry conditions. 
2) A spinach plant generally will not last the whole season, it needs to be sown continuously if you wish to have it all season.
3) Bitter, bolted spinach leaves are still edible (for those frugal like me) if you add in something sweet - throw them in a smoothie or top it with a little fruit and some balsamic vinegar and you are good to go!!
4) Your first harvest, regardless of how piddly feels REALLY good! :)

 Cheers!