How Does Your Garden Grow?

I decided I wanted a garden this year. And with the expanse of backyard we have now, it wasn’t hard to find a spot!

Here’s the deal, though. I want a garden. I don’t want to pull weeds. Or fight bugs or critters. Or, you know, do all the work. So, I got Caedmon in on this idea of a garden. And then I utilized the wonderful Internet to figure out how to grow the most things in the least amount of space (and work). I’m not sure any of this is going to turn out, but at least we’ve given it a shot!

First, I built a box. Mainly to keep things hemmed up. I didn’t want to exactly build a raised bed, but I didn’t want things going all willy-nilly, either. After a little research, I decided to use cedar fence planks. That meant our box is approximately 3’ x 6’.

After the box was built, I pulled up the grass and did my best to work the soil that was already there.

We’d already bought some plants, but I wanted to see what all we’d need to add before we went back to the store. So I created a grid with some tacks and string and set out our plants.

Let me just say, if plants need love to thrive, our garden should be a jungle. Honor carried those plants around, pulled them in the wagon, and even lovingly pet them.

We added some garden soil, put the grid back up, and got to planting.

Along the back, left to right, we have Roma tomatoes, green bell peppers, and Roma tomatoes (surrounded by marigolds.)

In the middle, left to right, we have cucumbers, jalapenos, red onions, and stevia.

And in the front, left to right, more cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries, and watermelon.

I chose things that a) I think we will eat, and b) seem to be easy to grow.

I used a guide I found somewhere online (I have no idea where, sorry!) about square-foot gardening and how many plants to put in each square foot. I put the cucumbers, zucchini, and watermelon at the edges so they could spill over the sides of the box and not take up valuable inside-the-box real estate. I also put the tomatoes at the back (north side), so they won’t shade the other plants when they get taller. Also? I have the (probably quite realistic) expectation that not every plant will survive.

Then, I added a thick layer of cedar mulch.

I tried a few “tricks” I found on Pinterest. I used the 4/1 Epsom Salt/sugar mix sprinkled in the planting holes. I also buried water bottles with holes poked in them next to the tomato plants to deliver extra water to their roots. We’ll see how they work. I also crushed up egg shells and put them in the bottom of the tomato plant holes.

Since we planted, we’ve had a TON of rain and a frost scare. Everything seems to be ok so far, but I do have some yellowing leaves on the zucchini and cucumber. I’m hoping it’s just too much water from all the rain we’ve had.  Hopefully, as things dry out a bit and begin to regulate, they’ll green up again.

When I was digging the garden up, I found not one earthworm. Not a single one. So I am seriously considering going to a bait shop and buying some nightcrawlers. I’m sure that’s completely bizarre. But if it helps the garden grow, it’ll be worth it.

Hopefully, things will continue to grow and we’ll get some yummy food from the garden in a few weeks!

2 Year-Old Pictures

I finally took some 2 year-old pictures of Honor. And a few of Caedmon. I haven’t had time to edit them yet, but I wanted to post some, because, my goodness these kids are cute.

I started with Honor. She was a m.e.s.s.

But so stinking cute.

This is the birthday outfit I made for her. I still love it.

I got a few pictures of Caedmon, too.

He’s growing so much!

We’re practicing for senior pictures with the angst. (He was upset that Honor was throwing sticks off the bridge while he was being tortured in front of the camera lens.)

And of course, I had to get some shots of them together. Which sounds much easier than it is. Really.

Finally, they sat still for a nano-second.

I think it’s safe to say that Honor was feeling sassy that day.

Seriously? This cracks me up.

I can’t say it enough. I love how much these two adore each other. Sure, they fuss. But they don’t just love each other, they actually like each other. I’m so blessed by these kids and am thankful to be their Mom.

{Late} Mother’s Day

My post is late. Don’t think my people were late with their celebration of Mother’s Day!

Saturday, a box arrived from FedEx. It was full of chocolate covered strawberries. I told Husband recently that I missed the chocolate covered strawberries we used to get this time of year when we lived in Austin. He remembered.

As soon as I opened the box of strawberries, Caedmon wanted to know if he could have one. When I gave him “the look,” he said, “Momma never shares her presents!” He wasn’t completely deprived – he got a bite or two. But there is no picture of said strawberries because, well, I would have to show you how many I’ve already eaten. By myself. And that might be just a little bit embarrassing. (I’m letting the kids have one this afternoon. Don’t judge.) Later, Caedmon asked me if he got a present on Mother’s Day. I think I disappointed him when I told him all he got for Mother’s Day was a Momma.

I also bought a piece of furniture on Saturday. We’ve been looking for the right piece to go in the living room under our TV. And y’all know me – I’m cheap. So I’ve been trolling Craig’s List for just the right piece. It just so happened that a new neighbor moving in down the street offered a perfect piece for sale at just the right price. So I walked down and snatched it up. Well, I walked down and paid for it. He delivered it later during the afternoon with his truck and trailer. Bless neighbors with trucks and trailers.

Then I got to spend Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday after church working on refinishing it. And when I say “I got to,” I really mean I got to. Husband took care of the kids and let me spend time out in the garage by myself with paint and a jigsaw all sorts of things little hands shouldn’t touch. It was marvelous.

After church on Sunday, Husband took us to eat for Mother’s Day. We tried a local Mexican restaurant we’d heard good things about. It did not disappoint. The food was good, the guacamole was good, the service was good, and our server even taught Honor to say, “hola!” And? I even squeezed in a quick nap before I went out to the garage to paint.

I am thankful for my own Mom and the diligence with which she raised us. It would’ve been easy to just quit when she was so vastly outnumbered. But she didn’t. And she taught us valuable lessons that are still with us all today. She taught me how to be a Mom. I am the person I am and the Mom I am because of her influence.

I am thankful for my other Moms. You know, the ones who “Momed” me (and still do), even though I didn’t belong to them. They will always have a special place in my heart, and hopefully I can Mom someone else’s kid like that one day.

And I am thankful for my husband, who values me as a wife and Mom, and teaches our kids to do the same.

Last, but certainly not least, here’s the “card” Husband and the kids made for me. I love it!

Aunts and Uncles

My kids have awesome aunts and uncles.

Aunt Squirt taught Caedmon to ride a horse,

and played on the trampoline with Honor.

Uncle NLB is hilarious.

Aunt Fidget jumps out of perfectly good airplanes.

(It actually takes a long time to jump out of an airplane. Or so it seems when you’re waiting on the ground.)

Uncle Deputy Guy policed (Punny, I know.) lunch with the munchkins.

Uncle HLB cleaned up the ‘vette for the kids.

And they finally sat still for just a few minutes.

Aunt Fidget was busy chasing kids (or holding Cousin C), so we didn’t get many pictures of her this trip! And Aunt Trump was busy with Cousin C most of the time, so there aren’t many pictures of her, either. That’s ok. They’re still awesome.

The Cousins

We had a ton of fun with cousins while we were visiting.

Caedmon and Quintin run at different speeds, but they do have fun together.

Honor and Eliza are sweet together, but Honor seems to be the bossy one of the two. Imagine that. And? She’s taller than Eliza. She’s taller than somebody. Ha!

Reading the alphabet book that I used to read as a kid!

These boys tried to re-inflate some popped balloons. It didn’t go so well for them.

The girls enjoyed the ‘vette. Mostly.

Did I mention how much my kids adored their new Cousin C? They do.

Honor has even named one of her baby dolls after her. It’s pretty sweet.

These boys were a mess, trying to get their picture together.

The girls were a little better.

(Remember how Honor was taller? Apparently only when they’re standing. Go figure.)

But not much better. They didn’t sit still long.

At least it ended with a hug.

Cousins have such a special bond. I love that they have fun together…at least most of the time.

We tried to get a shot of the big cousins with Mom and Dad…and this is the best we managed.

Family Time

During our trip home, we tried to see as many family members as we could. When you have a big family, it’s hard to see everyone, but we try!
We stopped to see Grandma Helen, where the kids always have fun checking out the giant goldfish in her pond.

We also visited Grandma Frances,

where the kids had a blast with her “riding cat.”

The “riding cat?” It’s ceramic. And pretty old. I was terrified the kids would break it, but Grandma said all the kids ride that thing, so ride they did.
We visited Poppy…

…and his puppies!

On the way home, we stopped to stretch our legs and visit Cousin Mark at the fire station.

We also got to see Nanny and Papa.

And we played soccer in Mimi’s driveway, and of course, rode the pink jeep!

It’s fun to see family! We love them and wish we could see them more often!

Meeting Cousin C!

Trump and Grade A welcomed a new (two-legged) member of their family a few weeks ago. (They acquire four-legged critters all the time. So a two-legged one really is special. Ha!) We were so thankful to be able to meet Cousin C while she was just a couple of weeks old.

Trump brought Cousin C to visit us one day at Mom’s. She was really good at sleeping during the day.

Cutie patootie!

Caedmon and Honor loved meeting Cousin C. They were so sweet with her. Honor was not satisfied unless she was covered with a blanket. All babies should be covered with a blanket, right? She’ll get along well with Mimis everywhere in that regard.

During family dinner on Sunday, we tried for a photo of the cousins all together. It went…well, it went. The Fab Five, together for the first time. (We had a lot more “big cousin” time during our stay. More pictures of that another time!)

Aunt Curly got to hold Cousin C for a while. She was supposed to be keeping her awake, I think.

I managed this one of Cousin C while Curly was holding her. Definitely not awake.

Precious, isn’t she? You did good, Trump and Grade A! Hopefully she’s figured out that all that sleeping is for night time!