the garden

I have never gardened before. Well, I take that back, I did attempt to dump chemicals all over some tomato plants in an effort to get some home grown tomatoes one year. And it worked. Until I got tired of going out in the hot weather. And the plants finally died.

So as you can see, my experience with gardens is very limited. But we did have a garden when I was a kid for a few (lean) years. And my grandparents had a garden for as many years as I can remember until their health was too poor for them to actively work the garden the way they would have liked. So I guess it’s in my blood. At least a little bit.

But even though I can find some decent organic stuff at the grocery store and other stores that are out of the way, it can still be a bit spotty. And a lot expensive. So I began to research gardening.

I knew I didn’t want it to take up the whole yard and I didn’t want it to take up a lot of space. And I knew I wanted it to be organic. So after much searching, I came upon the concept of Square Foot Gardening and decided this was the plan for me.

It is simple and it doesn’t take up the entire yard with rows and the useless space in between them, because everything is contained in a box. I can walk around the box to tend and harvest. And all the squares are solid growing space. Thus the garden doesn’t take up half my yard. Pure genius. OK…genius so far. I have planted a lot of stuff inside (seed) and outside too.. a few seeds and lots of transplants.

So without further ado, behold….the garden. Square foot style, of course!

Beds A and B. Containing cabbage, broccoli, onions, two varieties of kale and red lettuce.

Beds C and D. Containing 3 varieties of strawberries, spinach (seeded under plastic), rosemary and parsley.

I have empty slots because 1) I got a late start for my planting zone 2) some things will go in a bit later…and 3) I am learning and reading and planting as I read through the square foot gardening book. So in other words, I’m flying by the seat of my pants.

I also have red bell peppers and two varieties of tomatoes growing from seed inside the house. My cat doesn’t know what to think about all of this. ; )

Stay tuned for updates as things grow. Or die. Hoping for the first.

Sparkly Green Earrings

Y’all. I have been waiting. And waiting. And watching the calendar to see when Melanie’s new book was coming out.

And then I read on Boo Mama’s blog that she had seen it on the shelf EARLY at Lifeway where she lives. And I became on woman on a mission.

With a coupon.

I called Lifeway and they said they had two on the shelf. So I was on my way. When I got there I looked all the places I thought it was going to be, but couldn’t find it. So I asked about it. And the guy said he had a box full in the back for the Dot Mom conference so he just went back there and got me one. I was so excited.

I immediately dove into reading. But I struggled because I wanted to inhale it but I also wanted it to last forever because it was that good! But I managed to find a happy medium and stretch it out over a few days.

And y’all…it is so good! It’s not a bunch of recycled blog posts and I was thankful for that. It’s fresh and new, but it reads exactly like the voice we’re used to “hearing” on her blog. It is sweet and touching while being laugh out loud funny at the same time. A joy from beginning to end.

It doesn’t matter whether you are early on in your mothering or have a bunch of few years of parenting under your belt like me, you will love it.

In the immortal words of Larry the Cucumber…”I laughed, I cried. It moved me, Bob.” I know I’m old, but I can still quote Veggie Tales.

And we all know that’s one of the lesser known skills of being a mother.

In other words…buy it. Read it. You’ll be glad you did.

The end.

Please click here to see the trailer for the book. It is just precious and a must see, in my opinion. For the life of me I couldn’t figure out how to make it show up even though I got the html imbedded. So I had to add the linky. Sorry. : )

a bubbly day

Today I switched my end of the week grocery run around a little bit. I have been going to Kroger lately. I am LOVING all the organics and ‘crunchy’ stuff they are carrying now. Saves me many trips to the health food store that is miles away.

But they are re-arranging my Kroger. And it is utter chaos in there right now. I asked and they are supposed to be finished tomorrow. But I just didn’t have it in me to fight that for yet another grocery run.

So I switched my routine out and did Walmart and the big health food store. I needed a bucket load of lots of odds and ends anyway. I did the health food store first and had a lot on the belt. The lady started checking me out and commented that I was bubbly and perky.

HUH?! But I smiled and said thanks. But then I realized that I was bubbly and perky. And I felt like I had crazy insane energy.

So on the way home, I called my trainer to laughingly tell my story of being told I was bubbly and perky. My story wasn’t met with surprise. Not in the least. I was a bit taken aback. I knew we had wrecked my routine and shuffled everything around and that I had gone from a total beginner that could barely move her arms over her head with any weight at all, to a girl that can really exercise.

Granted I am at the beginning of all the new things we’ve started. But I am beginning to make progress. I can tell that I am stronger and have lots more stamina. And I can carry those groceries in the house like nobody’s business.

But the point is…my trainer knew this was going to happen. And that because I am working out and pushing my body harder, I was going to feel it. Not just in aches and pains (which are minimal by the way) but in feeling great. And having boundless energy.

Well if this is what pushing extra hard at the gym makes me feel like, then woot. Score for me.

So if you’re feeling tired and having a hard time getting out there…push yourself a little bit. You’ll be glad you did.

I am. : )

a sweet note to my girl

Dearest Daughter,

You do not have to get a new plate when you go to the stove for seconds.

This is not Golden Corral.

Love,

Your Mom aka “the one who does the dishes”