Garden 2010

Well, I've done two things today: work in the garden and cut coupons.  Those two tasks took up my entire day.  One would think that I'd be tired but of course on days when I feel like I get a lot done I can not get my brain to calm down to rest. 

A lot of what I wanted in my garden was planted today.  I am so excited!  This year we did raised beds.  Thanks to the gardening course I took with Joshua and Beth Haynes at Birdsong Community Farm I learned the value of a no-till garden.  Honestly, there is more plants in this years garden then last year's even though I cut off about two feet from each of my rows.  The reason is now I have four - five by eight feet beds and the plants are not spaced apart by walkways - they are side by side.  My walkways are down the middle of the entire garden.  Not sure what you can tell by the pictures.

Now for my list - Garden 2010:
1.  Carrots
2.  Ruby Red Lettuce
3.  Iceburg Lettuce
4.  Potatoes
5.  Marigolds
6.  Cilantro
7.  Dill
8.  Basil
9.  Eggplant
10.  Zucchinni
11.  Summer Squash
12.  Winter Squash
13.  Okra
14.  Marketmore Cucumbers
15.  Straight Eight Cucumbers
16.  Blue Lake Pole Beans
17.  Corn
18.  Sunflowers
19.  Sweet Potatoes
20.  Sweet Peppers
21.  Bell Peppers
22.  Yellow Onions
23.  Red Onions
24.  Watermelon
25.  Cantelope
26.  Tomatoes

AND THE WINNER IS...

And the winner to my first ever give away is... Nikki!  She posted correctly - potatoes!  The green leaves you see are in fact the beginnings of my potato plants.  This find was very exciting for me because I was afraid the raised beds that we tried this year were not providing enough soil for the potatoes.  I was wrong!

So, what, you may ask is the prize for the smarty pants Nikki?  She is the proud owner of a $10 Gift Certificate to Birdsong Community Farm!  If you have not heard me rave about Birdsong Community Farm then let me take the opportunity.  This is a local, truly organic farm which is run by FANTASTIC people - Joshua and Beth Haynes.  Their goal is to keep their farm natural and the earth sustainable.  They do a great job of informing the community of their work and assisting the community in gaining knowledge of a sustainable gardening environment.  The Haynes have a booth at Cullman's Farmer's Market which is also another wonderful experience:)  The Farmer's Market will be opening up on Saturdays starting this Saturday and the Strawberry Festival will be May 14 and 15.  There is usually a 5K run that Saturday morning for anyone interested. 

Now that I am pumped about my garden, I will post later about my Garden List which I know you all will be hanging by a thread til I post again:)

Do You Know?

Do you know what this is?  The first person to guess correctly will win a prize!!

May the Force Be with You

"You were my brother, Anakin, but I will not help you"...this coming from my imaginative four year old who informs me that he is Obi Won Kenobi.  Thus is our daily life since Christmas.  Dos has an amazing memory to recall every Empire battle scene and the ability to recall the entire Jedi roster.  Along with the Star Wars lingo there is certain key weapons that must be carried around daily: a lightsaber or lifesaver or lightsafer whichever we decide to call it on that particular day; "gate" guns; droid guns, and/or bounty hunter guns.  These pieces are usually worn stuffed down the front of his pants since he does not have a gun or lightsaber holster.  These memories will be shared with future girlfriends:)

We have returned from camping and really had  wonderful time.  I highly recommend Tannehill!  I have also completed ways 3 - 5 on my 30 day pact. 

Way #3:  Complimented Numero Uno on being able to fix anything. The lights that were to go across our camper awning sagged in the middle.  He created a hook to hold up the middle which fit inside the awning bar.  Yay!

Way #4:  I apologized to Numero Uno for being unappreciative and unsupportive to him.  I was being my typical self and coldly reactive to him when he does not do what I want or think he should do.  He said something to me yesterday that translated into: "You're so stupid for doing that!"  At least that is what his comment felt like to me.  As harsh and as painful as the moment was, I - in hindsite - am glad for the experience.  It gave me pause to realize that there are times when my comments or eye rolls or loud sighs convey the same thing: "You're so stupid for doing that!"  I got the chance to feel what my comments or gestures feel like and I'm all the wiser.

Way #5:  I made a cup of coffee for him - the way he likes it fixed.  Plus I made him breakfast: bacon, eggs, and toast.  I think it got our day off to a great start and when he went to work the whole family cheered, "Bye, Super Dad!"

I know life is not perfect and Numero Uno and I both have FAULTS but being positive sure beats the heck out of the alternative.  I've been down that road too often. 

30 Days - 30 Ways

MOMS group is doing a study called For Women Only.  I'm really enjoying it and the group has made a pact to take the next 30 days to show our husbands positive support.  So, I'm two days in.  I'm hoping this will be easy for me because honestly, my man is awesome.  I am constantly amazed at what a wonderful person he is. 

Way #1:  I took the time to write Numero Uno a love letter.  In the letter, I expressed how pleasurable it is to be in a happy marriage.  Later in the day he thanked me:)  Okay, I just reread that sentence and it sounds suggestive.  I simply meant he took the time to tell me thank you.

Way #2:  I shared with him that I was 100% appreciative of the decision he made to purchase a camper.  This was a big deal considering I originally did not think it was a wise purchase; however, we have only used it twice and it is difficult to convey exactly how it brings our family together but it does!  Numero Uno loves this camper and the whole process of maintaining it and preparing for and planning out trips.  Camping forces our family in a good way to spend every waking moment together and I'm telling you for the age our kids are - this is perfect!  We are literally building memories our kids will not soon forget. 

We are in Tannehill Historical State Park and the weather could not be any better!  We spent the day walking, riding bikes, and cruising around the park looking at all of the old buildings.  This place is amazing!  The setting is beautiful.  There is a beautiful creek that runs throughout the park, an old Grist Mill, and tomorrow we are going to the old Iron Mill.  Uno loves it here, he is such the boy, ready to dig in the mud/dirt, ride his bike through the creek, and wants to explore EVERYTHING!  He also is very funny.  I really enjoyed talking with him tonight. 

Any Takers?

The past two days have been really good.  Following a schedule I had made out a while back for some activities I wanted to do with the kids.  I really do need a schedule.  I do not function well without one and as the past two days reveal, all has gone well.  I have spent more time with the kids and got more accomplished on the house.  Scheduling time to do specific activities with them has allowed me to fully enjoy watching them play, create, think, interact - it is beautiful and I wish these memories would stay fresh in my mind.

Speaking of house, we have someone coming tomorrow to look at the house.  I really hope and pray that it sells.  Don't know where we would go but I would be fine with that.  If we could sell and put some money in savings, that would be great. There's a lot I know about every statement I make about the house and money that can not be posted on a blog.  I mean every aspect of the situation can not be disected at this time.  Yes, we are blessed to be in this house and yes, that provides stability to the family.  There is more to this whole house selling thing; however, I do not feel I should go on about it on the blog.  Please pray the house sells or that better yet we are following God's plan for our lives right now.

Easter 2010