So much for that Plan!

This winter, I decided I was going to share my gardening experiences and planning with blogs, pictures, articles I read, and etc. Perhaps I thought that would cut down on the randomness of my posting. But as always, time got away from me. The seedlings were plants before I knew it, the plants have taken over everything, and now harvest is in full swing.

Procrastination is not a model foundation for documentation!

We had a few challenges this year: downpours, slugs, aphids, scorching sun, bending tomato cages. But we've persevered! Here are some current pictures from this year's garden...

This summer at a glance

I am so far behind on my writing that is would seem absolutely ridiculous to try and recount the last few months. So here are a few pictures to fill in the gaps.

April and May

was filled with birthdays. Here is LJ and I at the beach, celebrating a good friend's birthday with a fire and hot dog roast.

At the end of May, my dad celebrated his 60th year! My mom and I planned a party up in Washington where they live. LJ and I were able to go help and celebrate with them. Thanks to all who were able to come and honor my dad in this way!

Our gift to my dad was a Mariner's game the following weekend. After a few days at home I loaded back up in the car and drove back up to Tacoma.

June

My Mom treated my dad to the stadium birthday package.

was a lot of fun to see his name in lights!

Even though the Mariners lost, it was a fun evening spoiling my dad!

I had forgotten how much I enjoy a MLB game!

Later that weekend, my oldest nephew graduated from high school. We are so proud of him!

We ended June by grabbin' the tent and camping for a couple days up at Elkhorn Valley.

Slacker!

I have been a slacker. Although I have had many moments in the last month worthy of a blog, my energy to do so has been absent. We have had company, dear friends had a baby, we started planting our garden, and a whole host of other things. But instead of trying to catch up, I'll share a pic from last summer and promise to be better in the future! *for some reason, I am unable to post any pictures right now. Will try later.*

An Irish Proverb

"You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind."

A good reminder for those of us who fret and worry about accomplishing something before we even try. But as far as a gardener goes...this is one of my favorite things to do. To think, ponder, wander, dream. Dream of getting my hands in the dirt. Dream of sunshine on my shoulder (makes me happy...).

The sun is shining and the stores are setting up seed displays. I have begun going over my seed collection to figure out what I need to buy and what I need to start in the house in order to be ready for that last frost.

Honestly, I am a bit nervous for this year. My first attempt at a vegetable garden was a dismal failure. I believe we had a couple of bell peppers, some carrots, and two heads of lettuce. Last year, my second attempt, with new raised beds was outstanding. Compared to the previous year, I felt like I could have opened a market with all that we were harvesting. So that leaves this year. Will it be as good as last? Better? Worse? Perhaps these nerves come from being a beginning gardener. Only the seasons will show if the spring jitters go away.

As for this year. I am wanting to try some new tomatoes. I bought some seeds for the Tomato Rutgers. It is described as highly productive and a superior flavor great for canning. Just what I want to do with them. Also, I have gotten some red potato starts to try. A few other things on my list to try this year are: cabbage, spaghetti squash (if I can find room), and crookneck squash, and possibly yellow carrots.

I can't wait to get started. But for now there will be no plowing...maybe in a few weeks.

Dreary days

I am fast becoming tired of cloudy days. I am counting down the weeks until I can start my seedlings and get to work in the garden. Last week, we had two glorious days of almost 60 degrees and sunshine! What a tease!


Until then, I am trying to focus on the little bits of sunshine peaking through the clouds. Even though life has been a bit gloomy and tiring the last few months, we are blessed.




A few bits of sunshine:

• I see signs of spring bulbs getting ready to make an appearance.


• Melps is moving back today and will be closer than when she lived in Oregon before!!!


• I bought potato starts and tomato seeds. Let the planning begin!


• We are headed to Eagle Crest Resort by Bend, OR for a free three day stay for Valentines day! (Thanks you friend!)


• God has once again provided for us this month.

M.I.A

I realized the other day that it has been weeks since I have posted or even checked the blogs that I follow. I just spent 2 hours reading and catching up on every one's holidays and lives. That leaves me with only a few minutes to do an update on what LJ and I have been up to. Here goes:

Snow, snow, snow, In-laws, snow, surgery, hospital, hospital, rain, hospital, rain, hospital,

finally some down time at home, rain.

I will update more thoroughly later. But for now here are a couple of pictures showing one of our weekends.

Flies in my cake

It seems I have received an unexpected gift for my birthday. Big.....black....buzzing....flies. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! They have appeared out of nowhere. We can't figure it out. Over the weekend, we killed 8 or 9 that randomly appeared throughout the house and when I got home this afternoon, I killed 4 in the bathroom window and there were 3 more between the window and the storm window. I don't know what the heck is going on. It makes me want to Lysol the whole house. Luckily they didn't actually get in the cake.

My birthday weekend went well. I had lots of birthday calls and both my brothers and families stopped by to wish me well. My parents, LJ, and I attempted and somewhat successfully made homemade pasta. We learned many ways to improve it next time, starting with getting a pasta machine thingy. I totally had a Rachel Ray moment when I added the Prosciutto and fresh basil...I loved it! It may have taken all evening to roll out, cut, fill, dry, and boil but it tasted good. It was a fun time hanging out together in the Kitchen cooking while christmas music wafted in from the living room. I would do it again. It turned out to be a great day.