Signs of spring

Experimental garden

If you asked me a couple of years ago if I wanted to grow a garden, I would have shouted at you, "NO WAY!" In fact, I'm pretty sure a few friends of mine did ask the question and subsequently received that answer. In my mind, gardens were a lot of tilling, amending soil, weeding, watering, spraying, etc. Plus, they require a lot of space (which I don't have) for rows and rows of corn, potatoes, and tomatoes. At least, that's what I thought.

I was raised with a garden next to our house. My dad came from a farming family in Idaho and has always known how and loved to garden. It's a way of life for him and he's really quite good at it. I have many fond memories of planting the garden each year when I was young. I loved doing it. Probably because it was time spent with my dad and because I never had to do any of the really tedious stuff that required work. Now that I'm older, all I see is the WORK!

Last year, though, my mindset began to change. A friend of mine assembled two raised bed gardens, threw some compost in them, and before she knew it she had spinach, herbs, and beans growing out her ears! I was amazed it was that easy! My old-fashioned garden mentality was thrown upside down, and I thought to myself, If she can do it, so can I.

Sooooooo, late this winter I read Mel Bartholomew's Square Foot Gardening book, which made me even more confident I could grow a garden. I got all the supplies, found a spot in our yard, had Jason build me the boxes, filled them with the special soil mix, and started planting! I can hardly believe myself. I'm growing a garden!



I'm experimenting with just a square or two of each of our favorite vegetables. I'll see how they do and then expand more later. The kids had fun planting the seeds with me the other day: broccoli, cilantro, beans, radishes, spinach, and lettuce. And guess what? The radish seeds are already sprouting!



Since I got a little late start on the cool-weather veggies I bought some starts of lettuce, spinach and green onions. Those are now planted and filling in the box nicely.



I'll also be planting some strawberries, tomatoes, basil, peppers, and potatoes as the weather warms up a bit. I'm actually excited about this! I was making a salad the other day and thought to myself how nice it will be when I can just walk out to the garden and cut a fresh salad from my garden. Yum.

Where's Uncle Bob?

This past weekend my dear, sweet, fun-loving Aunt Judy came to visit. She's my mother's sister and whenever they get together there is shopping, late-night chocolate fixes, and trips into town just to get M&M's. Having her around is just plain fun.

And, did I mention my kids adore her? They sat on her lap while she tried to eat dinner, showed her every piece of clothing in their wardrobe, invited her into their insanely messy bedroom, performed tricks for her on the rope swing outside, made eyes at her during church as she sat behind us, and gave her copious amounts of hugs. I think if they could have eaten her for lunch, they would have. She is just that good.

The kids were, however, worried about her other half, Uncle Bob. Where was he? Why didn't he come with her? She drove from Utah all by herself? They were stunned and disappointed, to say the least. In their minds, Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy go together like jam on toast, mustard on a hot dog, Nutella on marshmallows (wink, wink!). It just wasn't right that he wasn't here too, and I completely agree.

Next time, Uncle Bob, you must come and enjoy the fun. We're not the same without you!

I Believe...

...in prayers being answered. Always.

...in Cool Whip on pies, marshmallows on hot chocolate, and bacon on my filet mignon.

...in kids playing outside and not on video-game systems.

...in recycling pop cans, yogurt cups, and paper.

...we all have distinct opportunities in life to choose to do good and that if we don't take those opportunities we will be held accountable.

...in being sensible and practical--no sensationalism for me.

...in a Supreme Being who looks like me, talks like me, and wants me to become more like Him.

...in kids, not pets.

...in moms who stay home to raise their babies. It's an important work we do.

...in routines, routines, routines.

...in eternal families.

...in forgiveness and moving forward.

...in eating dessert first.

Poetry

Dallin has written some nice poetry works this year in school.

Here is a sampling:

A St. Patrick's Day limerick:

There once was a cat names Bob
Who wanted to get a job
So he looked in the paper
Became a race car driver
And became a big fat snob.

A Valentine's Day Poem:

Grant

kind silly

sharing running playing

he's Darth Vader

brother

A Halloween Poem called:

Party in the House

Silly mummies

are brake dancing

at midnight

at the Hichin' Post

beacuase it's

somebody's birthday.

Fixing Monkey

I've never had a child attached to a stuffed animal, blankie, or toy....until now. Kyle loves his monkey. When it's time for bed, Monkey has to be with him. If he sees one of his siblings manhandling Monkey, WATCH OUT! Kyle will madly defend his safety.

So, imagine Kyle's desperation the other day when Monkey's arm fell off. Oh boy. Kyle sobbed with disappointment and worry.

Now, Monkey was already in a sorry state before his arm popped off. Some of you might remember the story of how he was adopted into our family. He came from a shaky background, was abused and abandoned, and then rescued by our family last year. When we found him he was cold and dirty, his nose was gone, he had a hole blown into his cheek, and obviously his limbs were a little loose. We gave him a bath, warmed him up with some cocoa, and let him snuggle up with Kyle in bed. He's been there ever since.

With Monkey's arm popping off, I supposed it was a sign he needed some extra attention, so out came my needle and thread to make him as good as new. I reattached his arm, fixed the hole in his cheek, and gave him a new button nose. It was nothing a little plastic surgery couldn't fix. Now he looks as good as new....well, he looks good and loved, let's just say. I think his self-confidence has improved for sure. And Kyle's happy to have his friend back in one piece.

John Mayer

Jason and I went to see John Mayer in concert the other night. He's one of my favorite musicians and I was excited to see him live.

I was disappointed in his vocal quality, but the music was great and it was nice to go out on the town. We haven't been to a concert in years, so we enjoyed ourselved immensely.