Refocusing

Here is a little that I have been thinking and praying on:

I have been suffering from an imbalance of my time, my efforts, and my goals. So I made a list of my priorities and here they are:

1. God: Devotions/Scripture reading, prayer/meditation on the Scriptures, quiet/focus & listening to God
2. Husband: His needs, his laundry, areas to clean for him: bedroom, office, upstairs bathroom, food/weekly menu
3. Family: their needs, their laundry, keeping all rooms clean for their safety, devotions: Scripture memory, sewing girl's clothes
4. School: reading, writing, math, science/history, the arts (music/art), P.E./Health
5. Cleaning: for husband, for family, for me
6. Me: time w/God, serve husband/family, conduct school lessons, spend time cleaning, exercise
   

Each one of these areas is important and I am aiming to spend equal amounts of time on each every day, Lord willing.

I have a garden this year, raised beds... so no tilling, no weeding, just keeping the cats out of the garden and the dogs. Trying to grow tomatoes from seeds again, and realized if they don't get enough light they grow really tall & and become weak. If my seedlings in the house don't make it, I am going to plant April 1 outside underneath plastic milk jugs with the lids off right straight into my raised beds.

So here I go to plan my work and work my plan!

Blessings!
Heather

Gardens, Dresses & Menus....

It is very uncommon for me to make more than one post in a day... or even in a week or lately, month. However, my youngest daughter is asleep and my husband is working late in his shop, so here I am... posting again. (Besides I just baked a loaf of bread and it does have to cool before I put it into a bag ;O).)

GARDENING UPDATE...


I still have gardening fever, unfortunately I have not much energy to do the physical work that is involved due to my pregnancy (I've made it to my 3rd trimester!!!).

But, I did plant seeds in the little jiffy peat pellet green houses that we purchased from Wal*Mart, and I have seedlings!!! YEAH!!! I have already planted 6 little greenhouses that house 72 peat pellets... now that's a lot of plants, but I have planted flowers for my flower gardens, as well. Next will be marigolds, as I have 2 more jiffy peat pellet greenhouses to plant.

I read just the other day that tomatoes also like growing with marigolds, it said to put about 2-3 marigold plants right next to your tomatoes. Marigolds are supposed to keep away certain bugs, also. So I am growing a wide variety of tomatoes, peppers (from hot to sweet), several kinds of deer resistant flowers, herbs, and some heirloom "fruits" like garden huckleberries, the wonder egg plant, and also ground cherries (or husk tomatoes... tastes like pineapple?). I am still waiting on my lavendar to sprout, but I read on the label that it can take up to a month to sprout so, I still have a few days to wait and see.

DRESSES...

In the first picture (with my four silly daughters), I made the dresses that the girls with the pigtail braids are wearing. The one that is all in one print is simply a T-shirt dress (I made the T-shirt) with a gathered skirt at the bottom. That dress took me 1 1/2 hours to make last Saturday (her birthday), so that dress is the "official" birthday dress this year.

My other daughter (the tallest one) is wearing a re-made skirt, changed into a jumper dress... if you understand that. I had made the 4-tier skirt for her several months back and it wouldn't stay up even with a tie around the waist (which had to be tied so tight that it hurt). So I cut a bodice out of a short ladies denim jumper that I got for free at church (no one wanted the jumper because it was way too short, so one day I looked closely at it and thought that it could be made into something that one of my girls could wear). Then I sewed up the bodice, and used bias tape around the arm holes and neck, and finished off by sewing the bodice to the skirt. It took me 30 minutes!!! So, within one day, I had made (& re-made) two dresses. After going so long without sewing, I was elated because frankly, I LOVE TO SEW!!!

Then, when we arrived home on Sunday after church, my other daughter came to me with big puppy-dog eyes and asked me for something to wear... So, again, I thought... I can make her a dress, too!!! So I searched through my fabric scraps, found several pieces that coordinated well together, and asked my daughter what she liked. She picked out the primary color animal prints and I whipped up another dress for her. I think it took about an hour and a half also.

However, a few things to know about my dresses are:
1) They are usually quick and easy.
2) They are not elaborate.
3) The T-shirt top is made out of knit fabric and is only 2 pieces.
4) I sew the seams 2-3 times to ensure a long-life for the dress.
5) Most of the dresses I make are play dresses (or they usually end up that way).
6) I use oxy-clean in just about every load of laundry!!!

For any who are interested in the T-shirt top, I would be glad to share my secret. I will even try to get some pictures of the top before if it is sewn...it is super easy!!! However, you probably won't find the pattern in a store as i usually make my own. I seek simplicity and ease, though I can make a "real" dress but those are usually for me. CO;

MEAL PLANNING...
I have developed a system or formula that may work for anyone who tries it, just as long as you eat like we do!!! Ha ha!! But it does seem to work for me, so here goes:


Sundays: Meals vary as we have fellowship meals the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month, so I plan what items I am going to take each week (usually the same thing), 1 hot dish, 1 cold dish, & 1 dessert. On off weeks, we eat sandwiches at church before going home (1 1/2 hour trip home), or if we stay home something easy.

Mondays: Roast, ham, or chicken, with potato or mac & cheese, veggie or salad, rolls.

Tuesdays: Italian or Mexican every other week.

Wednesdays: Use up the roast from Monday's meal (usually BBQ sandwich on homemade roll, stir fry, or fried rice w/leftover meat), potato salad or chips (w/BBQ) & veggie

Thurdays: Alternate Breakfast, quick pasta dish w/marinara & salad, & chicken patties or grilled chicken w/salad & potato.

Fridays: Pizza or Stromboli w/salad, soda, & movie night

Saturdays: Crockpot meal or Oven casserole w/veggie
Here is my menu for an entire month... beware this will be a long post!!

Menu Plan: April, Week 1
SUNDAY (March 29):
B: French breakfast puffs, popcorn
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips
D: Leftovers from Saturday night

MONDAY (March 30):
B: French breakfast puffs, birthday cake
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, chips & dip, rigatoni (for mom)
D: Chicken patties, chips

TUESDAY (March 31):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips & dip, potato salad
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, potato salad, lettuce salad, mac & cheese

WEDNESDAY (1):
B: Banana Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Sausage & Noodles w/marinara sauce, salad & breadsticks
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

THURSDAY (2):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Sandwiches, chips
D: Pigs-in-a-blanket chili dogs, chips

FRIDAY (3):
B: Crunchy Oat bar (cereal), milk, eggs
L: Leftover pigs-in-a-blanket & chili
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (4):
B: Coffee Cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled Deer Steak, baked potato, salad, homemade rolls


Menu Plan: April, Week 2
SUNDAY (5):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies (church meal)
D: Chicken patties, baked beans, chips (or popcorn)

MONDAY (6):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or Leftover chicken patties
D: Chicken, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (7):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Meatball sandwiches, chips, salad

WEDNESDAY (8):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Meatball sandwiches
D: BBQ chicken sandwiches, macaroni salad, veggie

THURSDAY (9):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover BBQ Sandwiches, macaroni salad
D: Breakfast w/scrapple

FRIDAY (10):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (11):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Grilled or Broiled Chicken, mac & cheese, salad, homemade rolls


Menu Plan: April, Week 3
SUNDAY (12):
B: Crunchy oat bars, popcorn
L: Dinner at the Church Family's home
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (13):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Chicken Patty Sandwiches & chips
D: Pork Roast, garlic potatoes, veggie

TUESDAY (14):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, salad, chips, salsa

WEDNESDAY (15):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches w/mac & cheese
D: Pork Fried Rice, veggie

THURSDAY (16):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftovers or sandwiches
D: Noodles, Rigatoni, tortellini & sauce, salad, breadsticks

FRIDAY (17):
B: Old-fashioned oatmeal & eggs (or bread pudding)
L: Ham salad w/crackers, deviled eggs
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (18):
B: Leftover oatmeal cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, tamale pie, salad, chips, salsa

Menu Plan: April, Week 4
SUNDAY (19):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: Deviled eggs, baked beans, brownies
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (20):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Rigatoni/noodles w/sauce Or chicken patties
D: Ham Steak, mac & cheese, veggie

TUESDAY (21):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Spaghetti & Meatballs, breadsticks, salad

WEDNESDAY (22):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Leftover Spaghetti & Meatball or Meatball sandwiches
D: Stuffed ham & cheese triangles, baked home fries, veggie

THURSDAY (23):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Leftover ham & cheese triangles, chips or homefries
D: Chicken patty sandwiches, salad, veggie

FRIDAY (24):
B: Old fashioned Oatmeal & bread pudding
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or chicken salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (25) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: French Breakfast puffs, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, veggie


Menu Plan: April, Week 5
SUNDAY (26) (planned to be away for weekend):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn (church meal)
L: Sandwiches at church
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

MONDAY (27):
B: Scones, milk, eggs
L: Sausage & noodles w/sauce, salad, breadsticks
D: Baked Chicken, sliced garlic potatoes, veggie, homemade rolls

TUESDAY (28):
B: Crunchy Oat bars w/milk
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches, chips
D: Tacos & Burritos, chips, salsa, salad

WEDNESDAY (29):
B: Muffins, milk, eggs??
L: Deli Meat Sandwiches w/chips
D: BBQ chicken on homemade rolls, baked home fries, cole slaw

THURSDAY (30):
B: Rice w/cinnamon sugar & milk, eggs
L: Peanut Butter & Jelly w/mac & cheese
D: Breakfast w/sausage scrapple

FRIDAY (May 1):
B: Leftovers from Thursday’s nights breakfast
L: Deli Meat sandwiches, or egg salad on homemade crackers
D: Pizza or Stromboli, salad

SATURDAY (May 2):
B: French Breakfast puffs or coffee cake, eggs
L: Leftover pizza/Stromboli
D: Enchiladas, refried beans w/chips, salad, salsa

SUNDAY (May 3):
B: Crunchy Oat bars, popcorn
L: baked bean, deviled eggs, brownies (church meal)
D: Leftovers or Sandwiches

There it is! I basically print out a large 2 page calendar and fill it out with the planned meals. My husband requested that I print up a copy to post on the refrigerator, so now I also type it up to post so that everyone knows what is planned. This has saved me so much time and headaches that I actually look forward to planning our meals now! Amazing!

Blessings!
Heather

Happenings....

Well, things have been busy as usual. Life is very full with everything there is to do, as many of you know and have experienced.

First off, my dear 8-year-old daughter, who is an animal lover, injured herself a couple weeks back. She was playing with her brothers upstairs in her bedroom and jumped from one of the top bunk beds like a FROG!!! Yes, no kidding, a frog. One of my boys came to get me and told me that she had hurt herself badly and was crying. So, I waddled upstairs (my hubby likes to raz me about the way I walk when I am pregnant)... and checked to see if the emergency was really worth a trip to the hospital. She was crying, a cry that I rarely hear her cry, and complaining that her heel hurt and she could not wiggle her toes or put any weight on her foot. I could not carry her downstairs... so, I went to the freezer, got out an icepack (one of those that is squishly and flat) and wrapped that around her heel stablizing her ankle & foot so that she could at least scoot across the floor. Then, she was able to get downstairs where I could better tend to her.

I, then, called my husband with the wonderful news. I waited until he got home (also making sure that my diagnosis was correct) to take her to the ER. Thankfully she wasn't in a lot of pain and was able to stand waiting a little while. He got home and shortly after we went to the ER.

Unfortunately there was no parking places in the ER parking lot (ugh) and I had to back our 15 passenger van out of the parking lot (because I couldn't turn it around). I, then, dropped her off to the ladies at the ER desk, and had to go find the parking garage for the hospital (which also included a bit of a walk to get back to where I needed to be).

After the x-ray, we were informed that she did indeed break her heel bone, close to the growth plate, and she needed a splint (half cast) until we could get an appointment for the orthopedic doctor. So, after our visit to the ER, we went to see the orthopedic doctor who put a full cast (to the knee) on her leg & foot.

Now the problem is how to keep an active 8-year-old busy with indoor activities that involve sitting. So far, she has learned how to crochet, she has been making bead necklaces, and she has been doing her latch-hook kit (of a golden lab puppy). Of course, there is also school (which has been extremely challenging these last couple weeks) and she also has been doing a lot of drawing. I am not sure how she is going to stand the next 3 weeks with a cast, but only time will tell.

GARDENING

Now for other things going on...

My boys are helping me to garden this year as I am not up to digging and using my garden claw, etc. Interestingly enough, one day I had asked my oldest son to dig a hole for me in the garden to hold all of our coffee grounds, egg shells and plant matter (for compost)... He was thrilled that I asked him to do this. SO... I made the comment, "You know, you can dig up my whole garden if you would like!" and this thrilled him even MORE!!! So, these last several weeks he and his brother have been digging up my garden plot for this year's garden, YEAH!!!

So yesterday, I gave him instructions to get some leaves and put on the garden as well... Leaves are not a problem with us anymore... as you can see in the picture below, we have an abundance of leaf matter where we live now as this whole plot of land is COVERED with trees. I will continue to have them get leaves until I have enough leaves to cover all of my garden plots. They also get the privilege of digging all of those plots up this year as our tiller is in need of repair. And the best thing is, THEY LOVE DOING THIS JOB!!!




Also, in regards to gardening, I have been learning about what plants to plant together as some plants actually benefit from others! This is called companion gardening (or plant pals) and there are several articles on the internet that talk about this. A few things that I learned is that tomatoes like to be planted with basil and carrots, strawberries do NOT like to be planted with cabbage, beans like to be planted with celery and cucumbers, and garlic keeps the aphids away from roses... It also recommends planting herbs around your garden to keep away common garden pests. But, my advice to anyone who is gardening this year for the first time is to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! That is the only way you are going to have any success at all.

I am hoping to have a MUCH better garden this year, than last... though I did enjoy our tomatoes and squash, I would really like to have many more veggies than last year. However, one thing I have learned with all gardening is that you start small and work up to the garden of your dreams.... I don't know if I am starting small enough this year or not, but I have the will and determination to have a better garden than last year. My biggest thing this year is to keep up with those weeds, use the leaves, and lay newpaper down around my plants before the weeds take over.

So far, our expected crops are going to be strawberries (planted last year), blueberries (will plant this year in March), blackberries (growing wild), wineberries (like raspberries, growing wild), peaches (from the peach tree at the edge of the woods), herbs (from my herb garden planted last year) and hopefully many more fruits & veggies... like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, pumpkins, canteloupe, watermelon, onions, beets, several varieties of squash, potatoes, and the list goes on.

I have already ordered the seeds and they should be arriving any day now. I plan to start my tomatoes and peppers immediately upon receipt and any other veggie that can be started indoors. The secret to that is to have the soil stay at around 65 - 70 degrees, I learned that lesson last year when my seedlings didn't do so well. I also plan on starting several flowers indoors as well... now is the time!!! I probably could have started a bit earlier, but our home doesn't stay as warm because we use wood heat only which means that the only room that really stays warm is the kitchen. This is fine for us as we have learned to layer clothing, but seeds DO NOT like it AT ALL!!!

Okay, that's my spill on gardening...

OTHER HOME MATTERS....

As far as everything else, this week our dishwasher died. That sure was disappointing as I had loaded it, as always, and went to start it and nothing happened.

So this week I have washed dishes 3 to 4 times a day by hand... I do this because I know how many dishes we go through with each meal. If I wait till the end of the day to wash them, I will be there for 1 1/2 hours. So, I basically take 15-20 minutes after each meal to wash up the items we used for that meal and "WOW!" everything is done in about 30-35 minutes (that includes putting food away, clearing the table and washing the dishes). If I included the floor sweeping, too, we are now talking about 10-15 minutes longer as my boys are not as efficient at sweeping as I am yet.

So, the good news is that our dishes pretty much stay clean all the time and the kitchen looks nice most of the day... the bad news is that my arms and hands are covered in a rash that itches and burns due to my sensitivity to Ajax handwashing dish soap. Sorry, haven't gone to homemade soaps yet as that requires a trip to the store and time that I just don't have these days. Maybe someone can offer me a quick solution to making my own soap FAST.... and with what I have on hand, I don't know. I just do what I know and have known for years... you can teach this old dog new tricks, but it has to be dropped in my lap so that I can stop long enough to notice it!

Well, that's my update for now! I think that lunchtime is calling, as are my washers begging to be emptied so they can be filled again... haven't had much time lately to do laundry, wonder why that is??? ;OP

Blessings!
Heather

Have I told you how busy life is?

I'm sure that I have! This school year has been extremely challenging and busy!!!

As far as the pregnancy... things are going well!

I did get to see the baby at 14 weeks by ultrasound due to an unfortunate trip to the ER for bleeding in December, but everything looked good and the doctor really had no clue as to what happened. But our holiday season was extremely busy and I DID overdo it. I made dress-up princess outfits for my 5 little princesses (a "gift" from my MIL...she bought the fabric and I sewed up the outfits).

Just yesterday I delivered our homeschool portfolios to the Public School Superintendent... Boy! I never knew that making a portfolio of school work was so time consuming!!! But I did it and now I just have to wait to see if it is acceptable. I'll tell you what I did learn... ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS file things away so that the children cannot get into their schoolwork. I have a daughter who just loved going into her school folder and snatching things.

But I did come up with a system. I have one of those $20 paper organizers from Sam's Club that I stash the children's school work in now. For now, my daughter hasn't figured out that I have done this, but when she does I will have to put this filing system up higher than she can reach.

She was enamored with the fact that I was making a portfolio of her work and I had to be really firm with her that she was NOT going to get into it. She didn't, thankfully.

I am so thankful for all of your sweet comments lately! They just keep coming in from time to time and they make me smile! For those who are new readers... sorry I haven't dropped by yet, I just don't have the time, but eventually (hopefully) I will get the time.

We just cancelled our Satellite service, partly due to the addiction that our children have to the TV and partly due to the financial burden it places upon our family. I'm fine with it, it just means that I will be making more time for Bible reading, sewing, meal planning, and all those other things that I have intended to get to.

My brain is hurting from thoughts of gardening!!! I want to start tilling the ground NOW!!!! I am so itching to get outside and pull weeds and plan my garden for this year. Last year was sort of a flop, but that was due to my hesistancy to plant not knowing what the deer were going to eat. Now I know where to plant things and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET OUT THERE!!!! But much of the work will have to be done by my boys and hubby as I am not allowed to do the heavy work due to my last pregnancy with the early delivery.

Anywho, my time is up!

TTYL!!!
BLESSINGS!!!!
Heather

Gardening & Homeschooling

Sorry, Amity....the only thing I have to show for my garden this year is tomatoes...tried to post a picture, but blogger wasn't cooperating.

My tomato varieties are:
green zebra stripe tomatoes (heirloom), hillbilly tomatoes (heirloom red & orange tomato), celebrity, early girl, grape & Roma tomatoes....

Although I was digging up a section (a very large section) last week by hand and planting some other things that may not come up...we'll see. I also dug up another section of my "secret garden" by hand that I plan to plant peas, broccoli, cauliflower & cabbage in.

Then once Saturday gets here, or later today, I will be planting my mesclun (lettuces), spinach, carrots, beets & possibly peas in my herb garden (in the "secret garden").

And here it is....an official, trying to make it work, Daily School Schedule for 5 homeschooling children.

NOTE: In order for me to get ready for the day, I am rising at 5:30 a.m. every morning (except Saturday).

Daily School Schedule (times may vary)

Monday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; bicycles)

Tuesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Wednesday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ History / Social Studies (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; rules/team sports)

Thursday

¨ Bible (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:00 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Science (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Spelling (Write spelling words; 9:45-10:15 boys)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:45)

¨ P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime; free play)

Friday

¨ Bible/Music starting 2^nd wk (Proverb corresponding w/date; 8:00)

¨ Spelling Test (9:00-9:15 boys)

¨ Next Lesson in Math (9:15 – 9:45 boys; 9:45 – 10:15 girls)

¨ Art (Group Lesson—10:15 – 10:45)

¨ Penmanship (9:00 – 9:45 girls; 9:45 – 10:15 boys)

¨ English (10:45 – 11:15 older children; learning nouns & verbs with girls)

¨ Reading/Phonics (11:15 – 11:30)

¨ Health (starting 2^nd wk)/P.E. (11:30 – lunchtime; health lesson then endurance training)

Gardening on the Brain...

Well, I know that I haven't been around much lately...it will probably continue as I have gardening on the brain.

Let me explain...
As you saw in the last post, I have daffodils EVERYWHERE! I love having all of these flowers, but I am still working on my gardens. I am planning on planting tomatoes, green beans, peas, onions, potatoes, lavender, etc. etc. etc...

I have a much larger area to plant this year, BUT I also have deer EVERYWHERE!!! Although, I love the animal, I am not to fond of its appetite for my garden.

Just two weeks ago I planted my strawberry garden. The first few days went pretty well, and then it happened. I noticed that a few of strawberry plants had been eaten by our lovely deer...and then a few more, and a few more. SO just last night I took up my strawberry garden, every single plant...I guess I am going to have to plant it elsewhere.

Now I am worried about all of my garden as I have read that they will even eat tomatoes if they are hungry enough. And we have a pretty large herd of deer that live here. I remember just after moving my husband telling me that he counted 29 pairs of eyes late one evening...UGH!

So I am researching, and going to attempt to still have a garden.

Interestingly enough, this morning I found that baby powder sprinkled on tomato plants will keep them from eating them...I LIKE that solution!!! I ALWAYS have baby powder! So I will continue to research and if I find something interesting, I will let you know about it!

In the meantime, if you are wondering why I haven't posted, I am experiencing severe boughts of gardener's brain!

***NOTE: I DO have a walled in courtyard, but I was planning on making that my secret flower garden...however, due to the circumstances, it may end up being my secret vegetable garden...my herbs will probably be safe from the deer, but NOT my veggies!

TTYL!!!
Have a great week in the LORD!!!
Heather

Daffodils Anyone?

Daffodils are EVERYWHERE!!! No one told me that I was going to experience this kind of beauty at our new location!!! I am just amazed!!! Here are some pictures...by the way, I could pick a vase full of daffodils EVERYDAY and still not make a dent in them!!!

And I also have TONS of raspberry vines growing...here is a picture...the raspberry has a bristly, red stem with thorns, and jagged fuzzy green leaves that are white on the bottom. The bristles on the stem feel like a hairy chin!

That's all the time I have, it's movie night and we are getting ready to watch one of the episodes of the Waltons.

Have a great evening & weekend!

Blessings!

Heather

Show and Tell Friday: In the Clouds & In the Garden

Another first! I thought you might like to see the photos that I have taken of clouds lately and see the most recent photos of my flowers. So here goes:

If you would like to join us, go HERE!Enjoy!

Heather

Update!!!

I finished planting my garden today (with my dear hubby's help)!!! YEAH!!!

My green beans and cucumbers are planted (I already have 2 hills of cucumbers growing).

My sunflowers are coming up around my deck!!!

I am SOOOO excited. Just think, in 50 -52 days I will have tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and peppers to eat fresh from my garden! YEAH!!! I get antsy just thinking about it! I feel so blessed! God is sooo good!

What did I plant?

• cherry tomatoes (10 plants)
• Big Boy slicing tomatoes (7 plants...it was supposed to be a six pack, but one of the slots had two plants so I separated them)
• Burpless cucumber (2 hills, Tasty Green Hybrid)
• Pickling cucumber (2 hills, Burpee Pickler)
• Green beans (1 row, Burpee's Stringless Green Pod--bush type)
• Green beans (1 row, Brittle wax--yellow bean--bush type)
• 1 row of green & yellow beans that I mixed
• Sunflowers (Mammoth--Gigasol Gigante) These sunflowers are actually supposed to get 12 feet tall ( not six feet).

I have never grown sunflowers before (except as a child), and I am very anxious to see them grow tall!

All that is left to do now is to put newspapers and grass clippings around the green bean rows and cucumber hills and I will have a weed free garden this year!!! Yeah!!! I will try to post pictures once things are growing nicely and near maturity!

Blessings to you all!
Heather

The Beauty Around Me.

A storm threatening (from earlier this week).

The petunias next to the barn where my husband has his shop.

The swingset my husband built for us this week (in our back yard).

The rose next to our garage.

My Garden (I will be planting more cucumber hills and green beans today!)

Our Front Porch Climatus

This is just part of the beauty that surrounds me daily. Unfortunately several of the pictures did not turn out, therefore they did not get posted! Enjoy!

Blessings!
Heather