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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

My Green Thumb

This summer I had the privilege of experimenting with my first raised bed vegetable garden. It worked out so much better than my previous gardening attempt in WV!

Jeremy built me a lovely box.

And we scraped it out.

We did not anticipate how much soil and manure/compost would be needed to fill the box!

And then I added the plants.

And we waited and waited for them to grow.

I grew 4 Heirloom tomato plants, 4 Better Boy tomatoes, 2 jalapeno, 1 chile pepper, 1 yellow squash, 1 cucumber, and 5 bell pepper plants. Too many bell peppers! One of them was supposed to be a red bell, but they always stayed green. And the squash only flowered and eventually died without producing any fruit.

Stormy skies ahead! In July, we had several days of lovely rain.

My hot peppers did great. I had 2 jalapenos and 1 variety of chile pepper, unfortunately not pictured here.

First signs of strawberries. Unfortunately, those 4 plants did really poorly and I got almost no berries. Will skip next year.

The basil in my container garden does great.

Until recently, my cucumber plant did fabulously! Will definitely do again, maybe even two! However, they do need a trellis.

I had a bumper crop of tomatoes in July! However, as soon as the heat set in, they started getting these stripes on them where they busted open. Still tasted good though! The really ugly ones ended up in salsa or spaghetti sauce!

Next year, I want to do just as many tomatoes. I don't think you can have too many. Especially now that I know how to freeze them. The Better Boys grew huge and we recently had to stake and tie them up. Next year, I want to do some Beefsteak tomatoes as one of varieties. As of yesterday, I noticed that the Better Boys are finally producing again. Hopefully they will ripen before the first freeze. Next year I want to plant everything about mid-March, or as soon as we clear the last freeze. In the last month the bell peppers finally firmed and thickened and don't taste quite as bitter. They were pretty small and thin all summer. Sorry for all the notes to myself, just need to remember for next time!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Grandparents Galore!

We treasure our grandparent time! Not only was Noah able to visit both grandparents at their homes in Fort Smith and Paris over the summer, we also got in some quality time at our house.

Mamaw and Papaw visited August 2-6. We took them downtown to 6th Street after church at Austin Stone and peeked around a bit before doing lunch at Torchy's Trailer Park. The quintessential Austin experience. :)

We had BBQ at the Oasis on Lake Travis. Frog rides included.

And fro-yo.

We had Mimi staying with us for a total of 5 weeks over the summer while recovering from both hip replacement surgeries, and Papa was around during some of that time too. I mention this because she took the rest of the pictures on this post. :) Some Father's Day pool pics.

Daddy and Noah visiting the Leander fire station one day during our lunch break.

Cherry Limeade cupcakes are good, it seems.

Fun at the splashpad.

Sno cones while waiting at the train station to see the Metrorail arrive. Hey, it was cheap entertainment.

Yet another ride on the Cedar Rock Railroad.

Taking Mimi and Papa to ride the Zilker Zephyr.

Frequent stops were made by all at the Trailer Park this summer. :)

An Hourly Cry

Loved this post by my friend, Meghan. I love her and her sweet children. Had to share. It rings so true with my soul.

When the day’s plans fall to the wayside and I roam lost not knowing what to do with my children.

On the days when I wake up ready to tackle all that’s in store, and on the days when I breath a deep sigh, slightly anxious and weary to answer to the name, “Momma.”

When the slightest correction suddenly turns a little boy upside down and twisted up all on the insides, spiraling down an irrecoverable and ginormous meltdown that lasts twenty minutes.

For the times that I remain calm. For the times I think I’m on the verge of screaming at my child when his fit is not retractable. For the times the screams leave my mouth and the ringing of my hands in fury leave me and the child soul-mangled.

When there are the sweet hugs and goober kisses.

When the peanut butter, honey and yogurt hands meet the fridge. The table. Her face. Her hair. My clean shirt.

On day number five of 103 degree fevers when all I want to do is snuggle with her. But there’s a boy who bounces in between our walls. And as the day’s fun plans fall brittle to the floor I moan because I don’t know what to do with him.

The moments when the brother-sister love oozes. And when the need to separate the car seats even further becomes reality.

On those days, those every days, that my insides are torn between the something else’s I’d rather be doing, but knowing I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

When the words spew out like poison to Matt, and when my own heart is pierced by his frailty, too.

That friend’s text. How could she have known that’s just what I needed?

Recognizing that untruth quickly spoken in front of my child and passing up the moment to correct it. The hard knock of telling him that Momma lied, and bending low to show him I need to make it right.

On the days when the little helpers aren’t helping.

Memory-making moments of beater and spoon licking deliciousness.

When loved ones are pummeled by life. And when, after years, I see on my friend’s face the blanket of despair removed to reveal a lightened, brightened countenance.

On the days I wish my body and my self-discipline were oh, so different. The wishes I were different for her, the one born of me.

For the moments I lose my breath and choke on fear of all that may come my children’s ways. And for the times, the any times at any place I can escape to the throne of God on behalf of those children who are ultimately His.

When I’m tempted to compete instead of cooperate.

Ten years of marriage. With all of its joys and struggles, we’re still standing.

For the days of rhythm. And the days of chaos.

For each and every day. And the hours in between.

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

By Annie Hawks

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.