My Grandpa Dankleff pointed out clouds just like this to me when I was little, saying that they indicated an unstable atomsphere. He was right–it hailed moments later that day. Yesterday, though, we just ended up with a few sprinkles.
21 May
Digging in
Nelson delivered three tons of dirt to fill our new garden Monday night. Bryan did the calculation to determine exactly how much dirt we needed–it was spot on.
Then, last night, we put in the bedding plants and seeds, with a little help.
We’re missing a specific heirloom tomato that I hope I can still find, and there was a very ominous package warning about not planting the muskmelons near cucumbers, which of course we had. Other than that, though, I think we’re done!
I read in Martha Stewart Living that the key to making container gardens look their best is to cram in three times as many plants as you think should fit. If only the same were true for vegetable gardens, we’d have great success.
21 May
First bites
Now that we’ve introduced rice cereal, oatmeal, avocados, green beans, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes and carrots, I thought it would be safe to sneak in something a little sweeter: Bananas!
The verdict was still out at first…
But by the end of the dish, she was bouncing with each bite.
19 May
First bites
Carrots!
…and potatoes…
Yeah, that’s right—two new foods at once. As my friend Lanis said, “That ‘one food at a time’ rule is just for your first baby.”
19 May
Overheard
Bec: Maybe the reason Olivia’s waking up so much at night again is because she’s going through a growth spurt.
Bry: Her whole life has been a growth spurt.
18 May
Sunday project
What is it about a gorgeous basket of strawberries that compels me to spend the afternoon in the kitchen?
Eight pounds of fruit, 21 cups of sugar and a few hours later, I have two dozen jars of strawberry jam. If I had any more time on my hands, this could be a dangerous hobby.
…
18 May
Garden update
Here’s the finished project, sans dirt, which will be delivered tomorrow.
We picked up five heirloom tomato plants, four peppers and about 10 different herbs from a couple of local nurseries today. We also bought seeds for zucchini, muskmelons, cucumbers and carrots. And, yes, Gramma, we will save a space for a Minnesota rhubarb plant.
The garden may already be too small!
17 May
A work in progress
Bryan’s friend Nelson recently started a landscaping business. He’s spending the day at our house putting in a raised-bed garden. They just got started about 30 minutes ago, but they’re making short work of this project.
We’ve missed having a garden the last two years. The sprinkler system makes adding one a difficult proposition, but the raised bed should mean that we won’t have to do much beyond working the top few inches of soil beneath the sod.
We watched how the trees affected the sunlight in this part of the yard last year, and it seems like this will be a good place–cool in the morning with full afternoon sun.
That’s the plan, anyway–time will tell!
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