June 26, 2013 Garden Tour

Audra and Trent Turn Two

My amazing son Tom and his beautiful wife Michelle are not only raising their own daughter..

But are also caring for another of my grand babies, Trent

 

Both babies are turning two, so Michelle pulled off a fabulous party and did so on a budget!

 

 

She even made a Mr. Grouper cake

 

 

Tom and Jeff took them for a spin on their new tricycles

 

I have some great kids!

 

Rain, rain, go away! My poor garden needs some sun.

Busy week!

Last week and this past weekend were extremely busy!  I think between the weather and my schedule I only got to spend one full day in the garden-- and there's still so much to be done before the really hot weather sets in---if it ever does. 

When my kids were young I used to fantasize about all of the free time I would have when they grew up.  Boy, was I wrong!   Between caring for my grand children and my home, my garden and participating in community and church events I now have less time than when my kids were small. I also have less energy!

 

Last Monday was Nevaeh's final swimming lesson and she passed with flying colors.  We feel that swimming while we're on vacation won't be an issue now.

 

 

 

 

Later that night, we went to an art show at the Savin Rock Conference Center because Nevaeh had a drawing featured there.  She was so proud!  That's her piece in the upper left-hand corner.

 

 

Wednesday was Nevaeh's final gymnastics class before the year-end exhibition on Saturday.

 

 

On Thursday, we cared for the babies and also kept them overnight on Friday.

 

 

 

On Saturday we took Nevaeh to her gymnastics exhibition----The Big Big Show, as it was called.   The kids were adorable and Nevaeh was very proud of her progress and achievements.

 

A busy week for Grandma and Grandpa but we wouldn't have it any other way!

 

 

 

 

 



First Garden Tour ~ May 2013

The Evolution of our Garden

 

Our backyard gate with morning glories. 2011

 

 

When we first bought this house, one of the things I LOVED, (and still do) is the fact that it's a corner lot.  I have always loved the look of an English Cottage style garden.  My original "vision"  was to combine an English Cottage style garden with plantings that support native birds and wildlife.  It was also important to me to have indigenous flowers and shrubs.

 

I looked at the house and its corner lot and could "see" beautiful gardens and winding paths that wrapped around the corner, roses and other "climbers" growing up unique supports, some veggies and herbs tucked into the garden here and there, some small flowering trees and perhaps some fruit trees.

 

I've tried to make this vision a reality for over ten years and recently came to terms with the fact that poor soil and an invasive weed problem, as well as other issues, make such a garden impossible to achieve and overwhelming to try to maintain.  (I'll describe some of the issues we've had on this property in future posts, in case it may help someone else).

 

Other motivators for changing my approach to gardening include the price and quality of store-bought produce and a rekindled interest in canning and preserving my own food----just  as my grand mother did.

 

 

 



To make a long story short, this year, we sought help and advice with the invasive weed problem, installed raised beds and changed the overall focus of our garden to eatables---we do still have  a goodly amount of flowers though---as we want to feed the soul as well.

We also kept a wildlife area--we just made it a little smaller.  I often get great photos of birds which I will be sure and post here.

This  blog and our you tube videos will chronicle the evolution of our garden from this point on, provide instructions for preserving food and preparing our favorite recipes and to offer support for anyone else who lives in a suburban setting and is committed to growing as much of their own food as possible