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  • Strawberries – Wordless Wednesday

    Strawberries – Wordless Wednesday

    I looked out my kitchen window yesterday morning to see a little touch of red. Strawberries!
     
    Strawberries in bloom

     

    red strawberry
    I started with 3 strawberry plants, but only one survived our crazy weather, and then the  birds started pecking at them, so I didn’t think we’d get any berries. One day, if we have enough land, I want to grow a large field of strawberries. I’d share of course, if you’re really nice. I can do so much with strawberries!
     

    Do you have a Strawberry patch? Try one of these recipes to use your strawberries! 

    Strawberry-Mango-Popsicles Strawberry-Cheesecak-Shortcake Strawberry-ice-cream Strawberry-preserves

     

     

  • May After – The Yard

    May After – The Yard

    Well we did it, we got sod laid down in our backyard.  It’s so much nicer and easier to take the kids out back, or even just open the door and let them run.  I no longer have to worry that they’ll come in with dirt all over their heads, because let’s face it throwing dirt in the air is the funnest (hint of sarcasm here).
    Unfortunately you can tell we did this ourselves and on a limited budget.  We tried to flatten the ground as best we could, but it’s still pretty bumpy.  It’s also dieing in some spots, so we’ll be headed out for some grass feed this weekend to try and save it.  I think we’ll also need to readjust our sprinklers to make sure they reach this spot.
    On a happier note, Mark bought me flowers and tomato plants for mothers day. and they are looking good!
    The tomatos are starting to flower now too! I’m pretty excited for another good tomato year (so far they’re my most successful plant)

    The kids love the flowers too!

  • Gardening Compost

    I’ve seen that some of my friends, the lucky ones in warm climates, have begun their gardening. Since I don’t live in a very warm climate, and we had a late winter this year, I’ve resorted to just planning and dreaming about our garden this spring. I’ve got the space marked out I want to use, plans for Mark to build some raised square foot beds, and the veggies I want to grow.
    What I really want though is to be able to save more money, and waste less inside our home to help our garden grow. I’ve been thinking a lot about composting. I remember growing up my mom kept an old ice cream bucket under the sink where we scraped our plates. When it would get full we had to haul it out into the woods to out compost area. Besides being pretty stinky, it was so fun to see different things start sprouting in the compost from thrown out seeds – watermelon, cucumbers, and more. We periodically would catch a glimpse of some white tailed deer hanging out near the pile as well.

    The problem I’ve run into is that I no longer live in the middle of the woods. I’ve got neighbors that probably wouldn’t appreciate the stench from an outside compost dump. So I’m trying to find any laws, and ways I can successfully compost with neighbors. So far I’ve had no luck.  I did however find this CUTE compost bucket though

    You can purchase this particular compost bucket at The Foundary on sale through tomorrow. It’s 1.5 gallon square ceramic. It comes with charcoal filters, which I am assuming help with the smell.

    If you have any tips for composting please share!

    I’ve also come across this brilliant idea to recycle rain water.

    Why let all that rain go to waste, when I can save our water bill by using the rain to water my garden? Really it’s brilliant! 
    As much as I do love the winter, I’m ready for spring and gardening!

  • WW – Definitely NOT Okra

    Remember the Okra I planted? I was so excited because out of about 50 seeds, I only got one to grow. Well, turns out I got none. As you can see it is most definitely not Okra. The question now begs, where did this Sunflower come from?
  • Wordless Wednesday – Okra

    Wordless Wednesday – Okra

    Out of about 50 seeds, we got one Okra to grow.

    Supposedly (from my research) once it blooms we should see okra within 6 days! Whoohoo!
  • Wordless Wednesday – Gardening

    Wordless Wednesday – Gardening

    Mmm, Lettuce!
    Peas!

    Potatoes!

    Beautiful Flowers

    Lupine flower (flowers came up, but the rest of the plant died, interesting!)
  • Yard Work

    Yard Work

    We didn’t have a whole lot of time yesterday, but we managed to squeeze some yard work in.  Mark was at school until almost 5, and I had a Relief Society Meeting at 6:30 (come back Saturday for a great giveaway from that meeting!)
    So when Mark got home, he gave me a quick lesson in how to use the tiller. I headed to the back corner and started tilling, while he filled the wheelbarrow a couple times and brought the dirt to my tilled areas.  Wow, tilling is hard work, and your hands vibrate pretty good after you’re done. But I had lots of fun with it.  I love working in the outdoors, and getting such a big project accomplished!

    Mark and Princess V working the dirt.  See behind them in that corner. That’s where the dirt is headed, we just had to get rid of the weeds first.

    Oh yeah! Look at that. I had just finished all the tilling! It used to look like the patch in front of me there. We need to plant some grass in those dead areas.
    Eventually our plan is to build some outdoor living area in this back corner. Some nice stone flooring, with a rock wall, and raised garden beds around the whole thing.  In the meantime, I’m going to plant some pumpkins and okra here this year. Just need to finish moving the dirt!

  • Wordless Wednesday: What’s in the Garden revealed

    Wordless Wednesday: What’s in the Garden revealed

    mini purple hyacinths
    a pretty pink flower (girls picked at it before it bloomed though)
    and my new vegetable garden – lettuce, asparagus, potatoes, peas and eventually tomatos
  • 5 tips to Celebrate Earth Day

    5 tips to Celebrate Earth Day

    Hey everyone! Earth Day is this Friday!  What are you going to do?  Do you have any fun plans to celebrate this beautiful planet we live on?  Here’s some simple ideas from me –

    1. Plant a garden! This is what we’re doing this week.  I spent this morning putting in some lettuce, potatoes, and asparagus.  Later today or tomorrow, we’re putting in a blueberry bush, some carrots and peas.  A garden is a great way to teach your children about the earth and it’s benefit to our physical bodies.

    2. Take a walk through a park.  Admire and enjoy the beauty around you.  Listen to the birds.  There is nothing like a walk through some beautiful scenery with birds chirping in the background.  It’s nature’s music.

    3.  Plant a tree.  Our city is having a story time for preschool age kids, followed by helping them all plant a tree! As long as the weather holds up, we’ll be joining in this fun activity!

    4.  Recycle.  Don’t just throw it in the garbage.  Gather up all your recyclables and take it to your local recycling center.

    5. If weather doesn’t permit you to be outside enjoying this earth, head to the theaters to watch African Cats, Disney’s newest earth day movie.  A portion of your ticket purchase (opening week only) will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation!

    Last check out B Kind 2 Earth Day’s facebook page for more earth friendly tips and ideas!  
    B Kind 2 Earth Day
    I’d love to hear what you’re earth day plans are!!
  • Wordless Wednesday: What’s in the garden?

    Wordless Wednesday: What’s in the garden?

    It would appear I have a very large garden of green onions.  Or perhaps it’s a weed that looks like an onion? And is that an…Artichoke?  I’m wondering if maybe this area was a compost plot?