Ladybug Larva

Check out the ladybug life-cycle going on in our other garden.

We know that the bad bugs have to be allowed some leeway in the garden in order for the good bugs to have plenty of reasons to stop and dine ....

...we are very good hosts :)

Peanuts

We are growing peanuts; yet another underground plant for our parkway (we trust no one:)

We planted these Virginia peanuts about a month ago. They are supposed to like dry, hot climates and long summers (check, check and check). It was funny opening the seed packet and finding that the seeds were pretty much what we eat at ball games ...minus the salt. Maybe next season we'll be munching home-grown peanuts at Monarch stadium. I guess I'll have to learn how to roast them.

Chickens can Fly

Or at least hop!

Our girls have been escaping into the yard pretty much every day, which would be fine except they keep eating... EVERYTHING - grass, veggies, flowers....everything!

So far, I have to replant an entire plot of beans and zuchinni,

and had to put wire mesh around all the tomatoes.

( and they dig...alot! )

Family Gardening

My wonderful sister was down with her husband and son this weekend...

...so we had to show off our sharecropping garden.

I think they were impressed.

And our brother Robert joined in the fun (ha ha) by spending his entire Saturday (and some of Monday) installing the automatic sprinkler system (he hooked it up to the drip system I put in last week). I can't tell you how nice it will be to not have to worry about watering once the (really) hot weather begins.

Happy Father's Day!

I'm so glad that you are the father of my children, you are the best...

...and the best husband...and the best friend I've ever had.

Thank-you Dear.

ps. we have very white children :)

Quote for the Day

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.

-Abraham Lincoln

Thanks to my sis for sending me to this blog...

...right when I needed it.

Happy Mothers Day

Ok, this is actually from last Mothers day but I love this shot of our beautiful daughter and her equally beautiful grandmother. Haven't written much about my Mom lately, tho she is constantly on my mind. She has been in the hospital several times in the last month (actually spent Mothers day waiting for surgery) but next week she gets out of rehab...yea! She will be staying with my sister (aka Wonder-Nurse) for the summer and possibly beyond, relaxing on their deck overlooking wooded acres with Mt. Shasta in the background.

Can't imagine giving up summer in the valley (aka hell)

but to each his own :)

ps. I know it's the best possible place for her to be,

but we're sure going to miss her.

Eek!

Even the baby hornworms are creepy (he's about an inch long)....but tasty to the chickens!

To whom it may concern......

This is a blog, my blog. It's mostly a garden/lifestyle blog but it's also a personal place where I will continue to occasionally post about issues that I am struggling with, decisions that need to be made, fears that I have, doubts about my inadequacies. Hopefully, thru venting and getting wise council (from my loyal readers....all 3 of them:) I will learn and grow and change and ultimately work thru some of my crap so that I can become a better person. If you find it uncomfortable to read....please refrain from visiting.

....and thanks Jean for this post. I will be re-reading it....ALOT.

This'll teach me....

...to make fun of my kids name choices. Our little Cash Avery is NOT a her after all. HE is most definitely a rooster (5am crowing kind of gave it away:)

ps. 5am....12noon....3pm....4:45...he pretty much crows ALL day long; neighbors are forming posses as we speak.

Yippee Yahoo!

We got a letter AND a phone call from Sam today.  He arrived safely at Fort Benning and he's bored silly (they're still in the 'processing' phase - training starts Friday) and exhausted (apparantly they get them up at 3:30am to sit around and do nothing) but eating well (lasagne twice already!)

For now, I am at peace :)