around here : august 8

We're growing:  Yellow Pear tomatoes.

Nasturtiums that surround our tomato plants.

 Giant Belgium Heirloom.

 Zucchini Elite.  It wasn't doing very well in one of our large ceramic pots, so we transplanted it into the area where we had our spinach.

 Celebrity

 I love basil.  I love the smell and I love this recipe that I have made several times over the summer.

 kale for making lots of green smoothies.

 carrots.

 Large Cherry tomatoes.

Matt planted a few of these flowers.  Can't remember what and it's possible it won't bloom this summer.  Maybe next summer.

And a garden wouldn't be complete without some kind of rodent.  The girls and I catch them in these no kill traps and then drive them a couple miles up the road to release them.  I'm sure P.E.T.A. would be so proud of us.

around here : may 20

 Enjoying the tiny buds that will hopefully turn into delicious strawberries.

 I've already made my first smoothie using our garden spinach.  Matt told me that we should thin it out but I don't have the heart to do it.  It's like aborting tiny spinach plants.  I know that sounds crazy but I literally think I would cry.

 We caged all 6 of our tomato plants and I can't wait to dismantle that extra wood that was used to make a makeshift green house.  there was once a tarp over that because at 4500 feet we were still having some pretty cold temps..

 Loving this gorgeous iris that is in full bloom.

 I think we're going to be eating broccoli very soon.

 Lots of flowers in bloom around here.

 And our front yard will have lots of poppies very soon.

 Loving these too.

 And soaking up lots of afternoon sunshine.

 Saying hello to our trailor that came home after having some major repair work done.  Really looking forward to our camping trip in August and having some just-for-fun-sleep-overs in it.

 I'm pretty sure by tomorrow these tulips will be open.

 Reading my first book Finding Me (a memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings) on my iPhone.  It's an awesome read and a book that's hard to put down.

Dropping off our ballots at our local library.

wednesday ramblings.

 She likes to... build makeshift cat toys out of sticks and grass.

 She likes to... encourage the cat to play with her makeshift cat toys and the cat is eager to try them out.

 She likes to... strip broken branches of their moss covered growth.

 She likes to... pout on the bench when she doesn't get her way.  She wanted to go to the Yogurt Hut (it's her favorite treat spot next to the Human Bean).  Mommy said it was getting to close to dinner.

 This is Mr. & Mrs. Martin's beautiful cat (McKenzie takes violin lessons from Mrs. Martin).  My girls love cats and always look forward to a little play time with this one.

 So very happy that the sun made an appearance yesterday.

 So very thankful for her love of music.

So very thankful for two girls even if they drive me crazy most days.

around here : april first.

Around here, it's been one of those weeks where we have been getting a variety of weather.  Periods of sun then rain.  Periods of snow and then some hail mixed in.  I'm anxiously awaiting warmer weather.  I'm ready to plant... plant... plant...  I'm also super excited for our second growing season in our garden.  Mr. M. built FOUR 5x8 raised beds last Spring that supplied us with a variety of veggies all Summer long.  For now, we have planted some strawberries and broccoli which will survive the colder temps. we have at our elevation.  Today I watched as Mr. M. planted seeds that will hopefully grow into baby carrots.  It hailed and was super cold but we will look back 52 days later and say it was totally worth.  I really enjoy the process of planting seeds and watching them grow into something our family can eat.

Around here, Mr. M. has been cutting and stacking fire wood for next Winter.

Around here, flowers have been planted and crossing my fingers that our deer don't find them.

Around here, I'm wearing these most comfortable shoes on my days off.  I highly recommend sizing down a whole size because they do run big and will stretch.  I normally wear a size 7 and I ordered a 6 and I'm so glad I did after reading the reviews.

Around here, I'm enjoying things that are just about to bloom.

Around here, I'm watching to see who takes residence in our bird houses.