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I'm picking Craig up at the airport at 1, and am trying to get the yard and garden in good shape before that. I'm excited to see him, but almost that excited for him to see how much the garden has changed in a week!
Everything is looking wonderful out there. Green beans and cucumbers about an inch tall, corn about 2. The plants put out there from the greenhouse are thriving, and the weather is cooperating nicely. I spend a lot of time out there, which is all that keeps me from going crazy.
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers regarding our current situation with taking care of Craig's mom. I really shouldn't whine! It's really only a small bump when I look at the big picture. I have a wonderful life, beautiful children, and an amazing husband. It's easy to let the challenges we face overshadow those things, but I'm going to try not to in the future.
Here's to focusing on the GOOD things - which are too many to name.
Gay Lynn
It seems as though planting early paid off this year. Everything is now up, and there is still no frost in the 10-day. We would normally not plant until June 1, but this year is warming up more quickly than usual.
The cukes and green beans are coming up, as well as 4 kinds of squash. This year I planted a new variety. It looks like the white scalloped squash, but is deep gold in color. If anyone's planted those, I would love to hear how they turned out, and if they tasted good!
The greenhouse is almost empty now. I have given away many plants and seedlings! I still have about 15 tomato plants and 6-10 of each kind of pepper. It's pretty bare, but the lemon tree is still there. Now I'm going to plant flowers - not something I've done a lot - and see how that goes.
Craig is coming home for a few days tomorrow. I suppose we'll spend a fair amount of time talking about our options regarding what to do about taking care of his mother. It seems there are no perfect solutions, but the most important thing is that she is comfortable and as happy as possible. That means she'll remain in her own home and we'll most likely moving there. Then there's our house and what to do with it. Ugh. Thank goodness I have the therapy of the yard and garden to keep me sane. If we move out there, I suppose I'll end up digging in her dirt as well!
Have a good day!
Gay Lynn
The yard and gardens are finally looking like they should! Always there is more to do, but for now I'm happy. Looking back at those terrible early spring pictures makes me feel quite accomplished!
Craig is in California, and we're trying to figure out how to proceed. His mom is up and down, but I think we're to a point where she can't be left alone. I keep thinking I'll just pack up and move out there, but leaving the house, yard, gardens, etc. isn't quite that simple. I've put feelers out for someone to stay here temporarily to take care of everything, but so far no luck.
A few pics below of the yard and gardens, and Thor and The Dude. Happy Gardening!
Gay Lynn
It's been a BUSY few days! Craig got home (yay!) on Thursday, and we've been working in the yard and garden ever since. It goes so much faster with a second pair of hands. Not to mention a little brawn!!!
We got the whole garden in. It's early for 6000 feet elevation, but the weather is gorgeous and the 10-day shows nothing below 42. So we went for it. We have:
I think that's it other than the herbs and strawberries. We've had a great time! He'll be going back to California on Thursday. :(
I'll be posting pics in the next couple of days.
Gay Lynn
Craig is coming home today! He'll be here until Tuesday. I'm so excited, but I'm about killing myself working in the yard - I want everything to be in good shape when he gets here. I don't want him to come home and have to mow the lawn!
There is a lot that needs to be done in the greenhouse, and I think we'll get the garden planted when he's here. We love working on this kind of stuff together, so I know we'll enjoy the next few days. I think it's going to be a long haul with his mom. Craig's brother, who was all about "trading time" got 2 new puppies this week, so he can't leave them. DUH. Anyway, it will come down to Craig and me figuring out how we're going to take care of her. We'll do the best we can for as long as we can.
Take care!
Gay Lynn
It's sunny and looks beautiful outside, but the wind is whipping like crazy. And it's COLD! I have an audition call-back at noon and then I'll head to my friend Kelly's house. I'm helping her with a garden. She's tried a few years now and can't get anything to grow. It's going very well so far!
Craig is hoping to come home at least for the weekend. I'm afraid the next months or years could be tough. His mom is to a point where she can't be left alone. Craig and his brother, who also lives here in Utah, agree that they don't want her in a nursing home, etc. I agree as well, but it means Craig and I will either have to move out there for a while or commute. There are a lot of things to consider. It's a little overwhelming right now.
It's supposed to warm up considerably this weekend (although it's been nice until today) so I hope to get all the seeds planted in the garden. Plants will go in around the first of June. They are still in the greenhouse, crying to go out and play!!!
Have a wonderful day, and enjoy those wonderful gardens.
Gay Lynn
After having a 40-ft tall pine tree cut down because of disease, a very large stump was left. The tree guys quoted $280 to have the stump ground out, but I passed. That sounded really high to me. Anyway, a neihbor had some stump work done and gave me a lead. Are you ready for this? I had this one large stump and 32 others around the yard - that's after we've pulled out SEVERAL ourselves. So this guy charged me $350 for ALL of them!! WOO HOO! Craig doesn't know, and will be VERY PLEASANTLY surprised when he gets home. They did an an hour and a half what would have taken us YEARS if we ever got them done at all.
Sorry for rambling on about such a boring subject, but I'm pretty ecstatic right now!!
Other than that I got some herbs moved to the outdoors, as well as a couple of squash plants. I sprayed for wasps, transplanted about 20 seedlings, mowed the lawn, and watered the back yard. Whew! I'm tired. There is still more to do, though, so I should get on with it! It's 70 degrees out there! Yippie!
Gay Lynn
To all of you who are moms, have a great day!
My daughter is coming up this afternoon. We're going to have lunch and watch a movie or two. She's the only one of my kids that still lives in Utah.
The weather is gorgeous, so I'll try to get out into the garden later on. I sure miss having Craig here. I did talk to his mom this morning and she seems to be feeling a little better.
I thought I'd post a picture of all my kids.... It's 2 years old, but they look the same. Makenzi was all dressed up for Prom, and her scraggly brothers posed with her. Left to right - Dan, Makenzi, Kyle, and Josh. The dog is "The Dude".
Have a great day!
Gay Lynn
So last night I went to stay with my friend Jen because Craig is back in California with his mom. Weather.com predicted 38 as the low so I didn't cover the tomatoes. According to my dead tomato plants and my thermometer, it got down to 27 last night!!! Dang. I knew it. Thank goodness I still have over 100 tomato plants in the greenhouse! I'll be in mourning in case anyone asks.
The strawberries are finally blooming. I am going to cover them with chicken wire this year so the birds don't get them! Remind me to tell you a great secret about making freezer jam!
Later!
Gay Lynn
I covered the tomatoes last night, but didn't really need to. The temp only got down to 39. I uncovered them this morning, and wished Craig was here! That's his job! He is in California with his mom, who needs him more than I do, though. Guess I shouldn't complain! Perhaps I'm a bit spoiled......
There are hundreds of wildflowers coming up in the bed we dug out and cleaned up. I threw in all kinds, so I can't wait to see what they look like. It's one of the things I love most about any kind of gardening - watching and waiting - usually quite impatiently - for the results! I'm not a patient person, so the anticipation almost kills me sometimes!!! But that makes it all the more fun and exciting. Geez, I must be getting old.
This afternoon I have an audition for a small part in a movie. Cross your fingers for me!
The photo below is my little next-door neighbor, Alexis. She chatters to us while we work outside, and is the cutest thing. The other day I happened to have my camera handy and snapped this pic. Thought you might like it.
Happy planting!
Gay Lynn
It's been a great couple of weeks, but I'm so glad to be home. I worried about the gardens and greenhouse, but came home to find them thriving.
I put 14 tomato plants in the ground yesterday. I know it's probably too early, but Craig and I devised a cover for them in case it freezes (and it will!) in the next few weeks. They were getting too big for their pots, so I took a chance.
The bulbs are in bloom .....
And the greenhouse is overflowing....
Life is GOOD!
Hope you are all doing well - I missed you!
Gay Lynn
I'm heading out to Oklahoma today, then to Arizona. I'm taking my laptop but not sure how often I'll be able to crank it up. So don't call the PoPo if I'm MIA for a bit!
If you want a good chuckle, check out my YouTube debut!
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=1ZM57jX2gdE
I'll be in touch sooner or later!
Gay Lynn
We were finally able to get some good dirt delivered for the new garden beds as well as the wildflower bed. I got the wildflower bed leveled and threw in a bunch of seeds that will hopefully sprout and be beautiful!!
We also picked up the wood for the raised beds. Those should be done in a couple of days, then we can add the dirt. I planted onions (grown from seed) in the old section of the garden. Busy day!
Happy planting!
Gay Lynn
The tomatoes are thriving...
Brussels Sprouts are in the ground...
Craig and the dogs (Thor and The Dude)
Our chatty, adorable neighbor, who keeps us company as we work....
And me -
More pics in my photo section. Have a great day!
Gay Lynn
Craig made it home from California Friday night, just in time for the gorgeous weather. We've been out in the yard for two days! We have made some major progress. With a big load of dirt being delivered today there will be even more to keep us going.
The wildflower bed is still in progress. We'll be adding dird and compost today, and planting all manner of wildflower seeds. The poppies that have come back each year are already a few inches tall.
I moved 9 brussels sprout plants from the greenhouse to the garden. I've never grown them before, so it should be fun. We had a frost last night (down to 28 degrees) but they are perky and happy this morning. The sun is shining and it's a balmy 46. I'll be moving onions out in the next day or two as well.
I've also decided to move the herbs to the half whiskey barrels. I want to use the bed they're in for cucumbers, and since I'll be pickeling this year, I'll need a lot of room.
I'll be uploading more pics, probably tomorrow.
SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDER MAKES ME HAPPY!
Gay Lynn
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