kinderGARDEN update week 4 (which is actually week 3 I realized a week later)

I have so many great pictures that I have taken in the last couple of days, that I have like 2-4 blog posts I can do. But, since it's Thursday and that's kinderGARDEN post day, I'll put them on the back burner. Ok, so today's fun post at The Inadvertent Farmer is here, week 4. If you have been thinking about joining in the fun, it's not to late. Planting one thing or working on one project or a planting a full garden is all allowed. Matthew and I's salsa garden has been put to shame by this project. It's really cool. Even so, we are going to have tons of fun with our project anyway. We blogged about what we are planning here. And our practice run is here. So, now that we have that business out of the way, here is what we worked on today. We got 9 of the 13 types of seeds in yesterday. Today we potted up 5 of them and then ran out of soil. ARGH! I hate it when you are so excited about a project and run out of something you need to complete it. So tomorrow we'll buy more soil and try to pick up the pots Mom is donating.

Matthew planted all the seeds and did a very good careful job!

Today we found a kid sized wheelbarrow at Hobby Lobby. We got it and he loves it! He has been wheeling it all over the house. It's been filled with his jacket, a bouncy ball, his gardening tools, and sunglasses. He wanted to sleep with it and take it to daycare. That's a sure sign that it is a big success.

Raking the lettuce seeds slightly under.

I had totally forgotten that I bought a ton of seed markers 3 yrs ago. They are so perfect for marking our pots. Matthew decided to personalize some of them!

The fruits of our labors.

We don't have bee hives, but we have wild bees that love all our flowers. Maybe my Bug Lady can tell me what kind they are. She has cool posts about bugs at her site here. She promises me she has some fun identification blogs in the works. Maybe a little a shout out will help her to finish them and post them!

Another one hard at work.

Since we starting planting seeds, we just can't help ourselves. We plant seeds everywhere. My house is filling up with pots I can't set outside because of the 30-45 mile an hour wind, first of all.

Matthew caught me in the act of scattering marigold seeds. *photo taken by Matthew

And here is the second reason we can't have pots outside right now. He is fond of dumping them this spring. GRRR! He's a smooth criminal I tell you! He's no camel, but he's the closest thing I've got. (If you read The Inadvertent Farmer, you will understand that last comment.)

Come back tomorrow to see if we get the other 4 kinds planted. And hopefully I can start getting out some of my other pictures.

An alarm clock with rabbits

Obviously this isn't an alarm clock or rabbit, but I forgot to post it. Our tree was so happy this spring it did this. I think it's a mulberry in bloom. I was rather excited! It's never ever done a thing except grow green leaves.


Matthew is my alarm clock. He fairly consistently wakes me up every morning between 7 and 8. This is plenty early enough for me. So unless we have to be out of the house early, I don't use an alarm clock anymore. This morning my alarm clock crawled up on my bed with his tiger blanket and 2 of the 3 rabbits he has received for Easter. First a spider was coming and we had to hid under the covers. Then I got green rabbit (a fancy one with a bow around it's neck) and Matthew got brown rabbit (a cottontail with a kerchief). Brown rabbit went looking for food over the side of the bed to bring back to green rabbit. What do you suppose he found? Purple green beans. I was blown away and very pleased. He has really taken to the idea of thinking about new veggies. I can't wait for the seeds to come. We ordered ours from Bakers Creek, Seed Savers, and Select Seeds, all fabulous heirloom companies. I realized I'd put up links to the actual rules page for the kinderGARDENS contest, but not posts for week 1 and 2. If you'd like to read them here's week 1 and week 2.

Warm-up for planting the salsa garden

I've been planning on trying to plant Iran pumpkins again this summer. I think they are the most fascinating pumpkins I've ever seen and I've only been able to buy them once in the last 5 years. If I can get them to grow, I'm planning on saving the seeds! This is one thing we aren't going to grow in a pot, but we sure plan to start them there! Matthew was so excited to plant pumpkin seeds. He did most of the work.

Raking the soil.

Mixing the potting soil up.

Planting the seeds.

So proud of what he has done!

Watering the seeds. Matthew was so proud of what he did, that he had to check the pumpkins several times today. When his MaMaw came over he told her all about what he had done. This evening, while we were checking on the pumpkins, I had to explain to him that he couldn't dig them up because if he did, they'd never grow. We just have to wait. I think things are looking good for us being in the kinderGARDEN contest. If you have a child or know a child you'd like to garden with this summer, and want to join the contest, I don't think it's to late. Head on over to kinderGARDEN contest and sign up!

The neighbors and the salsa garden

Everyday steers crowd the fence to get their daily nose licking. Shoving and jockeying into better positions happens. So far the fence has been punished too much and hasn't fallen down. I've never seen a dog take his job as Chief Nose Licker more seriously.

One small boy tells the cows that that is HIS mommy. Yesterday he unzipped his jacket and proceeded to tell those steers about the train on his shirt. Then I heard him say, "That's enough." and zipped the jacket up. Lesson over.


The salsa garden has been finalized and over 3/4th of the seeds ordered. The official list is:
1. Ananas Noire/Black Pineapple Tomato
2. Black Plum Tomato
3. Cream Sausage Tomato
4. Lime Green Salad Tomato
5. Martino's Roma Tomato
6. True Black Brandywine Tomato
7. Cilantro
8. Fish Pepper
9. Yellow Borettana Onion
and for the Fun part of the garden:
10. Royalty Purple Pod
11. Forellenschluss Lettuce
12. Alexandria Alpine Strawberry
13. Nipple Fruit Eggplant

I'm so excited to get to planting. I've been taking stock of what pots I have in the garden shed. My mom is generously donating some pots that are cosmetically sad, but very durable for my purposes. I think I will be able to re-purpose enough pots and buckets that I won't have to buy any. Phil helped to decide which tomato varieties we would get. I told him he sounded excited and he said, "Of course, it's for my salsa!" I think he is eager to try some new tomatoes, homegrown at that, and see how it changes his recipe. Matthew helped me to re-pot a hibiscus that desperately needed a new pot. When we were done he took the old pot and announced, "My pot to plant in now." It's looking good for help with the salsa garden. I mean after all, it's really all about him learning and growing this garden.

And here is the Matthew funny for the day: As I was sipping coffee this morning, Matthew came up and announced, "I drink coffee." I said, "Little kids don't drink coffee." He countered, "I does!" And that's actually a true statement. He loves it. Not that he gets more then a sip, but he likes the way I drink it. Plenty of sugar and creamer. Actually my coffee just aspires to be coffee!

I WON!

Pink Kitten

Mom proposed the other day that we have a contest to see who's irises open first. (We ruled out the mini irises that are already blooming.) This little beauty has just won me a blizzard for opening today! What "sweet" success.

Week 2 of kinder GARDENS: Reveal garden plans

Are they coming up? Oh, I see them! (Looking at flower sprouts from the middle of March.)


This is a post that will reveal several things that many of you do not know are in the works.

1. I entered Matthew and I into a contest called kinder Gardens. We entered because I love Kim's, aka The Inadvertent Farmer, blog and I think it's a wonderful contest. I do not expect Matthew and I to win any of the cool prizes at the end of the summer, but it sure will be fun trying. As everyone knows I love to garden. I am trying to cultivate a love for gardening in Matthew. After all, when I die someone has to take care of all my plants!!! I think Matthew is starting to get it. He has been helping me pull weeds and tells the dogs to get off Mommy's plants or he says, "Mom, Scampie/Missy is on your plants." Or, "Mom, look." and is pointing to the offending pet. Atta boy Matthew!

2. We have planned our gardening plans around our family plans. So I'm here to announce that Matthew and I are moving from our little slice of country heaven (and all my flowers) to a house in town at the end of next month. Yes, I said it, in town. Somewhere I hoped to never be again, unless I was living in my beloved Phoenix. (At least there are flowers already there.) We had a opportunity to rent out our house, so with Phil still living in KC, we decided to go ahead and rent it out.

3. I don't think there is a 3 in this reveal (unless it's I finally learned how to hyperlink) so we'll move into our kinder GARDEN plans. Week 1 was to talk to your kids and come up with what you'd like to grow and make the plan. I sat Matthew down and we looked through one of our seed catalogs. I pointed out several veggies and asked if he would want to grow them. Every time I'd get, "Yes, but I not eat them. I no like them." Are you kidding me? We are considering growing veggies for the heck of it and not eating them??? I think not. The only plants he actually wanted to eat, or didn't specify as a no, was purple beans, nipple fruit (which isn't edible), and butternut squash. Matthew likes salsa and his dad loves making the family fresh salsa. I thought it would be fun to grow a salsa garden, with a couple other fun things like purple beans and nipple fruits. Matthew agrees this is fine and has since approved romaine lettuce. The list is something like this: tomatoes, cilantro, onions, peppers, romaine lettuce, nipple fruit, purple beans, and maybe an eggplant. Since we will be moving to town after we need to be planting our seeds and I don't want to tear up the lawn of the house in town, we'll be planting our garden in large pots. Probably 10 or less. Urban gardening here we come for better or worse!

Matthew and I

Yesterday the family was playing outside together and Phil got ahold of the camera and took pictures of Matthew and I playing. I don't know why it is that every time someone wants to take pictures of me I'm not wearing any makeup and I'm wearing clothes that are cleaning clothes. But there it is. That's the way it is. If I'm looking cute, the camera never comes out.

Chase me Mommy!

I'm going to get you Mommy!

I'm going to get you!

I gotcha and now Scampie boy is going to get you!

A human tunnel and Mommy is worn out.

Another weekend of no accidents. We've thrown more pullups away from falling apart then actually being soiled. I think we are about to be able to declare complete independence from diapers! Yea!!!!

Ummm, yeah... well...

Yeah, so you see spring is a time of new growth and renewal. It's a time of birth. If you know me well, you know I love all things baby and kids. So it is very understandable that the possibility of children coming would make me want to jump for joy and click my heels together. And who you ask, could possibly be pregnant? Well, let's run down the possibilities, shall we?

The only females on the place are: Me, Pandora cat, Isabel cat, and Missy dog.

Pandora, Isabel, and Missy are all fixed, so that takes them out of the running in a pretty definate way.

That leaves ME, and let me tell you, I'm 100% sure I'm NOT pregnant. So who in the whole is possibly pregnant?

Any guesses?

Any at all?




Are you ready for it? Can you handle the truth? Hehehe, ok here it is...







You see, Too Many is a girl. We have had a case of mistaken identity for awhile now.

I mean my first sign should have been all the washing.

And careful grooming Too Many does. She is as immaculate as if she lived in the house.

So, now that we know the truth, doesn't that look like a pretty bulging midsection to you? (Set to the tune of White Christmas) "I'm dreaming of orange kittens, just like the one that we own, where they learn to rat, and keep the barns free from vermin and keep them outta my car, I'm dreaming of orange kittens..."

Weekend fun

Our favorite neighbors are back and to give them the proper welcome, Scamp was going around licking noses last night.

Phil had his last reenlistment of his career.

We were proud to be able to attend.

Friday night we went bowling with some friends. Melissa and Matthew rode a "motor-bicycle" game while we were there.

He had such a great time!

Flowers and the weekend

It bloomed today! 4/12 is by far the earliest I've ever seen an iris bloom. 5/8 was the earliest date last year. Of course I didn't have this particular iris in the garden last year. Anyway, isn't it a beauty! It's such a dark purple it's almost black and has lovely bright blue beards.

My almost black hyacinth and pinkish tulip with my parrot tulips that are red! this year. Last year they were more of a yellow. You just never know do you?

Matthew and I journeyed up to visit Phil this weekend. Saturday we went to a bowling event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. I would have taken pictures, but I couldn't get my camera to work right, probably due to a low battery. So the pictures you see here on out, were taken Sunday at Auntie's house. Matthew (and all of us) had a ball. *Photo taken by Auntie

He was so excited to ride the yellow tricycle. *Photo taken by Auntie

Me sporting my new do. *Photo taken by Auntie

Auntie has the coolest kid sized bowling set that Matthew really enjoyed playing with. All I heard the night before was, "I want to play." And having to say over and over, "I'm sorry, only the big girls and boys are bowling tonight." got really old.

I love this action shot!


All weekend long Matthew pooped in the toilet! Yesterday, same story. Today, well, I guess 3 out of 5 isn't bad...after all going 5 times is rather alot. I'm guessing we are almost ready to give up pullups. Yesterday I threw away a pair because it'd been worn for 24 hrs and was literally starting to wear out. They aren't meant to stay dry of long and be pulled up and down so much.

Tonight, as I was digging nasty weeds out of my flower bed, a tractor went by. Matthew was thrilled, until Scamp decided to run down the road chasing it/running along aside it barking loudly. Matthew and I tried to call him back but after we lost sight of him, he disgustedly announced, "We need to get a new Scampie dog." I giggled to myself and decided that this quote would make the blog! Now before you feel too sorry for Scamp, just know that he came back a minute later and was received with open arms by the boy! And I continued digging nasty weeds.

An assortment of pics

While my family was celebrating Easter and enjoying being together, another family's heart was breaking as they lost their son, dad, brother, friend. A very generous guy I met last year died Easter Sunday at the young age of 41. My son doesn't take to many people right away, but he really liked Ed and asked him to hold him. And Ed in return taught Matthew to do knuckles, something he spontaneously does today. Here they are together. *Photo by Christy

Panner decided that she really likes having her toy basket empty.

The storm Tuesday's cloud from our house.

Not only did Auntie bring yard toys for my parents house, she brought a set for our house as well. And I think everyday Matthew has gotten them out of the garden shed to play with them. What a great gift!

As I was trying to make a detailed map of where every plant and bulb is in my flower bed, I was shocked to see an iris ready to bloom! I wasn't looking for iris to bloom till next month. I still have tulips blooming and daffodils!

Duc Van Tol Rose from 1700.

Grape hyacinths that are supposed to be all exploding and frilly, have I been duped or am I rushing them...stay tuned...

Phlox in my Mom's garden.

Matthew has been working really hard on toilet training. So much so, that he got me up in the middle of the night so that he could go potty. I remind him to go, but he is starting to know when he has to go himself. I love every time he announces, "I have to go potty!" and runs off to do it! He has had some toilet success with #2's and even went outside. We are down to 1 or 2 pullups a day. Another thing he is loving to do at the moment is sing the ABC's to anyone and everyone. And most of the time he's getting it right with no to few errors. And that's the way the world spins around Matthew!