It's a little scary how much I look like my mom in this picture, smile and all. But the real reason I put it up is to show off my new sling Briana made for me! I was sad that my old sling (which saw lots of fond use with Easton, Kiana, and Tyrell) simply got worn out and I was afraid Tyrell would fall through one of the holes in the fabric, but I love this new sling, too, and so does Tyrell!
He's perfectly content hitching a ride close to mama, and it leaves my hands a little more free to work, including working in the garden. It also helps distribute his weight as my arms get really tired from carrying him--he is growing so much and is already 10 months old.
He loves his mama so very much--it's a reciprocal love, I must say.
Planting the gardens is such a fun family activity. It takes at least twice as long, of course, as if Alan and I would just do it ourselves. But it's good for the kids to learn how to garden, to learn to appreciate that God gives us food, and to observe how plants grow. Besides that, the kids think it's great fun and love playing in the dirt!
My herb garden is already in full swing. We've been harvesting mint, sage, chives and oregano for some time. We transplanted the rosemary and thyme that I had brought in the house for the winter and bought more basil, parsley and cilantro. My cilantro didn't do well last summer, so I'm hoping it makes it this summer. (Think salsa and guacamole!)
This wet weather has been hard on my basil already. It is craving a week of heat and sunshine. As much as I prefer highs in the 70s, I also love pesto, so I'm grudgingly hoping for a week of sunny 80s.
A couple years ago I shared an idea with Alan to build a no-till, raised bed garden with 18 inches of manure and hay or straw. It was a lot of work at the time, but it has paid off this year. He didn't have to till at all and the dirt is rich and simply beautiful and incredibly easy to work.
We have broccoli, onions, peas, carrots, sweet corn, garlic, cucumbers, green beans, peppers and tomatoes planted and we're looking forward to a bountiful harvest and food preservation in a couple months. This method of gardening also cuts down on the weeds, which makes Briana and Destry happy!
Finally, we have two new mule colts: Annabelle is the lighter one and Clyde is darker.
My husband, with his "idea a minute" is looking forward to having a matched team. Clyde is the young male. . .
while Bonny is the two-year-old mule and other half. Yep, Bonny and Clyde, just like a team of mules my Grandad had! I can't help but grin at the mental picture of my little ones riding in a cart pulled by this pair in just a few years.
He's perfectly content hitching a ride close to mama, and it leaves my hands a little more free to work, including working in the garden. It also helps distribute his weight as my arms get really tired from carrying him--he is growing so much and is already 10 months old.
He loves his mama so very much--it's a reciprocal love, I must say.
Planting the gardens is such a fun family activity. It takes at least twice as long, of course, as if Alan and I would just do it ourselves. But it's good for the kids to learn how to garden, to learn to appreciate that God gives us food, and to observe how plants grow. Besides that, the kids think it's great fun and love playing in the dirt!
My herb garden is already in full swing. We've been harvesting mint, sage, chives and oregano for some time. We transplanted the rosemary and thyme that I had brought in the house for the winter and bought more basil, parsley and cilantro. My cilantro didn't do well last summer, so I'm hoping it makes it this summer. (Think salsa and guacamole!) 
This wet weather has been hard on my basil already. It is craving a week of heat and sunshine. As much as I prefer highs in the 70s, I also love pesto, so I'm grudgingly hoping for a week of sunny 80s.
A couple years ago I shared an idea with Alan to build a no-till, raised bed garden with 18 inches of manure and hay or straw. It was a lot of work at the time, but it has paid off this year. He didn't have to till at all and the dirt is rich and simply beautiful and incredibly easy to work.
We have broccoli, onions, peas, carrots, sweet corn, garlic, cucumbers, green beans, peppers and tomatoes planted and we're looking forward to a bountiful harvest and food preservation in a couple months. This method of gardening also cuts down on the weeds, which makes Briana and Destry happy!
Finally, we have two new mule colts: Annabelle is the lighter one and Clyde is darker.
My husband, with his "idea a minute" is looking forward to having a matched team. Clyde is the young male. . .
while Bonny is the two-year-old mule and other half. Yep, Bonny and Clyde, just like a team of mules my Grandad had! I can't help but grin at the mental picture of my little ones riding in a cart pulled by this pair in just a few years.
