The Joy of Gardening!

This is a year of experimentation for me in the Garden.  I am trying to make the most of Oregon's unpredictable summers.  For the past 3 years I've hardly gotten any tomatoes when I've had surplus amounts in previous years.  This year I planted more cool weather crops so even though I'm low on Summer Squash, Cucumbers, and tomatoes, I am abundant in peas, lettuces, cabbage, bok choy, spinich, and swiss chard.  Even though this place only takes up a small portion of my yard I could still get lost here tending to my garden.  And for anyone who hasn't tried out their green thumb, I say do it!  It is so rewarding!  To see what it has grown from check out:  

http://familysellers.blogspot.com/p/in-garden.html

I put peppers and basil in pots next to the house to see if the house helps insulate and creates more heat. 

My peas are taller than Dustin and the carrots are wild.  I am going to move my Herbs to the yard so I have more room to plant other veggies next year.

My cabbage did amazing.  Since I took this picture medium size heads grew.  I did not cover them with cheese cloth, and was finding way too many eggs on the leaves so I harvested the heads earlier so the bugs could not get to them first.  Next I'll be making some sauerkraut!

And this is my cutest little gardening assistant.  She doesn't exactally help, but she does like to pick random things from the garden.  And I'll take all the help I can get at this point!

new to me!

The dining room... still a work in progress.  But what a great table!

The new wood floor and new appliances!

Used to have carpet in the Front Room, now its wood with  some new furniture  Ikea inspired!

My husband LOVES Ikea.... and now it is in both bathrooms!

The master bath also has a new all tile shower!

The new washer and dryer that is so wonderful.

Once Upon a time there was a Dad that went hunting and a Mom that started a load of laundry before she went to bed.  The mom was in bed by 9:30 but was woken suddenly around midnight to the sound of running water.  She ran to see what was going on and ran right into a puddle of water in her hallway. See previous post DeMoLiTiOn! Now nine months later she has a lot of wonderful new things to show for her stupidity.  It is like a new house! Insurance did cover this accident, and when your husband isn't working very much he has time to do the work so the money goes a whole lot farther!

We had to get all new flooring and in so doing, decided it was a good time to make some changes we'd been wanting to make for a long time.  Its like a whole new house and YES!  I did clean before pictures and NO, my house is not always this clean.  I am a real person!

Happy 37 Hubby!

 Dustin gets a little jipped every year on his birthday and Father's Day... they always fall at the same time.  So to make them both memorable we did Father's Day on Saturday and for Dustin's birthday I surprised him with a trip to the coast.  I sent him to work Monday morning, got rid of the kids, and then had his boss send him home.  He was delighted, and quickly went from feeling bad about not working to relaxing with his wife. 

Happy Birthday Dustin!  And here's to more vacations like these!

My boy is EIGHT!

The Birthday boy!

The CrAzY long straws I gave the kids for their drinks.

Such great fun for a buck and a half!

It was a good thing we were outside!

Preslee and Lucy!

My Lego Man Pinata!  

(mom of the year goes to....)

Me and my Man... Same pose every time!

The large pool of Legos.. yes we have that many.

Such fun!

Designed by Preslee.

And the cutest little straw sucker of all!

Carly Graduates!

Mom, Marisa, Carly, me!

We are very proud of Carly. 

She Graduated from High School with HONORS!

She's had a rough go the last couple years, but that is all over.

(fingers crossed)

She has been accepted at SOU with grants and scholarships.

Way to go Girl!

My mom and I drove to Medford Saturday morning, met Carly at a restaurant, attended the Graduation, found her in the crowd of people to Congratulate her, slept in the hotel, got up went to church with Carly at nine and drove home.  WHEW!  

It was all very fast but I'm so glad we were able to support her.

We love you CARLY!

Wish I would have taken more pictures!

the Rant.......

I'm trying to have a good attitude about the free movies no longer being free anymore.  

What is wrong with me?  I'm going to take more opportunities to do other fun things with the kiddos.  After all we have a GREAT theater room in our own house where we can watch countless free movies.  But its not the same.  

It is sorta like when the Zoo changed the $2 day to a $4 day.  

What a rip off! 

 (I laugh at myself as I say it)

No matter what... we'll have a good summer.  

There won't be any children telling me they are bored, oh no there won't!

Because I like a good adventure!

I am so wishing that Londyn was not in the stage of two who takes off her clothing at least three times a day and refuses to ride in a stroller or sling.  

She just wants to be one of the big kids and run free, 

only she does not have the maturity to know the limits for her own safety.  

And if I do decide to take my kids to the $1 movie.

You better believe that we are not seeing a movie we've already seen.  

And that is how it can be for a frugal, adventure seeking Mom who totally looks forward to having her kids all to herself this summer. 

Cheers!

Eat your Veggies!

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