Moving On

So much has been going on these days, I've not had time to sit down and blog about it.  If you look carefully at the family photo from Valentine's Day, you'll see a big stack of cardboard boxes behind us.  The rumors are true: we are moving. 

As you can imagine, I'm getting all kinds of help with the packing.

I've been reading with interest about those doing the Forty Bags in Forty Days project for Lent, because we have easily gotten rid of that much, plus all the things we're storing (so they're gone for now).  It is amazing how little need to get by, and how much extra we are used to having.  We're the type of people who tend to save things "in case we need them later for some project," and it's a relief to be rid of the usual guilt that comes from getting rid of things.

It's also fun to rediscover some old treasures.  Check out my late Great Aunt Nora's Mad Men-era clip-on earrings that Betsy is modeling.

It's a surreal place to be, not knowing where we're going.  We have ideas, we're doing research, and in some says we're enjoying the freedom that comes with possibility.

But it does seem strange not to be starting our garden. 

Some of us have fingers that itch to dig in the dirt.

On Having Enough

A few weeks ago, while we were wandering around a local greenhouse, Matthew and I made an impulse purchase. 

October Snow

 

 

Surprise!  We really did have snow, in Virginia, before Halloween.

Who knew that fall foliage would look so pretty in a show shower?

The last of the preschool marigolds.

Of course, Betsy wants to know when we'll have enough snow for sledding.

We Have Carrots!

Though they be but little, they are fiercely good.

Gardening With Grandma

Betsy and my mom, working together in Mom's garden.

Ten Loves (#10: Eating What We Grow)

In honor of the last ten days until (or somewhat soon after) graduation, ten things for which I am super thankful.

#1: Family
#2: Doodling
#3: The Farmers' Market
#4: Thursday Afternoon Playdates
#5: Graduation Bingo
#6: Party Preparation
#7: Discovering the Sweetness
#8: Sewing Together
#9: Playing Dress Up

#10: Eating What We Grow

A few months ago I wrote about our past attempts at container gardening, and the fruits of our labor (or lack thereof). I wrote how I hoped to beat last year's record harvest of three tomatoes.

Well, so far this year's tomato crop looks promising, but what we're really enjoying at the moment is lettuce. We may not have a whole garden full, but this little window box has been providing more than enough for side salads and sandwich toppings, with plenty left over for Abigail to snag and munch on while she "helps" me water the plants each morning. What a treat!

Preschool Marigolds

By Betsy, transcribed by Becca

I planted my marigolds at school. They were seeds and I planted them in a little plastic cup but then they grew out of it so we planted them into the black pot. The black pot is on our porch. Now they are starting to bloom. I love my marigolds because they started out not pretty and then they turned into different colors.

These Days

What's happening these days at the Silly Pepper home:

A girl in a purple princess dress is making sure the plants are all well watered and the cats are well loved.

A girl in a blue onesie is working hard on teething those top two canines, standing, and expressing her opinions.

We're slowly beginning to dig out from under the mountain of backlogged projects. Like the cabinet door painting project that I started in November 2009, before I was pregnant with said standing child.

We're enjoying eating the lettuce and herbs that we've grown in our garden, and thoughtfully adding more plants. We can only fit so many things in containers on the porch, and approximately one bazillion new tomato plants came up from seeds in the compost (remember my post about chopping up all those tomatoes last summer?). Vinca and chili peppers and peppermint followed us home from the farmers' market this week to join the melee.

We're adjusting to having Matthew home on evenings and weekends, and Betsy home all day every day. There are now family walks after dinner again, and mid-day trips to the pool. We're trying to figure out family time, couple time, and (gasp) alone time.

We're planning summer trips, especially one to Maine.

I'm pondering what to do with the Etsy shop, how much time I can give it now, and whether to change my focus.

Lots of fun things!

Basil

On particularly long and difficult days, I try to pick one small fun thing to accomplish. Today's sweet-smelling task:

plant the basil.

This is a Thai basil called Siam Queen. I planted Sweet Basil as well, for pesto and tomato sauce. While our veggies haven't done well on the patio, we've had pretty good results from the herbs. And as much as we love to cook, we really appreciate having fresh herbs a few steps from the kitchen.

I suppose I should wait a few days before starting to snip away, though, right?

A Little Gardening

We often play a game called When We Get a House, in which we name all kinds of things we'd have in our fantasy home. Things like a screened-in porch, and a basement where we can store our camping equipment, and an indoor pool with water slides. (What? We didn't say these were necessarily practical things.) But the one non-negotiable is that When We Get a House, we'll have a yard with space for a vegetable garden. We'd love to be able to grow enough to feed our family, share with others, and freeze and can for the winter.

For now, however, we'll continue to get creative with the container gardening on our patio. I've been doing some research about how to maximize space and encourage my little plants. My goal for the summer is to beat last year's crop of 3 tomatoes. This might seem like a small goal, but last year's was my best tomato crop ever. If nothing else, this will be an entertaining family project and learning experience.


As per recommendations in Square Foot Gardening, I'm starting with a new soil mix.

A teeny tiny carrot. I've never grown carrots before. We started them from seedlings at my mom's house.

The most important and most fun job of all.



Tired after a long evening of "helping" (gleefully crawling away to eat mulch).

Happy Birthday, Grandmommy

My maternal grandmother was born 90 years ago today. Although we lived hundreds of miles apart, and I was barely eleven years old when she died, she had a profound impact on my life. Never underestimate how much meaning and joy a grandparent can bring to a child. I'm so glad to have known her.


Today, in honor of her birthday, the girls and I planted pansies. My mom says they were my grandmother's favorite early spring flower.