First Harvest

Okay...so it's not really a full-blown harvest, but it IS something! These fine specimens came from the perfect soil garden. The top on the carrot looked a lot bigger than it actually was...poor little guy! He sure tasted good! I know the zucchini isn't that big, either. But, I think I like them small and tasty? I do know from experience that they seem to lose flavor and good texture if they get too big. So...the question of the day is...what is the best size to pick zucchini? And while we're at it...how do you know if a carrot is ready to be plucked? I'm counting on all of you expert gardners to weigh in on these questions! Don't let me down!

Garden Update

Well, it's been two months (exactly) since I planted my little perfect soil garden. I've only had to plant the pumpkins three times...we finally got three little plants last week. Hopefully we will have pumpkins for Halloween. Here are the pictures of my garden today. The tomato is trying to take over the entire place...

Carrots, Onions, Tomato

The boys' garden is growing...some...I'm not sure what happened to the middle parts? I think the watermelon may have gotten a little parched the last few days. When Mom delegates the watering, sometimes water is conserved because the waterer is lazy, mostly. I might note here that I have been doing the majority of the watering and all of the weeding in all gardens.

While the perfect soil garden looks much prettier than the others, I believe that Jeremiah's will be the first to yield fruit. This little lovely has been growing for weeks now. We can't wait until he and his brother are ripe!

Now, for the family garden...

For reasons we are not exactly sure about, this little garden seems to be growing the best and the fastest. Remember, the two manure gardens are 10 days behind the perfect soil garden. Although I am not entirely sure what all of these plants are (note to self: mark planting areas next year with little signs indicating what has been planted), I am pretty sure they are not weeds. Please tell me if I'm wrong in identifying these...and let me know if you know what the last one is?

Pumpkin...? Maybe we WILL have pumpkins for Halloween?

Squash...of this I am sure.

Some kind of flower (yes, I planted flowers...that's what you're supposed to do, so your garden is lovely and it makes you want to go out and tend it). I think that little bundle in the middle is going to bloom soon...?

I am not entirely sure that this is not a weed...but, I am hoping that it is maybe broccoli? If it is, it will be the only broccoli plant of like 20 seeds that I planted that actually grew.

I always say that the prophet said to PLANT a garden...he never said anything about the HARVEST... Well, we planted, and I think we will be blessed to have a little harvest, too!

I am posting a new poll. This time, I will put all three gardens on. You are voting on which garden will grow the best and produce the most. I'm not sure how we'll judge growing the best, but I plan to tally the harvest and divide by the square feet used to grow to determine which one produces the most. Since I've basically taken over the care of all three, the outcome is just fun for me. Of course, if Jeremiah's manure and mulch produces more than the perfect soil...even though I'm sure it has everything to do with my weeding and watering and replanting where nothing grew in the first place...I know I'll never hear the end of it!

Happy Birthday, America!

A few days before the 4th, Jeron exclaimed, "I can't wait for just a couple more days! Then I'll have a bag full of candy!" Having absolutely no idea what he was talking about, I inquired. His response, "Well, it's the Fourth of July, and we'll go to the parade in Fallon, and they always throw out a lot of candy there!" We had no plans for the 4th, so we made a little boy's wish come true. We headed to Fallon for the parade, lunch with Holly, Arva & Ron, a movie, and the fireworks. Jeremiah worked a bike ride in there...he always does...and it was a lovely day!

Davis: Can't believe that people actually throw candy out of cars at anxiously waiting children in the road. He can move those strong little legs when he's motivated!

Jadee: Miss Sassy Pants, casting a sideways glance, this candy is delish!

Jeron: Really, Mom, I have way more important things to attend to than having you take another picture of me.

Kim had a front row seat. We were so glad to have friends to be with at the parade!

Sorting candy...always working a little academics into our summer fun.

Jeron sorted then had to categorize because his mother would only let him have a few bags, rather than the 10 or so he wanted. The "chewy" candy is in the bag on his lap. Seriously, folks, the parades in Fallon are almost as good as Halloween!
Reno cancelled fireworks for budget reasons (as well as all of our water toys at the parks )0:). We were glad that Fallon still put on a great show.
Waiting and watching...

Little stargazer...

We are so grateful that we have the freedom to spend our days as we desire. We are especially grateful to the men and women of the armed forces and their families for the sacrifices they make every day to defend that freedom. Freedom isn't free. Some pay a lot higher price than most of us. Our deepest, heartfelt thanks goes out to them on this Independence Day. Let Freedom Ring!

It's Official!

Although they had already planned, set a date, picked a temple and purchased airline tickets for kids and grandkids...the official proposal came on July 2 at the Reno Temple. Dad and Patti will be sealed for time in the Columbus, Ohio temple on September 19, 2009. They graciously allowed me to take a few "engagement" pictures on Friday, July 3 at Rancho San Rafael Park here in Reno. They are a lovely couple and we are so excited for them (and for us!) Patti is a remarkable person and we are happy to include her in our crazy family...we're glad she's willing to be part of us! Congratulations!

The ring.

I also got to take some great head shots of Holly while we were at the park.