And Summer has Only Begun...

June is almost gone, and it went by in a blur. Life has been busy with farm and garden activity, and other summer fun.

Last week Nolan and Lydia went to 4-H day camp for four days. For me it was kind of like sending them off to their first day of school. Bittersweet. I was a little nervous for Nolan, but thankfully he and Lydia were in the same group. He had a great time. They both did.

I asked Nolan what was the best part of camp. His answer, "Swimming."

"What besides swimming did you like."

"Swimming."

Apparently he really liked the swimming.

That Friday Jake and Delilah came down for the weekend, and to drop Jude off for a week long stay. Ashley, Miles, and their aunt (who is their age) came down for two weeks.

Monday morning we dropped Kellen and Miles off for five days of 4-H overnight camp. This was Kellen's first time for overnight camp. Again, bittersweet for mom. I was very excited for him to go, until a few days before he left. At that time I had a slight panic attack, and wondered what they heck I was doing sending him off to stay with strangers for five days. He was undaunted, and very excited. I can't wait to pick him up tomorrow morning, and to hear all about his week. He'll probably only want to talk about swimming.

Of course we aren't just sitting around while the boys are at camp. My mom is on vacation and there are more grandchildren here than normal. Tuesday she took them all to the library and the spray park. Yesterday, we took them rock climbing. Today for swimming, paddles boats, and play at a nearby water park. Tomorrow we pick up the boys, and rest (and do laundry, and get ready for the next week of activities.)

Saturday my parents will be heading to Ohio with Miles, Ashely and Micah to take Jude home. Jeff and Gail will be coming here and leaving for Ohio on Sunday with Kellen, Lydia, and Nolan for a week. I will be working all weekend. Are you following all this? Because my head is spinning.

While the three oldest are involved in countless fun activities and being spoiled rotten by their grandparents, Tim and I will be taking Vivian for a three day camping trip. And hopefully finding some peace, quiet, and rest. On the Fourth the kids will be back. That following week looks gloriously empty.

I plan to enjoy it while I can. (Actually, canning is probably what I will be doing that week, or picking berries.) Then there is VBS at our church and a consignment sale I'd like to participate in, and then it is the fair. I'm scared to look on the calendar beyond that.

Lydia asked me the other day why summer goes so fast and winter takes so long. I tried to tell her that summer has only begun. I tried to explain to her that it only seems to go faster because there are so many more activities. She didn't get it. I have to admit that neither do I.

Kellen's First Shave

All the kids seem to be growing up so fast, but Kellen especially has been growing up by leaps and bounds. In the last year his feet have grown several sizes, to the point that they are almost the same size as mine. Early last summer his clothing was size 10. This summer; 16, and I even bought him some adult smalls.

He also is taking on more responsibility. He mowed the yard for the first time a week or so ago. He is helping Tim and Papaw more and more with the work around the farm. He has learned to cook several meals, and can be trusted to watch Vivian while I am outside or up working in the garden.

The kid is growing by leaps and bounds quickly approaching the transitions from boyhood to teenager, and then to adulthood. It is a very bittersweet time. Then on Sunday, while I was at work, he had his first shave.

Shocking isn't it? I have to admit I was rather surprised myself upon returning home after work.

Here is my little man three days later, very thrilled to pose for a picture. Ah, he is growing up so fast!

Poultry Adventures

One of the first things most people get when they start their little farm is chickens. A few chickens running around gobbling up bugs and leaving you eggs to eat is just what every homestead needs. Of course you want them to have free range to gobble up the most bugs and to provide you with entertainment. Of course they will obligingly return to the nest boxes you've so lovingly provided so leave their eggs. It is so perfect, isn't it?

We started with three hens that were given to us. They roamed freely and it worked out pretty well. They did scratch the mulch onto Mamaw and Papaw's sidewalk some, and there was a little poo around here and there, but with only three chickens it really wasn't a problem.

Then a friend gave us some ducks. I really enjoy the ducks. For the longest time they made their home under our back deck. They didn't cause any problems. Finding their eggs could be a challenge, but when we did, we were rewarded with large rich eggs. It worked out well, until they got brave and ventured to the front yard.

For some unknown reason the ducks decided to take up residency in our front yard. Fine, except one thing, they decided the front porch was the best sleeping area. Every morning they left large unwanted deposits right in front of the door. Around the same time, another friend gave us more than a dozen chickens. It was time for some fencing.

Papaw and Tim spent quite a bit of time building a fence for the poultry. We still wanted them to free range, but wanted to keep them away from the houses. The solution was to put fencing far enough out that chickens could roam in the forest, clean up under the rabbit hutches, and clean up in the goat barn, but not go around the end of the fencing to the yards. It took awhile to get it poultry proof. Actually it was never quite perfect, as we have a few smaller mixed breed hens that are quite determined to lay and nest away from the rest of the chickens, but for the most part we were happy with the solution. The poultry also seemed happy with the solution. For the better part of last summer, and all winter, they stayed in the pasture.

Then this spring, the ducks starting going on adventures. Our ducks are Rouens. Their bodies are heavy. Their wings are short. They are bred to not fly, and they don't. They barely look like they can walk, but these awkward waddling birds were walking well over a quarter a mile around the fence to feast on the tadpoles in our ditches this spring. Soon they had found their favorite nest spot on my front porch, and then they demolished all the peas in the garden. Time to build more fence.

Instead of adding on or enclosing what was already built for the chickens, we decided it would be easier and work better to duck proof a small bit of pasture that we use as a nursery area for the livestock. It already had a small wallow in it for water. We moved an unused dog house in for shelter, and the wallow was dug out to make a small pond for the ducks. It took many attempts to get all the gaps closed enough to keep the ducks in, but finally they were staying in. At about the same time, we started noticing chickens were missing.

The chickens were perfectly happy in their pasture. They were foraging for bugs, and cleaning up the areas there were supposed to. Not all of them were diligent in returning to the nest box to lay, but for the most part things were working out well. Then the rooster went missing, and a count revealed a couple of hens were also missing.

One afternoon Kellen heard the chickens sound out their alarm. One minute he saw a hen walking along the edge of the ridge. The next he saw a puff of feathers. Tim tried to track it, but only found that puff of feathers and a small bit of remains clear down in the hollow. We suspect a fox was the culprit. We've set out a live trap, but have caught nothing. Maybe this free ranging isn't all it is cracked up to be?

The poor hens spent over a week shut up in their coop. Another fence line has been added around their coop to create a large run, and they finally were let out today. The pullets that are in another location, have also been prey to something. They will soon be joining the hens. The chickens will have a tiny bit of forest to forage in and rabbits to clean up after. They will no longer have access to the goat barn. I guess we will have more flies this year.

Chickens are a staple of the family homestead. They provide meat and eggs, and will clean up after the other animals. They are fairly easy to care for, but certainly do come with their own challenges. I doubt that our poultry adventures are over, but hopefully there will be a lull in the excitement.

A Few Photos to Share

The Secret Clubhouse

Last year Lydia struggled to learn to ride her bike. She took one nasty fall about mid-summer that completely shook her confidence for the rest of the season. This spring she picked up that bike and in a matter of minutes was riding it all over the place. In acquiring that skill she has found a new freedom. 

Her bike rides out the driveway are frequent, and in the beginning often alone. At first she would take off and ride to the Y in our driveway. Then she would go a little further to the little tower, and eventually she was riding all the way to the neighbors, about 3/4 of a mile. 

Soon she was including Nolan on her little adventures. Nolan is not riding yet, but he was perfectly content to run along side while Lydia rode her bike. The amazing thing is how well he could keep up. That boy is fast. 

They began asking for snacks to take with them, and would spend hours on their adventures. When I'd ask them where they had their snacks, they would tell me they went to their secret clubhouse. Later I learned that there were several "secret clubhouses." They had chosen some spots were they could hide away and be alone. One was in the softness of a pine thicket. Another one was in the woods in a place that wasn't exactly hidden, but you had to cross the ditch on a log to get to it. And one was in a small clearing that was behind a patch of blackberry plants. 

After many weeks of using only what nature provided for their clubhouses, they decided they wanted a little something more. The older brother was recruited and a small shelter was planned. They decided to build in the spot behind the blackberries. Even with Kellen's help they were having a difficult time getting something together. Time to let Daddy in on the "secret."

Tim started with a weedeater to clear out their path and their spot a little better. Then he and the kids took some pallets and scrap wood and put together a little shelter. 

It isn't much, but the kids think it is perfect. They have a stump to sit on, and took a small bench out also. They can use the top of the shelter for a leg up to climb the tree. And they took TP out there, just in case.


You can not see it from the driveway. All you see is a little path that winds into what looks like a bramble. It is close enough to the driveway that the kids can hear you call from there. The "secret clubhouse" isn't exactly secret anymore. The first thing the kids do when friends come to visit is to let them in on the secret. But they love to go out there and play. Kellen reports that it is a wonderful spot to go and read a book. 

Yesterday when I went out to take pictures, the goats decided to follow me. They sniffed it out and checked around, and decided there was better eating elsewhere. 

Somtimes living here is hard. It seems there is an endless amount of work to be done. At times it is overwhelming. Watching my little girl set out on her bike, her little brother closely behind, for grand adventures in the woods and their secret clubhouse gives me a whole new perspective, and makes it all worthwhile. 

2 Doctors, 2 Staples and 5 Hours Later

Last night we were up at the neighbor's farm. Tim was helping bale hay. Kellen was helping too. I was working in the garden, and the rest of the kids were supposed to be swinging on the tire swing. They were not. 

Instead, they were playing on the neighbor's porch. She has her porch decorated with lots of interesting antique and flea market type items. One of them is a very large triangle dinner bell. It hangs from the porch ceiling. 

Apparently, Nolan thought the dinner bell looked like a piece of gymnastics equipment. He decided he would hang from it, up side down. Needless to say, the hook in the ceiling was meant to only hold the dinner bell, not the dinner bell and an almost 50 pound boy hanging from it. 

The dinner bell and the boy came crashing down leaving the dinner bell unharmed, but the boy with a large knot on one side of his head, and a couple inch gaping laceration on the other side. Luckily Tim was close enough to see and hear the event, and attend to Nolan right away. The cut was such that we decided we better let a doctor look at it. Tim, Nolan and I headed to the immediate care that is closest to us. The other three kids stayed with Mamaw and Papaw. 

We didn't have wait long to see the doctor at the immediate care. She thought that the cut did need a little something to help it heal properly. Just as Tim and I were congratulating ourselves for taking him to the doctor and our wise choice of choosing immediate care over the ER, she informs us that we will have to go to the ER. Huh?

She thought that the cut need to be closed, but didn't think glue would work well on Nolan's particular cut. She thought he needed stitches or staples. She doesn't do stitches, and the office did not have the tools needed for staples. We would have to go to the ER. Grr.....

At the ER they took us into triage right away and then seated us in their immediate care waiting room, where we waited and waited. Then they took us to an exam room where we waited and waited. In fact we waited so long that Nolan had fallen asleep by the time the doctor came to exam him. He stayed asleep during the exam, but was rudely awakened when receiving two staples in his head. 

He cried and howled and howled and cried while we again waited. Finally the nurse came in with the instructions and paperwork we needed before leaving. It was almost 11:00. Thankfully Nolan quickly fell back asleep once we were in the car. 

This morning he is feeling fine. When his siblings came home from Mamaw and Papaw's he proudly exclaimed, "I have two staples in my head." I'm sure he won't be feeling so happy about it when they to be removed next week. . . 

Incomplete?

Life lately has seemed like one never ending "to do" list. I feel like I'm just treading water trying to keep everything afloat. The busyness combined with the never ending list of tasks to accomplish shuts me down. It seems I can't concentrate long enough to get anything finished. 

As I sit here right now, typing this post, there are two other unfinished posts sitting in my drafts. There is a pile of folded laundry on the table with a basket half full of unfolded laundry next to it. The dishes from lunch are half done. The half that fit in the dishwasher got cleaned. 

If I were to get a grade card right now, the teacher would have to list me as incomplete in all subjects. 

Homeschool - Incomplete

school? Plenty of incomplete text books in the cupboard. Lots of life lessons and unschooling going on around here. 

The Garden - Incomplete

We planted some more this morning. Still have a few tomatoes, peppers, okra, and herbs to plant.

Financial Peace - Incomplete

We've really enjoyed and learned  from the work book and small groups with this class, but we are woefully behind in things like creating the monthly budgets and setting up the cash envelopes. 

Paperwork - Incomplete

A few days ago I began to organize my desk, sorting things into piles that needed to be dealt with. Never got them dealt with or put away, and now they are covered with several more days mail, and various items that get piled on my desk. 

Homemaking  - Incomplete (teetering on the edge of Fail)

Where do I start with all I'm behind in this subject? 

It is all very overwhelming and frustrating especially to a doer personality like mine that likes to check things off the list and complete tasks. No matter what task I begin on, I get distracted or pulled away and nothing is ever quite complete. 

But then I realize that what I need to do most in times like these is to stop. To breathe. To look at the big picture. 

Then and only then do I see that all these tasks and my frustrations at not completing them are temporary. They are not lasting. They are not what matters. In the only "grade card" that matters, I am COMPLETE, in the life of Christ.  

When I take the time to stop. To breathe. To look at the big picture.  I get a small glimpse of that contentment and peace that is ours regardless of our circumstances. And resting in that peace I can now get back up and work on some of those tasks that I need to complete. 

Nolan's 5th Birthday

Yesterday was Nolan's fifth birthday. He ended up sleeping in our bed awhile the night before his birthday. When he woke up in the morning he stretched and said to me, "Today is my birthday. I am five. I think I've grown some."

Kellen could not wait to give him the present he made. Kellen made Nolan a Link shield and sword with items he found around here. The shield is the top of a five gallon bucket, and the sword is a broken walking stick and scrap wood. I think he did an excellent job, and Nolan was thrilled with the present. 

Our homeschool co-op picnic also was yesterday. Since all of Nolan's friends were there, we took a cake and celebrated at the picnic. We even sang happy birthday to him there! 

When we got home we ate cake with Mamaw and Papaw and opened more presents. He was thrilled with a new Wii game that Grandma and Grandpa sent. Of all things he was very excited about the new boxer shorts Mamaw and Papaw gave him. In fact, after all the presents were open, he exclaimed, "I'm going to go change my underwear," and ran off to put his boxers on. Of course, there is a little more to that story. 

Nolan does not like to wear underwear. For months now he would try to get away with out putting underwear on. He told me his underwear were too tight. They were a bit snug so we got some the next size. Still he didn't want to wear underwear. Apparently boxers were what he needed. Now, he is excited to wear underwear. Go figure.

And after that we went to church for our Financial Peace class, and Nolan got to play with his friends some more. Poor kid was already tired. He fell asleep on the way there, but he had fun, and we all slept very soundly last night. 

The Big 2-0

Happy Birthday Martha!

Homeschool Day at the Capitol

Thanks to Betsy  for taking video of the performances at Homeschool Day at the Capitol this year. Below is the video of the band which Tim directs, and Kellen plays in. Not much footage of Kellen, and all you see of Tim is his back side, but you can hear the band, and see the other member of our family who stole the show. 

Green!

Life has been a little crazy around here. Can you tell from the lack of posting? 

School is winding down, well truth be told, it has come to a screeching halt. With me going to work, and the outside work that needs done at this time of year, book work has become practically non existent. Really that doesn't bother me. We are doing lots of educational things. They just aren't in the text books. 

We participated in a Cultures Fair this week. Our country was the Czech Republic. We put together a small presentation and cooked some Czech food. We had a lot of fun with the project and learned a few things too. 

The garden is beginning to look very green. We've been working a lot in our garden. This is the first year that I am really making the kids help in the garden. They have helped before here and there, but this year it isn't an option. There is too much to be done, and they need to help. 

I've been using a little trick that I read over at Owlhaven sometime back. I'm giving the kids specific, quantative amounts of tasks they have to complete in the garden. Instead of saying, "Help me weed the peas." (Well the ones the ducks haven't eaten, but that is another story.) I tell the kids, "Weed two rows of peas." Or for Nolan I say, "Pull two buckets of weeds." The "buckets" were small containers potato salad comes in. They have also helped put onions in the trench, shovel mulch, and put seeds in holes. They aren't exactly enthusiastic, but they really are doing an excellent job of helping.

The last few days the forest has suddenly become very green. We had some hot days followed by some cool rainy days. Apparently that was exactly what the trees and fauna needed. They have come alive, and it is beautiful. 

I've been working quite a bit to try to earn some green, and get things back on track. It has been a huge help. It has not been without it's down side though. We are all tired. It has been an adjustment for everyone, and it hits the kids the hardest. It really hits me when I'm leaving for work and Lydia says to me, "See you tomorrow mom." Tomorrow? 

I have been working five days. Things are caught up and back on track. It isn't time to quit, but perhaps to cut back. I'm thinking three days will help keep the finances where they need to be, and keep the family and homestead work where it needs to be too. 

Tough choices we moms have....

 

Happy Birthday Tim!

Happy Birthday to my multi talented hubby. Here he is playing the wedding singer! Be sure to wish him a happy birthday! He blogs at Applehead.

Love Abounds in this House

The Midwife

World War Two has always been a time period that fascinated me. Though the political and economic changes are interesting enough, what I really enjoy are the stories of people. The experiences of those who lived through this time were not only turning points in their own lives, they were turning points in the whole culture in many respects. 

As a woman and a mother, I also find stories of birth and mothering particularly interesting. So, when I was asked to review a copy of The Midwife, stories of a midwife in London post-WWII, I was pretty certain I would like this book. 

I was not disappointed. The author served the poor population of the London Docklands. Her stories of the people and her experiences make you laugh, make you cry, and sometimes are just outright shocking. 

I was touched and amazed by the woman you birthed twenty-five babies. The twenty-fifth of whom was born at 28 weeks gestation. It survived, with out a hospital stay. The story of the prostitute, and the women she lived with both appalled and saddened me. The antics of one of the older nuns at the convent where the author lived are simply hilarious.  

The Midwife is an entertaining read. It is full of insight into the lives of those living in the slums of London after World War II. There are stories of sadness and loss, but also stories of those who, despite their circumstances were able thrive and create happy homes for their families. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

No More Brace Face

snow? SNOW!

You've got to be kidding me. There are actually flurries flying outside right now. Did I mention how sick of snow I was this winter? A little snow is good. This year I felt like I was living in Northeast Ohio again, too much snow!

It is officially spring, and I have no desire to see that white flaky stuff for another seven months. Go away!

In case you've wondered where I've been the last two weeks, I've been here, just keeping my head above water with the various responsibilities and activities we have right now. Just a few highlights to catch you up. 

-Animals

Two calves have been born. The first one had a little trouble getting started, but Papaw says she is looking good now. The second gave Mamaw and Papaw a scare too, for a different reason. His momma hid him. With the cold weather Papaw wanted to be sure he was doing ok, and searched to whole pasture to no avail. We still don't know where she had him, but he was with momma this morning at feeding time. 

We were supposed to get 50 chicks last week. You know when the weather was warm and nice. The hatchery had a short hatch, so our chicks should be here this week now. You know when it is cold and nasty. 

Desert (goat) had two bucklings last night while I was at work. Don't ask me why, but she had them out in the muddy shed yard instead of three feet away in the nice warm shed. They were still wet and a little cold when I got home. I dried them off and laid them in the hay in the shed. I had forgotten that Desert is a very protective mom. She went in the shed with the kids, gave me the evil eye and started stomping her foot at me. I thought it'd be best to just leave them all alone at that point. 

-Work

I wore a pedometer to work on Sunday. I walked two and half miles while I was at work. I'm hoping that one of the side effects of working will be losing weight. :)

Work really is going fairly well. Most days I can actually say that is enjoyable to be there interacting with adults and making some money. It does make things very busy, and time pressed at home. It has been adjustment for all of us, but over all I think it is worthwhile. 

-The Garden

Peas, lettuce, radish, beets, chard, carrots, strawberries, grapes, and asparagus have been planted. But not by me. I did manage to help with the cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and rhubarb. I'm feeling like a slacker. The seedlings need thinning and the weeds are sprouting up about as fast as the seedlings, but it has been too wet to get into the garden.

I checked my garden notebook and saw that I put beans in mid April the last two years. Just around the corner, if the snow stops. 

- The Family

Jeff and Gail (Tim's parents) are on their way here. The kids are very excited. Other than that the kids have eyes only for the Wii.  

I think that catches you up on the highlights. It is still snowing, and I am pouting, but I have to go fold laundry and get ready for work. 

Nolan age 4 - Self Portrait

Yesterday Nolan drew a picture of himself, as an adult. When asked how old he was in this picture, he responded, "As old as you." I"ll just leave it at that. 

Be sure to notice the colorful pants, (Could you miss those?!) and the earrings.

A Little of This and A Little of That

The last few weeks have been busy! I started a new job. We've been working on getting the garden in, appliances and equipment have been breaking, and Jake and his kids are visiting. We are trying to keep up with everything. It has left my head spinning. Here are few updates and funny things in no particular order. 

Yesterday, while I was at work, Mamaw was watching my kids and Jake's three also. Papaw, Tim and Jake were working on connecting the water lines to the pig barn. First, they had to fix the excavator. 

I did not see this event, I only saw the after effects. They were working on the hydraulic lines. Mamaw and the kids were standing back, at what appeared to be a safe distance, watching the guys work. One of the line connections came loose and sent a hydraulic oil shower on everything below, including Mamaw and the kids. 

When I got home Mamaw had just finished giving five kids a bath. (Thankfully Vivian had been taking her nap, and Kellen was counting his Wii money, or there would have been seven to clean up.) One bath was not enough. Their hair was still greasy. They all got a second bath before bed. 

This week one of our school projects was to make soap carvings. The idea was to carve a figure of a fish and a man to remind us of the story of Jonah. Um... the carvings didn't really turn out all that well, but the kids had a fund time making them. 

It was a little messy, but I'm not complaining. They grated about five bars of soap that I can use for Laundry Detergent.

Vivian (3) has developed this fascination with driving lately. She will ask me if she can drive up to the barn to feed the sheep. Then she will tell me that when she is the mommy she will drive the van. Perhaps I should have mentioned this to Papaw before he took Viv up to the barn with him. 

Vivian rode up to the barn with Papaw to feed the cows. On the way back he stopped to open the gate to drive through the pasture. As he was walking back toward the truck, he sees Vivian in the driver seat. Then the engine revs loudly. She was pushing the accelerator. Luckily,  she does not know how to put the vehicle in gear -  yet. 

Nolan (4) has been quite the character lately. The other day I was trying to put laundry away. It had been a long morning with numerous interruptions. The kids were having a hard time staying on task for school, and I was trying to get a list of things done before work. 

I was in the boy's closet hanging up Nolan's clothes, and he comes in to ask me for a snack (again.) I said, "Isn't it almost time for lunch? What time is it Nolan?" I know full well that Nolan is only beginning to grasp the concept of time, and he does not know how to tell time yet. The question was a blatant attempt to buy me a couple minutes to finish my task while he went and looked at the clock and asked Kellen or Lydia what time it was. It didn't work. He didn't miss a beat, but looked right at me with his mischievous little grin and said, "It is snack time."

Nolan completely adores his older brother, much to Kellen's annoyance. Nolan wants to do everything that Kellen does. Nolan loves and hates everything that Kellen loves and hates. If you ask Nolan what he wants to drink or eat, he asks Kellen what he wants, then asks to have the same as Kellen. It really is very cute, at least from my perspective.  

We got our income tax returns this week. Most of that money is slated to pay off debt, but there are a few things that we've been waiting to buy with it. One of those things is new mattresses for the boy's beds. Thier mattresses are very old and in poor shape. 

Friday, Tim came home with the new mattresses. He and Kellen took the old ones off and put them in the burn pile. A little later we see Nolan crying. It was the hurt feelings cry. He, Lydia and Jude had been playing. I assumed that somehow his feelings had been hurt while they were playing. I was wrong. He was crying because he didn't want a new mattress. 

We tried talking to him about why the new mattress was better. We tried using the fact that he wants to be just like Kellen. Kellen likes the new mattress. Nolan bought that for about five minutes before he was in tears over the old mattress again. 

Nolan literally pouted and cried over that mattress for about 24 hours. Of course it wasn't constant. He would play for awhile, and then out of the blue he'd be crying about the mattress. Who knew a little kid could care so much about a mattress? 

Then for some reason, last night at bed time, Nolan suddenly decided that the new mattress was nice. Relieved, we all went to bed peacefully. 

Vivian isn't with the plan.

The kids have a plan. They are saving their money for a Wii. I posted about it today in The Wii Fund. They are doing really well too, saving money and working together. Well, not all together. There is one who isn't with the plan. 

Whenever we are out running errands Vivian always wants to go out to eat. I wonder where she got that from? Going out to eat is not in our budget right now, and my response usually runs along the lines of, "Do you have any money?" 

This week Vivian got some birthday money, and Lydia got some late birthday money from a neighbor. The kids and I were talking. Lydia and Kellen were talking about adding Lydia's money to the Wii fund. I looked at Vivian and asked, "Do you want to add you birthday money to the Wii Fund?" She replied, "No. Out to eat." The girl knows what she wants. 

The family that gardens together....

eats well. 

It finally feels like spring! The kids are spending the better part of the day playing outside. Lydia has mastered the art of bike riding. She really could ride at the end of the summer last year, but lost her confidence after a wreck. This year she hopped right on, and is riding all over the place. 

The frogs are singing and laying eggs. The daffodils are blooming, and it is warm, gloriously warm. There may yet be cold weather in store for us, but we are enjoying the warmth while it is here. And of course spring means garden!

We've learned with this clay soil if you want to get early vegetables in you have to move fast. The last two springs early plants never were put in. We'd miss the opportunity when it was dry, and then it would rain and the garden would be too wet to work. The past few days the weather had just been perfect. Unfortunately, it did not coincide with my schedule. 

I'm always bugging Papaw to till the garden in the spring. This year I was trying to not be a pest about it. Saturday I was gone all day. When I returned, my little garden had been tilled. The new hillside we are planting was tilled, and there were loud pounding sounds coming from that direction. 

The pounding sounds were these posts being driven in. Do you know what these posts are for? They still need a few rows of wire added to them, and then they will be ready for the grapes that Mamaw ordered! Grapes! Yippee! That new area will also be home to strawberry plants, asparagus, and rhubarb that will be arriving soon.

Yet, another new small spot was tilled for blueberry bushes, and for extra space for corn and other vegetables. Papaw also tilled the big garden. 

I was so excited, but you know what tilling means; planting. I wasn't sure when I was going to plant the early seeds. I was gone all day Sunday, needed to get groceries, and a whole long list of things that I need to get done was weighing down on me. I figured I'd squeeze it in somewhere. 

Sunday when I was gone Tim secured up the chicken fence. (We had a few renegades that were finding their way out. Don't want them to scratch up all the garden seeds.) And when I got home there was this: 

Actually, there was a whole garden full of these markers with different names. Mamaw, Papaw, and Tim filled the whole thing with peas, lettuce, Swiss chard, beets, radish, and carrots. What a relief!  There are a few more things to plant like onions and potatoes, that should arrive soon, and some broccoli and Brussels sprout seedlings I need to harden off, but they planted everything that was ready to go! I am so grateful!