Garden season now underway

This time last year (that being Memorial Day weekend) found us making (with great thanks to Jon's parents for their help) much needed improvements to the outside of our home, such as the grading around our foundation.  It wasn't until several weeks later that we were able to do much work on the gardening aspect of our outdoor area, and that meant several things went into the ground late.  This year we were able to plan a little more appropriately and we spent most of yesterday putting in new and improved garden boxes, replacing the soil, and planting our own little patch of summer goodness.  Calvin helped with every step of the way, from measuring the boards at Lowe's to picking out plants at Dexter Gardens, and even helped to plant them, stake them, mark them, and water them.  What do we have in our garden this year?  In the first box we have two kinds of red tomatoes, one orange tomato, one green tomato, four bean plants, one sweet pepper plant, and eight onions;  In the second box we have one pumpkin mound, two zucchini mounds, one yellow squash mound, one cantaloupe mound, and one watermelon mound.  We do have plans to put in one more box, for radishes, etc., in the next two weeks, and we also plan to start four herb pots on our deck, including basil, oregano, parsley, and cilantro.  Then, once we have all the yummy planting out of the way, we'll go on to our next projects for the summer - we have lots of things planned for our space but have yet to decide what we'll have the time, energy, and finances to complete this year.  Regardless, I love the feeling of action that comes with the summer months!

Time. It got away from us.

We realize that we have neglected our blogging duties for some time now. We usually aim for at least one post each week, but the past two weeks really knocked us for a loop around here, in ways we hadn't even imagined. For one thing, we thought that hiring someone else, someone who came highly recommended, to wash and re-stain the deck would be a grand time saving idea, but that plan didn't take into account the fact that they might set our house on fire, resulting in a visit from the fire department and a week's worth of stress and worry while they hurried to fix the thankfully small area of damage (which, also thankfully, remained mostly outside).  Of course this is exactly what happened.  And it wouldn't have been nearly as worrisome or stressful if said accident had not occured the weekend before we were to host, and I do mean host, a wedding for a close friend. What goes into hosting a wedding? Well, while the contractors worked all week to fix the house and deck, I was busy cooking reception foods (including bliny toppings, borsch, and chocolate covered pretzels), and on Friday we hosted a small pizza party while we finished the food preparations (including assembling fruit kabobs, cubing cheeses, and making 250+ blinys, which kept us up until 3am); We housed six people, including the bride and groom, so on Saturday we ferried people around, making it to the 11am wedding, then home to pick up the food for the 1pm reception, after which we packed it all up again to head back home; On Saturday evening we had all the guests over for a second reception, this time a BBQ at our house, followed by movie watching and euchre tournaments; And Sunday consisted of an afternoon of Guitar Hero play, and ended in a final airport trip.  Even when you are tired it is very hard to say goodbye.  So.  What did you all do with your Memorial Day weekend?

More pictures, of course, in the May 2009 album.

Tadpoles

Gardening days are here!  At least for the hardier plants.  We started with a nearly blank slate last year, added several gardens, and planted nearly all perennials, so even before entering the dirty phase of gardening we have been enjoying little sprouts of green all around our yard.  The best surprises have been plants that we thought were gone or had not made it, and yet here they are making a grandiose comeback!  On Sunday, after a very lazy, chilly morning, we made our first trip to our local nursery to pick up some plants to make a hanging basket (about the only annual plants we'll buy), and were treated to a very different kind of nursery;  there, in the decorative pond near the driveway, was a collection of tadpoles.  We watched them for quite some time, and this morning Calvin and I went back to see how they were doing (and to see if they had gotten any new hanging bags for our butterfly and hummingbird garden).  What a very interesting world we live in.

Crafting for Mothers Day

It's hard to come back to reality, even after a short weekend vacation.  I got the pictures from our trip posted in the Tulip Time 2009 (that's kind of catchy, isn't it?) album, and most of our laundry is done.  For Mothers Day this year I am attending a weekend paper crafters' retreat, thanks to Jon and our wonderful families, who are helping cover Calvin care during the week days.  I look forward to the two days away, immersed in the wares of my hobby, but even more I look forward to coming home on Saturday, in time to swing dance in a cabaret that night, and celebrate Mother's Day with my family on Sunday, when I will receive this wonderful bouquet of crafted flowers from my favorite son.

Back in town

We are back in town following a fabulous family trip to Holland (Michigan, that is) to enjoy the Tulip Time Festival.  We enjoyed lots of great sunshine and mild temperatures, a beautiful stay on the big lake with lots of walks in the sand, plenty of good food, and I even raced in the 8k (with a mediocre 45 minute time, but I was on vacation).  And just as soon as I get caught up on the laundry and other waiting chores I'll come back and post some fun pictures and a more detailed account.