Trying Out My Green Thumb

I’ve always wanted a garden, a great big garden. The trouble is…I’m not much of a gardener. I just wish I was. I wish I was like Sam. Sam was somewhat of a grandfather to me. The only one I really knew. My mother ‘s father passed before I was born, and my father’s father passed when I was four or five. Sam was my “grandfather” from the time I was born. My grandmother would never marry him, “because  you only get married once!” He had an incredible garden every summer. Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, zucchini, squash, peppers, sunflowers. Enormous.

sams garden

Back to the garden. Here is Sam’s garden. An abundance of fresh vegetables. The fresh tomatoes, sliced, and still hot from the summer sun. Oh how I miss them. Gram’s house always smelled of roasting peppers (or in Rhode Island it sounds more like pep-iz) all summer long. That smell still reminds me of her. I’ve been wanting a garden since we bought the house. I just haven’t gotten around to it and there is the problem of Avery, the dog who pees on EVERYTHING! Seriously, everything!

I had to come up with a both strategic and inexpensive plan. Work with nature…I gathered rocks from around the yard and I built a stone wall. I’m really hoping this keeps Mr. Pee Machine out. I may have to put up some fencing as well, but so far he’s stayed away. I left it like this for a couple weeks just to be sure. I think we’re good.

yard (18)

I got the plants and into the soil they went. Now I just have to make sure I don’t water them too much because I really don’t want nasty moldy veggies. I need to make sure I water them enough or they’ll just die. Hopefully I didn’t plant things too close together. I haven’t a clue what I’m doing. I do know I have to get those tomato cage things.  I’m really excited about this…I’ll keep you posted. I would really like this to work out and build a bigger one next year. Fingers crossed. Wish me luck!

garden (3)

Do you have a green thumb? What do you like to have in your summer garden?

Mother’s Day Tribute From My Son

The first grade had been preparing a Mother’s Day Tribute for weeks. It was top secret. Logan never talked about it. I got most of my secret intel from my friend’s son. He just kept slipping. I really started to worry when another friend mentioned her son’s presentation might be including her love for wine. Crap, what the heck is this kid going to say? You know they DO say the darndest things. I think every mother in the room was a little apprehensive. All were wondering if they were about to be thrown under the bus. Logan was the first boy to take the stand in front of the microphone. My heart pounded.

My attributes according to my seven-year old.

I’m nice, a very good cook, and I make macaroni.

I’m his favorite mom in the world. I would hope so, I’m his only mom.

My son loves me because I love squirrels, dragonflies, and dolphins…just like him.

My son ROCKS! This was the best gift every! My heart is melted.

mothers day

Parenting Lessons from Mama Bear

The majority of you already know that I adore the Berenstain Bear books. They were my favorites as a kid. I would sit in my room for hours and read my entire collection of them. A collection I’ve added to since then and now share with my boys. As I read them now, as an adult, I find myself relating to Mama Bear a lot! I’m Mama Bear all the way. I have come to the realization that I have learned many of my parenting skills through Mama Bear.

For instance, Messy Room. This one was my all time favorite BB book ever. This moment right here…yes, I do this. When I get fed up or they are misbehaving I threaten the boys with a BOX. A box I will fill up with toys if they keep pushing my buttons. She knew how to get to those cubs and remedy a situation.
Messy Room

And this one too. We take manners very seriously around here. There are consequences for rudeness and bad attitudes.

manners

Think of Those in Need is one of our newer ones. We often talk about how we have too much stuff and there are others out there who need things more than we do. We go through our things as a team and donate what we no longer need or use (I then gather more after they go to bed).

too much stuff

Then there are the lectures on junk food. Fueling your bodies with the food you need. Mama gets all the junk out of the house and offers healthy alternatives. Go Mama!

healthy food

I seem to find myself in Mama’s shoes all of the time. Especially, when Papa is put into the mix with the kids (junk food, trouble with chores, too much tv). He’s just a giant cub. Mama is a little out number, just like me, but she has some great ideas on how to get her crew into shape. Mama and I need to share a glass of wine some time.