Do I smell?

Okay, I probably did smell, but that is beside the point. I was doing yard work this morning with baby B in the wrap and the other kiddos running around the yard. I was trimming and cleaning up the place trying to up our curb apeal or at least stave off anymore HOA letters regarding weeds. I walked into the street to get a view of the yard and determine what replacement plants we need. A car approached and I waved them on not noting the car. The driver indicated she was going into the driveway across from our house. Ooops it was our neighbor. I moved out of the street onto the sidewalk in front of her house. I was going to let her know I didn't recognize her car and was working on the aesthetics of our home when I heard the whir of the garage door closing.

Productive Day

Today we spent outside in beautiful weather. I wanted to plant the garden on the east side of the house. With help from the kiddos, we prepped the area and planted a few things - tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, eggplant, corn, cantaloupe and squash. I am so very late on my garden. I don't have high hopes that it will be productive, but the seeds are at least planted.

After the gardening, I went inside to conquer the kid's room. I removed the animal prints and hung a few pictures that have been sitting on the dresser and bookcase (Aine's birth record and a painting of a teddy bear done by my Grandmother L). I also hung their initials with a corresponding photo underneath. I want to get most everything off the bookcase and dresser. It would look much cleaner, but I am at a loss as to where to put the other "stuff."

The closet was my last project. I moved E's clothes to a higher rung, replacing them with A's. Now A should be able to reach her clothing. I need to find a small stool for E to reach his clothes. This cleared the highest bar for the baby's clothes. I sorted out all the clothes which are too small or that are for the cold weather season. I also sorted out the baby clothes to wash. I am sure I washed them already, but I can't remember.

Phew - what a day!!

Healthy Eating

I struggle with eating local and organic. I love the idea of a CSA, but we have had some problems with it this year. The food has been plentiful and mostly in good shape. We just can't seem to get through the quantity of greens. I had previously checked out Bountiful Baskets online, but was disappointed by the lack of organic and local products. I have a good friend who signed up and is very pleased. She told me recently of the inclusion of local and organic products as well as the hope that more will come. We signed up. Hopefully this will work until I get our garden back into thriving condition.

Here is a shot of one of our "baskets."(all this for $15)

Bountiful

We have signed up for bi-weekly produce through a group called Bountiful Baskets. It is not always organic or local, but it is fresh and economical. We really like the idea of the CSA, but it was getting hard to eat through all the greens and turnips. We pay $15 for a basket of produce. It usually fills two small laundry baskets.

This week we received:

• 1 pound Organic Baby Spring Mix
• 1 bundle of Chard
• 5 Cucumbers
• Broccoli
• 3# bag of gala apples
• 3 large pears
• a dozen clementines
• 1 acorn squash
• 1 bag of baby carrots
• 3 heads of romaine
• 5 bananas
• 6 baking potatoes
• 10 red potatoes

Gardening

I LOVE gardening. Don't tell anybody! I love seeing our vegetables peek out and watching the kids spot them. I enjoy handing Eamon and Aine peas fresh from the garden. Their faces light up when they experience the tastes. I am amazed at how well our garden is doing.
Our winter garden was great, however it is currently infested with bugs. We brought a bevy of ladybugs home today and set them free this evening. Hopefully they can do their thing, and we can plant some summer crops there.Our spring/summer garden is beginning to be planted, and I hope for good results as well. We lost quite a bit to the frost, so I planted new basil.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures. I am really happy that the sunflowers bloomed.