I really don't like to post depressing news, but I am feeling so discouraged about my garden! Let's just get it out of the way...
The tomatoes are still green, I have only gotten one cucumber, the blooms are just falling off the zucchini plant and I don't see one pumpkin growing yet. I had to move the peppers because they weren't doing well, and well, they aren't doing ANY better. The leeks are still tiny, the celery is also skinny and I had to pull up the cauliflower because it turned black!!
Depressing!!
OK, there is a little good news. The corn finally headed, so I am hoping for corn, the carrots are doing really nicely, I had a great lettuce harvest, and the sunflowers are coming along nicely. I also have a beautiful basil harvest too.
But, what about the other things?
Does anyone have any ideas? Why are the blooms falling off my zucchini's? Why did the cauliflower turn back?
Here are a couple of photos of good things, but I have to tell you I was hoping to put away/preserve a WHOLE LOT MORE...
I need advice...encouragement... help me out, ya'll!
Can't wait to eat you!!
It's a white carrot!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Organization Bootcamp Day Two
Well, I am pooped again. Even more pooped. This takes a lot of energy! It's no wonder we don't do this more. There are alot of decisions to make, and sometimes, at the end of the day, you just want to skip over them. But, you have to persevere because you don't have the time to commit to it any other day.
But! Major changes today!
The living room saw the game table area go from this...
To this!
I brought the black table which was in the kitchen at the craft center and put it here instead. The old game table has been completely removed. But, wait, there's more! I took ALL my workbooks for the kids, coloring books and games and puzzles and fit them neatly into this area.
Do you remember my craft corner?
Awful right?
Well now it's in the living room and it looks like this!
There are a couple of more photos I wanted to share with you of the living room. We cleaned out clutter, moved the couches and re arranged stuff.
From this...
To This!
And this...
Still working on the playroom, dining room, kitchen and pantry. Then it's on to the second floor!
I had a partner in crime today! Thanks hubby!
See you tomorrow! Jenny
But! Major changes today!
The living room saw the game table area go from this...
To this!
I brought the black table which was in the kitchen at the craft center and put it here instead. The old game table has been completely removed. But, wait, there's more! I took ALL my workbooks for the kids, coloring books and games and puzzles and fit them neatly into this area.
Do you remember my craft corner?
Awful right?
Well now it's in the living room and it looks like this!
There are a couple of more photos I wanted to share with you of the living room. We cleaned out clutter, moved the couches and re arranged stuff.
From this...
To This!
And this...
Still working on the playroom, dining room, kitchen and pantry. Then it's on to the second floor!
I had a partner in crime today! Thanks hubby!
See you tomorrow! Jenny
Monday, July 18, 2011
Organizing Bootcamp: Day One
Boy am I tired. But a good tired. Some of you emailed me during the day and I thank you! While the boys were getting very dirty at camp...I up to my elbows in papers, dust, junk, and paint!
But! We made serious progress.
We went from this...
To this...
That black shelf was the biggest purchase I made. I felt like I deserved it. I needed just the right piece to store my books and hide some other desk type stuff away behind drawers. I haven't gotten everything back in it's place yet, but you get the general gist. Now, let's cross our fingers and say a little prayer that Jenny can keep it this minimal! I did some painting with a can of paint I purchased a year ago which I THOUGHT was perfectly matched. Owell. It wasn't. The plan is to do the entire kitchen with the brighter yellow, so...
In regards to my desk area, we went from this...
To this!
Here's a different angle...
Notice the general lack of stuff. I also bought three of those banker's boxes (they are grey and black) which are pretty sturdy. I purchased them at Ocean State Job Lot. I threw away the AWFUL cardboard drawer thing I had next to the desk. It was worthless - you couldn't even pull the drawers out. Alot of the stuff has been thrown away or placed in the plastic drawers in the above photo. Again, say a prayer for minimalism.
I would also like to put a little light on my desk for cozyness.
Did you notice I painted the bottom of the desk black? I had a little fun with the black spray paint. yeehaw!
Today, I also removed my seed started greenhouse and put it on the front porch (out of the dining room), and moved all the craft stuff and workbook stuff into the living room. But, that is not done yet, I will post photos tomorrow.
I prayed on and off all day and asked God to direct my footsteps today. So grateful my hubbers took tomorrow off to help me!
I will be posting again tomorrow night...hope to see you here!
a happy and grateful, Jenny
But! We made serious progress.
We went from this...
To this...
That black shelf was the biggest purchase I made. I felt like I deserved it. I needed just the right piece to store my books and hide some other desk type stuff away behind drawers. I haven't gotten everything back in it's place yet, but you get the general gist. Now, let's cross our fingers and say a little prayer that Jenny can keep it this minimal! I did some painting with a can of paint I purchased a year ago which I THOUGHT was perfectly matched. Owell. It wasn't. The plan is to do the entire kitchen with the brighter yellow, so...
In regards to my desk area, we went from this...
To this!
Here's a different angle...
Notice the general lack of stuff. I also bought three of those banker's boxes (they are grey and black) which are pretty sturdy. I purchased them at Ocean State Job Lot. I threw away the AWFUL cardboard drawer thing I had next to the desk. It was worthless - you couldn't even pull the drawers out. Alot of the stuff has been thrown away or placed in the plastic drawers in the above photo. Again, say a prayer for minimalism.
I would also like to put a little light on my desk for cozyness.
Did you notice I painted the bottom of the desk black? I had a little fun with the black spray paint. yeehaw!
Today, I also removed my seed started greenhouse and put it on the front porch (out of the dining room), and moved all the craft stuff and workbook stuff into the living room. But, that is not done yet, I will post photos tomorrow.
I prayed on and off all day and asked God to direct my footsteps today. So grateful my hubbers took tomorrow off to help me!
I will be posting again tomorrow night...hope to see you here!
a happy and grateful, Jenny
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Preparing to PURGE
Ah, doesn't that sound good?
Purge, downsize, declutter, simplify, scale back, organize.
This is no "spring cleaning" I am attempting.
This is no "get some baskets and put things in file folders" cleaning attempt.
This is bottom to top, stem to stern, complete household overhaul.
Let me show you why...
Yes I have a good self esteem or I would not be posting this process. The house is definitely full of love, the problem is that it is full of ALOT of things...
And that's just one area.
Yes - I am going to post before and after pictures.
They will be revealing, vulnerable and very, very... well,messy.
Then I am going to blog about what needs to be done and my plan to do it.
Why?
I am sick of so much stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff. (Jeffrey, my four yr old calls it "junk')
I have way more stuff than I could ever need, but more importantly, because I have so much of it, I can't maintain it all.
I'll never forget the book I read eons ago about organizing that said something about how we "buy boxes to store our stuff instead of just getting rid of it..so it controls us and we aren't in control of it."
(Or something like that)
That's how I feel and I CAN change it.
I feel that God has blessed us with so much, but we are not being good stewards of it at all, and this bothers me very much.
I am assembling to grand plan right now. Both the boys will be in camp from 9-4 for 5 days next week and having free reign of the house should help a lot. I am asking my husband to take a day off to accomplish any heavy lifting ideas. I am researching creative ideas online and in books and I am reaching out to organized friends for advice. I am praying. Praying for energy and that mostly, after it's all over, that it WILL LAST!
So....this is only the beginning of the beginning. I will be posting regularly, and I hope you will come along with me on this journey! I am looking for creative ideas and anything practical will be considered!!
Jen
Purge, downsize, declutter, simplify, scale back, organize.
This is no "spring cleaning" I am attempting.
This is no "get some baskets and put things in file folders" cleaning attempt.
This is bottom to top, stem to stern, complete household overhaul.
Let me show you why...
Yes I have a good self esteem or I would not be posting this process. The house is definitely full of love, the problem is that it is full of ALOT of things...
And that's just one area.
Yes - I am going to post before and after pictures.
They will be revealing, vulnerable and very, very... well,messy.
Then I am going to blog about what needs to be done and my plan to do it.
Why?
I am sick of so much stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff. (Jeffrey, my four yr old calls it "junk')
I have way more stuff than I could ever need, but more importantly, because I have so much of it, I can't maintain it all.
I'll never forget the book I read eons ago about organizing that said something about how we "buy boxes to store our stuff instead of just getting rid of it..so it controls us and we aren't in control of it."
(Or something like that)
That's how I feel and I CAN change it.
I feel that God has blessed us with so much, but we are not being good stewards of it at all, and this bothers me very much.
I am assembling to grand plan right now. Both the boys will be in camp from 9-4 for 5 days next week and having free reign of the house should help a lot. I am asking my husband to take a day off to accomplish any heavy lifting ideas. I am researching creative ideas online and in books and I am reaching out to organized friends for advice. I am praying. Praying for energy and that mostly, after it's all over, that it WILL LAST!
So....this is only the beginning of the beginning. I will be posting regularly, and I hope you will come along with me on this journey! I am looking for creative ideas and anything practical will be considered!!
Jen
Monday, July 11, 2011
Peach Pickin'
We are on a mission this summer! I am going to expose my children to every 'pickable' form of vegetation out there if I can. Beside my garden, we have gone blueberry picking, strawberry picking and now....peaches!
The boys we into it just like they have always been. This definitely makes my heart very proud. Mommy even learned something.
The peaches we picked were at one of the most beautiful places ever, the incredibly long running, family farm at Lyman Orchards. This place has it all, not organic in my understanding, but certainly local. They also do pick your own raspberries, apples, jostaberries (what are these??) and blueberries.
He's not as sad as this photo makes him look...
So, before we left, I asked the boys to name three things we would be making with the peaches. We decided on peach jam, peach pie and peach cobbler. Now, needless to say, they know what jam is but they have no idea what cobbler is. Additionally, the thought of making a peach pie is really intimidating!! I hope that works out! (gulp) Does anyone have any good peach pie recipes out there? Send them on over!
The boys we into it just like they have always been. This definitely makes my heart very proud. Mommy even learned something.
The peaches we picked were at one of the most beautiful places ever, the incredibly long running, family farm at Lyman Orchards. This place has it all, not organic in my understanding, but certainly local. They also do pick your own raspberries, apples, jostaberries (what are these??) and blueberries.
He's not as sad as this photo makes him look...
So, before we left, I asked the boys to name three things we would be making with the peaches. We decided on peach jam, peach pie and peach cobbler. Now, needless to say, they know what jam is but they have no idea what cobbler is. Additionally, the thought of making a peach pie is really intimidating!! I hope that works out! (gulp) Does anyone have any good peach pie recipes out there? Send them on over!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
To homeschool or not?
I have wanted to homeschool since my son was 2 years old. To watch the learning process in action, see them developing and growing before my very eyes, and to be a PART of it, has always appealed to me. I am in the process of researching it in our area as well as digging deep inside of my to see what my motivations are.
So far I have found out:
- There are hundreds of different approaches to homeschooling.
- Many parents are opting for it as of late.
- There are support groups all over the place.
- Homeschoolers are BUSY!
- There are many different reasons to homeschool.
- You can buy used material in a lot of different place. (yay!)
Some of my reasons to consider this are presently as follows:
- I think a lot of time in public school is wasted. I believe they could get a good education at home in half the time.
- I want to be able to focus in on some of the stuff they LOOOve to do, such as science, math, sociology and chemistry nevermind what I enjoy such as history, photography, music and writing.
- I am extremely concerned about the influence my boys are subjected to being in such a secular environment (public school/preschool) - how it will change them, what habits they will pick up...
- Both my boys have a handful of food allergies...protecting them during the school year can be a complicated task.
- I think it's important to think outside the box, education included.
I have fears too.
- My older son loves socialization. I know that I could provide many opportunities for that, but, I wonder if he would actually miss the classroom?
- Would I be able to mix the roles of parent/teacher?
- Would they accept me in the teacher role?
- Would I get bored or perhaps feel trapped after several months?
I have purchased a lot of books, I am researching online and I am lucky to have people to talk to about it (homeschoolers and not homeschoolers).
I believe, with much prayer, by the end of this summer, I will know what I want to do. I wanted to post about it because I think homeschooling is picking up popularity lately. A lot of families are making this choice and I as I go through this journey, I want to share with you what I learn! I hope it is beneficial!
So far I have found out:
- There are hundreds of different approaches to homeschooling.
- Many parents are opting for it as of late.
- There are support groups all over the place.
- Homeschoolers are BUSY!
- There are many different reasons to homeschool.
- You can buy used material in a lot of different place. (yay!)
Some of my reasons to consider this are presently as follows:
- I think a lot of time in public school is wasted. I believe they could get a good education at home in half the time.
- I want to be able to focus in on some of the stuff they LOOOve to do, such as science, math, sociology and chemistry nevermind what I enjoy such as history, photography, music and writing.
- I am extremely concerned about the influence my boys are subjected to being in such a secular environment (public school/preschool) - how it will change them, what habits they will pick up...
- Both my boys have a handful of food allergies...protecting them during the school year can be a complicated task.
- I think it's important to think outside the box, education included.
I have fears too.
- My older son loves socialization. I know that I could provide many opportunities for that, but, I wonder if he would actually miss the classroom?
- Would I be able to mix the roles of parent/teacher?
- Would they accept me in the teacher role?
- Would I get bored or perhaps feel trapped after several months?
I have purchased a lot of books, I am researching online and I am lucky to have people to talk to about it (homeschoolers and not homeschoolers).
I believe, with much prayer, by the end of this summer, I will know what I want to do. I wanted to post about it because I think homeschooling is picking up popularity lately. A lot of families are making this choice and I as I go through this journey, I want to share with you what I learn! I hope it is beneficial!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Get the most out of gardening in JULY!
I know you are thinking the same thing. July already? I can't believe it. If you live in a colder climate like I do, you need to pay close attention to your gardening opportunities. I said to my husband the other day, "I don't know WHAT I am going to do in the Winter." He said, "CAN stuff?" I had to explain to him that I do most of my canning in the Summer/Fall too.
But, here we are half way through the growing season, are you making the most of it?
Strawberry season is winding down (you still have time), blueberry season is in full swing and raspberries are coming soon. Our gardens will begin to offer us meal options pretty soon, in the form of summer squash and broccoli...but what else do we need to pursue?
Here are some ideas:
Go to your local farmer's market. I went to the Windsor Farmer's Market this past Thursday and was so pleasantly surprised with the variety they were offering. Here is a picture of the jams being offered by one of the vendors. You may be able to find veggies that you aren't growing or items that are just shy of being ready in your own garden.
Check out these strawberries!
Another thing you can do this time of the year to enjoy local gardens is to participate in a local "Garden Tour." Windsor Historical Society is hosting one this month and I will be there!
Another thing you should be doing now is taking some notes on your garden this year. Come next January, you will not remember which week you harvested your peas or which week the brussel sprouts began to peek out. Do it now so that you have an accurate accounting of your growing season. Not only will it help you make decisions on what to plant next year, it will assist you choosing varieties and growing styles.
Here is a link to a site that can offer you a gardening journal layout.
http://www.northerngardening.com/gardenjournal.htm
Lastly, make sure you are actually enjoying your garden space. When you take a walk in your yard, try not to see all the things that need doing, rather enjoy the beauty that God has placed in every pepper plant, green bean and lettuce leaf.
But, here we are half way through the growing season, are you making the most of it?
Strawberry season is winding down (you still have time), blueberry season is in full swing and raspberries are coming soon. Our gardens will begin to offer us meal options pretty soon, in the form of summer squash and broccoli...but what else do we need to pursue?
Here are some ideas:
Go to your local farmer's market. I went to the Windsor Farmer's Market this past Thursday and was so pleasantly surprised with the variety they were offering. Here is a picture of the jams being offered by one of the vendors. You may be able to find veggies that you aren't growing or items that are just shy of being ready in your own garden.
Check out these strawberries!
Another thing you can do this time of the year to enjoy local gardens is to participate in a local "Garden Tour." Windsor Historical Society is hosting one this month and I will be there!
Another thing you should be doing now is taking some notes on your garden this year. Come next January, you will not remember which week you harvested your peas or which week the brussel sprouts began to peek out. Do it now so that you have an accurate accounting of your growing season. Not only will it help you make decisions on what to plant next year, it will assist you choosing varieties and growing styles.
Here is a link to a site that can offer you a gardening journal layout.
http://www.northerngardening.com/gardenjournal.htm
Lastly, make sure you are actually enjoying your garden space. When you take a walk in your yard, try not to see all the things that need doing, rather enjoy the beauty that God has placed in every pepper plant, green bean and lettuce leaf.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)