Springtime!

We have been busy, busy in our yard this Spring. I love this time of year and always spend way too much time (and money!) at the local nursery looking at flowers and plants. It has been especially fun this year because Carson is old enough to help and really enjoys getting his hands dirty...imagine that! We also added a vegetable garden this year and compost pile (thanks to Henry who helped get those going during their recent visit - see the album over to the right for GREAT pics of this project!). For those interested in composting (something I have been wanting to do for awhile) but didn't think you had space...google "trash can composters" - very cool! Henry found this option for us and we are already busy filling it up. I am amazed at the number of things that can go in to a compost pile! Below are some pics of our porch, new plants, veggie garden, herb garden, etc...

I LOVE herbs (something I inherited from Mom)! I love cooking with them. I have several (rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano and parsley) that come back every year and some that I have to replant every year - like basil. This year I added tarragon (which I am really excited about since I have a fantastic chicken dish I make with this herb) and lavender. I actually had a pretty big lavender bush, but Kenny accidentally ripped it out with a dead Cherry Laurel tree we had in in the back yard. So, we are starting over with a small plant - I love smelling it! Above on the two bottom shelves are mint (which Carson has been putting in his sweet tea - my little Southern boy!) and the tarragon. Beside the shelf is our new blueberry plant.

It already has fruit on it. Carson is especially excited about this. Actually, both boys LOVE blueberries, so it will be fun to pick them and enjoy them when they are ready!

Above is cilantro, lavender, a poblano pepper plant and some zinnias. The zinnias are extra special because Mom bought those as centerpieces for the tables for Dad's 60th. I am working on a flowerbed (if it ever stops raining) and plan to put them in the flowerbed so they will hopefully come back next year!

My herbs...three whiskey barrels that I have had for about 6 years. I have already cut them back once this year - they are growing out of control! I am currently battling some unwanted visitors in all three - ANTS! If anyone knows of something I can put in there to get rid of them, that will not make my herbs uneatable (i.e. poisonous)...let me know!

squash and zucchini - Carson planted these all by himself!


And finally, our new Vegetable garden! We are growing sweet red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, okra, slicing cucumbers and cantaloupe. We have green bean plants that are growing from seeds that we will put into the empty square when they are ready. I checked on them this morning and they are just starting to peek through!

We have spent a lot of time outside this weekend, despite the rain coming and going, and have thought about Papa a lot. My grandfather, Jack Jarvis, is currently on hospice after many years of living with Alzheimers. We will all be celebrating his incredible life and death in the next week or so. He loved everything outdoors....especially working in the yard and growing things. I mowed the yard on Friday (something I think I have only done once before) and thought about him. I had to laugh at Carson who told me exactly how to start the lawn mower, how to empty the grass clippings, the pattern that Kenny mows the yard, how many bags of clippings can go in one brown recycling bag, etc...he was completely right on all accounts.
Papa would have LOVED it and been so proud!