I still can't believe that summer is coming to an end. But then again we do life in West Texas and we pretty much have summer for nine months of the year - at least that is what it feels like. We pretty much go from summer to winter, and then back again to summer.
I can't wait to one day life some wear where you actually have all four seasons - unless we can move to Hawaii or Spain, I will take that as well.
We finally plucked our very first watermelon from the garden, I still can't believe that out of everything the watermelon was such a major success.
I was super excited to pluck this one, and we have four more.
It was seriously the best watermelon I have ever had. So so so sweet and juicy...
The garden started out so fabulous, but then boom infestation hit, and well we had no idea how to deal with it. We tried pretty much everything, and at first it seemed that it worked, and then one morning I woke up and the zucchini plant died, and then the yellow squash (I hate hate hate squash bugs) and now the cucumber plant is breathing it's last. At least we got a couple of cucumbers before we hit this point.
It is our first year of gardening outside, so it is pretty much trail and error. We have learned a lot and will do some things a little different next year - I guess that is all part of the process.
We have gotten a bunch of green beans, and that has been so nice to snack on during the day... it is a Ian favorite.
I have gathered some seeds for lettuce for next year.
I am excited to see how the peppers are going to turn out - we have some sweet peppers and some spicy peppers. Finally story, I bought a different kind of variety of red bell peppers, well Nate didn't read the sign, and it was shaped like a jalapeno, so he picked it. The only one that we had, its now nice and green sitting on the kitchen counter. We are hopeful to get a few more. We do have our very first Chinese pepper.
The tomatoes are coming in strong as well, I love love love tomatoes, so this makes me happy. We have a ton of green ones, so hopefully they will be turning red soon. They look so pretty.
My other favorite part of the garden have been the herbs, there is few thing that makes me as excited as walking out into the sunshine to pick some fresh herbs to cook with.
I always have little helpers around.
We have been enjoying having tortoises for pets. The first two that we have gotten, Mable and Marshall have been such a blast. They are getting so tame, and wait at the back door for me every morning for cat food. Once I open the door, they simply walk into the kitchen to eat, then I decided to just put the cat food out by the door, because they make such a mess, and well they want to roam around the house. We always attract such strange pets. I do love the little good morning committee at the backdoor every morning.
Millie hates having to share her bowl. It is so so funny!
I am soaking up some of the last of summer goodness in foods!
Ian has about six weeks left of our first grade curriculum. We have had such a blast, and we were so excited to start with the second grade one. I didn't know how I would like homeschooling, but it turns out for this season of our life I love it so much.
I love the routine and the structure of our days, and well I am just soaking up this time with the kids.
I have been working on a few more recipes the last couple of days, and it has been fun. Hayleigh is my more creative child, and she is really getting into this picture taking with with me. It has been kind of fun doing it together.
Some of the things we have been working on...
I have found myself in this funk again, I wouldn't call it total discontentment, but I do feel a little discontent with all the limitations West Texas seem to place on us. Some days I can deal with a it just fine, and other days, it kind of makes me angry.
So kitchen therapy it is, there is nothing besides the belly laughter of my kids that makes my heart swell then chopping fresh herbs, baking something, tossing salad leaves in homemade dressing, making a fresh cup of tea.
This time shall pass, trying to find the beauty in the desert...
Ian's birthday party planning is in full swing, and he couldn't be anymore excited. I can't wait for his special day.
I am so grateful for these two.
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| Ian can't keep his eyes open outside for the life of him - lol! |
They make life so much better. They keep me grounded, and they fill our home with so much happiness!
Happy Tuesday!
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