Gardening

This picture was taken in early July this summer in our backyard. You should see these sunflowers now. Next year I am going to plant sunflowers all the way down one this same side. What a great tall fence! I have always wished we could see less over this side of the fence.

Does anyone need an extra zucchini? Last week my sister mentioned that she grated some in her enchiladas. Since then I have been zucchinnizing everything and no one knows the difference. Muffins, Cake, Chili, Tacos, Salads, Stir fry. . . everything but eggs. Don't put them in your scrambled eggs! So if you want some deceptively delicious zucchini to increase your families veggie intake feel free to drop by.

I also have lots of fresh basil. It smells so good in my yard.

The Tomatoes are finally on. We've had rain about every other day all summer till this week, so they were really slow.

The Green Beans are producing well but have an infestation of some pests. Every time I pick them I am covered in bites that itch me for days. I made Brent do it yesterday and he had zero problems like I expected. On summer evenings mosquitoes don't even bother with him, while they are eating me alive.

Our Pumpkins are a big waste of space this summer. They have done nothing but blossom. I checked someone else's patch nearby and they are having the same problem, so I don't think it's the seed.

Gardening is one of my favorite hobbies. I have never gone a summer in my life without one. My own gardens have been way smaller than the ones I used to take care of for our family when I was in a kid. We had a five acre yard growing up and over an acre was just a fruit and vegetable garden. We grew everything. In my family the boys worked in the fields driving tractors and the girls worked in the garden. Pretty much all summer. And there wasn't a sister for 5 years after me so I remember doing it mostly by myself by the time I was in Jr. high. I was paid by the hour just like my brothers on the tractors, so I didn't mind. I think I had got the better training since now neither of my brothers drive tractor or garden.

Someday I want to grow enough fruits and veggies AND live in the right location to have a produce stand nearby. Every time I go to a farmer's market I get jealous of the $1 a lb they are making off their tomatoes. Someday it is gonna be me and my girls. That sounds like the life for me. Working in the garden together, selling our wares, and also teaching the girls to can the produce.

I haven't done any canning/freezing/bottling since I moved away from the farm.
I don't have enough space to grow enough and I refuse to pay $1 a lb for something I am going to can. Too spoiled I guess.

About 7 years ago Brent and I planted 50 Elberta peaches above our home in Washington. They always are ready to be picked the last week in August. I am missing them . . . so much.

Zucchini muffins . . .? Peach pie. . . ? Not much of a contest.