Our very own garden

We were so spoiled by my in-laws’ garden when we lived with them!  They grew tomatoes (40+ of different varieties), lettuce, peppers (many varieties), eggplant, cucumbers, onions,  parsley, and squash. 

Last year we were without our own garden, but we received so many wonderful fresh veggies from several in our congregation.  We received tomatoes, corn, squash, and peppers, but I sure missed the abundance of fresh veggies in the backyard.  We were given our first tomato plant last year from a member, and it gave us sweet bite size tomatoes all summer long.  I remember plucking tomatoes when I would let Chloe out for her morning walk. 

Well, I am not a gardener.  I don’t like all the work that goes along with it – you know, the constant weeding, but I sure love the fresh veggies, especially tomatoes.  Our backyard has many shade trees & a huge garage so not much room for a full blown garden – plus our dog uses it as a bathroom.  Anyway.  So, I asked Jay about trying to do a vertical garden. 

He thought maybe it would be okay, so what the heck, let’s give it a try.

 

So he and his dad built the vertical garden boxes.  We figure if it works out, next year we will invest in better wood and maybe even make it slightly bigger.  Once it was built and filled, we planted pole beans and peas on May 25th.  Then we invested in some mature tomato and pepper plants.

We were so excited to have things sprouting less than a week after planting!

 

On June 9th everything looks great.  We also have pots of tomatoes, cilantro, and basil.

The picture above and all those below were taken on June 24th.  I can’t get over how everything is growing!!

The peas are climbing the mesh wire and are even starting to get blooms.

In the front of this box, is one lone green pepper plant in between two tomato plants.

It might be hidden, but it is growing!!  Look at those peppers, and there’s at least ten others starting.

This pot of basil has been giving us fresh basil for our spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce.  What a big difference in flavor!!

Yesterday, Jay picked up some jalapeño pepper plants.  Need those for his salsa!!

Here is our potted garden – tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, and basil.  Three of the tomato plants came from the same member as last year – two of which made it into pots while . . .

this little lone guy found a spot near our garage. 

But hey, it must like it over there because it already has some little reds to share!!

So far so good.  Looks like next year’s might be slightly bigger!!

Landscaping – not our first love

Many of you know we do not enjoy yard work.  However, since we live next door to the church, we thought it was important to make the front of the parsonage look nice rather than over grown with weeds.

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Morning Strings

It is amazing how time flies.  It’s hard to believe Mackenzie has been playing the violin for three and one-half years.  When she started, the violin was tiny – she was too-, but not the tiniest one they make and now she plays a full-size.

She enjoys playing, but probably not as much as Mom enjoys hearing her play.  She says she doesn’t like performing on stage, but she always does such a wonderful job!!  However, she has talked about playing in the symphony/orchestra when she gets older.  We keep reminding her that that is ON stage, but we know she can do it and would be wonderful at it!!

In the fall I had found out about auditions for Columbus Symphony's Youth Orchestra’s Chamber Strings for grades 3-6.  We talked about it – well, actually I mentioned it and she abruptly said, “NO! I am not interested.”  So, she continues to take private lessons and orchestra at co-op, and she performs at music recitals and showcases. 

Well, I also found out about a two and one-half week long strings camp at OSU through their music school.  At first she didn’t want anything to do with it.  Then she only wanted to go if a couple of her friends, who also play the violin, would go.  With plans for all three girls to attend, Mackenzie was willing and ready to go. 

Unfortunately, her friends have other camps this summer and a really busy schedule so they couldn’t make it to this one.  At first, I was worried she wouldn’t follow through and we had already paid the camp fee.  Well, to my surprise, she was excited to be going even though her friends wouldn’t be there with her.  :)

So, this is where she is spending her time.  I forgot how pretty OSU’s campus is and all the things there. 

So far she has had good reports.  She really likes Dr. Gillispie & she has made some new friends. It might have been a blessing her friends couldn’t fit it into their schedule.

On another note – not being a musician, nor having ever attended a music camp, it was much to my surprise that there will be an actual orchestra performance on the eve of the last day of camp.

Not just a performance.  She will play for 45 minutes chamber style.  Then they will play three pieces as a full orchestra on stage in the Mershon auditorium.

UH OH!!

Believe it or not, at least at the moment, she doesn’t seem too concerned about it.  Matter of fact, we already bought her dress.

I think she looks pretty.  I know she will do a wonderful job.  She still has over a week of camp left before the big night.  So check back for the performance post.