How Does My Garden Grow?

I've seen quite a few blogs this summer showcasing beautiful vegetable gardens.  The photographs are so exquisite my mouth just waters over the lovely produce!

My Mom is a marvelous gardener.  She always has been.  She could poke and prod the most stubborn soil and end up with her own little Garden of Eden.  My daughter is very much like my Mom.  Her backyard is becoming more and more an oasis.

I've had lots of gardens.  Sometimes I've even managed to grow something edible.  Mostly my poor gardens have been loved and tenderly cared for.  Really! I get all excited choosing what I will grow and I love watching the first little beginnings of each plant.  There is such a mother earthy feel when growing a nice garden.

Then...  Apparently I get distracted.  I need a garden that takes just a week or two to produce food because my attention so quickly wanes.  Typically what happens is this.  I get busy for a few days and kind of forget to water my garden.  As it turns out, that is not good for gardens.  Then, I spend several days trying to revive shriveled plants.  Once that cycle starts there is no more mother earthy feeling.  There is just shame.  Then, I dread seeing those sad little plants so I avoid them.

This year is a bit different.  While it is true that I've let my garden get a bit dry a few times, I've so far managed to keep it alive.  I water it every evening, although I believe it would appreciate a drink twice a day.  I am seeing actual food growing!  It is not quite time for my big harvest but I am confident that I will make it to that point this summer!  Well, pretty confident.

Aren't you proud of me?  I'm so excited I've decided to post my own garden photos...or should I say, photo?  Tell me what you think of my vegetable garden.

Yes, that's it.  That tomato plant is my entire vegetable garden this year.  It sits right outside the backdoor so I see it every time I let the dog out.  So far so good!

Are you a gardener?  Do you love digging in the dirt?  How about all that weed-pulling?  Are you aware that too much gardening leads to even more work...  canning and freezing!?  

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Reminder:  Now is a good time to stock up on gifts as we are continuing with our big inventory reduction sale at 

Wyoming Rose Boutique.  

Many items are just $2!

Click on the photos to the right of this post and you will magically be transported to our little store!

Put Your What Where?

Is it wrong that I thought this was a funny sign?

Do you see that there is a website?

That made it even funnier to me...

until I checked out the site!

Did you know that cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world?

Did you know they are made up mostly of plastic and do not easily biodegrade?

Do you know that many follow the flow of rain and are washed into our rivers?

Did you know they are a big hazard to wildlife and little children?

Hmmmm... I am no longer chuckling.

First, A Word From Our Sponsor

Wyoming Rose Boutique News:  Maria and I have decided we need to refresh inventory in our shop.  As a first step we have gone through and drastically reduced many items.  I'm not kidding!  We have lowered prices on many items as low as $2!  If there was anything you had your eye on, you might want to check it out.  


(I am really sorry that we no longer ship outside the United States.  We ran into some real problems, such as finding out certain countries won't let us ship jewelry, etc.  We also have had trouble shipping even just to Canada.  One package had to be shipped 3 times before it made it to its new owner.  That got very costly!  Anyway, that decision made us sad as we loved knowing our creations were landing in homes around the world.)


OK, now to my regular post...


Yesterday was absolutely lovely.  I am still enjoying what my friend, Pam, called grammaternity leave.  Maria and Eric brought their lovely girls to our house and my Mom and Aunt Michelle came to town.  Together we celebrated the addition of pretty little Elise to our family tree.

The Baby of Honor

Cordy and her Great-Great Aunt Michelle

My Beautiful Mother

The Handsome Family of Honor

Elise Enjoyed Her Party

Grandma Grace, Aunt Michelle and Elise Ione

Four Generations of Females

Sweet Times and My Big Fashion Boo-Boo

I have a few days off in a row and I am enjoying them!

Yesterday, Elise had her first pediatrician appointment.  While her parents took her for that check-up, which she aced, we got to play with Miss Cordelia.

One of Cordelia's favorite things is to walk to the river.  Grandpa had the day off as well so the three of us had ourselves a leisurely stroll.

Cordelia is wearing her great-great grandmother Rose's hat.  Isn't that cool?

Later in the afternoon, Mike & I went rafting.  I think I've told you before that we tie together a small raft that Mike rides in and an inner tube that I ride in.  I'm guessing we look a bit strange that way but it works for us.  It's peaceful and relaxing.

When we get out of the river we call Sam and he comes to pick us up.  Actually, he picks Mike up while I wait with our gear.  I just relax while Mike goes to get his man truck, left where we got into the river, so that we can load the raft and inner tube.  

I wear a swimsuit for the float, and it feels appropriate.  I remembered, though, that as I waited with the stuff afterward I always feel a bit awkward standing there in a swimsuit.  Today I planned ahead and actually had a pair of shorts along in a plastic bag.  I was very glad I'd done so as we rafted in town this time.  The spot where I waited was on a corner by a big welding/steel something-or-other place.  It was change of shift time so there was constant traffic.  I was so glad I had my shorts on!  It just isn't a good feeling to be in a swimsuit when every one around is in work clothes.  

So, as I said, I felt pretty smart for having my shorts.  I wasn't very wet, except for the parts of me that hung low out the bottom of the inner tube.  When I got home and glanced in the mirror I realized that putting on my shorts over my only-wet-in-a-few-places swimsuit maybe wasn't my best plan after all!

So, if you are local and happened to drive by and see me yesterday, please know that I did NOT wet my pants!  Quit laughing!

The Sisters Have Their First Bunk Beds!

Cordelia was telling me that when  Elise is bigger, they will go into the playhouse together and they will                                                          giggle!

  

After the Rain

After the rain...

Leviticus 26:4  Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Happy Birthday, Mom! Thanks for the Genetics!

Isn't genetics weird?  

I look at our new grandaughter and marvel that in a way, she is 1/4 me.

She  is 1/4 Mike.

She is 1/8 Mike's Mom, Carol.

She is also genetically linked to a bunch of other people on Eric's side of the family!

A new child represents bits and pieces of two families genetically linked.

That is a strange but wonderful concept to me!

Elise and Cordelia are also genetically 1/8 my Mom. 

Today  is my beautiful Mom's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I was hoping that Elise would be born on Grandma Grace's birthday but she got in a bit of a hurry.

My Mom represents all that is great about motherhood.

She is warm, caring, protective and kind.

She is also compassionate, creative and really quite beautiful.

Another thing I know for certain about my Mom is that she is wishing she were here to 

hold that new little great-grandchild! 

Soon, Mom!

In the meantime, the following pictorial review of our beautifully exhausting

week is presented here today, especially for my Mom. 

We are all so very glad to be genetically

linked to you!

  

The Men in Their Lives

Cordelia and Elise are two very lucky little girls.

They have something a lot of children do not.

They have an abundance of good men in their lives.

First, they have a loving, long-distance uncle.  Uncle Ben lives far away but has remained involved and interested in his nieces.  I know it was hard for him this week to be so far away.  He made a lot of phone calls, worrying about his sister and the baby during labor and rejoicing with the news of the birth.  Both girls will grow up knowing their Uncle Ben loves them, no matter how far away.

Uncle Sam is very much a part of their lives.  Cordelia already feels comfortable playing with him and and loves him dearly.  I am certain Elise will feel the same.  Although technically still a teenager, Sam is a solid young man and will also give the girls the idea of how a man should treat them.

We all know about Grandpa Mike, right?  He is gentle yet fun and I am sure that Elise will clamor to be near him just as Cordelia does.  Like Cordy says, "You are my boy, Grandpa!"

The girls have uncles, cousins and a grandpa on their other side of the family as well.  They have so many men to care about them!  For a long time, though, the most important man in their lives will be their Dad.  As grandparents I can't tell you what peace it brings us to know they will be raised by Eric.  He is such a good man and he loves their mother so much.  Those girls will, without a doubt, witness a good and kind marriage.  That has got to mean a lot when they are making choices in their futures.  

Blessings for My Grandchildren

Thank you for the positive reactions to my jewelry tradition idea.  And yes, EJN, I'd be honored if you used the idea.  I'm sure I'm not the only grandma to do such a thing.

Let me tell you my favorite idea!  OK, it isn't original at all.  Bible stories mention blessings being given to children.  While I'm not sure if my idea of a blessing is quite what they were doing,  I decided I wanted to do a blessing.  I am not smooth enough to do it spontaneously so I planned ahead and wrote it all out.  I carried it around in my purse for weeks so that I'd have it with me for the birth.  Even though I had it memorized, I read it off the paper to be certain I got it exactly right.

Nearly three years ago, moments after Cordelia's birth, I spoke (actually cried) these words...

May the Lord come near to you and call you his own.

May he give you a sure heart and a kind spirit.

May you always know him as your source of strength.

I wrote out a copy for her baby book and it is my intention to cross-stitch it for her someday.

On Tuesday, when Elise was so new she was still steaming (not really), I spoke this blessing for her...

May God shelter you with mercy and wrap you in love.

May he pour into you both courage and compassion.

May you always trust him to light your path and be your power.

On both days I traced the cross on each girl's forehead.  If anyone wants to copy this plan, go for it.  If you have trouble getting started, try reading scripture.  I found inspiration from the Psalms as well as other passages.  I didn't directly use any particular Bible verse but maybe you'd like to.  Also, is there any reason this couldn't be done for a birthday or any other special day?  It doesn't have to be on the day of birth.  I'd love to hear your thoughts or ideas of ways to incorporate blessings.

I took about a thousand photos this week, but this one is my favorite.  Maria was so glad to be reunited with Cordelia after being separated from her during the last part of labor and the sweet sisters were having their first face-to-face.  Although Daddy isn't in the photo, he was just to the side of his girls.

People, it just doesn't get any better than this.

Elise Ione!

Elise Ione was born yesterday and she is beautiful!

I made the nurse take this photo when I was spending some time along with Elise up in the nursery.  Do you notice I am wearing the cross necklace that I said would someday be Elise's?

Starting Traditions

I have become more and more aware of how precious tradition can be to the story of a family.  As such, I've got a few traditions I started when Cordelia was born; things I want to do for my grandchildren.

As I mentioned before, one thing I want to do is give each child some piece of jewelry that is mine but that they will inherit someday.  It doesn't need to be an expensive piece of jewelry.  I just wanted something that they see me wear, see in photos from the day of their birth, and something that represents what is important in my life.  I chose a ring with a cross on it for Cordelia's birth.

I made certain that I was photographed, holding newborn Cordy, with the ring in view.  I wear it frequently so that someday, when it is her's, she will remember it being mine.

This is what I have chosen for this next baby girl:

I've got it on and I am ready to go!  I think it will be soon! 

River View

Ooops... I forgot to write a proper post and I've got to leave for work EARLY.  I didn't want to leave you hanging, though.  I took photos this week-end of the North Platte River.  

Being near water soothes my soul.   

Only a Matter of Days Now!

It is just a matter of days now.  

Soon, our beautiful daughter will be delivering another sweet little girl.  

I do not take these blessings lightly.

Deep Thoughts

Isn't he a handsome boy?  I think he's such a pretty color!  In this photo don't you think Bode looks as if he is having some wise, deep thoughts?

Actually, he is likely realizing he shouldn't have eaten those 4 or 5 cupcakes, wrappers and all, when I left the  kitchen.

Seeing Red

Before we begin, maybe I'd better provide a disclaimer.  This is kind of a nurse post.  You may as well know, nurses are not always appropriate.  It isn't our fault.  We are trained that way.


Nurses have to chart EVERYTHING about their patients.  We chart a lot about potty and poop.  I know, it's personal.  Have you ever been hospitalized? Well, I don't want to creep you out but somewhere there is likely a chart about how much you urinated and how many bowel movements (bm) you had.  Sometimes there is even descriptions regarding size, color, consistency.  I'm not kidding.  

Are you getting nervous?  If so, feel free to quit reading right now.  I don't want to damage anyone.

OK.  Anyone still reading?

First, let me start with a food review:

These chips are yummy!  Mike & I munched on them on a recent picnic.  The bag contains orange chips made from sweet potatoes.  It also has red chips made from beets.  I was proud of Mike for tasting one of the red chips as he is not a lover of beets.  I DO love beets!  The chips certainly do taste like their originating vegetables so it wasn't a surprise that Mike didn't so much enjoy the beet chips.  I did not mind that Mike gave me all the red chips to eat.  I thought they were delicious!

Several hours after the picnic, long after the taste of the chips were gone from my mouth, I experienced a worrisome symptom.  I wasn't sure what to make of the red color in the toilet bowl.  Surmising I likely had bladder cancer I am just glad that I hadn't already made a doctor's appointment.  Yep.  Once the beets were through my system everything returned to normal.