A Garden Update

I'm not going to lie.  This gardening thing is maybe one of the most stressful yet exciting endeavors I have ever embarked on in my entire life.  I said this exact thing to The General several times since early May, and it's no less true over a month into it.  When I proclaimed that growing this garden was the most fulfilling thing I've ever done in  my life, he promised not to share that confession with the girls.  I suppose growing two human beings is probably slightly more fulfilling, but sowing and reaping rewards of a garden is definitely close behind.

If you follow me on Instagram or check my Twitter feed on the sidebar of this blog, you're probably beyond bored of pictures and commentary from this rookie gardener.  Well too bad because the public has requested more (this one's for you, Old Lady)!


General Overview
It's a fact that I have taken more pictures of the garden then I have my own daughters so far this summer.  I do not apologize for this.  It grows even faster than they do!

May 19th

May 30th

June 10th following a vigorous hoeing and fertilizer application

Today, June 14th

Individual Plants

Jalapeno - one is still growing (although it's days are numbered).  The first was cut and tasted delicious diced in my cheese quesadilla.  Elaina took the challenge to eat one small piece; I don't suspect she will fall for that again.

Sweet pepper, Big Bertha variety.  Did you know if your pepper has four bumps on the bottom it's a female, where three bumps is a male?  Female peppers are filled with seeds, so male peppers give you more pepper for your money.  The more you know . . .

The largest of my three Beefsteak tomato plants.  Several blooms but no fruit yet.

Green ice and salad bowl lettuce.  My spinach never came up (or it did and I picked it thinking it was grass - oops).  Any tips on when to harvest it?

One of two zucchini plants.  Elaina should have her filled of zucchini break as requested.  You can see a sunflower on the left and a sort of sickly looking Space master variety cucumber to the right.

Vining cucumbers.  We have had the most trouble with this part of the garden.  Cucumbers are the only thing McKenna wanted, but I think the birds were getting to the seeds before they could sprout.  We bought some bush cucumbers as a back up, but I really want these to grow up the trellis The General made for me.  This is our third planting of these seeds and they look better than they have ever looked, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

My two largest sunflowers and sugar snap peas.  These are both taking off like crazy!

More sunflowers and store bought cilantro.  I needed some herbs for salsa.

Late planted bush beans (just for fun since none of us at One Carbon Hill like green beans) and bush cucumbers (I think it's an Emperor variety).  You can also see by my shoe marks that it's still pretty soggy in there from Wednesday's storm.

Another cucumber (we have five bush plants in all) - the first to flower!  McKenna was so excited when we found this today.

Two more tomato plants, both Beefsteak variety.  I have learned that I should have planted a variety of tomato types.  My mom has already put in a request for cherry and Roma tomatoes for next year.

The three sweet peppers

The jalapeno and two banana pepper plants

This is our first height comparison picture between the girls and the Russian Mammoth sunflower.  It's grown almost a foot in four days, so I'm interested to see if it will reach it's advertized height of 12 feet before it's done growing.

 The Harvest

The first two items out of our garden were  a jalapeno and this sad looking radish.  As mentioned before, the jalapeno was delish, but we pitched the radish.  I am happy to report, however, that with a little more patience on our part we have harvested much healthier radishes since then. 

 

Our radish supply has all been pulled (with the exception of about three more plants).  I discovered that although no one in our house will eat them, growing radishes is the perfect idea for a first time gardener.  They come up quickly and easily, and they are ready to harvest in under a month.  So no, we don't eat them but we are happy to donate them to anyone that will (thanks, Alison).  As soon as the ground dries out a little bit more you can bet I'll be planting the two new varieties I purchased last weekend.  Radishes = instant gratification!

The Challenges

About a week or so ago I decided that something was eating some of my plants, primarily the zucchini and radish leaves.  My hostas and marigolds were taking the biggest hits.  Taking advice from the knowledgeable staff at garden center, I sprinkled all the vegetables with a Hi-Yield powder and sprayed the hostas & flowers with a liquid insecticide.  After some additional online research I decided that slugs and pill bugs were probably to blame.  The remedy:  slug bait and a homemade remedy of beer in a dish.  No slugs were attracted to the beer, but the pill bugs were drunk as skunks (and dead) the next morning. 

Summer weather mean summer storms, and this week was no exception.  Although we missed the brunt of the storm, we did get hit with some serious wind and rain Wednesday night.  Just before the rain hit, as lightning popped all around and the winds whipped fiercely, my concern for the tallest of the sunflowers overrode rationale thought.  I grabbed a metal stake, quickly forced it into the ground, and tied the stem to the post.  The General watched me from the garage, shaking my head at both my dedication and stupidity.

I can't really tell how much, if any, damage the birds have done to the garden but their presence is enough to make me suspicious.  This brave bird had to audacity to squawk at me when I was out there trying to take pictures like I was bothering him.

Not pictured is my most vicious predator:  the RoGator and the chemicals it sprays on the field just west of the garden. They have sprayed the field twice, once early on in the growing season and again on Tuesday.  I restrained my overwhelming urge to run out there with a mask and a giant tarp in an effort to deflect any drift onto my crops, but I did go out there after his first pass and said a silent prayer of protection over the garden.  Luckily, so far it appears as though the light breeze out of the east did much to protect my garden while also doing its necessary and intended job of protecting the corn from its natural predators.

Overall, my biggest challenge to date is being restricted from spending seven hours a day walking among and talking to the plants.  I am the self-titled unofficial  Crazy Garden Lady.  I'm out there more than I'm in my house.  I've stopped myself several times from setting up a chair just outside the fence for no reason other than to watch it grow.  I invite people to come look at it when they stop by the house, and I force people to look at pictures I have stored on my phone.  As the vegetables start to appear the girls' excitement has also grown which is another reward of the work the garden requires.  I have little doubts we'll do it again next year with an even bigger plot to fill.

Someday I'll Learn To Listen To My Husband

"I don't work 40 hours a week to pretend I'm homeless on the weekend."
-The General

This is a direct quote from my husband, a wise sage of a man, that has been repeated and borrowed countless times by numerous individuals.  It's funny and it's also true, and yet despite several less than ideal camping experiences I continue to hold tight to my belief that camping is totally worth it all.  It's an adventure!  It's good family fun!  It's an opportunity to unplug and simplify!  It's a great way to get in touch with nature!

And oh did we get in touch with nature on our latest camping trip two weeks ago.

In a life filled with obligations, my family was able to narrow down an entire summer of weekends down to one where we were all in the same state with no prior engagements.  Scoping out an already known by heart campground, we decided on two prime campsites to use as the scene for what we were sure would be a weekend to remember.  This was going to be little Pebbles first camping experience, an event that my girls were beyond excited to be a part of.  As we prepped, purchased, penned lists, and packed we took a little time to fret over the never wavering forecast of unfavorable weather.  "What if it rains?," the girls would ask.  "We aren't going to let a little rain stop us!  We are camping no matter what".  

Please keep in mind, this was the forecast for both Friday and Saturday, taken straight from The Weather Channel app:  Isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with strong thunderstorms.  Storms may produce large hail and strong winds.  High 78.  Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.  Chance of rain 70% .  Not exactly favorable for tent camping, but whatever.

Friday morning dawned with partly sunny skies and faces bright as sunshine as the girls and I finished loading the car.  A call at 8 am from my dad was punctuated by two questions:  Are you bringing jackets because it's a little cool and Do you still want to do this?  We answered in the affirmative, unwavering in our enthusiasm, to both. 

An hour's drive later the girls and I pulled into the campground of  my youth encouraged by the still mostly sunny skies.  We were the first of our party to arrive; in fact, driving through the campground I quickly realized we were among the only ones in the entire park.  Of over a hundred campsites available, there were maybe seven other sites occupied.

Two very happy campers

Site 1:  from my dad's red car to my silver car.  It extends from the road back behind the tents about another 10 feet.

Site 2:  From my car to just beyond the tree in the upper left corner.  Lots of room to run and play!

Campsite across the road.  Take your pick!

Stepping out of the car, it became immediately evident that our first hurdle of the weekend would be navigating the muddy terrain.  Thanks to a very wet spring, the campsites were saturated.  Before the girls had even stepped off the gravel driveway, I immediately instructed them to change out of there tennis shoes and into their rain boots.  Still, within thirty seconds, the back of Elaina's body looked like this:

Not long after we arrived, my mom showed up.  Let me remind those of you who have been following for awhile:  we grew up tent camping, but my parents made the switch to the luxurious life of a camper a few years ago.  Due to limited free time for camping and a sense of fiscal responsibility, my parents sold their camper a year or so ago.  This would be their first foray back into the world of REAL camping, marked by the celebratory purchase of a brand new ten person tent complete with LED lighting system.  As mom exited her vehicle, her face read less "This is going to be such a wonderful weekend spent with family" and more "I've just entered the seventh circle of Hell".  A quick pep talk from me about how life is what you make of it and the always welcomed distraction of her two very excited granddaughters seemed to lift her spirits just slightly (but not before she could utter a very heartfelt, "This is so stupid").

My dad arrived soon after looking slightly harried (see above paragraph re: my mother's mood), and we were fast to get to setting up our tent sites.  We knew we were in a race against nature and wanted to get these tents up quickly before the weather turned.  While we tended to those duties, the girls and my mom wandered the nearby attractions, mesmerized by the awesomeness that is a pair of binoculars.  A light misting did little to dampen spirits.

With tents assembled and my car unloaded, dad decided he would go back into town for a few more provisions (i.e., McDonald's) while I joined the three trekkers on an extended nature walk.  It wasn't until we neared the end of our walk that the rain became a little more substantial, but again we weren't concerned.  Looking at the radar I was aware that things would likely get worse before they got better, but we weren't going to let a little rain stop us!

McKenna's find of the day, hidden in the grass along our hike

Just after 3:30, following a phone call from The General and another glance at the doppler, we decided to retire to our respective tents for a little quiet time.  Our timing was simultaneously to the unleashing of a storm none of us could have imagined.  Pounding rain, thunder and lightning in stereo, and substantial winds whirled around us.  Only a foot or so away, the sounds of nature we so loud I couldn't even hear my parents yelling for updates on the girls.  I don't know why there were concerned:  while they were mopping up leaks in their new tent and simmer with righteous anger (I'll let you guess who was doing what), the three of us were reading, singing along to iPods, Facebooking, and napping.  It was gloriously serene despite being separated by a  fierce weather system by nothing more than a thin layer of nylon.

McKenna in the red sleeping bag listening to her iPod.  Elaina in the blue sleeping bag reading a book naked (we were trying to get her wet clothes to dry out) after filling in her diary which she smuggled to the campground, along with her eye mask, when I wasn't looking.

Almost two hours later, the storm finally broke.  We learned that only three miles from us there were reports of receiving an inch and a half of rain in five minutes time.  Roads were covered with run-off from nearby fields and others were closed due to flooding.  "If we can make it through that, we can make it through anything!" was my dad's enthusiastic reply to our afternoon ordeal.

This was the scene just outside the door to our tent.  You could not escape the mud.

Fast forward:  three hours.

The five of us met up with my brother, sister-in-law, and niece for dinner at a nearby restaurant (the planned campfire meal was not going to happen thanks to the drenched conditions).  Upon finishing our meal, Erik stated defiantly that he was still going to sleep in his tent that night.  As darkness quickly enveloped the campground, my brother, dad, and I got his tent set up as the rain started falling again.  I had just gone into my parents tent to check on the girls when my dad and brother walked in behind me and announced, "We have to leave.  Right now.  The park officials are making everyone evacuate because they're afraid the dam is going to get wiped out".

Cue chaos.

Elaina starts crying, not because she's scared but because "You promised we'd go camping no matter what".  McKenna looked at Elaina and not-so-lovingly told her, "Just get over it.  That's life".  I thought we would simply load our vehicles with our clothes and come back in the morning; my dad informed me that, no, we would be dismantling the entire campsite.  In the rain.  And lightning.  In the dark.  Shit.

So I might have sort of lost my cool composure in those 45 minutes.  I might have started dashing around like a crazed person, shoving camping gear haphazardly wherever and however it would fit.  I lost my phone at one point, but never did I lost site of one prevailing thought, "Now I get it.  Now I know why The General hates camping, and OH MY GOD I am so glad he is not here right now".

Back at my parents house, a little muddy and a lot frazzled, we spent the following two nights drying out tents and tarps, eating food designated for the campground, and cleaning laundry.  Did the dam ever break?  No.  Did the girls care that our weekend plans were altered pretty significantly?  It didn't appear to bother them.  Did we still have a weekend filled with laughter and memories that would wash away clouds on even the darkest days?  Of course. 

So why do I love camping?  Well, you really can't beat the stories that come out of a weekend spent living like you're homeless.

(For the record, The General does not regret declining ever open invitation to join us.  He's happy to partake in the memories by proxy.)

To New Beginnings

There's no doubt that during the duration of this blog, I have had many faithful followers.  My mom, of course, is number one with many friends and family members following closely behind her.  But of all of you, all my loyal readers, there is one who stands out as going from stranger to friend almost solely through the existence of One Carbon Hill (with a little bit of help from her daughter, Tru Stories, too).

Today, Page Turner, one journey ends; tomorrow, a brand new adventure begins.  I am awed by your bravery to chase after a life long dream, and I am hopeful that this journey will bring you the same level of happiness and fulfillment that your venture will bring to the lives of those who visit your store.  Remember that all great things can be achieved with little more than a dream, determination, and dedication. 

I thought this quote from Ronald Reagan seemed appropriate for someone about to open a candy shop:

"Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music."

Here's to your success, to finding your purpose in bringing joy to the main street of our little hometown, to enjoying the sound of a shop filled with laughter and conversation.  As you have supported me and my family over the years, I will happily return the favor as you set out on this new endeavor. 

Best of luck to you, Page Turner!  May every day at Coco's be a choreographed masterpiece to the soundtrack of a sweet song.

The Mrs. Grows A Garden

When we were house hunting ten years ago, The General and I had a very short list of must haves.  Basically the search for our first home required the following:

1. Three bedrooms
2. Central air conditioning
3. A big yard

We looked at a few before knowing touring the little white brick house on the curve in Carbon Hill and both knew pretty quickly on the tour that this would become our first house.  I think The General would agree with me that it was the yard that pretty much sealed the deal.


Now, I'm no green thumb but I've been quietly pestering The General for a few years now that we should really try our hand at self-sufficiency and grow a garden.  I mean, if we are really to stand any chance of surviving a zombie apocalypse, one would think that the know-how for growing your own food might  come in handy.  The girls have joined my efforts, proclaiming almost every spring for the last four years that they would like to grow vegetables in their own gardens.  Helping Papa harvest cucumbers in his garden an hour away just wasn't cutting it anymore.

I'll admit that the passing of my Grapa definitely spurred my desire to start a home grown garden.  He was masterful at planting, growing, and harvesting some of the most beautiful produce.  In a way, I felt a strong desire to honor his memory by carrying on his legacy.  The General, realizing I wasn't going to give up this topic, finally agreed to loan me a 10x12 foot section of his lawn for our very first family garden.  The payment required?  This was my baby, my undertaking, my responsibility.

Two weekends ago, on a hot Sunday afternoon, I dug up the garden using nothing more than a spade, some muscle, and a whole lot of willpower.  By the end of the day I was filthy, sun burnt, exhausted, and totally proud of myself.  I couldn't walk without wincing for two days afterwards thanks to the soreness in my hamstrings from all the squats I did hauling 120 square feet of sod. 

While I worked, the girls would take breaks during their fun time to offer a little encouragement.  McKenna was a little less than impressed with the process, and Elaina helped me focus on the fun part of gardening by making a list of vegetables we would be planting.

Later in the week, BOTD came to The General's rescue (he was really starting to worry about the state of his precious grass under that tower of sod); BOTD and I loaded every last square of sod into the back of his truck.  He earned that Busch Lite at the end of that task, let me tell you.  The one favor I asked of The General was to run the rototiller when it was time.  I figured the thought of operating some machinery might encourage his willingness to participate, plus I figured the tiller that used to be my Grapa's would probably be a little bit too much for me to handle.  I was totally right.  As The General declared, that thing was a beast.

Last Wednesday I couldn't hold back the urge to get something planted.  We put in some sugar snap peas and two rows of corn (which have since been deemed a mistake due to lack of room.  I already need a bigger garden!).  The following day I put in more:  three tomato plants, a couple of banana peppers, and three Big Bertha green peppers.  I also planted some marigolds around the plants (great companion plants, help keep pests away - I've done my research, people!) as well.  While planting on Thursday, I looked up at one point and realized that I had a little birdie watching me, and I mean that quite literally.  As I posted to Instagram:

Yesterday I planted the first veggies in the garden on my Grapa's birthday after we used his old tiller to work up the ground.  Today I planted a little more between light rain showers and was serenaded the whole time by a cardinal.  The St. Louis Cardinals were his favorite team.  I feel like the garden and my efforts have been blessed.

Four minutes after posting that picture, Elaina ran up to me and squealed, "EWWW!".  I had bird poop on my shoulder.  Funny, Grapa.  Reeeaaallll funny.

By Sunday, my garden was complete.  A couple zucchini plants (Elaina's choice because, as she reasoned, she LOVES zucchini plants), two bush cucumbers for McKenna plus cucumbers seeds planted ready to grow up my brand new Mother's Day gifted trellis (Thanks, General!), radishes (for Papa), green onions, jalapeno, spinach, leaf lettuce, green ice lettuce, sunflowers, and carrots.  Wheeee!!!!

Yesterday was an exciting day when I spotted our very first seedlings making their way to the surface.  Now, due to a little minor garden reconfiguration due to a riding lawn mower malfunction through the north end of the garden (a mere two hours after completion, I might add), the identity of this plant remains a mystery.  I think we've ruled out sweet corn, but can anyone confirm whether this might be a sugar snap pea (the mounds and teepee designed for these plants were disrupted by the incident I shall now refer to as Mower Gate) or a sunflower (I did plant some earlier before tilling in my haste and anxiousness to start so these are a week ahead of almost everything else)?

Tonight I noticed that we have the first flower - the jalapeno was the first to bloom.  I visit the garden at least seven or eight times between getting home after school and dark - and no, that is no exaggeration; I keep watch over it more than I did my own children as newborns - and seeing this little bloom plus three more sprouts of the mystery plant made me giddy with happiness.

There's a long way to go in this process, but I had no idea how much satisfaction the idea of growing your own produce could bring.  I'm just hoping for one edible item out of this whole process at this point, and everyone assures me I'll be swimming in vegetables by summer's end.  Still, despite several responses of "growing a garden is easy!", I'll take any suggestions you're willing to share.

In the meantime, you can follow my Twitter feed for daily updates on the One Carbon Hill Garden Chronicles.  I'm sure you'll understand if pictures of plants outnumber pictures of my children this summer.  I'm just a little bit excited.