Well, I’m just going to start by saying a weekend away does wonders for the soul, relaxes the body, strengthens the bonds, and allows time for reflection. My weekend away with the girls was marvelous. What a superb and interesting group of women I spent my weekend with.
Each person brings their own unique talents, conversation and stories to the table…I could not have enjoyed it more. Our hostess even had an aesthetician visit and give the most delightful facials, using ingredients like fresh papaya, honey, camomile and rosemary. We were each treated to an entire hour of face cleansing, massaging and reinvigorating, and after, we all glowed and felt youthful and beautiful. Thank you Melanie!
Today I want to share with you my newest hobby, raised bed gardening. This is the part where the chiggers come in! I hate them!! They have managed to make their way up from our pastures to my garden area – I think. I got some bites early last week when I ventured out to the pasture to see Fancy, our horse and check on the bees. But Monday I only ventured to the back yard to water the garden and was riddled with chiggers in places I will not, cannot, and won’t mention. UGH!
On April 7, I planted the first veggies in my garden. My adoring hubby built me a raised bed garden in place of a little girls playhouse, far too unsafe to remain standing. The playhouse had been in our back yard for about 16 years, long ago forgotten but enjoyed throughout my daughters childhood days. It was cute and cool but time had taken its toll and so my man, Dan tore it down. He’s so smart though, he kept one wall and window intact and used it to help designate my garden space.
I’ve planted tomatoes, Better Boy, Black Cherry, Cherokee Purple, Celebrity and Juliette. Peppers, Jalapeño, Poblano Ancho, and New Mexico Big Jim’s. Elan and Sequoia Strawberries, Beets, Redina Lettuce, Japanese Eggplant, and herbs. The herbs growing in my garden are, Sweet Basil , Lemon Basil, Marjoram, Texas Tarragon, and Lemon Thyme. I’m pretty excited about my garden and so far proud of its progress. I bought a pack of lady bugs one day, to share with the kids at my school, but brought home a few hundred and turned them loose. I’m hopeful they didn’t find many bugs to munch on but that they are close by in case we need an army to destroy the bad bugs.
Enjoy my photos below of the garden before it was complete, the garden finished, the first day of planting, and today. I’ve added a few photos of flowers and bugs…some of the things I enjoy when I take a walk and come back with chigger bites! I hate chiggers!!
I’ll be back soon with some delicious “vintage recipes”. My theme for the month of May.
Enjoy!
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