Camping Season Has Begun

We are nearly ready to leave on our first camping trip of the season.  I can't express how much we are looking forward to this.  We have delayed our first trip due to other committments.   And we are not going on as many trips as last year, most likely, so that we can accomplish some other financial goals.  All this to say, we are very thankful for this trip.  I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 
~Jenn

P.S.  Unless a miracle happens, I will not be taking photos this weekend.  My camera froze up yesterday and that is that.  I do plan to try to get a new battery, but that might not happen until we get back. Bummer. 

Peony Bliss

Peonies are my favorite spring-time flower.  Imagine my excitement when I saw that there are 3 bushes here.  Does anyone know what care they need?  I may have to do some research.  I'd like to give them a boost for next year. 

More Prairie Art

Garden Update No. 3

I've been wanting to post some updated pictures of our Learning Patch, but it has been so rainy lately, that I've had to put that off. Today, after many days, the sun returned! So, I ventured out with my camera.

Here is the current overview picture of our Learning Patch Garden (TM).

The green beans that we planted in the good soil are growing very well. 

The ones we planted in the ground a little later are not doing so well.  I think it has been too wet and we seem to have several bunnies that like our patch, too.  Next year, we will have a proper raised garden box and all will be well. 

We have a section of dandelion greens growing.  I read this today from Botanical.com,"The young leaves of the Dandelion make an agreeable and wholesome addition to spring salads and are often eaten on the Continent, especially in France."  (I am ahead of my time.) 

The compost is growing!  It's not baking, but it is increasing a lot.  The sun really needs to stay out for a long while. 

We bought some Catnip for our favorite feline.  I will plant it in a bigger pot soon. 

Here's a fun little story.  I let my garlic that I bought to use for cooking get away from me.  I noticed it's little green shoot and decided that if it wanted to grow, I'd stick it in some dirt.  I never expecte it to take off.  Look at it now. 

I think the lettuce needs thinned. 

The pretty yellow flowers are attracting butterflies. 

We were gifted some little Preying Mantis to release into our garden.  I am hoping they have made it.  Time will tell. 

Thank you for taking the time to look at our little learning patch! 

May2010

Tonight was a big night for Grace. She won a gold medal in Judo! So exciting. I just had to post her picture, in case her grandpa in California checks this blog before I could get to it in the morning. Hooray for Grace!

From May2010

A New Little Friend

Oh dear.  We did not mean to lead you on.  We meerly wanted to convey to you that we were  friendly  and sympathetic to your cause.  

How do we know if you are homeless, friendless, even?  What to do.  We certainly cannot take you in.  No, that would not go over well with The Queen. 

And we have no extra money to find out if that is even safe to do.  Yet, you are on our minds, dear Tommy.  (Oh, yes, we've given you a name.)  That's bad. 

It's hard to harden out hearts when you are so affectionate, rubbing against our windows at night, peeping in at our warm, cozy family life.  Sweet Tommy we shall pray for guidance from your Maker.  Until then, I promise not to sneak you any more cat food behind the mini barn. 

Good Morning to the New Week!

How was your weekend?  Mine started off a little rough.  I was sick Thursday and Friday.  Thankfully, I was better for Saturday's two graduation open houses.  I just love those events!  It's fun to run into so many old friends at both events. 

We also got our tents out and mended.  We leave to go camping in 2 weeks.  Lots to do in the meantime.  Need to go through and replenish all our camping supplies.  It will be a pleasant job, almost like Christmas! 

After church on Sunday, the "men" mowed the yard.  I love having an older son who is eager to mow with his father.  I pruned some trees while the younger two weeded a big bed and picked up sticks.  Nothing nicer than an afternoon spent working outside as a family.  Did I tell you that there were no complaints either?  No, I don't think I mentioned it. 

My dear husband and I were able to get away to Costco for an hour of shopping, also on Sunday.  Even though we were just shopping, we enjoy being together, just the two of us.  Another advantage to having older kids who are well trained, not to toot my own horn, but we are seeing some fruit of our earlier labors.  (Praise the Lord.) 

Some of you are stopping by today for the first time.  I am not giving up on Homeschool Blogger.  But I think now that it has been so drastically changed it is not the place for my family blog.  So welcome!  The Simple Life has been my quiet little spot to talk about the things I love.

I hope each and every one of you has a lovely week.  I hope to update our garden pictures soon. 
Grace and peace to you,
Jenn

Garden Update No. 2

I appreciate all the great advice and encouragement I've been given about our little garden.  It made me realize that I did not have a clear picture in my mind as to what kind of a garden I wanted.  Of course, I had to decide that.  There are all sorts of types of gardens.  Why didn't I think of this in the first place?  So, with that in mind, we will now be turning our focus of the garden into an area for the kids to explore growing things. 

Today, with some muscle from my youngest two, we dug up an area 4'x3'.  We added left over sand and got rid of the weeds.  Then we took a 12" x12" plastic milk crate and used it to measure off one foot squares.  Into each square went 4 green bean seeds.  We watered them with the rain water we collected over the weekend.  Now we will wait. 

We also moved our compost pile again.  It is now in the middle where the sun shines most.  If we can swing it, I would like to add another row of squares to plant carrots.  We bought some seeds on sale last week.  My oldest wants pumpkins.  I am going to have to think about those.  I know they take a lot of room.  Maybe I can find another sunny spot for those on the side of the house.   

Anyway, all this to say, I am encouraged.  We are using what we have and I know it is going to teach us something!  Already I am grateful that I have this little plot of land to tend. 

It's kind of hard to see the squares, but they are there.