I finally planted the remaining SFG's this evening. It had been sooo windy all day. While it was still breezy, especially while planting the tiny carrot seeds, it needed to be done. So, I'll have beans and peas at the end of August and into September.
I can honestly say that I have NOT planted THIS late before, but some years are like that. If I want to be done with that first mild frost in September, I'll let it go ... if not, I'll be searching for blankets and sheets to cover up the SFG's.
On Saturday, Eric rototilled around all the SFG boxes & the old fashioned garden to knock down the weeds. I like being able to look out and see it without the weeds. It's also a bit of prep work for laying down canvas or landscape fabric. I eventually hope to cover the walkways with pea gravel or something that won't blow away. One small step at a time.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Progress...
Graham is making great progress on the potty-training front. He still has a few accidents, but the last couple days (even through Achievement Days, which were super busy!) it's only been 2 pair of underwear a day instead of more. He has a whole drawer of undies to choose from and when he is 'trained', he 'gets' to open up his new pack of Diego underwear. We've taken them out of the package to look, but they went right back in to wait for THE DAY.
** Since he actually has started to tell me before the need is imminent, we opened the Diego underwear so they could be washed. He's VERY excited.
** Since he actually has started to tell me before the need is imminent, we opened the Diego underwear so they could be washed. He's VERY excited.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Garden Sale!
My MIL informed me a couple days ago that the local greenhouse's 'Box Sale' was today. I offered to drive and we arrived just a few minutes after the opening at 8am this morning. Did we get some great deals!!
Each box of plants is $10 - no stacking, but little six/four packs could half hang over the edge. All of my box plants were perennials in 4" pots. Both my MIL and I purchased two boxes. In case you are wondering what's in my boxes, I found peonies, columbine, daylilies, coral bells, siberian iris, japanese iris, and hosta.
Roses were $5 & Clematis were $4. I found one beautiful rose bush - it's has a red flower, and I picked out two clematis - a white and a dark purple/blue. Neither of us purchased any baskets, but they were also marked down to $5! This is an incredible deal for someone like me who loves perennials, has not a wisp of perennials gardens in her yard (yet!), and is having landscape work done in about 3 weeks.
I want to plant so badly, but know I need to wait till the landscape work is done. Besides, we'll have to cultivate and spray to kill all the weeds that now look like lawn from a distance before the real grass can be sown. So, I'll keep these plants alive on my porch for now and dream about the possibilities. Patience ... I'm working on the virtue of patience.
Each box of plants is $10 - no stacking, but little six/four packs could half hang over the edge. All of my box plants were perennials in 4" pots. Both my MIL and I purchased two boxes. In case you are wondering what's in my boxes, I found peonies, columbine, daylilies, coral bells, siberian iris, japanese iris, and hosta.
Roses were $5 & Clematis were $4. I found one beautiful rose bush - it's has a red flower, and I picked out two clematis - a white and a dark purple/blue. Neither of us purchased any baskets, but they were also marked down to $5! This is an incredible deal for someone like me who loves perennials, has not a wisp of perennials gardens in her yard (yet!), and is having landscape work done in about 3 weeks.
I want to plant so badly, but know I need to wait till the landscape work is done. Besides, we'll have to cultivate and spray to kill all the weeds that now look like lawn from a distance before the real grass can be sown. So, I'll keep these plants alive on my porch for now and dream about the possibilities. Patience ... I'm working on the virtue of patience.
Achievement Day Summary
Dash and Angelina
have completed their first
4-H Achievement Days!
Tuesday:
Interview judging started at 10:15a for our club and both did well. They received blue ribbons on all their projects after this first step. The whole family went out to eat for lunch, then went home for a nap! Well, Graham and Zeke napped in the car on the way home and I napped at home, in the comfort of my own bed. For some reason I was exhausted.
Static exhibits were open for viewing from 2-8pm later that day. Two tables of champion projects were set up. The kids were both surprised and pleased to find they each had a project at the front of the room. Angelina's childcare (activity bag) and Dash's gardening (container herb garden) both received purple champion ribbons.
We ate at the community sponsored picnic and then headed over the Zeke and Dash's baseball games to finish off the day on Tuesday. Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres joined us to view the projects, eat at the picnic and watch a bit of baseball. Grandma Golden Acres also traveled down to watch baseball and will watch the kids show their rabbits on Wednesday.
Wednesday:
Interview judging started at 10:15a for our club and both did well. They received blue ribbons on all their projects after this first step. The whole family went out to eat for lunch, then went home for a nap! Well, Graham and Zeke napped in the car on the way home and I napped at home, in the comfort of my own bed. For some reason I was exhausted.
Static exhibits were open for viewing from 2-8pm later that day. Two tables of champion projects were set up. The kids were both surprised and pleased to find they each had a project at the front of the room. Angelina's childcare (activity bag) and Dash's gardening (container herb garden) both received purple champion ribbons.
We ate at the community sponsored picnic and then headed over the Zeke and Dash's baseball games to finish off the day on Tuesday. Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres joined us to view the projects, eat at the picnic and watch a bit of baseball. Grandma Golden Acres also traveled down to watch baseball and will watch the kids show their rabbits on Wednesday.
Wednesday:
Dash and Angelina show their Mini-Lop rabbits - Checkers and Comet. The rabbits have been cleaned (yes, they needed a bit of a bath) and the kids have been practicing diligently the last couple days on showing and handling their pets. The judging started at 9:30a. They showed their rabbits as 'pets' and then participated in rabbit showmanship. I asked, and the judge was so kind as to go through everything about showmanship with them after their class. Ours were the only rabbits shown. So, both won a blue for their rabbits and received blue ribbons in showmanship. Dash won the purple champion in the 'pets' division.
Rabbit Showmanship - Dash with Comet and Angelina with Checkers
4-H is such a great way to learn. Wish I would've thought to ask her to go through a similar demonstration with poultry so our kids could benefit.
Dash competed in the tractor driving (lawn tractor, that is) this afternoon. He hadn't practiced all the skills that needed, so it was an dventure and fun to watch, as well! His participation was a bit of a last minute decision, but why not?? An even more last minute decision was that Angelina also participated! I don't believe she's ever driven anything. Both did well, in my opinion. Angelina is a bit light and small, so someone had to push down on the seat (the lawn tractor will not run if the seat isn't weighted down enought), so that she could sit forward to reach the forward and reverse pedals.
At 3pm, all the static exhibits needed to be picked up (or packed) and a final decision as to their entry at the state level decided. We had planned to send just a few, but Eric decided that he'll make a run up to Minot to enter them. Grandma Golden Acres has agreed to pick up the exhibits at the end of the ND State Fair.
Dash, Angelina, and Zeke stayed to watch the large animal show tonight, with their Dad. He wanted them to see what it's all about. We hope to have the kids show a larger variety of animals in the future ... I grew up showing sheep, rabbits, and chickens for the most part, but also tried equine halter showmanship and beef. Eric showed hogs and chickens.
Showing is a lot of fun, but there's also a LOT of work on the backside. We aren't set up for larger animals, yet, but I've been so wanting a few chickens! Am I ready for this??? Sure, on this side of our first Achievement Days ... bring it on!!
Angelina withe her projects and ribbons, above.
Dash with his projects and ribbons, above.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Replanting
Grandma Green Acres went to the greenhouse this morning with Angelina in tow and found nearly all that we both needed to re-establish our gardens. At least with the SFG's I can get to them and replant today. She'll have to wait until the her garden dries out a bit before putting plants in the ground.
Eric, my hubby, will be picking up the remainder of the tomato plants I needed - the Roma variety I use to do virtually all my canning. I'm so thankful he was able to find everything else we needed.
The darn weeds came back better than my veggies ... how's that for a sense of humor!
Eric, my hubby, will be picking up the remainder of the tomato plants I needed - the Roma variety I use to do virtually all my canning. I'm so thankful he was able to find everything else we needed.
The darn weeds came back better than my veggies ... how's that for a sense of humor!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Science Fair
Dash and Angelina participated in a local science fair yesterday. The sponsoring couple is a homeschool family and they've really put a lot of work and thought into the planning for this first year. While the participation wasn't as great as they hoped, I think it really has the potential to turn into something wonderful for our homeschool group and anyone else who wants to participate.
Computers make it so much easier to create displays and allow a younger child to have an easy to read display. I helped the kids format thier text on the computer and I used the paper cutter (I don't let any of the kids use the paper cutter ... it's my fun toy and in my opinion, none are old enough to use it properly, yet!). The kids were in charge of creating the text, using rubber cement to attach the text to the background paper, and placing the text on their display board. The foam-board displays were even gridded, aiding placement greatly.
Angelina did a simple experiment that showed the effects of calcium loss in chicken leg bones. It's a simple experiment, but perfect for her age. She called her project "Funny Bones". We kept her experimental jars lined up on the kitchen counter and made observations every couple days.
Dash exhibited an electrical device/toy called a Vibrobot*. This hand-made toy is an example of closed circuit electricity, but it's much more fun than the standard light switch mounted on wood.
On this Vibrobot model, one connects the black wires and the bot will start to move around. It's cute and fun.
*I first saw the Vibrobot on a Martha Stewart show. What can I say, it was a weak moment in the early morning when I sat down to have a snack. I've watched the show maybe 5 times in the last 8 years. Anyway, I was definitely meant to watch this particular clip; the Vibrobot is perfect for someone like Dash. It was cool ~ I'm pretty sure any boy in the 12yo age range (and probably a few technic-minded girls) would enjoy this project!
Computers make it so much easier to create displays and allow a younger child to have an easy to read display. I helped the kids format thier text on the computer and I used the paper cutter (I don't let any of the kids use the paper cutter ... it's my fun toy and in my opinion, none are old enough to use it properly, yet!). The kids were in charge of creating the text, using rubber cement to attach the text to the background paper, and placing the text on their display board. The foam-board displays were even gridded, aiding placement greatly.
Angelina did a simple experiment that showed the effects of calcium loss in chicken leg bones. It's a simple experiment, but perfect for her age. She called her project "Funny Bones". We kept her experimental jars lined up on the kitchen counter and made observations every couple days.
Dash exhibited an electrical device/toy called a Vibrobot*. This hand-made toy is an example of closed circuit electricity, but it's much more fun than the standard light switch mounted on wood.
On this Vibrobot model, one connects the black wires and the bot will start to move around. It's cute and fun.
*I first saw the Vibrobot on a Martha Stewart show. What can I say, it was a weak moment in the early morning when I sat down to have a snack. I've watched the show maybe 5 times in the last 8 years. Anyway, I was definitely meant to watch this particular clip; the Vibrobot is perfect for someone like Dash. It was cool ~ I'm pretty sure any boy in the 12yo age range (and probably a few technic-minded girls) would enjoy this project!
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