Mommy's Reading Again

Now that we're getting used to our new schedule, I've started to get back into things I enjoy. Mark and I have been tackling our yard and garden again. Which feels so good! There is just something, about digging in the dirt, that heals the soul!

And during the day, I'm finding a lot of "down time." Probably because I'm getting up earlier. Much earlier. And I get so much housework done. By the time I get Elena to school, I'm usually completely caught up with the cleaning. OK, there is still laundry to do. But that just kind of does itself. You know, throw it in the machine, and it washes.

When the girls go down for their naps, I'm sorta without anything to do. I mean, there is always something to do, but I actually have some free time. Well, I'm working on this project for me. Which makes me so happy! And I've started reading again.

With that, I've leaned on some friends for book suggestions. Things that will interest me. And aren't too crazy. I've also been reading my Bible a lot more. Which really heals my soul!! But recently, I've really gotten into this book.



Now I've read other books by Jennifer Weiner. They really are good. But I'd never read this one before. Which is about the "suburbs." And a murder. Which has had me completely "hooked," all week long!

I have Lola to thank for introducing me to Jennifer's books. And Cam to thank for this book. So around 11AM, I've probably got this book in my hand. Oh, and a sweet treat in the other! A

My Gardening Girls

I've said it many times on here, we're a gardening family. Through and through. My husband and his brothers, spent a lot of time, last summer helping my FIL, with his garden. He has a hurt back. And last year, was just tough!!

But Mark and I, have also had a garden. For a handful of years. Elena and Ofelia are growing up, with this same love. Not long ago, they helped us pick out flower seeds, veggie plants, and a tree. We're proud that they are growing up, with this love. And knowledge. That hard work, produces good stuff. :)

So it shouldn't surprise me, that when Elena read "garden" and "doll," that she was totally into it! What were we doing? I was looking over Crochet Pattern Central's updates. Where the new patterns are posted. That's when we first spotted, the "Garden Lily Doll!"



I've never made anything, this complicated!! It's an intermediate pattern. And honestly, I'm a little worried. I think it's going to take me a while. I talked to my girls. And told them, that I'm going to start the dolls. But it's going to take a little while, for mommy to finish their dolls. And more than likely, they won't get them until, after our new baby girl is here. Both Elena and Ofelia, seem to be OK with that.

Honestly, I'm trying to get the garden dolls done before that. Because, I don't know what life as a "Mommy of 3," is going to be like. And my girls, are so in love with these dolls!! I think, these dolls are a good way of linking their play, to our gardening. Today, while Mark is at work, the girls and I are heading to Hobby Lobby. For supplies. We're also working on a project, for their baby sister. :) A

What to Plant????

Recently, the girls and I went to Family Dollar. They were having a "Baby Sale." And I wanted to pick up some baby washcloths, look for some headbands, and maybe look through the garden section.

Well, we left with quite of big bunch of stuff. And I thought, well, we'd be set for planting. After I picked up 4 packs of baby washcloths, 2 bundles of headbands, and a necklace for me, we headed to the garden stuff.

By the way, the necklace wouldn't ring up. And it was super cute!! A chunky beaded necklace. Usually, they'll sell it for a quarter or so. Sometimes a dollar. Because it's usually "out of season." And they're trying to get rid of the stock. But this time, they threw it in the trash!!! Really, I was just shocked!!! Family Dollar, did you read that??? The lady in front of me, they must of thrown away 10 pieces of jewelry, and 5 pieces of clothing. CRAZINESS!!! And she was not too happy. She left the $100 worth stuff, that they had rung up to that point, and left the store!!!

Back to the garden stuff. Sorry about that mini rant. I just had to get it off my chest. :) I decided to let the girls help out. Since they already knew, they weren't going to get any toys. Ofelia was definitely excited about all the "Garden Animals." Especially the bunnies!! We came home with about 12 different animals. For under $20. We also picked up some metal hanging things. To put in the yard, and then hang flower baskets from.

Elena was definitely into the seeds. I'm a little embarrassed to say this, we left with $15 worth of seeds. I know!! And they're either 4 or 5 packs for $1. Can you just imagine how many packs of seeds we have. :) Maybe I should have been paying better attention to Elena. But she was pretty excited. And this purchase, should be bringing us happiness, for a long time!!

I was going through all these seeds earlier. And what did I notice? Only 5 packs of those seeds, are for food!! The rest are flowers. I guess my girl, wants lots of pretty flowers. We now have seeds for watermelons, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, and jalapenos. Can you tell what Elena likes to eat?? :)



Well, this leads to a little dilemma. What should we plant this year? Since we pretty much have to do all our garden shopping still, I need to make a plan. We have garden boxes. :) It makes things a little easier for us. I'm thinking squash, plenty of tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapenos, lots of herbs, pumpkins, watermelons, strawberries, and maybe some eggplant. I wonder how hard, it is to grow sweet potatoes....

Do you have any other ideas, of what I should buy? What we should plant? What are some of your favorite things? It doesn't have to be seeds. We'd be happy to buy plants. We can even talk about flowers, bushes, and trees. Because we want to add some more color to our yard. I'd love to hear your thoughts!! A

Making It Pretty

We're starting to think about Spring and Summer already. And gardening. My in-laws are big motivators in this department. My FIL, plants an amazing garden, every year. He encourages, all his grandkids to help out. Many times, he sends Elena and Ofelia home, with little plants. To plant at our house.

Mark and I, have been really good, about planting a little garden. Over the years, we've added some fruit trees, to our yard. All year long, we grow herbs in our kitchen window. I'd say, we're doing pretty well. :)

But we have a rather long driveway. It's a little boring. When we first bought our home, we planted trees along it. They are growing nicely. And it's a really nice look. But, you know there's always a but! Our driveway is lacking in color. Big time!

When you get to our house, we always plant pretty flowers. We've got roses, irises, and gladiolas. We add in annuals, for color. It looks so pretty, late in the Spring. But our driveway, is so drab! Then I remembered Lola. She planted these gorgeous roses. Along her driveway. And they grow nice and low. So I called her. :)



She pointed me in the right direction. And we just ordered 30 of these rose bushes. I told you, our driveway is long! I can't wait to see, what it's all going to look like. Imagine in 2 or 3 years! This just excites me. I also wonder, when our roses will get here. And if I'll be able to help Mark plant them. A

Garden Inspiration

It's still cold around here. But we're already thinking of Spring. And planting. My in-laws always have the most beautiful, and delicious garden. My FIL always sends us home, with fresh veggies. We all anxiously await the fresh peaches and pears. Oh, and the green chili! Just thinking about it, makes me want July to be here!!

For the last few years, Mark and I, have had a garden. Nothing like my FIL's. His is just amazing! I'm telling you, I don't think my in-laws buy veggies all summer long!! But Mark and I have been trying. And we've been relatively good at it.

This year, we have a newborn. And I just don't see myself, on hands and knees, weeding our garden. For 3 hours a day! But we still want to plant various things. After talking with my FIL and my good friend, now I know what we need to do.



Two words!! Garden boxes!! I've been investigating the situation. Mark and his brothers, are going to be building us 4 this weekend. :) This is a nice description/tutorial. I'm hoping, this cuts back on our weeding. But still allows us, yumminess all summer long! A