How Grows the Rest?

Yes, indeed, the How Grows It? post was really just part one of our yard. Here’s the remainder. I’ve saved the herbs for last. Some we enjoy fresh and others we simply dry for use throughout the year. In fact, last year, we dried so much sage that we’re still using it (and we put sage in lots of recipes). So here’s a peek at the rest of the garden:

Lovely, lovely dill! I've been enjoying the dill the most this year, on grilled cheese sandwiches, in salads, in mac'n cheese, in salad dressings, etc. So tasty!
Lovely, lovely dill! I’ve been enjoying the dill the most this year, on grilled cheese sandwiches, in salads, in mac’n cheese, in salad dressings, etc. So tasty!
Bunches and bunches of chives!
Bunches and bunches of chives!
Minty, minty, mint!
Minty, minty, mint!
First time growing oregano since we moved back from B.C. Doing pretty good so far.
First time growing oregano since we moved back from B.C. Doing pretty good so far.
Our sage container, not doing as well this year as last, but not too bad.
Our sage container, not doing as well this year as last, but not too bad.
Thyme plants doing well!
Thyme plants doing well!

How Grows It?

Time for a little garden tour! Of course, I can’t keep up with documenting the growing out there, so these photos are at least a week old, but you’ll get the general idea of how things are going.

First a peek at how it all started this spring. Here are our three main garden beds in May, after the first planting.
First a peek at how it all started this spring. Here are our three main garden beds in May, after the first planting.
Here are the main beds back at the beginning of June. Some bits of life starting to sprout up here & there.
Here are the main beds back at the beginning of June. Some bits of life starting to sprout up here & there.
Here are the main beds in full swing now. A green jungle with lots of yummy food being produced. What a difference a month makes!
Here are the main beds in full swing now. A green jungle with lots of yummy food being produced. What a difference a month makes!
Climbing beans are journeying up the trellis with a few blossoms.
Climbing beans are journeying up the trellis with a few blossoms.
Pea blossoms are so pretty. We've taken a few bowls of tasty sweet peas and snow peas into the house (and into our bellies) since this photo was taken.
Pea blossoms are so pretty. We’ve taken a few bowls of tasty sweet peas and snow peas into the house (and into our bellies) since this photo was taken.
Carrot jungle
Carrot jungle
Green onions needing some serious eating. Poor fellas have been a little neglected.
Green onions needing some serious eating. Poor fellas have been a little neglected.
Loaded with tomatoes! So juicy and sweet!
Loaded with tomatoes! So juicy and sweet!
Our precious broccoli. Or broccolini to be more precise. Lots being harvested off of these each week, and we've even begun to pull off the leaves and dehydrate them for our "super green" powder.
Our precious broccoli. Or broccolini to be more precise. Lots being harvested off of these each week, and we’ve even begun to pull off the leaves and dehydrate them for our “super green” powder.
Squash beauties with the cutest little squash and biggest blossoms right now! I always enjoy watching these gals grow.
Squash beauties with the cutest little squash and biggest blossoms right now! I always enjoy watching these gals grow.

Our Week (so far)

A fairly regular, if not weekly, post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

Isn't he just adorable?! Trying to capture some of the more simple moments with Sammy these days. He spends multiple times a day looking out the window, waiting for daddy to come home. If he thinks he hears hubby's old truck pull up, Sam climbs up on the couch to look out the window. Partly excited to have daddy home and partly excited to watch daddy park his truck and trailer.
Isn’t he just adorable?! Trying to capture some of the more simple moments with Sammy these days. He spends multiple times a day looking out the window, waiting for daddy to come home. If he thinks he hears hubby’s old truck pull up, Sam climbs up on the couch to look out the window. Partly excited to have daddy home and partly excited to watch daddy park his truck and trailer.
The big experiment this week was homemade rhubarb ketchup. Turned out super tasty and processed a bunch of jars. Now they're sitting on our pantry shelves, thus beginning the preserve season. Actually, Marcus started us off by picking radishes and asparagus. Shelves will slowly start to fill from here on out. Find the recipe for the rhubarb ketchup on the "My Living Nutrition" blog (http://mylivingnutrition.com/2013/06/29/homestyle-rhubarb-ketchup/)
The big experiment this week was homemade rhubarb ketchup. Turned out super tasty and processed a bunch of jars. Now they’re sitting on our pantry shelves, thus beginning the preserve season. Actually, Marcus started us off by picking radishes and asparagus. Shelves will slowly start to fill from here on out. Find the recipe for the rhubarb ketchup on the “My Living Nutrition” blog (http://mylivingnutrition.com/2013/06/29/homestyle-rhubarb-ketchup/)
We had a surprise harvest of garlic scapes from our garden (pretty sure hubby must have slipped them in at some point since he's growing them for his CSA customers). We also harvested our first tomato of the season!! The vines are loaded and this hot weather is helping them ripen in record time (insert proud tomato growing mama smile).
We had a surprise harvest of garlic scapes from our garden (pretty sure hubby must have slipped them in at some point since he’s growing them for his CSA customers). We also harvested our first tomato of the season!! The vines are loaded and this hot weather is helping them ripen in record time (insert proud tomato growing mama smile).
So this happened finally... It's probably looong overdue, but converted Sam's crib to a toddler bed. He's been ready for a while, but this poor mama, hasn't been. Don't want my baby growing up, but looks like I can't stop it ;-)
So this happened finally… It’s probably looong overdue, but converted Sam’s crib to a toddler bed. He’s been ready for a while, but this poor mama, hasn’t been. Don’t want my baby growing up, but looks like I can’t stop it 😉
Simple pleasures... green smoothie in the morning. Made from 1 banana, 1 cup of coconut milk, and 2 cups fresh spinach from the garden. Never get tired of fresh veggies from the garden or all the tasty fruit in season right now.
Simple pleasures… green smoothie in the morning. Made from 1 banana, 1 cup of coconut milk, and 2 cups fresh spinach from the garden. Never get tired of fresh veggies from the garden or all the tasty fruit in season right now.

Our Week (so far)

I’m sorry the posts have been few and far between lately. Everyday seems full just trying to keep up with the basics. Add in a decent sized garden that demands daily attention, fresh food that needs harvesting (& cooking, eating or preserving), and plenty of random extra appointments, errands, & phone calls. Plus hubby is crazy busy now that his urban farming business is in full swing. On top of all that, add in my mom who is staying in a long term rehabilitation centre and my brother & his wife out of the country. Oh, and Marcus’ grandmother of 91 years of age, passed away. Ya… we have been stretched thin, with only tiny breaks here & there.

It’s not all bad. I’m truly thankful for the time we get to spend in the garden (and in the sun). Also, thankful for the little adventures Sam & I squeeze in. Sadly, blogging has not been high on the list of to-dos. I don’t really see an end to all the craziness soon though. All your patience is appreciated. Maybe I can at least get back to some fun button posts soon. Even that would make me feel a bit better.

For now though, a post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

I feel like hospital blankets always look the same. Been spending a lot of time at a hospital-like-facility where my mom is having to stay for an extended time. Did I tell you she took a bad fall at the beginning of June? Broken arm and broken pelvic bone. Long road to recovery. Seems like kind of a lonely place, so we're trying to visit as much as we can.
I feel like hospital blankets always look the same. Been spending a lot of time at a hospital-like-facility where my mom is having to stay for an extended time. Did I tell you she took a bad fall at the beginning of June? Broken arm and broken pelvic bone. Long road to recovery. Seems like kind of a lonely place, so we’re trying to visit as much as we can.
Finally treated myself to some lovely new Birkenstock sandals! Sooo purrrrdy! I bought my last pair over a decade ago. It was high time to treat my toes. Lovin' the colour!
Finally treated myself to some lovely new Birkenstock sandals! Sooo purrrrdy! I bought my last pair over a decade ago. It was high time to treat my toes. Lovin’ the colour!
Brewed our first batch of sun tea this week! Nothing says summer to me like seeing a jug of sun tea brewing on the deck. Want to make your own batch? Grab a glass jug, fill with water, drop in a few tea bags and set it in the sun for a few hours. Chill. Enjoy!
Brewed our first batch of sun tea this week! Nothing says summer to me like seeing a jug of sun tea brewing on the deck. Want to make your own batch? Grab a glass jug, fill with water, drop in a few tea bags and set it in the sun for a few hours. Chill. Enjoy!
Sammy and I headed down to the Bowness stampede pancake breakfast and parade. He LOVED it! Pancakes dripping in syrup, waving at each group in the parade, saying "yahoo!" a million times, and "thank you" each time candy was thrown his way. We scored A LOT of candy!! Sugar high and super crash all in the same morning. True Stampede spirit at its best! Can't wait to head down to the Stampede grounds later this week. Deep-fried-everything here we come!!!
Sammy and I headed down to the Bowness stampede pancake breakfast and parade. He LOVED it! Pancakes dripping in syrup, waving at each group in the parade, saying “yahoo!” a million times, and “thank you” each time candy was thrown his way. We scored A LOT of candy!! Sugar high and super crash all in the same morning. True Stampede spirit at its best! Can’t wait to head down to the Stampede grounds later this week. Deep-fried-everything here we come!!!

Our Week (so far)

A fairly regular, if not weekly, post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

Mother's Day breakfast with my boy. I cooked up special beet & apple waffles with blueberry sauce. Super yummy! We both gobbled them up.
Mother’s Day breakfast with my boy. I cooked up special beet & apple waffles with blueberry sauce. Super yummy! We both gobbled them up.
Just chillin' outside with my boy on Mother's Day. Love his sunglasses! I need some!
Just chillin’ outside with my boy on Mother’s Day. Love his sunglasses! I need some!
May 12th would have been my oldest brother's birthday. Sammy & I took a little trip up to the cemetery for a visit. When I told Sam we were going to the cemetery to see Uncle Blake, my sweet boy asked if we could read a story with him. So we brought one of his Berenstein Bear books with us and sat there reading a story together. When we were just about ready to leave, I wished Blake happy birthday. Sammy heard me and starting singing Happy Birthday to Uncle Blake. Just another truly precious moment to get me through the week.
May 12th would have been my oldest brother’s birthday. Sammy & I took a little trip up to the cemetery for a visit. When I told Sam we were going to the cemetery to see Uncle Blake, my sweet boy asked if we could read a story with him. So we brought one of his Berenstein Bear books with us and sat there reading a story together. When we were just about ready to leave, I wished Blake happy birthday. Sammy heard me and starting singing Happy Birthday to Uncle Blake. Just another truly precious moment to get me through the week.
Sammy was a big help this week with all sorts of tasks. We did some watering at one of the yards for hubby and he was happy to try out his new watering can (I know he doesn't look too happy in the picture, though).
Sammy was a big help this week with all sorts of tasks. We did some watering at one of the yards for hubby and he was happy to try out his new watering can (I know he doesn’t look too happy in the picture, though).
Finally got to enjoy several meals outside this week. Loving our old blue bench (painted it last year, but barely got to use it).
Finally got to enjoy several meals outside this week. Loving our old blue bench (painted it last year, but barely got to use it).
Sammy helping Auntie Tina dig one of the many holes out on our "big farm" for the hazelnut trees that we are planting out there. It's a big task (over 400 hazelnuts to go in, 400 raspberry bushes, and a handful of pear & apple trees). Mark your calendars, the official tree planting day is May 24th! Contact me if you're interested in joining us!
Sammy helping Auntie Tina dig one of the many holes out on our “big farm” for the hazelnut trees that we are planting out there. It’s a big task (over 400 hazelnuts to go in, 400 raspberry bushes, and a handful of pear & apple trees). Mark your calendars, the official tree planting day is May 24th! Contact me if you’re interested in joining us!

Our Week (so far)

A fairly regular, if not weekly, post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

The white stuff that won't stay away. Our poor garden. At least chives are tough little buggers.
The white stuff that won’t stay away. Our poor garden. At least chives are tough little buggers.
The aftermath. Brownie crumbs on my adorable bunny plate. Hid some pureed carrots & kale into my fave brownie recipe to try & get more veggies into our veggie-hating son.
The aftermath. Brownie crumbs on my adorable bunny plate. Hid some pureed carrots & kale into my fave brownie recipe to try & get more veggies into our veggie-hating son.
I gave up waiting for spring flowers outside, and decided to bring some spring indoors. Now there are flowers in most rooms of our house. Focusing on the simple pleasures.
I gave up waiting for spring flowers outside, and decided to bring some spring indoors. Now there are flowers in most rooms of our house. Focusing on the simple pleasures.
We had ACTUAL sunshine one morning this week. This little man thought it was sunny enough that he needed to wear his sunglasses while he watched an episode of The Berenstein Bears. Funny guy. (PS - love that they match his jammies)
We had ACTUAL sunshine one morning this week. This little man thought it was sunny enough that he needed to wear his sunglasses while he watched an episode of The Berenstein Bears. Funny guy. (PS – love that they match his jammies)

Our Week (so far)

A fairly regular, if not weekly, post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

Spent a morning petting adorable baby goats at Butterfield Acres. Sam & I really wanted to bring them home. (He loves his Carharrt overalls and calls them his "worker man pants". They're perfect for him! Thanks again Lisa)
Spent a morning petting adorable baby goats at Butterfield Acres. Sam & I really wanted to bring them home. (He loves his Carharrt overalls and calls them his “worker man pants”. They’re perfect for him! Thanks again Lisa)
Enjoying chilled homemade apple cider on the deck one spring evening.
Enjoying chilled homemade apple cider on the deck one spring evening.
First crocus bloomed in our yard on May 1st. Spring is officially here now.
First crocus bloomed in our yard on May 1st. Spring is officially here now.
And so it begins, in our own backyard. Hubby has been busy working on various yards for Happiness By The Acre, but this week we took an evening to get a bunch of seeds planted at our place, so hopefully we'll have some fresh veggies too. Cold frames and anti-squirrel nets are up. Now we wait.
And so it begins, in our own backyard. Hubby has been busy working on various yards for Happiness By The Acre, but this week we took an evening to get a bunch of seeds planted at our place, so hopefully we’ll have some fresh veggies too. Cold frames and anti-squirrel nets are up. Now we wait.
Rain turned to snow, but we still forced ourselves outside for the second day of the 30x30 Nature Challenge.
Rain turned to snow, but we still forced ourselves outside for the second day of the 30×30 Nature Challenge.

Our Week (so far)

A fairly regular, if not weekly, post to share photos of random moments in our lives. No particular rhyme or reason to them, just things we’ve done, or small bits of our lives I’ve finally taken notice of. Thanks for popping by and taking a peek into our week, so far:

Last weekend we popped down to Aggie Days. Guess who LOVED watching the horses?!
Last weekend we popped down to Aggie Days. Guess who LOVED watching the horses?!
And guess who LOVED petting the goats?! Our own farm days can't come soon enough for this little man.
And guess who LOVED petting the goats?! Our own farm days can’t come soon enough for this little man.
A little treasure we found in the backyard left from last summer. Those darn wasps do make beautiful nests (pictured here on one of Sam's paintings).
A little treasure we found in the backyard left from last summer. Those darn wasps do make beautiful nests (pictured here on one of Sam’s paintings).
It's all about dump trucks and dinosaurs with this guy, even in the bathtub. Such a boy!
It’s all about dump trucks and dinosaurs with this guy, even in the bathtub. Such a boy!
Who doesn't love licking buttercream icing off of the beaters?! Mama's helper making Easter cupcakes.
Who doesn’t love licking buttercream icing off of the beaters?! Mama’s helper making Easter cupcakes.
Special treats to end this busy week, margaritas and cupcakes. No complaints here (except for a pesky cold, but hopefully it got chased away by the tequila).
Special treats to end this busy week, margaritas and cupcakes. No complaints here (except for a pesky cold, but hopefully it got chased away by the tequila).

Hope you’re all enjoying a lovely Easter weekend! He IS risen! Let us rejoice!

Our Week (so far)

Evenings spent hand stitching piles of these lovely lace flowers (destined to be accents in some new products)
Evenings spent hand stitching piles of these lovely lace flowers (destined to be accents in some new products)
His and hers coconut crack bar treats. One batch with agave syrup (for her) and one batch with peanut butter (for him). Both with loads of coconut flakes & coconut oil. All sorts of yummy!
His and hers coconut crack bar treats. One batch with agave syrup (for her) and one batch for peanut butter (for him). Both with loads of coconut flakes & coconut oil. All sorts of yummy!
Homemade biscuits (made with coconut oil instead of shortening) and some tasty bacon jam (not homemade).
Homemade biscuits (made with coconut oil instead of shortening) and some tasty bacon jam (not homemade).
Be still my heart. Our little man making his first button art project.
Be still my heart. Our little man making his first button art project.
Sam's completed button artwork, perfect on the mantel. One proud mama.
Sam’s completed button artwork, perfect on the mantel. One proud mama.