Two posts in one day? Someone check my temperature!

I mentioned a couple of posts back that we recently moved.  We happen to now live in an area abundant with conservation groups and, well, other nature lovers.  I've discovered a couple of organizations that offer regular outdoor exploring and learning opportunities, and what a blessing they have been.

A little background: I was born a nature-lover.  I still treasure so many incredible pictures in my mind from when I was growing up in New Hampshire; of the elegant blue heron standing knee deep in the water, past the dappled birch trees in the dewy morning fog, of the small snapping turtles sunning themselves on rocks at the far end of the pond as I passed quietly under the arched tree tunnel in my canoe, of sunshine sparkling on the water as it flowed between the smooth river stones.... of bright red salamanders hiding under mossy rocks and of peaceful lady slippers blooming in the woods behind my house... 

Since moving we have spent a good deal of time enjoying what our new area has to offer.  Some times that has been as simple as a boat ride out into the lake or even trudging onto the snow-covered ice in our heavy winter boots.  Other times we've walked down to the water's edge and watched the waterfowl prey on fish and insects, or skipped a few stones, but we have also explored some local hiking trails and taken advantage of a couple of organized hikes not far from home. I treasure all of these.

Our latest adventure was rough on Brian with his allergies, and it ended with Gabe's first deer tick incident (not fun), but otherwise we had a really nice time, and since it was a guided hike it serviced as a good refresher on some wild plant and tree identification. 

Among our finds were white trillium (everywhere), jack-in-the-pulpit, red columbine, wild ginger, blue cohosh, hepatica, early meadow-rue, bellwort, goldenrod galls, and countless trees including shagbark hickory (a previously unfamiliar tree to me), plus a turkey vulture, turkey feather, centipede, toad, and one tiny little worm.  We had fun climbing over fallen trees and up and down a few steep, moderately rocky areas. These things make me happy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could do this every day.

"Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;"

~Jeremiah 29:5

If I'm going to resume blogging, I might as well start with a gardening post, right?

So... remember when I was stressing over gardening two summers ago, in New York?  Well?  Now I'm all in.

Two of my biggest gardening challenges were always money and space.  Space is no longer an issue.  (Yay!)  Money... Well, starting up new gardens, particularly raised beds because of all the soil they require, is not cheap.  (Otherwise you can probably do it on a dime, so to speak.)  However, you may also recall that I'm a longtime online reward site member, and now I have it down to a science.  I spend a little time (not money) on my site each day, and I reap the rewards.  In a typical month I earn anywhere from $40 to about $55 in gift cards, and that's without referrals.  I don't even sacrifice as much time as you might think, now that I have it all figured out.

Last month I decided it was time to cash in on my gift cards and went a little crazy.  I bought two very nice raised bed kits, a swift (off topic I know, but I'm excited), a window bird feeder and some seed (more on that later), several heirloom organic seed packets, and a few other little things.  I still had to buy soil, but I scoured the area stores and am confident that I found the best deals.  I had to compromise a bit on the types of soil, but I think I did okay.

Constructed outside right now are our two 4x4 garden beds.  Brian helped me prepare the ground for them, and then we built and filled them with a mixture of top soil and compost.  I'm going to attempt square foot gardening, and I know that is not the ideal soil mix, but I'm chancing it this year because the recommended mix is way too expensive.  I have also heard some bad things about the effects of peat moss harvesting on the environment, so I think it's worth a try as is.

Last week I bought some cheap rabbit fencing too.  As soon as the lawn gets another mow I'll have to put that up.

We are still getting frost advisories, so I haven't planted anything outside just yet.  Inside I do have corn, two varieties of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, cayenne peppers, jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, sunflowers, and marigolds, and most of them are looking pretty good.  The hot peppers are just beginning to poke through the soil today.

 

I will also be planting some zucchini, beans, onions, and lettuce directly outside, and I hope to dig out a spot (and then build up a mound) for some pumpkins.

Last but not least, we've loaded up a hanging basket with some basil, oregano, and parsley.  We are sooo looking forward to using fresh ingredients from our own garden!

I still have a lot of work to do.  I've started to clear an area for some flowers that Thomas wants to grow.  He picked out larkspur, cosmos, and daisy seeds.  I also need to dig up some grass and till the soil for my sunflowers.  The fence has to go up, and I have to decide where to put the pumpkins and get that space ready.  Then I get to plant!  Yay!  That's the fun part, and if all goes well next year should be significantly easier.

I plan to keep my blog updated with progress.  I'm not holding my breath just yet; between the non-ideal soil mixture, the plethora of animals and birds, and the distinct possibility of insect and disease problems, not to mention our unpredictable weather patterns, we'll see what happens.  I have received a lot of joy from all that I've accomplished so far, and I have our maker to thank for that; the miracle that is gardening never ceases to amaze me.  Even if nothing succeeds, I have found enough enjoyment already that I'll have to remember that. Plus, learning experiences are so valuable.  I may never learn if I don't try, right?  Here's hoping all goes well!

Today, before I tackle the above list, I weed last year's flower beds.  And try to avoid the snake that I am pretty sure lives in one of them.  (Joy.)

Looking Back

In all the time that I haven't been posting a lot has changed.  For sure we've started a new chapter in the family book, most notably by saying our goodbyes and moving a few hours away, to beautiful Vermont.  There is so much to say, so much I feel, that I find it difficult to even begin writing about it all.  Let's just say it feels like home.  Wonderful, breathtaking, nature-abounding home. Until I go out, at least, and remember that I still don't really know anyone here, and that everyone else does know one another, since no one really leaves -- or rather, very few new people like us move in.  In fact, according to some comments I've read on the local news sites, the locals don't exactly want outsiders coming in and populating their state.  -Especially not New Yorkers!  Ha.  Thankfully,  our New Hampshire heritage seems to put more of an even keel on things.  When it comes down to it though, I love it here.  I think it's safe to say that we all love it, actually, though maybe I should admit to being the most attached. (Seriously, I had a nightmare the other day; we had to move again, and it was out of Vermont.  The horror!)

Here is a brief glimpse at some of the fun you may have missed last year.  In June we will have lived one full year in our new home. I like to think you should expect another update before then.

It's hard to imagine that almost a full year has passed since my last post.  It has been a crazy, wonderful, life-changing year, and I couldn't be happier to be where I am now.  I don't intend to catch you up tonight though.  In fact I really should be taking advantage of this down time to accomplish a few time-sensitive Christmas tasks, but exhaustion has set in, and so here I am.

I really just wanted to wish you all (if any of you still stop by to visit) a most wonderful, blessed Christmas.  Much love to you, and hopefully I'll be back again soon.  Merry Christmas!

 Photo added April 21, 2013

I've been wanting to share so many fun things with you but also trying to wait until I could get all of my December photos in order, and that's taking a while now that I have my first kindle.  Yes, Brian is a sweetheart and gave me my top choice, the Kindle Fire, for Christmas.  I don't deserve him! Anyway, I love it, and I've been spending a lot of time on it.  In fact, I was going to use it to share this post with you, but I had some troubles using blogger within Amazon Silk (Amazon's own browser, which I otherwise love, for the most part).

I downloaded this song a day or two ago and have been listening to it while playing with my new toy.  I just love it; it's no secret that I'm a big fan of JJ Heller, but I only recently discovered my love for this particular song.  It so beautifully describes that wonderful love I came to know when I became a mother.  It's so simple and so true, and I can't help but share. (If there is already music playing, scroll down to the music player at the bottom of the page and pause playback.)

When I hold you

in my arms, Love

Something changes

It's the strangest feeling

The things that used to matter

They don't matter to me

When I see you

And you're smiling

How my heart aches

So full it is about to break

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

When I hear you, and you're crying

It resonates, Dear

In a place I didn't know was there

You make me believe in love

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

Beautiful Baby

You're sweeter than strawberry pie

Just like the morning

Your smile brings the sunshine

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

I could never count all the ways

That you change me, Baby

Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue

When I'm with you

- When I'm With You by JJ Heller

♥

I'm having trouble choosing what to share from this holiday season; it overflowed with excitement and wonder.  The gears were in motion by Thanksgiving and never seemed to slow after that.  Thomas entertained us with his first violin concert, annual school holiday chorus concert, a spelling bee, tae kwon do promotional exam and separate ceremony; he and Gabe participated in the church Christmas pageant, I brought the boys to New Hampshire for one Christmas celebration and we all hosted Brian's family at our own home for another, I filled orders, mailed Christmas cards, ordered presents, baked cookies, breads, and pies, made Christmas candy, wrapped, cleaned, decorated... and then pretty much fell over flat by the time Christmas hit.  Was it all worth it? Absolutely.  Would I do it all again? You betcha.  Could I pretend to tell you I wasn't exhausted and next to completely useless during the whole week between Christmas and New Years? Not a chance!

Even narrowing it down to a few special memories is challenging this time around, though a couple of obvious things do stand out; first of all, Brian's family traveled all the way from Wisconsin and New York City to be here with us, and that was a special treat.  Usually our Christmas is a pretty quiet one, and while there are good things that go along with that, we always miss our extended family. Also, my father came out for a visit in early December and spent some quality time with all of us.  All the things the boys do are always special.  I will remember, in particular, my first time seeing Thomas perform on violin, as well as he and Gabe dressed up like a wise man and a lamb on Christmas Eve.

Something else, though, has etched its beautiful photograph in my mind, and it's something of a different sort.  Amidst all the chaos (yes, good, fun, healthy CHAOS), God blessed me this year through two amazing women. We all belong to the same online group where we share and bond with other Christian women.  In their incredible thoughtfulness and selflessness, they sent me twelve days of Christmas gifts as a random act of kindness. I was quite simply blown away.  From the book to the notes, the verses, and of course, the gifts, I wish to thank them (you) both from the bottom of my heart.  You have touched me in a way that will bring joy to me every Christmas as long as I live, and many times in between.  I cannot fully put into words what your generosity means to me.  THANK YOU!  God is alive in you in the most touching way.  May you be blessed abundantly!

Since I can't seem to choose from the other photos, please feel free to browse my December uploads on flickr.  I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas, yourself. ♥

Merry Christmas!

I somehow ran out of Christmas cards this year, so I hope those of you who didn't receive one will accept this in its place; you were not forgotten! I hope your Christmas was a very blessed one. I know ours was; I will share photos and details soon. Much love to you this Christmas and always.

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perfom this" -Isaiah 9:6-7

T-H-O-M-A-S

I guess all that reading has paid off; Thomas participated in the school spelling bee today, after succeeding through the first two rounds of competition and making it to the top of his class last week. Today's spelling bee was for fourth and fifth graders only (Thomas is in the fourth grade), but the winners will go on to compete with sixth, seventh, and eighth graders as well, and ultimately for a chance to win a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

Thomas didn't make it past today's competition, but he did very well, making it through several rounds of words before misspelling "apron." He was one of 12 qualifying participants in today's spelling bee, out of a possible 111. I figure he'll be in a good position to try again next year. Way to go, Thomas!