A new gate and deer fence

A truly "island" gate... We repurposed the gate, the hinges, added a driftwood handle and arch... and added some old repurposed boards from another old gate to add height to keep the deer out

Summer joys

Free range kids

Batman takes a popsicle break

A Story by “My Son”

I’m starting a new series of stories as told by “My Son” (to protect his secret identity). He’s 5 years old.

The Angel Who Saved the Life by “My Son”

The angel was making a video and then she saw someone in trouble and then she had to call the police and then she had to make a note and then she had to use the video camera but her video camera was done already, so she used it for the bad guys. The video camera had a laser beam and could make an alarm and then the bad guys can be made into good guys. And when that happened it was a happy life. The End. (I wish it had started with once upon a time…)

Sweet! I love that angels now have video cameras with laser beams. High Tech angels. Who knew?

An update on the “getting help” post…

Well, the landscaping company came and gave me a rough estimate, and I had a good laugh.

I have an old gate I wanted to repurpose, but they didn’t seem to be open to re-using materials, which was a major turn off for me.

We decided we were going to have to forego gardening this year, and save up to hire someone next spring.

Then a visitor stopped by yesterday…

Good ol’ dad.

Dad watching the sunset at the Haven

Dad and the grandkids blowing bubbles in his garden

Dad in his hat

Dad and grandson building a deck

Dad on the ferry

Dad and Heather in love

Dad and 3 of his 9 grandkids

In exchange for a BBQ, some banana cream pie (mine is to die for, if I must say so myself) and a haircut (there are perks to having a hairstylist husband), he’s going to help us put up a new deer fence, build a gate (repurposing the one I already have! added bonus), and he’s going to build garden boxes out of some materials he salvaged from an old deck. My dad would have been my first choice to do this work in the beginning anyways, but I didn’t want to bother him cause he’s been so busy, but I can’t turn down his offer.

We measured up the area for the new deer fence and gate yesterday, and my job is to get the materials delivered before Monday, May 18th, which is fence, gate and garden box building day.

Catchy Tune with a Message

John Elliott

Organic Veggie Garden Video by editor of Organic Gardening Magazine

What do you drink your water out of?

I totally want these glass water bottles from the Canadian company Sesen. I hate drinking out of plastic or stainless steel, solely from a flavor standpoint. Add in the environmental aspect, and I’m all over these!

Getting help…

I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with a landscaping company to help me get my garden into shape. I can’t wait!

Projects I’m getting quoted:

1. Fix garden fence

2. Build a garden gate

3. Build garden bed boxes

4. Fix large area of the field so it’s mow-able

5. Mow large area of our field so we can play soccer, etc

6. Get a stump ground out

Wish me luck!

Prince Charles’ Campaign to Save the Rainforest

You know… I’ve never heard Prince Charles speak before seeing this video. I’ve seen tons of pictures of him in the media, but never heard him speak. This clip is rather endearing, if I must say so myself.

I’m Alive… Just Barely

Oy… I am still recovering from the flu – fever, cough, congestion, sore throat and glands – and as a result my garden/yard has been sadly neglected for the last week and a half. I’m still coughing a lot and apparently I have asthma now (oh yippee), so I need to take it easy and go slow, but I have SO MUCH TO DO!!! The goal this weekend is to take the tarp off my garden beds and assess whether or not I need to add some topsoil or not.

I’m having a bit of garden panic, to be perfectly frank. Every house I visit these days the garden is HUGE already, and mine hasn’t even been put in yet. Yikes. I just keep telling myself it’s my first year putting a veggie garden in, it’s okay to do a late garden, RELAX already.

We’ve decided to just put in one one gate instead of two, and fence off the end closest to the back deck. The gate is going to go in on the front of the veggie area. DH and I are still debating whether we should persevere trying to put a gate in ourselves (we have no clue what we’re doing) or just hire someone who knows to come in and do it for us. I’ve also decided I want my garden beds boxed in so I can build them up higher. Again… no clue how to do this… I have searched high and low online for DYI instructions (we’re seriously un-handy) and have yet to find anything (feel free to send me links!).

Oh, and just to tick me off, the gorgeous sun that I enjoyed from my bed while convalescing has decided to leave for the next week and the rains have come back. GAH! I keep comforting myself with the idea that putting starters out in the rain is better for the plant anyways. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Why I love my community

Bargains!

1. I posted a wanted ad on our local online bargain forum for a Budgie cage and supplies. – within the same day I had one woman reply that she had a little travel cage stored away somewhere and would be happy to pass it on to me. I got another reply from another woman saying they were budgie owners and over time had accumulated three extra cages, and I could take my pick. In addition, she had a huge assortment of budgie toys and accessories and I was welcome to take them all. We stopped there today and we have a HUGE lovely cage, perches, toys, food and water holders, and more… FOR FREE.

2. I also posted a wanted ad for a Transformer Optimum Plus for my 5 yo son. He’s been dying to have one, and after I told him the movie wasn’t appropriate for him, I opened my foolish mouth and told him I would buy him a transformer toy instead. Then I went online and discovered they are $50-85 each. Yikes. I posted my plee on the bargain site, and a woman responded saying she has a transformer, has no idea which one it is, but I am welcome to have it for $5.

Entertainment!

Easter weekend one of the real estate offices hosted their annual easter egg hunt and concert by our local Juno nominated kid’s band, The Kerplunks. My son is a HUGE fan, has their CD and listens to it incessently, and said “Mom, I almost cried when I first saw the Kerplunks.” OMG… how *cute* is that?! He’s a groupie…

Last weekend we had the Big Bass Theory band in town and although the environment wasn’t exactly as family friendly as their ads promised (thanks to all the pot head concert goers) we had a nice time visiting with friends and listening to reggae while our son danced his brains out.

I went to the village today because I had a few errands to run, and met up with my parents. My dad was performing in our jazz cafe for a couple hours, so I sat with my stepmom and had a veggie sandwich and a pecan bar while enjoying the music. By the way, my dad is a hugely talented bluegrass musician and singer who has not yet been discovered. If there are any record producers reading this, you HAVE TO hear him. I’m not just saying that cause I’m his daughter… It’s totally true. He even has a Tom Jones outfit.

Gardens!

I literally live kitty-corner to a fully stocked garden nursery. Do you have ANY idea how much restraint I have to exercise to prevent myself from spending every waking moment drooling over plants I want?!

There’s a huge organic vegetable farm just around the corner, and I’m getting the opportunity to volunteer in exchange for fresh produce this summer.

Cha-cha-cha-CHIA!