...and he takes the tractor another round, another round, another round...

Spring means lots of things, but around our house, all the talk was about the garden.

And after a not so successful season (that is why there were no during shots), the boys have decided they are going to have to devote more time next year!!! Although we did have corn, black-eyed peas, okra, and more peppers than you can imagine, Rob mowed down what we was left last weekend! We were disappointed that we didn't have more squash and cucumber, from which Rob made these delicious pickles:

Aunt Allie's Dill Pickles 

(from Mississippi Magazine July/August 2010)

6 pound small fresh cucumbers

16 fresh hot peppers

16 teaspoons dill seeds

16 teaspoons mustard seed

16 cloves fresh peeled garlic

6 cups white vinegar

6 cups water

12 tablespoons pickling salt

 

Wash and sterilize 8 quart jars and lids. To each jar add 2 teaspoons dill and mustard seed, 2 cloves garlic, and 2 hot peppers. Wash cucumbers and pack into jars. Bring vinegar, water, and salt to rolling boil. Fill jars with boiling mixture. Seal immediately. Pickles will be ready to enjoy in 4-6 weeks. Any soon, and the pickle flavor will not have time to develop. 

Yield: 8 quart jars
Can't wait for next year!!!

In Garden News...

WOW at the produce {and the Zinnias}!!! We have gorgeous squash, cucumbers, peppers, and my zinnias are blooming beautifully. We MAY even have some tomatoes eventually. This week we will be harvesting peas and butterbeans {thankfully our wonderful neighbor, Will, has his own pea-sheller}. Will is going to make everyone pepper sauce and I am going to attempt to make pickles and this wonderful squash casserole recipe (if you have never been to this blog -- GO now -- it's one of my favs) since our house is now nice and cool again.  

Here is Reed a few Saturday's ago after riding his tractor out to the garden!

My summer loves -- zinnias!

The "harvest" in the tractor bucket

Corn -- which will be ready to pick this weekend.

Peas from a few weeks ago -- now they look very purple!

Pea flower

Peppers (which I HATE but all the boys absolutely L-O-V-E)

...and a little update on the baby birds. Well, they aren't baby birds anymore and as you can see on the look on this BBs face, he is ready to "fly the coop." A few days ago, they were flying around the garage and the mother bird was shepherding them out the door. Anyway, they are gone now and I am going to try to use the bird's nest as decoration somewhere in the house -- am I weird or what for wanting to do that?It is, however, very beautiful and I love that that mama bird made it and "nested" her babies to bird "adulthood" there!

And one last thing -- this is the BBs new fav (thanks Emily McClain) -- Baby Pools. You can find us here just about every afternoon after school
(except most of the time the BBs are necked)!

The BBs are back to North MS for the rest of the week and I will miss them so -- but Rob and I have a LARGE project to tend to...(cue the nightmare-ish music) -- Our GARAGE!!!
Will have to have a separate post on the progress!

Garden update

Our garden is FINALLY starting to grown lots of weeds vegetables and flowers and I can't wait to actually pick something. After our tomatoes died twice (due to heavy rains), I think we are going get to enjoy some homegrown tomatoes this summer after all. That is the main reason Rob said he planted the garden was for the tomatoes. And if I hear Rob say nut grass one more time I will scream -- Rob and the grass are at war and I think the grass is winning as you will see in the pictures. Ugh! However, so far it's been lots of work for the guys fun and we have two precious garden hands (and a garden dog) who are

loving watching our "garden grow!"

Reed pointing to our tomatoes!

Corn

Tomatoes (I think...)

Not sure, but looking great!

Squash -- yummy!

The first signs of zinnias -- I absolutely can not WAIT for these to bloom! Easiest flower to plant from seed and in my personal opinion, the most beautiful and Southern flower of summer!

My little punk rocker -- "up, Up, Mommy"

...and I'll leave you with yet another Southern flower that I love -- the hydrangea

This one is in our yard and this is the first year it has really thrived and I am thrilled!!!

It has over 20 soon to be bright pink blooms.

from Nicole Nordeman's "Every Season"

Every evening sky, an invitation

To trace the patterned stars

And early in July, a celebration

For freedom that is ours

And I notice You

In children’s games

In those who watch them from the shade

Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder

You are summer

Praise God for the sun, rain, laughter of children, and each blessing He gives us!

Garden Update

We have been spending LOTS of time in the garden lately and will continue to for the next SEVERAL months -- but it's going to be VERY FUN!!

Here is Reed "weedeater"ing

Our first corn sprouts

Rob, Reed, and Haley -- planting I don't even know what
(it will be interesting to see where everything ends up!)
To the right of where they are is a WHOLE ROW of zinnias -- can't wait for these to start blooming! Should have enough for the whole town of Louisville. I just hope they are still blooming by fair time.

TOMATOES!!!!!!!!!

Reed LOVES planting and gardening...

...just wish he liked knew how to pick weeds!

I'm going to post pics from our Buffalo Park Adventure -- hopefully tomorrow!