It seems like it's been a long time since I last posted here, but I just looked on the calendar to see that it's only been 2 weeks. I guess being busy makes it seem like we packed several weeks into just the two that have passed.
The garden harvest has begun. Already we have more cucumbers and zucchini than we know what to do with. The tomatoes have started to turn red and we are most anxious to try the Brandy Boy tomato. Unfortunately, I think we are losing the battle against the bugs. The cucumbers and zucchini plants are suffering the most, and the tomatoes are fighting hard against something I can't identify. We plan to bring in some clippings to the Plant Doctor at the Missouri Botanical Garden to get some advice.
Last weekend, after harvesting some of our veggies, I thought I'd pick some of those wild berries we have along the tree line in our backyard. Mike had already picked some similar berries nearby and they we quite good. The day after I picked them, I discovered a poison ivy type of rash on my face and on my wrist. Good thing I was wearing pants, long sleeves, and gloves or else things might have been much worse. One week and half a bottle of calamine lotion later, the rash is nearly gone.
As if things couldn't have gotten worse after the rash, that same night I took a spill down the stairs in our house. A "spill" is really a euphemism...it was a hard hit. Really I was quite lucky. Nothing broken, but one VERY black and blue butt cheek.
On a happier note, the weather was amazing this weekend. Sun, clouds, breeze, and mid 70s. We took full advantage, visiting the Soulard Farmer's Market and then hiking yesterday. And today we went to the botanical garden. Hope this weather lasts through the week!
Pictures to be posted tonight!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Firework Fuddy-Duddy
Time seems to be going by so quickly. I can't believe it's already July! Happy 4th to all by the way. I'm not feeling very celebratory right now...hope you'll forgive me. Carter is just getting over being sick but Mike also seems to have caught something so we've spent most of the weekend on the couch. Fine by me since we certainly could use a restful weekend, except the neighbors are still shooting off fireworks after our bedtime. I hate to be a party pooper but it sounds like those things are going off on our front porch. I can't believe Carter is sleeping through it (knock on wood).
Anyway, between the fireworks and Mike's mucus-gargled breathing, I couldn't fall asleep so I thought I'd update the blog with a long-overdue post.
The big event since the last post was the Twins v. Cardinals game here in St. Louis. Mamaw, Papaw, Grandma, and Pop all came to stay with us that weekend and go to the game. I was really excited to see the Twins play and the new Cardinals stadium is a fun place to watch baseball. I even had a hybrid outfit ready for Carter, Twins hat and Cardinals romper. Unfortunately, the day of the game ended up being the last day of a horrid heat wave in St. Louis. Our game was scheduled for high noon. I had no hope of lasting even halfway through the game. We armed ourselves with sunscreen, water bottles, misting fans, and wet cloths. We were lucky to have one inning of shade before the sun cooked us. The 3rd inning was as far as we could tolerate sitting in 100F temps. The Cardinals ended up winning that game, but the Twins won the other two in the series (yay!). We got a few photos but they look awful since everyone appears so uncomfortable.
The garden is doing well, though we still battle with the local wildlife. Deer and now squirrels are the usual culprits. Additionally, the war now involves insects. I think this is a losing battle though...short of covering the plants in chemicals requiring a haz-mat suit (which would defeat the purpose of a vegetable garden), nothing seems to stop the bugs altogether. Oh well. At least the first harvests of tomatoes and cucumbers turned out to be quite tasty.
Not too much going on the next several weeks. We may try to attend some local events on the weekends here. Summer is the time for festivals. I LOVE festivals, especially food festivals! I've already been to a couple...the Strawberry Festival in Kimmswick and the Gypsy Caravan. Next weekend is the Peach Festival in Kirkwood, and the following is Sunflower Days in Clarksville. Hope we can go!
One big event coming up is Carter's first birthday. I think we may have a small party here at our house and then take a trip to Arkansas over Labor Day weekend to celebrate again there. The party here will probably pretty simple...he is only 1 year old after all. At least I'll have a good excuse to make Gracie's carrot cake (so heavenly!). Any ideas for activities for the guests would be appreciated!
Hope all are well and had a safe holiday!
Anyway, between the fireworks and Mike's mucus-gargled breathing, I couldn't fall asleep so I thought I'd update the blog with a long-overdue post.
The big event since the last post was the Twins v. Cardinals game here in St. Louis. Mamaw, Papaw, Grandma, and Pop all came to stay with us that weekend and go to the game. I was really excited to see the Twins play and the new Cardinals stadium is a fun place to watch baseball. I even had a hybrid outfit ready for Carter, Twins hat and Cardinals romper. Unfortunately, the day of the game ended up being the last day of a horrid heat wave in St. Louis. Our game was scheduled for high noon. I had no hope of lasting even halfway through the game. We armed ourselves with sunscreen, water bottles, misting fans, and wet cloths. We were lucky to have one inning of shade before the sun cooked us. The 3rd inning was as far as we could tolerate sitting in 100F temps. The Cardinals ended up winning that game, but the Twins won the other two in the series (yay!). We got a few photos but they look awful since everyone appears so uncomfortable.
The garden is doing well, though we still battle with the local wildlife. Deer and now squirrels are the usual culprits. Additionally, the war now involves insects. I think this is a losing battle though...short of covering the plants in chemicals requiring a haz-mat suit (which would defeat the purpose of a vegetable garden), nothing seems to stop the bugs altogether. Oh well. At least the first harvests of tomatoes and cucumbers turned out to be quite tasty.
Not too much going on the next several weeks. We may try to attend some local events on the weekends here. Summer is the time for festivals. I LOVE festivals, especially food festivals! I've already been to a couple...the Strawberry Festival in Kimmswick and the Gypsy Caravan. Next weekend is the Peach Festival in Kirkwood, and the following is Sunflower Days in Clarksville. Hope we can go!
One big event coming up is Carter's first birthday. I think we may have a small party here at our house and then take a trip to Arkansas over Labor Day weekend to celebrate again there. The party here will probably pretty simple...he is only 1 year old after all. At least I'll have a good excuse to make Gracie's carrot cake (so heavenly!). Any ideas for activities for the guests would be appreciated!
Hope all are well and had a safe holiday!
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