Thursday, May 28, 2009

We Like Dirt

First, the set-up.

Have I mentioned lately just how much I have missed working in my gardens these last four years? First tri-mester symptoms slammed my early Spring efforts down in 2005 and 2007. Infant care kept me in the house in 2006 and 2008.

Now it is 2009, and here is (oh, this is embarrassing) what my cherished herb garden looked like when I stepped out to survey the damages a few weeks ago...

The same garden that I hand-cut from the field sod several years ago, carefully graded and laid brick pathways with a "T" pattern for Twist, each pathway pointing in a direction of the compass and duly marked in brick with a N, S, E, W. The sweet herb garden pictured here in Autumn glory (2001- sorry, my scanner isn't working properly, so you get a picture of a scrapbook page)...

Okay, that was the setup, now back to Dirt.

Here is the Youngest, scooping dirt from a molehill into a bucket.

And the Boys, planting strawberries in the dirt.

Here is the Daddy playing in the dirt with his Tractor (double the pleasure, double the fun!); tilling the beautiful soil for our vegetables to grow in.

Please pay attention to the foreground, and noticeable progress on aforementioned herb garden, thanks to my very own somewhat atrophied muscles and the sweat of my brow...

And just last evening, as darkness was sweeping in, I scattered the last few seeds, turned on the sprinkler, and couldn't resist taking a picture to show you a very beautiful thing...

"Don't cut the Tractor out of the picture!" says aforementioned Daddy with unveiled shock and horror in his voice. Well, okay then...

I must be completely honest, and confess that it isn't *quite* finished; I still have the upper shoulder to weed and mulch, and the pathways still need to be de-weeded, but after three weeks and countless children-induced interruptions, I couldn't help celebrating a teensy bit.

Last, but Certainly not least, the place where we will be able to continue playing with Dirt well into the Winter months, our Greenhouse has a roof and side walls!

Isn't my Sweetheart clever? No stock plans or drawings for this fella, nosirree. It's make-it-up-as-you-go Brilliance every time.


And in case you were wondering, yes, the vegetable garden is mostly all planted now too, and will be watered with drip line this year. But the only tiny bit of responsibility I can claim for myself is one little row of mesclun that I planted. The rest has been taken care of by the Daddy with a little help from one very eager Son.

12 comments:

basketsnprims said...

How wonderful it is all coming along ~ I love the big T in your herb garden. Your kiddos are a big help, LOL. Have a wonderful day.
Pam

Lorraine (Maine) said...

Beth,
Great herb garden & Matt, what an awesome greenhouse! I love it! I've got to send a pic to my husband! It's a must for the "Honey-do" list. Did Matt use old windows, or new glass panels? It is just the cutest! Thanks for sharing.

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Awesome greenhouse, Beth! That is really fabulous - lucky you to have such acreage to do all you do.

Tanya

primitivebettys said...

Just BEAUTIFUL! Playing in the dirt is so much fun & you make it all look so professional too! :)

Hey, if you get a chance, can you email me an answer to this question? Please...

What did you use for the 'glass' part of your greenhouse? My darling hubby is thinking of making a symple simon version for me & is curios. Thanks bunches!

Smiles,

Betty

Beth Twist said...

Thanks for all of the nice comments, ladies!

All of the glass used in the greenhouse is old- the newest piece is the vinyl slider in the back, the rest are old wooden frame or no-frame windows.

Which makes me love it even more!

pammyjo said...

It's all shaping up beautifully! The greenhouse is awesome. Talent and hard work just runs rampant in your family. :O) Blessings! P

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Gorgeous, Beth! I am sending your blog link to my blogless friend Julie because she will love what you've done and will be after her DH to build her a greenhouse, too! I love all of it!!!

mainely stitching said...

WOW! I'm seriously impressed. What a gorgeous spread you've created!!!

Puppy Love said...

That is a really fabulous herb garden!!! Beautiful!

Julie said...

Ah, Beth, I'm so jealous of EVERYTHING. You are so blessed by your garden, the view, your children, that greenhouse just for you and your husband. But you already know ALL this. :o) I can't even get my dh to wash my car let alone build me a house (no matter the size).

Christi said...

My dear cousin, how I miss you! Wishing that we lived closer together so that we could share in our mutual hobbies together. Thanks for sharing the garden pics, as I am in the last stages of infant tending. I take heart in your progress and am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Just trying to remember to cherish my littlest and not get to anxious for him to grow up.

Johnson Family said...

Celebrating a teensy bit??? You should be celebrating a ton! It's looking great, the hard work is paying off by leaps and bounds! =)