Our Garden 2011

Every year I make some sort of Garden. I used to do container gardening in our old house, but haven't here since our backyard is mostly pool and patio. Last year I tried those hanging planters where the plant grows upside down- they didn't work for me so I was disappointed. My neighbor Traci was doing her garden and I volunteered to help her and was telling her how jealous I am that she has the space in her backyard to do it. And she said, "Why, you could build one on your side yard." And I thought about it for two seconds before realizing she was totally right. I had two rose bushes die from the freeze. So instead of replacing them, I went to Lowes and had the lumber guy cut me wood to build a garden. I got 18 bags of different composts, peet moss, and vermiculite and let the kids each pick out their own plants. We headed to three different nurseries to get all we wanted and then headed home to get to work.

The night before Frank left for Bham, he nailed the main box together for me (He looks thrilled doesn't he? He didn't quite understand why we needed a garden when while he was in Montana I decided to buy a crop share of a farm in Brenham- more on that later.)

While Frank was away, the kid and I got busy. Gavin was so into it. He would get off the bus every day and want to do something else with the garden. And each time he did, even if it was to water the plants, he put on his cowboy hat. LOL.

So, first we mixed all of the soil on a big tarp so it was all mixed well. 18 bags. Mixing this was better than any workout I've had in the gym. But I had a great little helper to help with the big task.

Then we started filling the containers with dirt:

Next we soaked the plants really well in water until no bubbles came up and then we planted them:

In this container below we have four different kinds of tomato plants, cucumbers, mint, eggplant, mild and hot jalapenos, mixed sweet peppers, basil, and cilantro. To the side we have an aloe plant, and rosemary.

This is our lettuce garden (four different kinds of lettuce):

Our Kumquat Tree:

And the tree I drove all over town to find, our lemonade tree. It's a cross between a lemon and an orange. And supposedly when you juice the fruit, it tastes like lemonade. I hope I am not disappointed because I am so excited about this little tree.

I am bound and determined to find a Meyer Lemon tree. After that, I think we are officially done. I am hoping it all takes off and we get to reap the rewards of our labor with some fresh fruit and veggies!! I'll keep you posted.

Lady Antebellum

We last minute decided to take the kiddos to the rodeo last Friday. We were going to go with some friends for an adult night out, but after asking three people to babysit, we decided we couldn't go. But then our friends decided they didn't want to go and offered us the tickets to take our kids. So we hurried home, got our get up on and headed to the RODEO!! The kids had an absolute blast. G got the cowboys and cowgirls to autograph a little book and then we sat and ATE (and ate and ate some more) as we watched the rodeo and then Lady Antebellum take the stage. We had awesome seats. Thank you McKellar Family!!

Before we left we had our 9 year old neighbor take our picture.

Her Turkey leg was almost as big as she is;

Her First Rodeo, and she LOVED it!

Cotton Candy, snow cones, and funnel cakes...what's not to like...

We stayed until it was over. We heard every single song. We were shocked the kids made it all night. But they were all three out before we were out of the parking lot.

Rewind

After Frank got home from Montana, he left again for another week to Birmingham. So I was REALLY busy being a single mom. Which is why I haven't been blogging as much as I usually do. So, I want to go back to a few events I meant to blog, but time just got away from me.

Mother/Son School Dance- I lost all the pictures I took when my computer crashed so thankfully I waited in the long line to get our pictures taken by the photographer. :) G and I had a fun night and actually danced quite a bit on the dance floor. I was telling him all week I was going to dance silly....do the robot, break dance, etc. He kept getting all embarrased so I was surprised when we got there and he was asking me if I was going to do those things?? I did show him the robot, but didn't want to totally humilate him with breakdancing. LOL. He was really sweet and was a complete gentleman on our date. We ate at Rico's and then headed to his school to dance the night away. :)

Frank and I hardly ever get away over night. It is VERY rare. But my sister called from Dallas and really wanted to give us a night or two away and wanted to spend time with the kids. So I took her up on it. She is a GREAT sister and Aunt. I still can't believe she drove four hours here to babysit them. The kids had a blast with her while we went to the Houstonian. Our neighbors went with us and it was SO MUCH fun. We stayed in the concierge lounge for hors' devours and drinks and then went to eat in their restaurant downstairs which was phenomenal. Afterwards we headed back up to the concierge lounge and played cards while we ate dessert and had after dinner drinks. We love the Houstonian and were happy to get a short little getaway. I think we are going to plan another one soon. :)

Gav's Turn

Go Texan Day- and he couldn't be more excited to wear his new boots, first ever wranglers and cowboy hat. This is our kid who wishes he lived on land with horses, pigs and goats in the country. He is digging his cowboy get up.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Frank has been in Montana all week. Yes...ALL. WEEK.

Skiing. With customers, so he was "working." He had a great time on a well deserved trip. But it was a long week for this Momma who still isn't quite herself.

Anyway, Frank told the kids he was going to Montana and Hadley didn't quite get it.

We were praying in bed the other night and I said, "Please bring Daddy home from Montana safely."

She SMILED REALLY BIG and said,

"So, when Daddy is done playing with Hannah Montana...do you think he can see if she can come over to our house and play with me?"

YEE HAW COWGIRL!!

Today was Go Texan Day at the girls school. They were so excited to dress up today- especially Hadley. They were so cute and so excited. Every time I'd take a picture they'd scream, "Yee Haw Cowgirl!" :)