Garden 2009 Update!

It seems like I have been waiting for a really long time to get my garden started this year. Back in February, my husband, Paul built me three boxes for my square foot garden. Here are all three boxes set up with trellis'.

As a wedding present Paul's mom gave a gift certificate to Magnolia Garden center. I've been saving it since September so that I could buy our garden starts, pictured below. Three types of lettuce, one tomato plant (not pictured), two types of onions, leeks, broccoli, one raspberry plant and one blueberry bush.

One of the three boxes planted with lettuce, onions, and broccoli.

I'm experimenting with my tomato plants. I'm going to try the vine method of growing, my squarefoot gardening book said to cut off all the branches on my tomato starts and plant the tomato plant horizontally with just the tip sticking out of the soil. Pictured above are the left over branches waiting for roots to grow.

My amazing husband, put together this fabulous drip watering system for my boxes. He used our old soaker house and a regular garden house and some connected them all. There is a section of regular hose going between each box with just the soakers in the boxes.

I need to include some cute pictures of my four legged children. I couldn't get Samanth to smile for the camera, though. Jasper knew just what to do and looked right into the camera and smiled.

Surgery Update!

My mom just called to say that my dad's surgery is finished.  The surgery took longer than expected, which seems to be a trend with my dad.  Dr. Pepper seems to think that my dad will be leaving the hospital tomorrow morning.

Randon Thoughts...

Today is a hurry up and wait day!

Wake up and feed the dogs, then take Samantha to the vet for her six month comprehensive exam.

Go home, take Paul to work then go find the subaru service center where I have an appointment for the car. Wait for the car to be serviced. Of course there are serval expensive items that were found on the car that need to be fixed.

Next go to the hospital to sit with my mom while my dad has his second surgery in two weeks. From the hospital go to the vet to pick up Samantha and go home, have dinner and then meet Rachel for swimming at 8:30p.

The good news for today is that I found an affordable source of vermiculite and compost for my garden that I'm starting next week. This week I will make the seed mats for planting...maybe tomorrow.

Now it is time to head to the hospital to be with my mom.

Birthday Weekend Travels

Mini Birthday Vacation to Friday Harbor

Paul and I have started a new birthday tradition... enjoying Tecate ice cold with lime and salt on the rim. Kind of like a margarita but with Tecate beer instead. I like mine in a glass, Paul likes his in the can with sand between his toes.

After gathering the necessary supplies from King's Market in town we could begin my 33rd birthday celebration.

The Cypress Cabin

My best friend, Lois and, her sister, Thias, had been trying to get Paul and I to enjoy a romantic weekend in Friday Harbor for months. So we finally were able to go and enjoy the peace and quiet of the island and wonderful luxery log home that Thais, Lois and JD had built. Since Thais and JD spend most of their time traveling the country in semi truck, they put their home in a vacation rental pool. Since no one had reserved the house for the week of my birthday Paul and I got to enjoy it.


The log house has three bedrooms on the main floor and each one has access to the deck that wraps all the way around the house. I can't say enough good things about Thais and JD's home. The kitchen and the bathrooms were absolutely fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What more could you want from a beautiful log home but a view of the water!



The "kids" got to come with us for the weekend. Jasper is enjoying the deck off the side of the loft on the second floor.



After Paul took me out to lunch in town we went adventuring around the island. We had a couple misadventures trying to find the Lyme Kiln Point Light House, but finally with the help of "maggie" our GPS we found the park.

During the summer when the orca whales are migrating in the area, scientists keep track of the all pods and individual whales that surface off the coast of this light house.

My two favorite boys!



All good things must come to an end. Friday Harbor and San Jaun Island are in the distance as we headed back to Anacortes for the rest of our drive home.

MAX is on his way to being a surfer dog!

Samantha and Jasper said goodbye to their cousin Max today. He going to live in California with my brother, Jaydan. Paul documented Max's journey at the airport.

Max is a good traveler. He's learned the value of arriving early for his flight from his globe trotting owner. So he's patiently waiting his turn to be loaded.

Always double check to make sure that you are getting on the correct aircraft. It would totally suck if Max went to Montana instead of California.

Max is secured in his Kennel and ready for loading.

Watch out for the engine!

All settled in his first class accomodations!

What more could a traveling dog want? Frequent flyer miles anyone?

Max is traveling complete with overnight bag strapped to the top of his kennel.

Its almost time to pushback.

Jaydan here I come!

Finally the plane is on the taxiway.

Yippee! Surfing California here I come!

Birthday Surprises!

Birthday's and Christmas are always fun time for since I met Paul. I get a kick out of watching him anticipate whether or not he selected the right gift for me. Its almost more fun watching Paul than actually opening the gift. Notice that I said almost. Paul is an excellent gift giver. Although he says that I'm a very hard person to shop for....

This year we celebrated my birthday a week early with my parents. My dad will be in the hospital recovering from surgery on my actual birthday. My mom and dad served fresh salmon and baked potates for dinner followed by chocolate cake with white frosting my favorite. Posted below are pictures of my gifts from Paul and my parents.

Paul's cat, Prozac and I get along really well so Paul bought me a cat controller that is powered by positive thinking.

My parents bought me a new quilting table and some quilting supplies. I'm looking forward to going shopping for some new quilt fabric.

Here is a picture of the table set up. I haven't quite finished unpacking my quilting and knitting supplies in our new place. By the time I finally do it will be time to move again.

Paul and I had a make a special trip to the yarn store where he was subjected to winding several skeins of yarn for the sweater that I'm working on myself. Its the first sweater I've ever knitted for me. Anyway he suprised that I didn't have my own ball winder and swift. After loads of searching in knitting stores and online Paul found an all metal high speed ball winder for me.

Because Paul is such a handy person. He made me my own yarn meter. You'll have to ask him for the directions and a list of supplies. But this was the reason that I wasn't allowed in the storage shed. Because he was in the process of making this meter for me. Its really cool. Now I will be able to divide a skein in half for knitting socks two at a time.

Last but not least here is my beautiful new yarn swift.