Earth Day Garden

We did it!! We finished the garden!! We had to wait this past weekend because I worked but today we got it done! We went to Roark's Nursery on Alpine and got 4 cubic yards of compost and 1/2 yard of topsoil. We needed to use Mike's dumpster truck to pick it up because each yard is 2,000lbs!! Need I inform anyone that we had to then shovel over 8,000lbs of dirt?! These had better be some damn good vegetables!!! :)


Compost being loaded into the dumpster (it was extra heavy due to the recent rain)


Off goes the dumpster...then I got inside and shoveled it into the beds...it took almost an hour for the first load but the second load was much faster after Bridget came over to help. We thought it would be too heavy for one load but Mike said it was no sweat! I was easier to unload as two loads though.


Thanks Bridge! Look how dark and rich the soil is!


Bennett helped secure the nails as I stapled the fence in place. It is a very thin plastic mesh called "DeerOut" fence (guaranteed) so we'll see how it works.


We nailed string across the rows of planted seeds....corn....lettuce....zucchini....summer squash.
I have some more shopping to do and will plant the rest with warmer weather.


Bennett loved the dirt!


Here it is!! All done!! The fence isn't even noticeable (one of the things I liked about it). You can see the great door Mike built.


Another view -- the door is open and the pathway has mulch/bark

Hopefully I have the good will of planting on Earth Day on my side and these vegetables will grow, grow, GROW!!!!

The Beginnings of a Garden

I have been wanting to have a vegetable garden since Mike and I moved to 11 Mile and this year may finally be it!! Mike and I have been building a raised garden at the south end of our property...I have yet to fill it with dirt and sow the seeds but now that we are almost past any danger of frost we can move forward with our plans (which so far includes summer squash, pumpkins, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, watermelon and lettuce).


The before picture. I chose this spot on the south side of "the pines" so we couldn't see the garden from the house but it is still quite accessible.


12ft x 12ft


The bottom is lined with 1/4inch chicken wire to keep the little animals out aka moles/rabbits


There are two 12 x 5ft plots, 1ft deep, with a 2ft wide walkway through the center. Nine 4 x 4 posts will support the fencing that will (hopefully) keep the deer out. We also have a door on the west side of the garden -- I am so in love with it already!!!

I am very open to any suggestions as I am a NOVICE gardener!

Easter

April 12


Finding Easter eggs...




Even us older kids had to "hunt" for an Easter treat -- Yummy Wine!


Practicing with a new shovel




I caught Jaxson climbing through Marley's door -- I felt badly afterward that I didn't stop him and explain appropriate behavior (while wearing nice Easter clothes) but I just felt that it was too funny watching him be such a boy...Sorry Paige!!! :)






It's a washed out picture (because it was radiantly sunny!) but here we are:
Paige, Rich, Mozie, Potise, Barb, Julie, Pat (Barb's mom)
Dad, Jaxson, Mike, Bennett, Addilyn and Me

A Few Random Pictures

Bennett helping his dad change the smoke detector


Look at these eyelashes! I wonder if has hair will darken over time like Mike's did.


Working on a puzzle while Mimi was visiting (we did finally finish it mom, a few days ago and there was only one missing piece).



A tractor ride!

Not an entirely exciting video but I just love how B is waving his arms in delight!
A tractor ride!

Meijer Gardens Butterflies

April 5






We were glad to be indoors where it is a balmy 75-ish


A Butterfly!



Not too many pictures but we had a great time walking through the gardens. Unfortunately it was cold and drizzling outside so we skipped the outdoor park.

Hiking at Yankee Springs

April 4


Dad, Barb, Julie, Me, Mom, Mike and Bennett




A quick snack and map consultation


Bennett did not so much enjoy the smell of wild chives


Stopped for lunch at some cabins...there were people wandering around and all the cabins were lit and had fires going...some people were dressed up and it reminded me of a cult meeting. Picture a women with masses of curly hair, wearing a shall and a long skirt (this is in the middle of the woods mind you) holding in front of her a stick with a crystal dangling from the end....I kid you not. At one point during our lunch, there was some intense yelling and screaming -- I was convinced it was human sacrifice...until we found out it was the GVSU Renaissance group having a weekend in the woods...no drinking I'm sure of it...






Bennett, cracking himself up on the car ride home.

Playing Outside

April 2
Finally some nice weather!!

Running down the hill....


...even still blissfully unaware he is about to crash with the ground...


...and up we go!


We started to go for a walk down the path...


but we were quickly distracted by leaves...




...and bark.



Always investigating everything.

April 3
Trying out Bennett's new raincoat from Uncle Al and Peter.




I think it's adorable!!




We can't wait for it to rain again!!