Pea Delay

Today is Presidents' Day, Pea Planting Day. It is also the day that I have decided to postpone, not the National Holiday, just the peas. BK (Before Kids) I would have rallied to get the job done because it was on my list. Kids force you to let go of OCD ways. Sick kids force you to put on the brakes, stay in your jammies and watch a stream of movies with intermittent naps, snacks, snuggles, and clean up (that's all I am saying).

So today I will wipe noses (including my own), check fevers and administer home remedies to my babes while watching the last half of "Finding Nemo" (the first half is "too scary"). This is truly gardening with kids. The peas can wait...and they will. The set meal plan can wait...and it will.

Ahhhchooo! Time to go wipe a nose.

Gardening with Kids: Plotting Out the Garden and Seed Selection Revisited

The seed catalogs have taken a little rest, but are still ever-present on the dining room table where every meal is consumed. There is a hint of apprehension in this next step, because I am a former math and science teacher and it requires graph paper. To be honest, this is my chocolate and I need to break it into pieces and share.

Step 1: Measure the Beds
Now, I know the measurement of our beds, of course, but the Little Man gets to measure. As I was gently picking grass and weeds out of the beds, he approached with the huge tape measure and a smile. "I was trying to scare you Mom", this is his latest entertainment which has added a few gray hairs to my collection. So, I asked him if he wanted to be the "holder" or the "walker" and I knew the answer before he did. I placed the tape measure at the end of the bed and told him to start walking and to tell me the number when he reached the end of the bed. This may seem like a straightforward request; it was not. He walked past the end and measured to the left, then the right. I assured him it is more accurate if the tape measure is straight and we only measure the area where there is dirt. For some reason, this deflates him. Egos are gentle things. After he accurately reads, "96 inches" we talked about how many feet are in 96 inches and where we could see that on the tape measure. He's back. We measured the short side and the other two beds, could we measure him? Of course. 44". Yikes. And Mom? 65 1/2...I hold on to that half. He grabbed the tape measure and set off measuring everything in sight as I tightened up the netting around the beds. Enough for today.

Our measurements: 4x8, 5x18 and 5x15

Step 2: Graph Paper
I use two squares to represent each foot and I like straight lines. After two attempts with grunts and sighs, I decided we should each have our own copy. One bed per sheet of graph paper.

First, I divide the bed into 1'x 1' squares and I have my companion gardening list handy.

My next step it to divide the bed into usable areas. I know where my summer squash and peas will live and the semi-shady spot where my spinach loves to grow. Slowly, but surely, we start to fill in the squares. It never fails that our "Dream Seed List" is longer than our garden space will provide.

Step 3: Serious Discussion
It is time for a family meeting. How much are we willing to build on to the garden this year? We have decided that we will add an artichoke bed and clear out some Spirea to create some more cloche space and the Good Apple says he wants to plants some corn. I say, "We will see" on this one. Lil Man wants to be guaranteed sunflowers. Ok. It sounds like we are going to have an incredibly busy spring.

Next up...our seed list is coming!

"If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in."
~Rachel Carson

{Pinterest Picks}: Garden Signs

It's a shipwreck of the poet's mind, the flotsam and jetsam of half-remembered quotations floating in the sea of his consciousness. It's a montage, a Work of Art made from rubbish.
~ T.S. Eliot

There is something about a driftwood sign in a garden that strikes a chord in me. Whether it is the daydreaming that happens when you think of where the piece of flotsam has travelled or the idea that something so unfinished and forgotten has been brought to life, I am not sure. This year our garden will get it's own little driftwood sign and I have been looking for some inspiration. If you have any ideas, please share them! I am thinking that the Little Man will make one too for his little garden bed.

These are the ideas I have gathered so far...what are your ideas?

Source: examiner.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Source: irishcoastandcountry.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Source: makethebestofthings.blogspot.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Source: drought-smart-plants.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Source: weddingbee.com via Val Curtis on Pinterest

Gardening with Kids: Seed Selection - Part 1

On Christmas Eve, I pulled the van up to our mailbox, grabbed the contents and hopped into my seat. I started shuffling through and our favorite seed catalog arrived amongst a pile of holiday cards. Merry Christmas. The Little Man was so excited, he grabbed it right out of my hand from his car seat. I caught myself because I almost snatched it right back. It is difficult to over come the power of those instincts at times.

Today I offered the seed catalogs to the Little Man with two markers. His job was to place dots next to the items he would like to see in our garden. Two years ago, he simply asked for pumpkin pie. No problem.

Not this year. This tiny task offered up a world of surprises. I assumed he would pick 2-3 items and then move on. I assumed wrong. During his first run, he marked about $500 worth of seeds and plants and then there was the second run, when he decided we should focus on fruit this year. I tried to share with him the challenges of growing fruit in the PNW, but he was undeterred. Cherries, apples, lemons, watermelon, cantalope, mangoes, nectarines, every type of berry, pomegranates, oranges and grapes. Sure. Then he wanted to plant at least 30 varieties of flowers and about 10 sunflower varieties. "Don't you think that would be nice Mom?" Um, yah.

At first, I was a little taken aback and sad that I would have to tell him we couldn't possibly plant everything he chose. Then it hit me. My 4 year old just spent half an hour with me going through a seed catalog. He was naming every item in every picture. He wants to grow MORE this year. He chose vegetables he hasn't tried before, yet he knew by name. "Maybe we could try some parsnips and eggplant this year?" Maybe? Of course. "When are we going to plant our starts in the window?" He remembers.

Next step, plotting the garden so we can see what we are actually going to plant now that our "dream list" has been created and also to determine if we are up for a little bit of expansion. Maybe this is the year we start the orchard.

Oh, and we just received two more seed catalogs in the mail.
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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Oh the garden is a'growin', but before I get into that I just have to comment on how much I learn from my readers. I ended up removing my FREEZER JAM post because I am a worrier. Thank you for your feedback and perspective, it is good to be reminded who my audience is through your comments and I appreciate each and every one of ya. Mwah!

Ok, so the garden. Weird things are happening. We have had a very cool summer and the two consecutive days we had with temps in the 70s made my garden panic a bit, I think. The pumpkins are very happy, but the foliage looks like it is at the end of the season. The same could be said of all of our squash. Gone are the large verdant leaves of weeks past. The yellow zucchini we planted is our champion producer this summer; I just pulled 9 more last night. Our Delicata should be ready soon and the zukes are slow and steady, which is a good thing given the number of plants I have. Our cherry tomatoes turn the corner to luscious red a handful at a time, usually just enough for C to run out and snatch them in the morning. Today I was lucky enough to be gifted the tiniest of the harvested rubies. He wants to eat tomatoes, who can complain? Well, ok, I would like to eat a few too. Oh, the sacrifices we make as parents. *giggle* The peas are DONE and I really have to go pick my shelling peas yesterday. I tore out my snap peas and now the shelling peas are begging for the same to be done to them.

It feels like summer just started this week for me, but looking at the calendar, I realized we are closer to school being back in session. Maybe that is why my garden is looking so melancholy.

Wistful feelings aside, our big garden joy this week was our Yukon Gold potatoes. My guys went outside after dinner tonight, pushed up their sleeves and dug in their hands to the soft soil. Chucking handful after handful into the wheelbarrow - a squeal and giggle and cheer. C found the first potato and he was hooked. Digging. Digging. I think potato harvesting might be right up there with Easter Egg hunting for my lil' guy. Each one brought out an, "Oh man!" and such delight. My heart warmed as I watched my husband coyly slide aside the soil time and again with his big, strong hands to leave it so C's next dig would hit treasure. Smiles all around and, of course, some grunting from the babe. She could see what fun her brother and dad were having. Satisfied with his work, C threw his hands on his hips and said, "Man, are we going to eat these bad boys up or what?" He said it twice since he knew we were chuckling after the first round. We all laughed and took the dirt, I mean potatoes, inside. After washing up, we took our 20+lovely Yukons out to the drying rack. We have some special guests coming next week and C thinks that is when we should use them. For now, he just wants to show them to his friends.

Yeah garden. Thank you.

Distracted

Each and every day starts with the best of intentions to get out and work in the garden, but then the kids wake up. I look out our picture window at the raised beds while eating our oatmeal and think, "I WILL get out there, just after breakfast." This is always followed with getting ready and heading to preschool/ baby group/ library/ park/ play date. The van starts with the kids strapped in and I think, "Ugh. I WILL get to the garden when we get home." You know this part. The play date goes late and you come home with these crazy little beings who physically resemble your kids, but have lost their minds. Every ounce of your energy is used from deep within that reserve you have just to the left of your spine (that is where the extra mama energy is stored, just in case you were wondering) to get the beings to sleep so they can return from their nap as your delightful children again. Oh yes, and now it is time for the garden. Sometimes. My littlest one has a quick recharge on her battery.

So my little lady and I head out to the garden with the camera, of course, and I grab my gloves and start checking the barrels. Lots of green strawberries. This is good. We will need to put some netting over them this week if we plan to actually eat them when they ripen. Check.

The peas are growing, but no pods yet. No surprises. Despite our initial difficulties with this veggie of choice, I find myself wishing we had more of them growing.

Time to look under the first cloche. Nice growth. Oooh it has been awhile. Look at that lettuce tree. Hmmm. I guess we are having a large salad tonight.

Second cloche. Growth is happening here. Phew! We have spinach, of course. I am taking mental notes for the upcoming week's menu.

Then I hear giggles. I get distracted. I look. The gloves are removed. Now I am giggling; she is a cute one.

Next thing I know I am on the ground looking at things from her perspective and there is drool running down my cheek. It is not my own.

We are rolling around on her baby quilt and she is "talking" to me. Then I send a rapid fire of kisses on to her squishy little cheeks and she smiles. So, I HAVE to do it again. 20 minutes passes and then 45. Sorry garden. I have a little sack of sugar to enjoy.

Yes, I love my garden and these days it isn't as marvelous as it could be. I get distracted, quite easily to be honest. I get distracted by flower trails and giggles, drool and new perspectives, and important little milestones that dart in front of me without warning.

Someday Garden, I promise to focus on you. Right now, I need to focus on my distractions.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This week we have had rain and more rain to go with the rain we already had. Welcome to summer in the Pacific Northwest where you grab your polar fleece from the hook before you head to the Farmer's Market.


We are overwhelmed with green right now. This week we have been harvesting broccoli, zucchini, yellow zucchini, snap peas, lettuce and onions. Our shelling peas are just getting started and we now have green CHERRY TOMATOES. Thank goodness. I thought the day would never come. Tiny little patty pan are starting to emerge as well as some of our pumpkins. We have one tagless squash that is going gangbusters and I have absolutely no idea what it is. Time will tell. 


For a year that I vowed to avoid tomatoes, due to the heartbreak they caused last year, we have about 7 plants that have come up as volunteers and just popped up several weeks ago. I am leaving them and attempting to ignore them. If it happens, groovy, if not, my heart will not be broken twice, right?


Here is my weekly trip through the garden. I had a little PhotoShop fun at the end since I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of green in my first draft. Let me know your thoughts and please please share a link to your garden photos from this week.

Our native rose

The perfect combo of sweetness

Volunteer tomato flowers

Emerging dahlia

Squash flowers

My baby greens. Can't wait for them to change!!

Mystery squash. Any ideas???

My lovely, dreamy sweet onions.

Significantly happier raspberries

garden color

Mystery squash cluster

simple yet settling

My helper

 ***NEW to MENTAL CHEW***


This week I am using LinkyTools to help us share our gardens. Please join below or leave an old fashion link in the comments area. THANKS!

{this moment}: Hi Lil' Ladybug

A Friday ritual from Soule Mama. 
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your “moment” in the comments for all to find and see.

Need / Want / Like / Love - Peas & Strawberries

The conversation goes a little like this: "C, I am heading into the garden to grab some food for tonight. Would you like to join me?" "No Mom, I am going to play with my cars". "I am taking your sister with me". "Ok, have fun". Alrighty then.


But I  know that I have an unfair advantage in my ploy to get my creative little car player outside. With his sister on my back, I show up at the picture window, a juicy, red strawberry in hand, and I pass it to the baby. A little response, but not enough to fight the pull of the cars. My next attempt. "Ooooooooh Lil' Miss, do you see those HUGE snap peas? I bet you and I could just eat them ALL UP!" Listening. Waiting.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo!" Out he charges. Boots are on and his hands are thrust forward to reach for a sugary snap pea. We have waited and worked hard for these little babies and he knows it. 


Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. The sound of my little 7 month old on my back who skipped right over the usual purees that most babies love and into curried chicken, pears, blueberries, strawberries and snap peas. I am still adjusting to this, but she loves it ALL.


Next thing I know. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. This time it is from my little man. "Oooooooh that was a good one. Mom, can I have a strawberry and then another pea?" Music to my ears. "Dig in and snack away little man". 


We need the food our garden provides for our table, but the fact that my kids love the garden and picking sweet treats from within sends me to the clouds and back. Love.

~Say What?!?~ peas

This is entry #1 for the Gardening Hall of Shame. Note: Remove bird netting before the peas go wild otherwise you will end up with:

Ok, snicker away at my expense. Every year has to have it's failures so we can LEARN, right? We have learned from our mistakes, fixed the problem, updated our gardening journal and now, publicly humiliated ourselves. Now that we have that out of our systems, CHECK THIS OUT!

Peas! Can you believe it? All of the drama and now we have sweet peas. If I see a certain Towhee, I might even offer him one as a peace offering.


We are up to our elbows in spinach, lettuce, peas and strawberries right now and we should have some zucchini by the end of the week. I had to prep my better half about the beginning of zucchini season at dinner tonight. His response was very neutral.


If you are a neighbor and you are reading this, come grab a head of heirloom salad greens or some spinach! (Keep your fingers off the strawberries. A certain 4 year old doesn't believe in sharing these.)

All photos are taken by Val Curtis and can be used with permission only.

A time for Purpose. A time for Fancy.

My children remind me that there are times to be purposeful (parading the crew out the door to pick up the one forgotten item at the store) and times to be fanciful (looking under forest debris for signs of fairies). Just when I am immersed in the throws of purpose, I will be reminded of the importance of fancy.


This week we experienced our first real summeresque day after a long winter of cold, wet days spent indoors taking care of our newest addition. My calendar was chock full of events and tasks to complete, but I opted to ignore the list for a couple of sun-drenched hours at our local beach with a friend and her son. Somehow this "spontaneity" turned me into a taskmaster yet again. Gather blankets, umbrellas, sunscreen, snacks and oh, yes, the kids, before completing our shopping at the Farmer's Market so we can THEN enjoy the sun. During my preparation / frenzy, my son kept asking me to come see his new trail (we often create new paths for adventures around our house) and I kept nodding and smiling and saying, "Ok Buddy, just let Mommy get the van packed so we can go have some fun." "But Mommy." "I know. Go pack yourself into the van Buggy."


Scurry scurry. Rush rush. Ugh. Where are his sand toys? So, I ran into the garden to grab his gardening tool bag when I stopped dead in my tracks. There before me ran a beautiful path of purple to the garden. Cole's trail. Dozens of zinnias and lavender buds were placed carefully to create a gentle carpet of purple (our favorite garden color) to the raised beds. I had to sit down and catch my breath and then I ran inside to grab my camera. After brushing away a few tears, I approached my little man and told him I found his trail and that it was beautiful and special and incredibly thoughtful. "I made it all purple for you." Yes, he made it all purple...for me.

As you catch yourself hurrying with purpose this week, do not forget to look for/appreciate/acknowledge the fanciful trails made, with love, for you.

Virgin harvest

This year my goal is to outwit the animals in my garden and to actually grow something while managing, laughing and playing with my two kiddos.

Dig this Chick has a great page on her blog honoring gardening firsts. Enjoy!

Join me. Laugh with me.

After dealing with the furry little bandits and a little anticipation...

Time: 10:23pm

Sound: chick-chick-chick-chick and some serious squealing.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

The sprinkler may not solve my problem, but that sound byte was worth every penny we spent on it.

Now I can go to sleep with a smile on my face.