Wednesday, May 28, 2008

She may be from the city but she's got mud between her toes

I finally got to do something I've always wanted to do: plant a vegetable garden. In California, we never seemed to have the space in our small yards, nor did we need it since we lived in the produce capital of the world. About a month ago, a friend and I were talking about having gardens here in the south and how therapeutic and fun they can be... not to mention they help cut grocery costs. I informed her that I had never had one but had always wanted one. She offered to come help me start one up. Well she did that and got her whole family involved. HAHA!! It was great.
The great "ground breaking" ceremony was last Friday. Bro. Jeff brought his tiller over and tilled up some dirt in the back corner of our yard. Sis.Bridget and I got the rakes and started taking out the grass and weeds.
Noah stayed busy watching from the deck.
Now, does anyone know what a good southern rain is like? It went from being a beautiful sunny day to cloudy and the next thing we know its pouring rain. At first it was just a sprinkle here and there... and then all of a sudden we were in a deluge. It was so funny. We looked like we literally stepped out of my bathroom shower.
Well all of this did not deter Sis.Bridget one bit. She then says, "Let's plant your vegetables. It will only take 10 minutes." HAHA I decided it might be best to just wait until the next day since we were going to a graduation party that night. That's what we did.
The next day, their whole family came over and helped me dig holes and plant tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, cayenne, jalapenos, onions, red and green Bel peppers. Thank you Koehoorns. You guys are such a blessing.

Next this city girl is going to learn how to can. =) Stay tuned for updates.

22 comments:

Vonney said...

Oh yesssss! Please learn to can! And you can send us city girls some yummy jam! My mom used to make canned jam growing up and it was always so yummy! Wayyyy better than the store bought! Looks like you are having a blast getting acquainted with the mud! Love ya!

Kari Morgan said...

Ooooh fun!!! I have a garden too! Keep me posted on the canning progress too-I may need to can tomatoes if my plants keep growing like they are. They are 4 feet tall and I planted them as seeds...

AnthonyAlex said...

That looks so fun! I've wanted to do that too, but I don't know what I'm doing...I need a friend!
~Kristy

Tina said...

Hey! We (I mean Bert) is all into gardening! I want to learn to can also..or in the south they call it "put up"...as in, "Are you going to put up okra, or corn, etc..." If you find a canning teacher let me know!!!

East Coast-er Momma said...

my, my, my our lives are running so parallel right now! Hahaah....I'm waiting for all of our berries and cherries to grow and then I'm going to be cannin and makin raspberry, blackberry and strawberry jam! Our little garden is starting to produce little broccoliees...heheheh. Your garden looks great!!

Music Eloquence said...

Vonney, there's nothing quite like homeade jam is there? Grandma Wilbanks canned some blackberry jam while she was here with the intention of showing me how... Time just didn't allow me to stay in the kitchen though. Oh well, I am determined to do it this time. If I've canned by August, I'll bring some out with me to Janell's wedding. (BTW have you tried taking canned goods in your luggage? It weighs a ton!)

Sis.Kari, Wow! Your garden sounds huge right now. All of our plants are still rather small. Nothing like that fertile soil out there is there?

Tina, I think its so much fun... so far. I haven't had to do any serious weeding yet. But I love being out in it. No, I don't have a canning teacher... hmm ANY VOLUNTEERS??? hehe

Melissa said...

We wanted to have a garden again this year, but can't seem to find the time to get it started. Last year we had tomatoes, watermelon, and cantelope. I think the jack rabbits ate as much of it as we did!! Oh, well. Maybe we'll get something planted this weekend.

Anna said...

Ooooh... You get to do all the fun stuff. :)

Natalie said...

Yea! You got you garden in!! We already have a ton of radishes, and a few peppers. I even found one tiny egg plant the other morning!!! Tristan and my Dad "put up" a whole "mess" of English peas the other day and we are going to plant Okra where the peas were.....can't wait...isn't it so much fun? There is nothing like that fresh tilled dirt between your toes!

Anonymous said...

How much fun! Don't think they let you bring produce on the plane....bummer! I guess I will just have to come to Alabama to try some of your yummy home grow veggies-

Have fun getting the mud out of your toes :)

Luv ya~ Amy

James Wilder said...

haha This post made me chuckle...
Pretty soon people will ask you: YOU'RE from California? :)

Hey, now you will properly understand the Bible's parables and allegories that include farming. Way to go!

Music Eloquence said...

Melissa, don't you hate the little pests? I've already got an ant bed trying to take over one of my cucumbers plants. I sprayed them and then we got a good two-day rainfall. Now, I'll have to go spray again.. argghh! hehe ... and I don't even have any veggies to eat yet.

Anna, yep its fun so far... no weeds claiming my garden yet.

Natalie, wow! You guys went all out with your garden. Guess I'm just a novice. hehe You're absolutely right, there's nothing like that mud between your toes. (That coastal sand doesn't even compare, huh?!)hehe

Amy, no, they don't let you bring produce but you can bring canned goods in your luggage. I brought 3 jars of Harry & David's Sweet Onion Pepper Relish from CA one time and had to rearrange my luggage because of the weight. lol I was so frustrated when I got the the airport. lol

James, well to be quite honest with them, I'd have to say I was from Michigan. lol We're having a good time. =)

Sarah said...

LOL. . . this is great!

savannah said...

Just wanted to say thanks for having me over the other night!! It was suching a blessing to meet you and Noah is just great!! Good luck with the garden, you'll be a southern belle before you know it!!! HAHA
Savannah

James Wilder said...

Whoa, Savannah...love that name.

Music Eloquence said...

Sarah, hehe thanks.

Savannah, thanks for dropping by to comment. I was glad you got to come over the other night also. We had fun didn't we? My Mafia skills are pathetic aren't they? You picked Rook up really good. As far as becoming a southern belle, my mom is one so I'll probably come by it naturally. lol She was born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. You just never know.

James, yes, doesn't she have a pretty name?! Are you and Emily planning on naming one of your daughters Savannah if God gives you a girl?

C Hendryx said...

Wow ... my red neck blood is burning within me ... like the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in hope for redemption. So doth my red neck blood burn within me wanting to dig in the earth and plant - - - :) luv ya von i am jealous

Music Eloquence said...

Curt, you? Red neck blood? Your lingo would never pass as redneck though... gotteth to changeth that. Love you too.

Jana Allard said...

With the price of gas, we may all have to start gardens and grow our own food. :)

Music Eloquence said...

Sis.Allard, I hear ya on that one. We have lower prices than CA here. But we're all freaking out because its going over $4/gal. Whew!! Along with the gardening, I wonder what would happen if everyone went and bought a horse and buggy too....

Jana Allard said...

It probably wouldn't be a bad thing to slow life down from the hustle and bustle. Sis. Hopper just saw diesel for $5.63. Isn't that just crazy?!?!?!? We are going to have to make cuts somewhere!

Rachel said...

I never knew a girls hair could look so pretty while working in the garden :0)
You GO girl!
Love you lots ~
Rachel G.