Garden Update: Busy Busy Busy!

The weather is warm, things are growing in the garden and I've been busy - which explains why I've been MIA on the blog... I've been outside (and preoccupied with bringing a pair of kittens home ^-.-^ )! But I wanted to give a quick update of what's going on out there so far... it's exciting stuff I tell ya.

I've got everything (!) planted in our raised beds already. I feel like a lot of the bulk of the work in the garden is now done... we're on to maintenance mode! We've taken the plastic off the beds as well, and will keep an eye on the temperatures at night, but hopefully now that it's JUNE we should be okay to let the plants fend for themselves.

What I've got planted:
- cucumbers (2 kinds) -- looking a little shocked to be out in the cold. Pretty sure I saw them shivering.
- peppers (2 kinds) -- looking decent but might need a spray of Epsom salt water. Leaves are yellow and droopy.
- tomatoes (4 kinds) -- not looking so great :( except the ones in the Kozy Coats which are doing awesome! I will definitely be using these next year.
- romaine, salad bowl lettuce, and spinach -- all growing super well. We've been sampling!
- carrots -- just starting to sprout - last year's seeds so not sure how they'll do?
- leeks & green onions -- growing slowly but surely
- peas -- also slow to get going... I'll try soaking the next bunch that I'll plant in a few weeks.
- bush beans - green and yellow -- just starting to sprout
- nasturtiums, cosimos and marigolds
- chives -- transplanted from another bed

This past weekend we installed our irrigation system of soaker hoses hooked up to a timer, and the deer- and bunny-repelling motion sensor sprinkler. It's quite the system we've got out there! I can only hope I've timed things right and none of the plants just up and die on me - although a few of them are looking like they won't make it. Aie aie aie. Live little plants, LIVE!

All I Really Want for Mother's Day

They say Mother's Day is a day to spend with your mom, showing her how much you love her. Quality time with your kids. 

That's true -- if by kids you mean "grown ups" and you can treat mom to some brunch and good conversation. Let's face it -- when kids are little (under 25), they aren't a whole lot of fun to be around after about an hour.

So, what I really want for Mother's Day this year is a little break. I don't need flowers (but they are nice), and I don't want anyone to waste money on fancy cards -- the ones the kids made at daycare are just perfect.

I'd like it if the kids went to the other side of the bed in the morning, instead of mine. You are super cute and I love you, honey, but 6:30 on Sunday morning? You can go talk to dad thanks.

I'd love it if, after drinking hot, hot coffee and eating whatever breakfast has been prepared (I'm not picky! Cereal is fine!), I could guilt-free retire to the garden where I can putter about for as long as I want without listening for the baby monitor, breaking up arguments ("I had that stick first!!" There are a thousand sticks people!), or having to wipe off my hands to wipe someone's nose with my fingers. 

After puttering in the garden, I would love it if I could take a hot, hot shower completely alone without craning to hear if anyone is arguing, breaking stuff, or crying. I'd really like it if, when I got out of the shower, I didn't have an audience... But again, I'm not picky, as long as there isn't too much heckling.

Perhaps after I'm dressed, I could pat my clean, dressed, fed & watered children on the heads, kiss them goodbye and leave the house for a few hours, without an agenda. Alone. Without a list, or a diaper bag, or any expectations that when I return I will have accomplished a single thing. I might just run a few errands, stroll leisurely through store aisles completely unencumbered, or even try on some clothes. Who knows, maybe I'll even buy something!

And then, when I return, maybe supper is sorted out without my input, and heck maybe there could be a load of laundry on the go that I had nothing to do with? 

But really... All I want is to hug and kiss my kids, and know that they love me. Really. The rest? I guess I can wait until they are 25 and can treat me to brunch ;)