My husband and I have often exchanged these words:
Me: "I am going to be optimistic about this."
Him: "I'm going to be realistic."
Me: "You sound like Mariah Popham from
Summer Magic."
Him: "You are too hopeful. You need to be more realistic, so you don't get dissapointed."
Of course, we are usually just kidding around and, just for the record, I know we all must sometimes be realistic. However, I think it is just part of my being. Eternal optimism must be in my DNA. Mind you, I don't wear rose colored glasses all the time and I understand that things will not always be "La Vie en Rose"around here. I am not blind to the fact that some things are not going to always go according to plan. Still, I choose hope over no hope most every time!
Gardening is one of those things--for me anyway, as my thumbs are less than green. I plant with high hopes that pests will not invade and destroy. I hope that weather conditions will provide just that balance of sunshine and rain. I add a few nutrients and a little compost and have great aspirations for success. I do this knowing that things may not go acccording to plan.
Currently, what is going on in my garden (for the most part) gives me hope that very soon we will enjoy some good things at our table. Here are a few pictures of the things happening out back:
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| My Spring Garden 2016\ |
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| Sugar Peas |
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| Sugar Peas |
The promise of more to come in the Sugar Pea blooms:
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| Sugar Pea Blooms |
Tomatoes are coming out and starting to ripen on my plants. Lots of "hope" in those plants! In the meantime, I am "hopeful" that none of those spine chilling Horned Tomato Worms show up, like something out of a horror movie! It drives me crazy how they get on the plant and totally destroy it before you even know they are there. I am trying to be a little realistic by slowly checking things out on a daily basis and trying to stay a step ahead of those green monsters.
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| Tomatoes in Our Garden |
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| Tomatoes in Our Garden |
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| Tomatoes in Our Garden |
Here is a picture of the many tomato plants, in several varieties, I planted in this one bed. There's "hope" in those yellow blooms!
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| Bed of Tomato Plants in One of Our Garden Beds |
Beets are growing next the Sugar Peas.
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| Beets Growing in the Garden |
Many people enjoy Bell Peppers in tomato dishes, sauces and salads. We certainly do enjoy them at our table!
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| Bell Pepper Plants |
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| Bell Pepper Plants in Our Garden |
I have stuffed something into pretty much every square inch of the beds! I am a believer in growing herbs. They lend fragrance to the many aspects of our lives. Some herbs deter pests. Others, like these that were planted in one special corner of my tomato bed are especially good for cooking with tomatoes and other vegetables and meat dishes:
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| Oregano, Basil and Cilantro Growing Alongside Tomatoes |
Also, a random and volunteer in the tomato patch--an ornamental gourd!
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| Ornamental Gourds in the Garden |
One of my Oregano plants decided to take over one of the beds next to our house, some five years ago. I gave pretty much allowed it to do its thing and just trim it back, once in awhile. There are a few Day Lilly, Gladiola and Irises that continue to pop up around and through the oregano. Yes, it is a bit wild and free flowing in that bed. So what, I love it!!
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| Our Enormous Oregano Bed |
Cilantro planted alongside Broccoli.
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| Cilantro in Our Garden Beds |
Here and there, in ground and in pots are some Sage, Rosemary and a little Thyme.
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| Sage |
We enjoy the way Sage gives our Thanksgiving turkey and cornbread dressing so much flavor. I will be drying these herbs for using this fall and winter!
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| Rosemary |
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| Sage and a Bit of Thyme with More Basil in Pots |
One of our most loved friends, Mickey Mouse. Mickey is standing guard with his hose, just in case things get too hot and dry in the garden! See you next month at Walt Disney World, Mickey!
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| Friend Mickey Mouse in Our Garden |
I miss our precious Jimmy so very much and every time I plant something in the garden beds he and grandson Glenn built for me my heart fills to the brim with beloved memories of him. He brought so much inspiration and joy to my life and was always encouraging and helping me with whatever made my life easier and happier. Thank you, my beautiful son-in-love for being so good to me! I love you and I miss you!
Most of you know, we love our Blue Berries down here and the Blue Berry bushes are certainly hold promise for a summer of Blue Berry picking and eating!
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| Blue Berry Bushes in Our Garden |
So far, except for some tiny green worms who are overly fond of the Broccoli plants, things are looking quite good. My heart is filled with optimism and hopefulness for some good things from the garden this year!
Sharing things here on my little space in Blog Land brings me such joy. To everyone who visits here, I appreciate your taking time out of your busy day to spend a moment out of your life with me! Thank you so very much!
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