Weddings and....

Here are some things I've learned about wedding planning. I'm not an expert. Just a few tips from the trenches.   


1.  No matter what colors you pick, you won't find bridesmaid dresses or fabric in that color. Pick the dress or fabric first, and work the entire wedding around that.  Great advice from a friend...  a little too late.  


2.  When it's time to proof read the wedding invitations before printing --  have at least 20 people help you. Really.  Apparently 8 or 9 isn't enough.  


3.  Something is bound to go wrong (see #2).  No amount of excellent planning can prevent it.  Good advice from my daughter's future father-in-law.  It's ok...  we're laughing about it already.


4.  Men don't really have any interest in helping plan the wedding...   except for the food. They definitely care about the food.  


5. You will alternate between feeling totally on top of things one day, and in a hysterical panic the next.


6. What the bride and groom want and will make the most memorable day for them is more important that tradition, what you want, what the magazines say, etc...


7.  The only thing that really lasts from the wedding (besides the marriage of course), is the photographs.  You can find an excellent photographer for a very reasonable amount (with some detective work), but don't skimp on the quality or quantity of the pictures.


8.  Ask everyone you know for referrals for everything.  The best resources/people are usually the ones your friends  have given rave reviews.  


9.  A beautiful wedding can be done for relatively very little money.  There's no need to scale everything down and do without if you just use some creativity and good prioritizing (although I appreciate her willingness to give up the childhood dream of having doves released at the reception...  maybe some things have to give!)


10.  Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream are TO DIE FOR.  I realize that has nothing to do with weddings (unless you want to serve them at one), but I can't stop thinking about them.  If you try one, you won't either.  

Musings on Meditation

Let's meditate on meditation for a bit.  Meditating is that thing Indian gurus do, half naked with their legs twisted into a pretzel, right?  Well, probably.  But I do it too.  Except not half naked.  And definitely not with my legs twisted in a pretzel.  I've read here and there over the years about the benefits of different types of meditation.  A few years ago, I bought a beginner yoga DVD, and there are some brief meditative poses at the beginning.  I liked it.  But I didn't do it much or consistently. 


Then last year I read the book Eat, Pray, Love.  Didn't really love her writing style.  There were a few unfortunate (and in my opinion unnecessary) words and phrases.  Just a couple.  So with that warning, you might want to read it.  Or not.  Anyways...   it's a true story of a woman whose life is in total chaos, and who finds peace through prayer and meditation.  Well, who couldn't use more peace? I know I could!  Sadly, I can't spend a year traveling Italy, India, and Bali as she did. ( I mean, REALLY sadly...   cause I'd go.)  


I have my personal, firm, stuck in stone religious beliefs.  I believe what I have is whole, complete and right.  I don't however believe I have the corner on truth.  It's out there in many places.  Even if incomplete.  And I think it's pretty cool to discover that many of the fundamental roots of what I believe, are believed by others of various faiths.  I think maybe we're more familiar with the idea of "pondering" or "contemplating" than we are "meditating" (maybe it's that Indian guru thing).  


Here's the thing.  I pray daily.  Can't function well without it.  Here's the other thing.  The voice is still and small.  And not surprisingly, I don't often hear that answer to my prayer when I immediately jump up and run into my day.  Still and small in my opinion, means I may need to be still and listen in order to hear it.  That's where meditation comes in.  I don't know about you, but my mind is never still and I suspect most people, especially women, can say the same.  Pay attention and try it some time.  It's noisy in there, isn't it?


Now, I figure I have plenty of times during the day when I'm so tired or overwhelmed that surely it's empty up there.  I couldn't make an intelligent thought if I needed to, right?  Well, it may not be intelligent, but there's stuff running through there constantly.  


I've started taking some extra time each morning, right after my prayers, to meditate.  For me, that means just sitting on my bed in comfortable, non-pretzel like pose.  I start with some sun breaths to relax and focus a little.  After about 5 of those I feel relaxed.  Then I end with my hands in the Namaste gesture.

Now it gets tricky.  Try to just breathe in and out through the nose, and empty and quiet your mind.  Man, it's amazing the little things that keep popping in there....   What am I making for dinner?  Oh, I'm supposed to not think. Those are interesting sounding birds outside.  Shoot, I'm not supposed to think...................................  that dumb dog is barking again.  Ack!  And so it goes.  But it's getting easier.  It takes me an incredible effort to be STILL and not have my mind running.  I started with 5 minutes and now I'm up to 8.  A few little interruptions, yet, but overall, not bad.  After 8 minutes I feel squirmy and lose focus altogether.  


(here's a little trick...   try picturing those pesky thoughts as dry little leaves that blow away from you with each exhale.  That's also why the chanting of "ohhmmmm" . Another way to clear the mind)


Honestly it's usually the only time all I day I actually HEAR those birds. And they're lovely. You can also visualize positive things for you and loved ones.  Visualize God's love being poured out on you, so that you can pour it on others.  You really can't feel too grumpy when you're done.  Even if it's only 8 minutes.  It helps calm me and center my focus for the day  (not that I never lose it).  It's a little bit of peace and serenity in a chaotic day.  And I like it.  

Our first week of school

So, the school year has officially begun.  We're easing into the routine, both at home, and at outside activities.  I think the initial sting is gone, and it's become normal again after a low key summer. We are doing our learning a little differently this year, so that I can be available to work several days a week, and the new curriculum's not in full swing yet.  But here's some fun things about this past week.  They may not all seem like "school" but as a homeschooler, I firmly believe learning opportunities can be found anytime and everywhere!


1.  Taylor, who is in public high school auditioned for the first theater performance of the year, the musical production of Beauty and the Beast.  Parts are being assigned late tonight and we're all hoping for a major role for him. He's playing Maurice, Belle's father!  In fact, he's taking so many music and drama classes, that there isn't room in his schedule for all the required classes.  So he'll be doing those online this summer (hhmm...   sounds a little like homeschooling to me!)


2.  Alyssa and Natalie auditioned for Mid Columbia Ballet's Nutcracker (Alyssa's 7th year and Natalie's 3rd).  Parts should be out this week!  Always exciting, anxious, and sometimes a little disappointing (only initially).  When Taylor and the girls are all cast, we'll have a total of 21 performances in the month of December.  Yikes!


3. I spent Saturday with all 4 of my girls.  And Neil.  (Caitlin's fiance).  We went to the Pasco Flea Market for the first time and Neil helped with Spanish translation.  The girls had a blast!  Then we went to the Pasco Farmer's Market, some dress shops to look at sparkly dresses, a Mexican bakery for lunch, and then a stop at the ballet studio before hitting some thrift shops to bargain hunt.  Neil got am ample dose of estrogen!  He was a good sport, and we all had fun!


4. A trip to Moses Lake to the orthodontist..   ok, that's not anyone's idea of fun, but we did take one route there and another back to see which was shorter in mileage and time. Because we'll be making this long trip a lot over the next two years. Now we know.  


5. The hunt for bridesmaid dresses might be over.  Trying to find something affordable, modest, in the right shade of the right color, available before we need it....   aaaggghhhh!!!!!!   Hopefully we'll get that in stone this week (of course I said that the last two weeks, but whatever).  


6. Chloe has learned to be an awesome helper by picking up her own toys pretty willingly. And happily.  It's a happy day when the kid that makes the most mess starts to help clean it all back up.  


7. I've gotten my educational goals back on track.  I admit I didn't engage my brain much this summer.  But I've got a reading list and some good goals of things to study between now and January when I start college classes.  I read Everyday Grace, by Marianne Williamson.  And I'm reading Chaos, Making a New Science, by James Gleick.  Again. Because I got 1/4 of the way through it 9 years ago and I need to finish.  I'm starting at the beginning.  I'm not a big science person, but I feel the need to challenge myself.  I don't get it all the first time I read it, so it's slow going, but fascinating. 


8.  Spanish.  I took it in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, then a semester in college.  You'd think I could speak it, but I can't.  Classroom Spanish is never spoken at the speed a real person speaks it (not even close).  I can still read some. Understand a native speaker though?  Not even.  But I figure I will need a second language for my degree, Neil and lots of his family speak it, and it's time I conquered it.  His mom teaches it as WSU Tri Cities..  so I've got all the books I need.  Caitlin's learning too, so we can practice together.  


9.  I met my soon to be in-laws last weekend.  I was SO nervous.  They are both so smart and talented. And accomplished. And educated and degreed.  I was feeling pretty inadequate with just my degree in diaper changing.  We had a wonderful time with them! They are wonderful, gracious, kind, welcoming, fun, and interesting!  If we have to lose a daughter, at least we get to gain a family! 


10.  I didn't get my fridge cleaned, my photo albums organized, my bedroom dusted, my college transcripts ordered, and a host of other things.  But it's ok.  They'll get done.  This week we had better things to do!

Heaven on a chip

Pico de gallo, which translates from Spanish as "rooster's beak" is a funny name for a food.  But this fresh salsa has become one of my family's favorite snacks this summer.  I was looking for something easy, inexpensive, healthy, and yummy for them to eat.  I've always enjoyed salsa fresca (fresh salsa) much better than the saucy, tomato based salsa in a jar.  Now, they do too!  

I start with Roma tomatoes.  You don't want the really soft, ripe ones.  Firm is better.  I make big batches, so I use 12, but you can halve that if you want.  Pico de gallo is better when eaten with the first day or two, so just make enough to last that long.  

Dice them up.  I like to cut them fairly small so a little bit of everything can make it onto the chip.

Next is onions and cilantro.  Here's the trick.  The tomatoes, onions, and cilantro should all be in equal proportion to each other.  The tomatoes don't rule this salsa.  

I use yellow onions.  Skin it, and cut it in half.  If you take a knife and make thin cuts all the way along one side, then......

Turn it the other way and make thin cuts this way, it'll just about be perfect.  Less mess, quicker dicing.  

I just give it a quick once over to make sure the onions are diced small enough.  I don't want any big chunks of anything in this salsa.  

See how the onions and tomatoes are pretty equal in quantity?  You want a nice 50/50 blend.  For 12 Roma's, this comes out to about 1 1/2 to 2 good sized onions.  

Next comes cilantro.  You tend to either love cilantro or hate it.  I LOOVVE it!  For this large batch you'll use about 1 1/2 to 2 bunches of cilantro, depending on how big they are.  I just scored some giant bunches at the store last night, so they'll go farther today when I make more.  Make sure you rinse it, as cilantro tends to be very sandy.  Cut off the stems (most of them...  don't worry about a little stem in there) and start chopping.  

Roll and wad it up into as tight of a bunch as you can, then start chopping.  Chop it fairly fine.

One third tomatoes, one third onions, and one third cilantro.  It sounds like a lot I know..   but it's sssooooooo good!

Lime and jalapenos.  They really give this some amazing flavor.

If you can find a really good sized, juicy lime, one is all you need.  Otherwise, maybe 1 1/2. Just mash it around before you cut it to release the juices easier.  Then cut in half and use a fork to squeeze the juice out.  

You have to be careful with these babies.  Wearing gloves is the smartest.  I made so much of this, I ran out of gloves, so I learned to be very, very careful.  Otherwise that jalapeno heat will stay under your fingernails, and then in your eyeballs for far too long.  For this sized batch, 2 smaller peppers is about right.  We like a good bit of heat in our salsa.  You can always do less...   or more.  

The seeds and white veins are what gives the pepper it's heat. It's best to remove the seeds.  I leave a little of the veins in because I want some heat.  If you want the flavor without so much heat, take all the seeds and veins out, and just use one smaller pepper.

Dice these up finely too.  That way the flavor and heat are evenly distributed and there won't be that one mouthful with a big chunk of pepper that clears your sinuses out.  

Ok.  Done.  That's it.  Well, you can add salt to taste, keeping in mind that most tortilla chips are already salty.  No oil.  No vinegar.  Just these few fresh, healthy, inexpensive ingredients.  It'll be heaven on a chip, I promise.  Of course you can use it on omelets, tacos, or just about anything.  We have kept the tortilla chip makers in business this summer!  But at least they were eating vegetables, right?  


Ok, so here's the recipe, family sized:


12 Roma tomatoes
2 large yellow onions
2 bunches of cilantro
1-2 limes
1-2 jalapenos
salt to taste

Happy New Year!!

To me, the start of a new year is September, not January.  They should move New Years to 
September.  I think anyone with kids kind of sees it this way too.  January's the halfway point, right?  Well, I'm starting this "new year" with some excitement, some anxiety, some fear, and lots of questions!  


As a home school family, each year has looked different.  Different needs, courses of study, interests to follow, groups to belong to, activities to be involved in.  Each year I think we've made bigger changes than ever, only to discover the next year, I feel the same again.  But still I say, this year may have the biggest changes ever!  I'm NOT the adventurous type.  Not unless that adventure is well planned, far in advance, will all variables and bases covered.  (I'd be a blast on a road trip, wouldn't I?) But I'm trying to see this all as a big adventure and hang on for the ride.  


My oldest is engaged.  She's getting married this November.  She is blissfully happy, and therefore, so are we, because mothers love to see their children happy, don't we?  But what a big change this will be for us!  We will be losing a housemate, but gaining a son (and a great one at that).  And frantically pulling together a wedding that is 10 weeks ago.  The adventure is beginning!


My second oldest is on a waiting list for his own apartment, and when his name comes up, he'll be moving out.  All this "moving out" business has it pros and cons.  Pro:  more room for everyone left here  Con: less children, laughter, and conversation around the table.  I know it's time.  It'll be good for him to stand on his own, and see what being an adult is all about.  But I feel like a little piece of me leaves with both of them.  


Another went off today, for his first day of sophomore year in public school. Chamber choir, advanced drama, millionaire club, and debate club are just a few of the things that will keep him away from home 12 hours a day many times.  I miss him already.  But I'm happy to see him thriving and adjusted and involved and stretching himself to do great things.  


The rest will be home with me (well, kind of, because I won't necessarily be here), at least for half the year.  Home school will look different yet again.  They will have to work more independently, which means all new curriculum and strategies.   I'm in the process of being hired as a substitute para-educator for North Franklin school district where I'll be working at Basin City elementary and maybe Mesa elementary, three to four days a week.  We'll have to frequently evaluate how it's all working. It might be public school for everyone next year (but I can't think about that yet). I know there are many women who have juggled work and family, and I think they're amazing.  I just didn't want to be one of them. My goals haven't been very lofty.  I wanted a family...  lots of children, and the joy of being with them every day.  That's it.  No career to run back to when they started school.  No big ambitions.  If I had to sacrifice some material things and be financially creative, well that was ok.  


Things have changed. I've put this off as long as I can. It's necessary.  And I'm trying to tell myself it's all good.  This week I'm putting my house in order.  Making menu and chore binders to help the kids stay on task while I'm gone, and play a bigger part in helping the family run smoothly. That'll be good I think.  I've not delegated and relied on them as much as I could have.  I think having to step up will be good for them.  


I have also come to see very clearly that at mid-life, I am uneducated, unskilled, untrained, and unprepared to do much of anything that's worthy of a paycheck.  At least not a paycheck that's worth having.  The way I see it, if I have to give up what I love most (being home each day with my kids), then the job better 1. Be a good measure of fascinating and engaging  2. pay really well.  I'm pretty sure that's NOT the job I've snagged for myself.  So....


Back to school.  I was trying to choose between work and school (because I'm an all or nothing type of girl thinking only of full time college), when my almost son-in-law mentioned taking part time classes (DUH!).  So, in January I'll be taking a couple of classes per quarter at the local college (online, so I can work it around everything else).  I'm currently still torn between courses of study.  I see two basic options.  Study something that will get me done the quickest and make the most money.  Or, study something I find fascinating, but that takes twice the time, AND that I have no idea how I'll use to make money.  I'm torn between what I should do and what I want to do.  Enter the guilt.  ACK!  I'm leaning towards what I want to do (because as a mother for the last 21 years, what I want has so rarely been the focus).  But then I feel guilty. So I wonder. 


Then, as a woman who has barely kept it all together as a stay at home mom, I wonder...   HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE THIS ALL WORK?  You know that saying that goes something like this; I had it all together, but I forgot where I put it?  That's me baby!  So I'm a little afraid (ok, a lot).  I go to bed with lots of questions on my mind (which doesn't make for the most restful night).  Can I really be one of those women, who juggles work, school, weddings, ballet performances, school performances, music lessons, meals, grocery shopping, quality time with kids, driver's ed, and on...  and on...?  I guess I'll see!  And you will too.  Because  I best sort out my life by writing through it.  This year in blogging will be a record and study of something..   and I hope it's good!

Ballet and All That Jazz

Another year of dance is over.  Well kind of.  Except for the weeks of summer intensive. But we finished up with a recital yesterday and a Mid-Columbia Ballet company picnic today.  Great weather, great dancing, great friends and great fun!


First was the Contemporary dance, 21 Guns.  Four classes combined to do this and it was really cool.  You can see the whole thing here.  But here's Alyssa and friends getting started.  

Next was Jazz 2.  

Sort of like new gangsta meets old West Side Story.  It was cool.


Intermediate Jade Ballet was next.  Gotta love the classical ballet.  

I got a peak at Alyssa through the door before she came on stage.  

Lovely!  Alyssa's front row, all the way to the right.  






Natalie did an awesome job in Jazz 1!  Hey, Soul Sister...

Of course, part of the fun of recital is just being at the park with friends to celebrate the end of the year. 

Monica and her pet Alyssa.  

A real dancer can find a barre anywhere.  

Dancers don't seem to run out of energy quickly either.  Good thing.  They need lots of it.


The next day we had the Mid Columbia Ballet Company picnic, because Alyssa was in the Junior Company of MCB last year.  These kids have danced together for years, and have great friendships, but they don't always get many chances to cut loose together.  Ballet class is quiet, except for the music and the teacher.  So it was fun to see them all enjoy each other so much.  


They invented this "slide train"......

They got someone in the front, like Rob, who could hold everyone back.  Then they all started to get on, being careful not to slide away.  When they knew everyone was on....   down they'd go.

Then they'd all come shooting out like marbles down a chute.  Then they'd run right back around and repeat.  They had a blast!


And when Monday afternoon comes, and I realize I don't have to drive to the ballet studio...   I'll have a blast!  

Hair Design

What is it with girls and hair?  Cutting it I mean.  I don't remember any of my boys cutting their own hair.  But the girls.....  How many times I've found a pair of little scissors and some hair lying in a garbage can.  Or on the floor.  Or wherever it felt right to leave it and run.  I'm pretty sure all the girls cut their own hair at least twice each.  Well, not true.  Alyssa cut hers once, and her brother did it for her once.  You know, cause "she asked me to".  Brotherly love I guess.


Chloe has done it three times now I think.  This last time was about a week ago.  Natalie came to tell me I ought to go see what Chloe had done.  I hear that a lot.  So I was a little apprehensive, but I thought I would find her with a new layer of magic marker body art (is that what makes them so "magical"?).  Or maybe slathered with some of my favorite lotion.  But no. 

I walked in the other room to see a pair of little kids' scissors and the biggest pile of hair I've ever seen. From any daughter.  All I could think was that there was NO WAY this was going to blend in and be unnoticeable.  No way.  I was scared.  Really scared.


I had it cut a little while ago in to a really cute A-line cut with the cute stacked layers in back. 

 Simple and adorable and not easily tangled, which Chloe and I both liked.  There were no bangs.  The sort of style doesn't really require, or look good with bangs.  But bangs we have. For months and months to come.  She seems to have started on one side and cut up and over to the other.  Some people want a little off the top, and she apparently wanted a little of the front. And sides.   

Yesterday I took her in to see what could be done to blend the damage in.  

Not bad.  I didn't expect miracles.  Some places were cut right down to the hairline.  We'll survive.  She's promised to never ever cut her hair again.  We can only hope, right?

Guess where I am?

I haven't had a vacation in WAY too long.  You know, a real vacation.  Not staying in a hotel because you're traveling on business, or attending a seminar, or a wedding, or on your way to Grandma's house.... but a real vacation, where someplace sunny and tropical is involved, and maybe a private bungalow on a private island. Like this one. 

(with permission from anoldent, because I've never been there to take a photo myself..sigh)

But no.  I'm in Salmon, ID.  It's nearly 50F today.  But hey, the one inch of wet snow they predicted didn't happen yet.  Whoo hoo!  I'm not here on vacation really. Caitlin is going through a 4 day long workshop to become certified as a horse therapy instructor. 

I am having a big break from mommyville (except for the phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, etc...). I'm enjoying the peace, quiet, maid service, not cooking,  and not driving anywhere daily.  I'm getting a LOT of planning done (cause I'm a planner), and downtime..... big time.  


Salmon has about 3500 people.  It's far removed from any big town.  Because of the mountains we had to drive from Washington, to Idaho, to Montana, and into Idaho again to get here.

This is highway 93 in Montana. Beautiful.

Just minutes down the road we see this dusting of new snow up high.

This is like one mile later. At road level.   

About the time we crossed into Idaho and were headed down the pass..  with 20 mph hairpin turns..  this is what it looked like at road level.  Snowplows were plowing the snow and ice on the road and it was slick.  It's APRIL.


Salmon is the kind of town I'd have given anything to live in a few years ago. Part of me still wishes I lived on some ranch somewhere living a homesteader's life.  Now that I have children who are older and highly involved in their passions, which require lessons and almost daily commitments away from home, I wish I lived closer to town, not farther away. 

Quaint little town, isn't it?  The courthouse is right up that hill.

This is a shot of main street.  Lots of little restaurants and a few little shops.   It's a pretty town.  Great place for a vacation if you love outdoorsy activities like white water rafting, hunting, and packing trips.  




We're staying at the Stagecoach Inn.  It's packed.  Because it's the annual Salmon Select horse and mule sale.  There are cowboys and cowgirls everywhere.  Even little tiny ones.  We're really happy with the hotel.  Free breakfast and excellent service.  The room is big and comfortable.  Walking distance to downtown and the Salmon River.

This is the "backyard" of the hotel.  Lovely area to sit out at the right time of year.  A little cool and rainy this time.  

 I'm not sure what these trees or bushes are, but they look like flames.  They're all along the rivers here.  Love it!




So that's my travel log of Salmon, ID.  Tomorrow afternoon, it's back to Montana, then Idaho (again), then Washington.  We're praying there's no snow on the passes. Because they're predicting more.  It's APRIL for Pete's sake.  

You know you want to look...

Spring has sprung at our place.  New life is popping up everywhere.  And it's not in the garden I haven't planted yet.  


I thought of calling this post, "Your kids should see this."  But then I started to feel a little guilty.  (But only a little.)  Because I know how kids and baby animals go together like peanut butter and jelly!  (And we're not keeping all 8 puppies....  that's right, 8.)  And I knew if your kids had just a peek, they'd never let you rest until you realized what I already know. You know you want one! (Or at least they do.)


Just look....  (and by all means, invite your kids to look with you!)

Awwwww........    see?  

  


The cute factor on this one is just off the charts.  

Here's a little black one.  

She's so happy just to not be in labor anymore (I know how she feels).  She looks like she's smiling, doesn't she?  She's taken to motherhood like a pro.  Caitlin says she's naming them all after Shakespearean characters.  Feel free to rename them whatever you like when you come to pick yours up in about 6 weeks.  


Not a dog person?  That's okay. 

You can take home one of these.  Awwwwwww.......  we aim to please.  We offer one stop shopping.  These will be ready in about 4 weeks.  My kids are hoping that we'll change our minds and let them keep ALL the puppies and kittens.  Silly children.   So go ahead and call in your order today!  We're even offering a 2 for 1 special.  Get one for free...   and get an extra one for FREE!  Isn't that great?  

Bermuda Grass, You Ain't No Friend of Mine

I'm weeks behind our gardening schedule.  But with Spring break upon us, we're going to get 'er done!  I found Square Foot Gardening a few years ago and I love it!  Overall it's much easier, neater, simpler, and child friendly than typical row gardens.  It does cost some money to get going, but once started requires less upkeep and maintenance. Unless you have Bermuda grass.  

You can see it here, right up against my poor little wooden box.  The box doesn't stand a chance. Living in a rural area, with more weeds in general near us than where more pavement is the rule, weeding is always a big job.  Most weeds that make it into a square foot box are easily removed and fewer in number than in traditional rows in my experience.  Unless you have Bermuda grass.

This is a raised bed box of strawberry plants.  What?  You say you can't see the box?  Or the strawberries?  I KNOW!  Bermuda grass...  I curse you.  

I understand in some parts of the country Bermuda is the grass of choice because of it's drought and pest resistance and it grows heartily.  Oh, don't I know it!  It's also nearly impossible to kill off.  Well, over the decades, Bermuda grass has taken over a LOT of our 5 acres.  Including the area of lawn (and I use that term loosely) where we put our boxes.  Oh, we put the best quality weed fabric under the boxes (twice), but that's no match for Bermuda grass.  It grows by more than one mode, including deep tap rooting, rhizomes, as well as above ground propagation.  Well, isn't that nice?  


I set about finding a solution this year.  So gardening can indeed be simple and enjoyable.  One solution I found was to add a layer of old carpet to the weed fabric under the boxes as very little can stay alive or penetrate the carpet.  I certainly hope so, and so does Michael, who had the job of emptying all the boxes of dirt to do this!  

Jim, a very nice man from Franklin County Horticultural Pest and Disease Board, suggested hitting up the boxes now with a strong weed killer, including about 6 inches of grass surrounding the boxes.  Even this does not get rid of Bermuda grass quickly or easily.  But if you keep hitting it, you'll eventually win, or so I'm told.  If we treated all of our 5 acres for Bermuda grass, we'd have no lawn left!  (which someday will have to happen and be replanted, but not this year).  

Bermuda grass, you ain't no friend of mine.  I also am not a big fan of chemical means of maintenance.  Have you ever heard the phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"?  Well, meet my new friend.  Generic brand weed control and I have just become allies in a war.  I'll have to be careful on future treatments near the boxes to make sure we don't get a couple of drops of weed killer on our vegetable plants.  Defeat is not an option.  


We have our supplies ready.  

Square foot gardening uses a special soil mix, rather than just dirt.  Peat moss helps maintain good soil quality and moisture. 

A nice mix of different composts is essential too.  But I've found, unlike what they tell you, my boxes still need some fertilizer added.   We do have our own compost pile, but neglected to water it enough to produce nicely broken down hummus, or mature compost.  But that'll get done this year also so next year it'll be ready to go.  


We also add vermiculite, which I don't have a picture of.  It's the little silvery things you sometimes see in potting soil mix, which holds on to moisture.  


Seeds on hand.  Somewhat willing children.  Hopefully beautiful weather.  Gardening has begun.