We realized the other day that we hadn't posted anything about our garden this year. This is really surprising because our home improvement project was to redo the patio this year. I really like how it turned out. The tall side fence was solid when we moved in, but we took down the slats and Sam reattached them in the open pattern here so that we can get some sunlight and air in the back. There were pavers covering the 2nd half of the patio, but between Maggie being out there (ew!) and the fact that they were not put on a bed of anything, they had to go. We put some sand and pea gravel in instead. Sam built me the large planter. Didn't he do a beautiful job!! And you've got to love my city, Lee's Summit gives away compost for free! So that's what we filled it with. This year we started with plants from Wal-Mart. I won't do that again. While some plants are doing well (the zucchini, tomatoes & cantaloupe) others look sick and/or strange. The cucumbers are curling. It's so strange. In all the times I've grown cucumbers, I've never had them grow like this. The one I picked last week looked like a Zat gun! Next year, I will plant from seed and go for a bush variety. The butternut squash looks terrible.
(it doesn't help that when it was growing across the ground, Maggie trampled it one day), but it is really producing. At last count, we had 6 squash growing! I thought the zucchini would never produce, it kept blooming flowers and then dying, but we finally have 3 zucchini growing. I LOVE NATURE, it's so cool as long as I don't have to spend too much time in it! The green beans have been my biggest disappointment. They really look sick. I wonder if they need fertilizer or something. I'll have to try a different variety next year. I planted the peppers by the tomatoes, but I don't think they get enough sun since the tomatoes went crazy!!! I've already majorly cut them back once, and I may do it again before the season it over. Then comes the canteloupe. I think that's the prettiest plant we have. We've already had to redirect it from taking over the tomato cages and Maggie's doghouse. We have about 5 canteloupe growing. Here's the pickle, only Sam eats canteloupe! For me they are a definite YUCK!! I'm going to have to research ways of preserving canteloupe or give them away. Any suggestions?
I had to include this photo b/c I really like the squash flowers and you can see a new squash growing in the uppper left side.
This year for Halloween, I pulled out our old costumes and gave them an update. Some of you may remember when I made these several years ago. Sam is the woodcutter and I am Red Riding Hood. This year I finished our costumes by hemming Sam's tunic and adding an axe. For myself, I made the apron and vest. I also had to cut my cape down 2 sizes so it wasn't so big. The bottom left is the scene I painted and put in the back of the Mazda to decorate for the Trunk or Treat. If you can't tell, it's the Wolf jumping to eat you! Sam asked where his body was, I told him to shut up. LOL I initially thought of cutting out the mouth so that you had to reach in to get the candy, but thought better of it. The children are friends of ours. The adorable, Mia, was also dressed as Red. Her mom has pictures of the two of us together. Her older sister Olivia was a fifties girl. Isn't she just gorgeous?? Mandy and I were talking about how she was going to have her hands full once Livvy is old enough to date. On the other side are my sweet friends Megan and Anna. Megan is an elephant, but poor thing hated wearing the turtleneck. I totally sympathized. I hate wearing turtlenecks too. Anna was great! She's a monkey, and I wish I had taken a picture of her feet, b/c her mom had made the cutest monkey shoe covers to go with it! I talk about these kids alot! So now, you have a face to go with the names and stories. Ü The top is of Marissa and I. She was dressed as a gypsy. I love the bright colors. You'll have to go to her blog to see the awesome costume she made for her husband. He was a very classy pirate! Sorry Jim, I didn't get your picture. All in all we had a fun time. We only had 12 trick or treaters on Halloween night, but that's ok. Now to pull out the Thanksgiving decorations! I love this time of year.
