Our Fall Garden

We are enjoying the cooler weather, as this is one of the best times of the year to enjoy our backyard. After we got past the wedding, there were numerous weeks where it was simply TOO HOT to get out and do any work. Once it had cooled down, Rick and I were able to get out there and knock out some intense weeding operations, removal of the spring crops, and some organization. The banana trees are thriving. We have planted collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and romaine lettuce. I have been craving salad with this pregnancy, thus Rick wanted to make sure we had lettuce in the fall garden. You will see our new pond in the pictures below. Rick found this with Isabella at a yard sale the weekend I was in Panama City for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. He got the plastic tubs, the pump, the plants, and 15 fish for $75! A steal! We have been enjoying sitting out by the pond and our chimnea in the evenings. I hope you all have an enjoyable Halloween! Isabella is going to be a witch for halloween! She wants me to paint her face green! And she wants to be a "bad" witch?! AND she wants me to dress up like a witch as well... we'll see.


View from the back of the yard toward the house...

Our Torch Plants...

The grass is doing great!

The fall brings out the purple flowers!

The Master by his Masterpiece! (With our only female feline, Genjur, in the background).

La Pond...

Big Banana Trees... with non-edible nanners...

Morning Glory growing up the fence...

Aaahhh.
I hope you enjoyed our hard work... we love our garden... it is our therapy!

1st grade

Isabella's First day of 1st Grade















Before school Isabella wanted to paint some seashells and rocks. You see the apron (courtesy of Robyn Dohn's European Adventures). Well, when she got home on the 1st day... she wanted to continue painting... but this time without the apron. I just washed the pink and now yellow streaked top she wore (a la Pam).




















I should send this marketing pic to Netflix! She was taking this DVD to the mailbox. We are proud Netflix users. Just watched The Velveteen Rabbit and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.




















Rosie's Kittens. Born August 25th, second day of 1st grade. Just opened their eyes.

Fiona and Bella

Fiona is over today playing Wii with Isabella. A rainy Labor Day. They just finished a snack of sliced apples and peanut butter and a small slice each of some chocolate cake that Miss Paula sent home with us last night. They've been swapping out sitting in the massage chair when it is not their turn on Wii. They picked peppers for me this afternoon once it stopped raining. Fiona and Bella were later seen wearing lipstick and tiaras. Girls just wanna have fun!

See below pictures of the two of them having fun at the Back to School Bash.

The Vegetable Garden

The veggies we planted last spring are about kaput... except for the last of the okra (which we did not plant enough of this year) and the peppers. We have been busy canning whole jalapenos, slided jalapenos, pickles, okra, pepper relish, and banana peppers. We have dried a good bit too: pepper chips and okra for future gumbos, basil from the neighbor (we have some, but she brought over bushels of it), and tomatoes. The potatoes above are from Rick's grandfather's garden. We did harvest and store a good bit of sweet potatoes and butternut squash this year.

Yesterday we finally planted our fall garden. We have collard greens, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli, beets, carrots, and celery in the ground. Never planted celery before... not sure if it will even grow here, but we'll see. And of course, the Lord watches over us for it rained right after we planted. This morning Rick got up and got gas for the mower. I immediatley headed into the yard to remove and obstacles. After mowing, pulling weeds, straightening, and weed eating... it is again raining. Aaahh. The yard looks wonderful!

Isabella's SIXTH Birthday.

Hello all. Isabella had a great 6th birthday.

Our adventure actually started Friday night!

Rick set up our little dome tent in the backyard Friday. I finally got home from work and birthday errands at around 7pm. Isabella had created a pile of our camping gear: sleeping bag, pillows for the entire family, and food for the cats and dog (I believe that she imagined the ENTIRE family, critters and all, camping in the tent). I added the to the pile: graham crackers, hershey bars, marshmallows, sparklers, and my yearbook (so that I could be studying up in the tent for my 10-year High School Reunion). I went outside and lit a handful of our tiki lanterns for both ambiance and bug control.

My favorite meal to prepare is STIR FRY. Rick had the rice cooked when I got home (we make a good team). I sauteed garlic, carrots, onions, bell pepper (fog), celery, fresh ginger root, and okra (fog). FOG = From the Garden. I added in chicken and scrambled eggs. Yum! Although Isabella wanted all three of us to eat inside he tent, we talked her into letting us sit at our lovely tiki table amidst the tiki torches. It was a wonder-filled family moment.

After dinner, Isabella and I prepared to embark upon the tent. I had bought ring pops and a box of nerds at the dollar store and we brought this with us. I also had picked up three scratch-off tickets (she's got the love/excitement of gambling in her blood, from both sides). We won $2 on the first ticket (the only $2 ticket I bought, so we broke even there), and nada on the other two $1 tickets. We dipped our rings pops in the nerds, a great combination that I only discovered after I had inadvertently bought those two items. Smore time! My mom had created these "fire-starters" out of old paper towel rolls stuffed with lint from the dryer (a creative little new-age indian she is). Rick used those to start the wood (that I have been collecting piece-meal from the yard: oaks limbs that have fallen, dried daylily stems, gargantuan mulch pieces, and other various dried foliage). Isabella swears this was her first smores experience. Isabella roasted the marshmallows and helped me put the chocolate on the crackers. I knew that our experience would end in me eating 1.5 smores, for she got through half of hers and was done. I added two more roasted marshmallows and called it quits. Needless to say, I have NOT been crash dieting before my reunion. We then launched into entertaining ourselves with some left over poppers from the 4th of July; they smash well against the white metal chairs around the tiki table! We then did some sparklers! It was time to get ready for bed. The twin-sized air mattress that I inflated and dragged outside had already mostly deflated. After listening to the sounds of the night for about, eh, three minutes... Isabella decided that we would be more comfortable inside. Plus, she was concerned that Rosie might have her babies (kittens did not arrive) during the night while we were outside. All compounded by the fact that we were both hot... evenings in August are just as ruthless.

Aside- as I am writing, Isabella is galloping through the backyard on her horse-on-a-stick... in her new riding gear a la Noni. See pictures below with her fabulous new riding breeches and boots!

After a good night's sleep in our beds, I awoke around 6am and started to prepare for the day. I got the balloons and tabletop decorations out of the car. Birthdays are like Christmas; their excitement messes with their internal clock, and they are up at the earliest possible hour. Bella woke at 7am. We proceeded to open the gifts from Noni, as they had shipped in the day before and Isabella spent most of the evening wondering what was inside. Her new riding boots and riding breeches were perfect. She was immediately dressed and ready for horseback lessons, even though they did not start until 9:45a. I had the full intention of making 'mommy-made-donuts' and had even stopped to pick up biscuits on the drive home; however, I didn't realize that Rick had used ALL of the powdered sugar to make icing previously. Oh well. Birthday Breakfast = AppleJacks!

Isabella and I drove out to horseback (Rick stayed behind to work on her 'big' present). Isabella got an hour long lesson with a different instructor, Molly, while getting to ride her favorite stable horse: Chance. After the lesson, we walked around the grounds of the stable feeding yellow apple slices we had brought to each and every horse we passed.

Upon getting home, we went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch. Isabella ordered the chicken tenders with fries and a sprite, Rick got a burger, and I chose the endless salad bar (which I highly recommend, for I have never had so many options as to what to put on my salad: soybeans, garbanzo beans, pickled beets, goat cheese, ham, bacon, and every other fresh veggie you could imagine). After eating our meal, the waitress brought Bella the best ever sundae. It had ice cream, whipped cream, two chocolate chip cookies, and one marachino cherry. Isabella immediately grabbed the cherry and started to dramatically suck the juice from the innerds of the cherry. (We have a little actress for those of you who haven't witnessed her skills yourself). Still holding the flattened cherry between her fingers, she proceeded to reach out and offer her dad and I cherry juice as well. Sweet girl, but no thanks. We did help her finish off her sundae though.

The Clue Trail: On the drive home, I asked Isabella a riddle. "What school did mommy go to?" Her response, "I don't know." Okay, let's try "What football team does daddy and mommy like to watch?" "Uuummm," she replied. Alright.... I made the Gator Chomp motion. "Gators!"
Right before we left I had set up a "clue hunt" for Bella that would lead her through the house and finally to her ultimate/big birthday present from mom and dad. A gator hat from the dollar store held clue #1. From there it read "go to the place where you wash your hair, I bet a clue you will find there"... in the shower she found new bath shampoo, body wash, and hair detangler (for school) and the next clue. She was then directed to the pantry to find bath salts and the next clue. Then to her bedroom and the Barbie House for a new kitty wand/toy (she LOVES her cats... Genjur, Twiggy, and the newest addition ROSIE). Then to mom's pillow for some cool hot pink and blue wigs and another clue. On to the clothes dryer for WATER BALLOONS and a clue. The front closet held a purple swimming Noodle and instructions to head "out the door and around the gate, your big present from mom and dad awaits."

A POOL! She immediately wanted to get in. And the first thing on Sunday, she was in her suit. Sunday also marked the first day all summer long that her best buddy Fiona was back in town. They had a big time swimming most of the day Sunday (and a sunburn, too... oops).

After much swimming on Saturday, we headed over to Isabella's great-grandparents house for birthday cake and more presents. Christine had ordered a chocolate cake with chocolate icing topped with horses, fencing, and greenery. Isabella and Christine had already taken off all the horses before we got a picture OR sand happy birthday. Crazy girls! Isabella got lots of clothes (thanks to Pam), a camera from her Gma/Shep, some earrings (she can only have hypo-allergenic earrings), and some notebooks and such for school. I had picked out a pink backpack at Target so that she would have another present from mom and dad to open. Well, mom apparently lacks taste, for she turned up her nose to the one I picked out. We will be heading back to Target this week to exchange for a "cooler" pack.

Isabella's Aunt April came over to play while Rick and I headed to our 10-year Highschool Reunion at the Fish House. April and Isabella did some more swimming! They were baking cookies by the time Rick and I got home. And it wasn't long before...

You seel all her horses (including the new brown one from Cali and Jason... this BIG present was waiting on the front porch when we got back from Ruby Tuesday... Thank You, Jason!). We now have EVERY color horse they make: Black, Tan, Brown, White, and Black/White!

It was a memory-filled birthday.

Stay tuned... for we are planning Isabella's PINK PONY PARTY for Saturday, September 12th.

Aahhh. Sunday

I hope you had a marvelous 4th of July. We grilled ribs, boiled some corn, and whipped up some green bean casserole and yeast rolls. We lit all the tiki torches, turned on the back yard lights, and enjoyed our yard and home as a family. It felt so wonderful watching Isabella light her own sparklers (we set out some candles and she lit them there). Rick dragged out the camera and his birthday tripod to catch some shots of the fireworks. We watched a full blown fireworks show from the comfort of our yard special thanks to our neighbors.

I feel free: I am sitting in the floor in my pj's, drinking a cup of coffee and contemplating my day. My husband went deep sea fishing early this morning, and my child is galavanting with her Aunt Lulu for a brief escape.

My back is feeling better. As of Friday, I thought it was going to be a rough weekend; however, I feel pretty good. (I think I worked out the kink yesterday with some heavy housework, weeding in the yard, pushing myself to the extreme!).

LOVE - Iris

Saturday, June 27th

Today marks my first full day as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEEDP AP).

It also marks the first day in a long time that my back has been on the fritz. It started to irritate my being yesterday. And this morning, after being out of bed for an hour and starting my usual weekend clean-up... it caught. I couldn't lift my foot for the next step it hurt so badly. I hollered for Rick, still in bed. He came to my aid and carried me to bed where I am now trying to stay as immobile as possible. This first half of the year has finally caught up to me. No more taxes, no more wedding, no more LEED exam....

Rick had to run an errand earlier, thus I was able to use the laptop to load a BUNCH of pictures onto Picasa albums. I figured I could get in a blog, too. I hope to finish my Thank You notes first... then soon be free to blog, write, read, whatever!

Rick is making PIZZA for lunch! YUMMY! He just brought the dough in here and let me smell it. Undescribable. We made the tomato sauce using tomatoes from the garden. Will top the pizza off with peppers, onions, and tomato slices from the Hardy Gardens.

All three of us are going to the Chiropractor on Monday. $75 in copays will be well worth our bodies feeling better. I believe that most of Rick's pains will be eased by a trip to the chiro. (As he drags the massaging chair apparatus into the bed for himself. The Shiatsu machine will be jealous).

Well, no laundry, no planting, no furniture moving as planned for today. My body is forcing me to do nothing. And I need to get better at that.

LOVE TO ALL.

Nature

All is well. I am counting down the days until the wedding. 14 more to go... and a lot to do. As you can see below... our garden is starting to thrive. We have been working very hard and will probably need to visit the chiropractor after the wedding, but it is all worth it. More blogs promised in July (after wedding and my LEED exam). Good day. Good night.

The soon-to-be wedded couple!

JUNE 6th baby!!

Isabella took this picture Saturday night. Rick and I were invited to a crawfish boil/birthday celebration at a neighbor couple's home (aka... Fiona's parents). We brought them a tomato, artichoke, and oregano plant... you don't come to a party empty-handed, right? It was a nice jaunt around the corner... a great mini-date after a day of slaving in our soil.

Horse Show

It has only been sixteen days since my last break in posting. Much better than the previous reprieve.

Isabella participated in her 1st Horse Show this last Saturday at Rustic Trail Stables. Her instructors agreed to let her show in her Western gear for this show; she was so cute with her braids, buckle, and boots. Rick and I now have to invest in English Riding Boots and some new Cowgirl boots, for she has finally outgrown these.

We had many cheerleaders at this momentous occasion: Me, Rick, my little sister April, my mother and her fiancee David, Rick's father, Rick's little sister Cali, our family friend Paula, and both sets of Rick's grandparents! (We hope we weren't too loud and obnoxious :)

Isabella won 3rd place in her first event: Horse in Hand.

This Saturday was extra special because Isabella won her 1st EVER of many blue ribbons she will receive over the course of her lifetime. FIRST PLACE in Equitation (she tied for first with one other girl... and there were only the two of them... but they both did great). Woohoo! We are proud parents! She did AWESOME! We all had a good time.

The below pictures, of course, loaded opposite the order I intended for viewers to see them. So I share with you the end of the show to the beginning of the show. And of course I picked the one family picture that does not show off her blue ribbon. Oh well. Enjoy.

The Hardy Gardens

Welcome to our Yard.


What we see when we open our front door.




Our bird bath serves more as a kitty drinking bowl than a bird hang-out. See our newly-acquired rain barrel in the corner?!




The first of our rose bushes to bloom.




Our Iris & Gardenia Garden. Rick dug up the Irises out of our neighbors yard on Saturday afternoon. My honey planted Irises for us!




Our front yard. The Adirondack chairs were made by Rick's grandfather, Shep Hardy. He also made the UF butterfly box hanging by the garage.

Square Foot Gardening. We currently have the following planted here: tomatoes, pole beans (at the trellis), artichoke, carrots, bush beans, onions, volunteer lettuce (in the pots), marigolds, and collards. See Lucky the kitten at the far left. And our OWL at the trellis on the left - Special Thanks to my Grandma Fran!!

One view of our back yard/patio. The square garden contains herbs: basil, oregano, chives, rosemary, dill, and yarrow. The circular garden on the right has a citrus tree (that practically froze this winter... but we found some green leaf buds yesterday... as I went to cut it down) and more of the Irises from the neighbor; Isabella, her friend Fiona, and Rick planted these Irises. The Tiki Hut and Banana Trees were provided by Rick's maternal grandparents: Don & Esther.

Check out the Snap Dragons; what a wondferul pink color. And the purply-blue Salvia!

Our Red Maple was a house-warming/birthday gift from Don & Esther. We are still working on our stone pathway.

Where Isabella checks the mail. My Gran Fran gave us the mailbox cover (it is a plastic coated paper with magnets on the underside... it has lasted a good while now... love it!). There are day lilies, chives, mexican daisies (the purple and white flower), and a little purple flower that Isabella picked out for me. All of the bricks are from a pile that was in our yard when we bought the house; we still have more to figure out what to do with.

Hope you enjoyed this tour. More to come as things really start blooming!