Growing Things

May 3-4.  In between attending Danny's Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony, I managed to get over to The Growing Place (with Danny!) to hunt for a few garden things I didn't have yet.  My mom told me about this nursery, and since my beloved Sid's closed last year, I have nothing close to home.  I had passed this nursery many times on the way to photography classes in the past, but I never knew what was behind that little driveway.  I wasn't expecting this!

I hung my camera around my neck, and no one said a thing.  I sneaked in a couple of shots of various locations within the nursery to give you a feel for its size and the variety of things they were selling.  But, these shots don't do it any justice at all.  The place is huge!

I purchased just a few things:  onion starts--even though it's later than I wanted to plant them, rosemary, cilantro, and a four-pack of marigolds to plant near my green beans as a pest deterrent.

I've never purchased onion starts before, but they came with directions for planting, caring, and harvesting, so we'll see how it goes.  There's a variety of red and yellow onions, and I think there were at least 50 or so onions in this little pack!

Cilantro

Rosemary

Since Lori grew some awesome green bean plants last year, and my pole bean plants died before even a single harvest, I decided to purchase the same beans Lori had used last year.  Every year I keep saying that I'm not going to plant beans, and every year I plant beans.  Hopefully these will be good to me this year.  The boys aren't really big on beans, but I am, and Fernando likes them, so here we go again!

I read that marigolds deter those pesky Japanese beetles that love green bean plants, so I'm planting these hardy golden beauties in the corners of my green bean square.  We'll see if the advice pans out.

As of this post's date, I've planted everything.  You'll get an update soon, I hope!


Back to life,
Christine

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Honor Student #2

On May 3, we had the privilege of attending a ceremony of Danny's induction into Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society for two-year colleges.  Jacob had been inducted last autumn, and we were looking forward to another evening of celebrating the achievements of another son.

Danny waited in line for his turn.  I think he was nervous, but he acted very calmly.

Unlike Jacob's ceremony, this one provided for a time where their official photographer would snap a shot of each inductee when he got up on stage.  I sneaked up next to the photographer and snapped my own shot.

Danny signed the official register.

After the ceremony, we enjoyed an hors d'oeuvres reception with lots of tasty appetizers and sweet treats.  I shot just one of the appetizers before Fernando ordered me to put my camera away.  :)

Right before we left, I got a couple of neat shots of Danny with his grandparents.  Sweet!  I'm so glad they're involved in the lives of their grandchildren.

Congratulations, Danny, on your accomplishments!  We love you!!


Back to life,
Christine

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Put Me to Work!

April 29.  A work day at our home.  First, though, we said hello to the squatters...

...then waved goodbye when they flew away.

Then we got to work.  Well, let's just say the guys worked and I documented it all with my camera.  Little by little, we've been laying down newspaper in the walkways of my raised bed vegetable gardens, then laying grass clippings on top.  This way, we have a soft pathway to walk on, and the boys don't have to figure out how to get the lawnmower into the garden and up and down the walkways.  It takes a lot of grass to fill in the walkways, and even after two years we're not done with every path.

Fernando was a sweetie and pulled the larger weeds while Jacob followed behind him with layers of newspaper.

Look at my surprise lettuce, grown up from seeds planted last autumn!  I've been enjoying this throughout our early spring.  It makes me happy just to see it growing in my garden.  :)

The squatters waited patiently on our neighbors' roof while we worked in "their" back yard.  ;)

Thomas diligently weeded the beds.

At the end, some weed-whacking remained to be done, but otherwise, the gardens were ready for compost and plants.  I was one very happy gardening lady!

Back to life,
Christine

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Squatters!

We have two squatters on our property.  They have come back every year for the past three or four years.

When I get just a little too close, they take off.  They usually wait on our roof until we're clear of the back yard.  One year mama duck nested right next to the house.  One day the nest and eggs were there; the next, the eggs were hatched and mama and ducklings were gone.  But mama and papa come back every year.

I don't mind these squatters too much.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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WIU Student Orientation

April 21. 

(I think I'll just date my posts so I can tell when I'm up-to-date again.)

Fernando and I drove with Jacob out to Macomb, Illinois for his student orientation day.  He learned about scholarships and leadership opportunities, honors programs, and then he registered for classes.  He's definitely on his way!

Sherman Hall, WIU

The student leaders (below) gave us a tour of the campus.  They were so friendly and helpful, and the young lady told us about the Christian student organizations on campus, without us even asking.  The Lord placed her there just for us.  :)

I gulped when I saw the row of mailboxes in one of the dorm buildings.  So many students!  I hope Jacob won't feel lost.  We will be able to send him packages, despite the size limitations of those mailboxes.  That made me feel better.

Before we left, I took a few shots of Jacob on his future campus.

He is definitely grown up, and I constantly keep in mind that my time with him is short.  Three little months lie between summer and move-in day in the dorms.  Who ever said that parenting got easier the older they get??  Don't you believe it, mamas!

Time to go hug my son.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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Another Great Number -- 800

I've played Scrabble since I was a young teenager, and have always dreamed of combining with my partner for an 800 game.  Mid-700s was all I could ever manage playing with whomever would play with me.  (Fernando and my mom are my regulars--Fernando because he loves me and my mom because she likes playing.)

Finally, one day my friend Dee and I broke 800.  I mean, really broke it.  I will probably never have another game like that.  But here's hoping!

A mere month after that epic game, playing with a son who just had his wisdom teeth out, we broke 800 again.  Two awesome games in a month's span!  Wow.  The second 800 game was almost a letdown after breaking 900, but let me tell you, it's still a thrill.  Which is why I'm posting the below.

847!

A spectacular 929 with Dee.
An awesome 819 with Danny.
A super 847 with Mom.

Sweet.


Back to life,
Christine

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His Clouds

He stretches out the north over empty space

And hangs the earth on nothing.

He wraps up the waters in His clouds,

And the cloud does not burst under them.

Job 26:7-8 NASB

Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,

The thundering of His pavilion?

Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him

And He covers the depths of the sea.

Job 36:29-30 NASB

Back to life,
Christine

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