Fresh from the garden

So this week is a down week, disappointing after a few up ones.  The highlight of the week has been using the herbs and vegetables I grew in my container garden.  When I started my garden, I had great hopes that it would save me quite a bit of money on produce.  That was a pipe dream.  So far it has produced: 2 very small tomatoes, 1 medium bell pepper, 2 strawberries, some green onions, lots of oregano & rosemary, a little parsley and cilantro and the beginnings of one zucchini.  Some money saver!  I spend about $40 in supplies and have gotten about $5 in harvest.  Despite the failure of my garden to pay for itself, I was thrilled to run out and clip some cilantro and onions for our taco salad.  There is just something special about walking outside, picking the produce and rinsing it in a bucket of water on the way to the kitchen.  My mom says "it's a self-worth thing," perhaps.  Maybe I am reaping more than just savings at the grocer from this container garden.  I can't wait for C2 to do more than pick/eat my onion tops when I take him out there!  I have wonderful visions of his face lighting up as he realizes that the seeds he planted have grown into tiny little plants and then his excitement when he gets to eat something from his very own plant...but right now I get to enjoy his mischievous smile as he coyly grabs a fistful of green onions and shoves them into his toothless mouth. 

Teeth, spiders and mold!

This morning, with teething baby nestled snuggly in the laundry basket, I ventured outside to hang up a load of baby clothes on my newly installed clothesline. As I hung up my little one's clothes I noticed a spider web.  I inspected it and then began to investigate.  What did I find? About 10 spider webs holding approximately 7 tiny black widow spiders!  After a bit of research, I discovered that the best way to eliminate them was to whack them with a rolled up newspaper.  I also discovered that the white stuff I found yesterday on my squash meant I would have to cut of some of the leaves.  Once things settled down and it was time for my hubby to get up for work, I decided it was high-time to get out there and take my my porch garden!  I left my boy in the care of his father, gather my newspaper and clippers and set off on my leaf-trimming, spider-whacking adventure!  I searched out the spiders and whomped them without a cringe.  If you have ever seen me kill a spider or bug you know it NEVER involves squashing...more likely an aerosol can, so this was a huge accomplishment for me.  Next it was on to conquer the moldy squash leaves.  In less than 15 minutes I had conquered two garden foes! Maybe this is going to turn out to be a good day after all!  Now to conquer those teeth...