God Bless the Harvest

The Bounty

Growing up throughout my childhood, one of my favorite summer "activity" was helping/watching my mom's garden grow...peas, beans, carrots... Mary, Mary, quite contrary... So, when I "grew-up" I was eager to have my own garden. When I finally had a house in Rochester, NY, I slaved to dig up the ground and plant a garden myself. Yes, I did it all myself. The neighborhood had been a brick yard in the 1800's and so with each shovel-full of dirt, came bricks.

Anyways, so after Elle was born and we moved to the Twin Cities, I couldn't find the energy within myself to plant another garden. My next best option, a CSA (community supported agriculture). My dear friend Jenny and I decided to share a garden share for the season. Each week we pick up our huge bag of veggies and then we split them. We have had napa cabbage, kale, swiss chard, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini and lots more. Also, we got to go to the farm (in Prairie Farm, WI) and work for a day, picking veggies and loading the bags. Then we delivered them to the pick up site. Jenny and I took her 3 kiddos and had so much fun. The kids got to help pick, pet the dogs and the horses, and SEE where their food comes from and how it grows! Recently I heard a story about a kid who was surprised when they went to pick strawberries that they didn't go to the store!! More kids need to be a part of growing and picking vegetables. I really feel that it helps grow a true love of eating healthy!

Ok, so the mangoes didn't come from WI. Jenny got a great deal at
Costco, so we split the mango bounty!

The Master Gardener

Watch out flowers and herbs, here comes Elle to "water" you. You better be strong and don't bend to her "love" and "care!"

Where's the water Mom???

Smash go the herbs!



A job well done!!

The toddler walks away very proud of her ability to water mom's herbs...now onto the flowers!

My first baby

So, I'm sure many of you have pets. Some of these are either just run of the mill animals who may live primarily outside or are self-sufficient, and are definitely 2nd rung; OR they are your "first" babies, who sleep in your beds, are called "baby," travel with you, get first rate medical care (possibly better than your own), and eat gourmet meals... the list embarrassingly goes on... So, it goes without saying that when I first became prego, I was concerned with how Bailey would take it :) Yes, indeed, I was concerned about our dear, orange Maine Coon cat Sibelius (Bailey for short). To make a long story short....he became aggressive....started peeing in house....called in a behaviorist (didn't work btw).... Discovered pheromones related to prego hormones....Vet. said "let him outside. He can survive without claws"....it worked!!! Phewwww!! Well, there is actually more to be said about Bailey. After baby, cat did great, we moved, cat did not do great. Started peeing....now, he is taking phenylbarbitol....cat is doing great again. Pheww, again!! What we don't do for our "first babies." My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first in November. Their "first baby," Lola, (a German Shorthair) is in for a big surprise!

Ok, now that the cat Hx (history, that is) has been duly explained. Let me show my dire excitement!
They have become friends (well, sort of anyways)!!! This morning Elle and I were reading books on the couch, when Bailey desperately wanted love too. Sooooo, he jumped up and took his spot on my lap. Elle giggled with glee and while he purred and kneaded my chest, she leaned over and with her full weight (a whole 20.15 lbs) hugged him. He didn't flinch. He just purred on. She proceeded to pet him (gently I might add) and giggle at him. He purred on. What a beautiful morning.

All is well in the Scully world. Currently Bailey is outside ruffing up the local wildlife, without claws. Yeah for animals being able to be outside.