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| Sunflower Field |
Planning it makes me think of all kinds of scriptures...
from Jesus cursing the tree when it didn't produce good fruit (Matthew 21:18-20)
to Jesus wept (John 11:35).
I have a feeling this garden is going to produce some tears.
Some of joy. Some not.
I pray it will not be cursed to die.
I was raised around agriculture most of my life. It has been in our family for a few generations.
I remember on a few Saturdays, my Grandma taking me to the feed store (I still remember that horse feed smell - well.) to buy seeds and to a local greenhouse for plants. I always wanted those pretty orange and purple flowers so she bought me some.
I didn't know they were not meant for Texas' summer heat and soon would wither away. I was so sad to think that I planted something and it died. Something so beautiful. Yet, fragile to the elements around it.
When my hubby and I first got married, Grandma came over the first of Spring and helped me plant my very own first garden. I was so excited. She helped me get peat moss, good soil and choose the plants.
Problem was - I was in my first trimester of pregnancy. The Texas Heat again made me crave the cool a/c for my swollen ankles. It turns out I was good at growing jalapenos and yellow peppers. (They can survive without a lot of watering.)
For the next 8 years, I was pregnant or recovering and dealing with babies. Then we moved to where the Texas weather got more extreme with heat.
I decided to plant another garden.
I had decided I wanted tomatoes. Lots of them. So I planted them in my portico. I did it! I had them out of the wazoo! I canned them like crazy!
I felt like Martha Stewart - with a Texas accent.
Then they died. All my tomatoes. The Texas Heat killed them. I was so sad.
I knew what Jonah must have felt like when his plant died over his head. Okay, bad example. Sort of.
I wasn't prepared for the death of plants. My hubs hated the way my portico looked and tried to encourage me in another hobby.
Everyone joked about my black thumb. I didn't not see the humor but laughed along anyway.
I learned later - from my multitude of "gardening" and "landscaping" friends - that plants die all the time - you just buy more and trial/error are the key. Plus, in Texas - August and September with temps reaching 107 daily - nothing can really survive.
Ha! is what I wanted to say to those nay-sayers! But, I held my tongue. (At least, I hope I did.)
I was the one who lost out. I put "big gardening" on hold.
Sometime throughout my hiatus - I tried container gardening, just studied plants and Texas crops.
And I learned. And gleaned (pardon the pun). And learned some more.
I learned I liked hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, sunflower fields, and something made for children.
I don't think I will ever know everything about anything. Every-time I think I know something - I realize there is so much more to learn.
Gardening has so many possibilities. I can't wait to share some kid friendly ideas in future posts!
Be ready!
Blessings to you! You are loved!
©www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com
My girls had cheese enchiladas. Yum! The youngest Princess loves trying new things and loves veggies. The eldest Princess could survive on bologna and mustard sandwiches.
They had this Old Wagon in front – my girls pretended my boys were the horses. 
Five of my favorite children in the world plus 
I’ve been known as a quiet person.
It is no secret I have 5 children.
The red triangle ruler is called my help-meet or my hubs says most people call it a “speed square”. When you start tiling – you can have call it your “help-meet” too because no one will ever sass you again, when you use a Big Ole’ Saw! Well, they shouldn’t anyway!
This is a Wet Saw. My hubs says it is also called a bridge saw. He also calls it his. Ha!
I’m not sure if all Big Bad Boy Wet Saws are alike.
Isn’t she a pretty building? I really like this courthouse. I should make my kids do a study of courthouses. My mind is reeling of the assignments for this coming year….life of a homeschool Mommy.
I wonder what happened to the windows…why are they bricked up? I’m sure there is a story there.
I’m sure those doors are busy during the week.
I just love hearing the chimes when the clock strikes. We made perfect time!
No one!
Not one person! Not even a tumbleweed…
A neat soldier from the Nutcracker!
We went to see the Nutcracker Ballet as a family this year…so this was a special picture.
I wish this shoppe had been opened…how fun! My hubs was probably glad it wasn’t opened. 
We found Santa after Christmas…he was sitting in sand.
Deserted. 
Of course, my kids had to look at the Historical Monuments. They have my genes. 
Isn’t this a neat building? I can just imagine a Southern Belle in her hoop skirt coming out of the door and waving a fan in her face to ward off the heat.
I’m not sure if you can see the sign on that restaurant…it is called The Hanging Tree Restaurant. Notice all the bikers…we didn’t go very close. But there were people in there…we think. 
Across the street, was the hanging tree. Seriously. We didn’t walk down by it. We stayed in the “ghost” part of the town…where there were no people. 
Again, my girlie and those historical markers. She can’t even read yet…but she know it must be an important piece of history. (We are homeschoolers and take every opportunity for those teaching moments.)
