Going Camping and Gardening

Abby fresh out of the pond. You have no idea the strength of her aroma.

Look what Baby Monkey drew for me with his Easter basket chalk. He made me a flower.

We spent Friday night, Saturday, and Saturday night camping. Believe it or not this was a gardening opportunity. The land we camp on belongs to a good friend and adopted Uncle to the monkeys. Hi, Wayne, congratulations you are an honorary Monkeys' Uncle.

Anyway, the place has a very nice pavilion with a kitchen and bathroom. The area is screened in and has ceiling fans - My kind of camping. Recently, Uncle W. had flower beds made along one side of the building. Guess what I took camping - Compost of course. I also brought along a Wave petunia, Hyacinth bean seeds, purple Castor bean seeds, and two French hollyhocks. This should be a pretty border in a couple of months. They need a anchor plant for one corner. I am thinking a double purple Rose of Sharon.

The monkeys had a great time. A lot of the the cousin monkeys showed up. There was fishing, BB gun target practice, four wheeler riding, canoe paddling, and general running around in the country. There was a tractor parade (I missed the picture, drat). They brought me a dead turtle. Why do boys bring home dead things? We celebrated Middle Monkey's birthday. His actual birthday is the day after Christmas. We usually have a small party on his actual birthday and then let him pick something other type of larger party later in the year. Uncle W. wanted to have it at his place this year. Very nice of him.

It was a great weekend and we are all exhausted.

Happy Easter Y'all

Here are Lucy and Starr enjoying the first day of Spring and getting ready for the big day.

My Family Just Got Bigger

This may sound odd, but I know that a family member, who has not been in contact with me very often in my real life, reads this blog about once a week. I think it is an uncle, but I cannot be sure. I wish the mystery person felt okay about commenting.

On that note, I met a long lost cousin today and it was great. We reminisced and had a wonderful visit. I remembered her only as a little blond haired blue eyed girl. I recall wanting her to be at my Mawmaw's house when I went to visit. One time we got in major trouble for going to a creek and finding a snake. We have been out of contact for decades. She grew into a lovely woman and I am glad I overcame my nervousness to reconnect with her today. Families are strange creatures and ours is right up there in the weirdness rankings. I had to remind myself that we were the children when it all fell apart. It is wonderful to let go of the last generation's rancor. It felt like building a bridge back into a part of my family.

Very happy to see you S. Feel free to comment L + mystery uncle.

Thanks you sister#2 for making it all possible. Thank you sister#3 for your support. Thanks to Jack and Eman for your adorable cuteness and ice breaking abilities.

Need Help Identifiying This Daffodil

Back in December, I bought four bags of daffodil bulbs from our MG group. I know I bought Texas Star, Geranium, Earlicheer, and something with the word giant in it. These bloomed yesterday. The blooms are pretty big. They fill the palm of my hand. They also smell nice with a very light pretty scent. I know they are not Earlicheer (which smells bad)or geranium (it is white and light orange). So is it Texas Star or the giant whatever. The picture I found of Texas Star looked a little lighter than this, but that could just be the exposure. If you have a guess or actually know what this is I would appreciate any input.

Above are my pitiful tomatoes. They have been stuck in a window sill for weeks. I didn't trust that the temperature in the greenhouse would stay above 40. I added more potting mix and put them in the shade on the deck. I should be ashamed of myself and turn in my MG badge. The varieties are Early Girl and Better Boy hybrids along with Cherokee Purple, Yellow Pear, San Marzano, Green Zebra, and some sort of cherry which are self-polinating heirlooms.

My Earliest Post Ever

I am up at midnight and will be up until 3:00 am. We have rain water half way up the front yard and it is at J's granny's front door. Somebody needs to come over here and build an arc or at least bring a row boat that can hold one chunky woman, three boys, two cats, two rabbits, and a german shepherd. Maybe we could go to Canada or Oklahoma? Meme is on high ground, but I am afraid that chrishanda might have a problem with that.

The Only Thing That Can Keep Me Out of the Garden.

This is sister #2's baby monkey Eman. Eman is amazing he was borne weeks early and weighed over eight pounds. He is 19 months old and plays the wii. I watched him and his brothers K-dur and Leeman today. We had fun.

See, isn't he talented?

Get a load of that backhand.

Earlier I watched Meme's monkeys at her house. Jakjac likes to read. We had to do a lot of sister support around here. It is great to have such a large family and actually be friends with them.

I will get back to garden blogging tomorrow. Yesterday and today were all about family.

Thanks to everyone who visited from Blotanical. I know my kid pictures have to bore you.

Here is something different. Sister #2 sent out a meme that you send to friends and they answer questions about you. Here is what I discovered that my friends and family think of me.

1. They are split on whether or not I rebel or follow rules. "Rules, what rules, nobody told me about any rules."

2. They do not know how old I am. I can still do the splits at "44"

3. My manly man does not know what color my eyes are. Apparently, he has been looking elsewhere for the last twelve years.

4. They would leave me on a desert island with: A bag of compost, one book, gardening tools, and a few beers. Obviously, I would need a euphoria inducing plant that I could grow plenty of - Hello, or maybe just grapes or hops and barley. For all of you who went THERE, no I do not grow weed. We have been over this. I am not breakin the law, at least any gardening law. But apparently I have caught the attention of CCACC. Y'all may have to hide me in your attic.

Two of the monkey's uncles actually left me on a dirt island in the middle of rock quarry one time. I got a sun burn. Thanks alot Wilburt and Guyburt.

Aunt Debbi Gives You A Lecture.

I am going to be out again today clan raising a bunch of our offspring.

I read a really good post on Poor Richard's Almanac this morning. Check it out. I truly believe that it is essential that we all know where our food comes from. If you are going to eat meat, and I do, respect the animal that it came from. Learn about soil. Learn how we are all connected. Conserve water. Make compost.

SAVE THE EARTH. IT IS THE ONLY PLANET WITH CHOCOLATE!!!!

I feel better.

Have a Nice Day