We spend alot of time working on projects in the back – the vegie gardens, animal pens, studio, etc.. We realized that we’ve neglected the front as far as new plants go. I have a vision of this amazing ornamental garden. Full of interesting textures, colors, shapes, and height. So we planted some of that. It’s a start anyway…
Esperanza surrounded by Ornamental Purple Peppers:
Close-up of the Esperanza and Purple peppers:
Purple Peppers:
Yellow Peppers:
We’ve had to weather a personal storm. I want to thank everyone who has been such a support to us during this time. Pregnancy loss is hard, but there are constant reminders to me that life keeps happening. I look forward to wading through these emotions and coming to a place of healing. Thank you everyone who has extended themselves and offered support. We truly appreciate each and every one of you…
Life really does continue:
This Lemon Cypress was sent to me by the most amazing group of mamas. We all had babies in the fall of 2005 and have stayed close ever since through the miracle of message boards and the internet. Some of us have met in person, some talk almost daily (hi Bridgette!), and all of us support each other emotionally. I received this tree yesterday with the most beautiful poem and words of love and support from these women. Thank you Tree Mamas!
My Amaranth…I didn’t think it was going to grow…but it did.
Jason’s Pride of Barbados that finally sprouted. This is very exciting as we now have 2 sprouts!
Our Confederate Jasmine that is growing up the post on our front porch. We planted this last year and are thrilled that it bloomed this year. It smells so heavenly.
Who can’t smile around kittens?
Lola’s drawing…she wanted to draw how she felt last week during the hardest part of it all. So first she was sad, then she was mad, now she is happy again. 5 year olds have such wisdom. I’m learning so much from this one right now.
Again, thank you everyone who has been there for us…many blessings and peace!
As the batteries on my camera are dead. Haha! But we did manage to get the chicken wire up for the beans and peas to crawl up this weekend. Our vegies are coming up nicely as well. I transplanted the tomato starts into pots out by the greenhouse and they seem to be doing quite well! I will keep a few in the larger pots and transplant the rest into the garden as soon as they are about 4 inches tall or so with a few more mature leaves…right now they are just getting their mature leaves and are only about 2 inches tall..;) The baby chicks are feathering nicely and are now living with the Showgirl hen in a separate part of the coop. They are liking the larger space so far!
We had a busy weekend of gardening, family, soccer, bbqing and dinner with friends. It was actually a very full and fun weekend. We needed it.
Here are pics from Lola’s soccer game that her Papa took! 
And here is a recipe that my darling mother-in-law sent me today from My Recipes that I’m dying to make:
Garden Minestrone
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chopped yellow squash
3 cups chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
4 cups chopped tomato, divided
3 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/2 cup uncooked ditalini pasta (very short tube-shaped macaroni)
1 (15.5-ounce) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) grated Asiago cheese
Coarsely ground black pepper (optional)
Preparation:
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until softened. Add oregano and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in squash, zucchini, carrot, and corn; sauté 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat.
Place 3 cups tomato and 1 can broth in a blender; process until smooth. Add tomato mixture to pan; return pan to heat. Stir in remaining 1 cup tomato and remaining 2 cans broth; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.
Add pasta and beans to pan; cook 10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Ladle soup into individual bowls; top with cheese. Garnish with coarsely ground black pepper, if desired.
Oh that looks so heavenly!! I can’t wait. Peace!
So you probably noticed a bit of a change around here. I decided with the evidence of Spring’s residency, to brighten things up. We are having a clear, warm, gorgeous day! Here is evidence of all the color and newness that is popping up on our little farm. Enjoy and happy Spring!
Told you I’d get her up here too! Peace!
Xi is sleeping, but will be featured next….Happy day people!
My violets are starting to really bloom with this cold weather we’ve been having. These particular bunch have been in this neighborhood for over 20 years, having been transplanted from another neighbor’s house several years ago. They are just lovely and remind me of old fashion times..:)
Yaupon berries had a flash of scarlet to the landscape. I find their brilliance a welcome relief to the otherwise bare trees around.
Ah the beautiful Kubrah. She’s getting so big, and so spoiled! With the warmer weather, she’s been enjoying some much needed sunshine with her other furry friends, and tonight will be her first night out in the pen. She’s getting a little too used to the kitchen rug in front of the sink. Haha!
Mama June is doing great! She’s starting to mellow out more and more with the milking and is tolerating Kubrah much better. She’s a sweetheart…:)
Can’t forget Mongo! He’s getting big as well and is starting to look at Kubrah with that “Oo La La!” look in his eye. (Sorry dude, you are destined to be a pet, not a breeder.) He’s got such a killer personality though and is super sweet. He’s turning into a really great pet. 🙂
MMMMMM…fresh goat milk, can’t beat it!
My little pixie!
A tired, but happy mom!
Peace!