The Grass IS Greener

Brian and I have been trying to get grass to grow in our backyard for a couple of years now...with zero luck. We would put grass seed out, it would sprout sweet little blades of grass and then it would rain, or rather "gully wash" and send it all down stream to the corner of the yard leaving us with this...



Don't get me wrong sand is nice...when you're at the beach! But look at this...


And this


And this


It was awful


So we gave up. This year we broke down and decided sod was our only hope. We hired Brian McCrory owner/operator of McCrory Lawn Care. "You grow it we mow it" If you're local and need sod or someone to mow your lawn, we HIGHLY recommend Brian.

First things first. He got rid of the existing "grass"


Then he called in some help. This is Matt.


Matt helped smooth everything out.


It was a late night but they got everything prepped and ready for grass.


Dirt.


The next morning he came by with this on his way to pick up our sod.


"It's better than a wheelbarrow"


There it is! (That's DJ, more help)


Here we go!


"What's gonna work? Teamwork"


One.....


They even let EG help. Never mind that she had showered for the day and was in her pj's...this was grass!


It went a lot faster than I thought it would.


Even with Five's help


And Korduroy's....


Done for the night.


The dogs exploring phase I


Let the watering begin!


Poor girl has never had grass in her backyard before now.


Before I knew it they were done.


And it was beautiful!


We love it!

8th Continent Soy Milk Drawing Contest

My awesome dad sent Abigail some postcards a while back. The postcards were for a drawing contest for 8th Continent Soy Milk. Abigail drew a couple of suns and sent them in. Well this morning she received email notification that her drawings were approved and posted on their contest site. The 50 drawings with the highest rating will win $1000 for their schools art program. She was sooooo excited! Take a look at her drawings (there are 2) and rate them. (find them by searching for her by name, Abigail Wilkins, in the search field in the lower right corner)You can rate them daily and help her win!!! Voting goes through July 11th.....

Here is the link to the site http://8thcontinent.com/sun/

Wordless Wednesday

Gardening Wiregrass Style

I have planted a garden every year since we've been in this house. And every year we get a little of this and a little of that. Well this year I had a long chat with the owner/operator of a local farm. Oh boy, the things I learned. Gardening in South Alabama is NOTHING like gardening in Oregon. But...I may be getting this whole "wiregrass gardening" thing figured out.

This was the plan.


Fill these containers with plants that would produce food.


We even added a garden bed this year.


We planted....and so far things are looking good :) (we even "had" to put in a second bed)


Behind me...those are tomatoes.


Yes, they are taller than me :)


Blueberries have gone from this


To this


Abigail grabbing a green bean snack


Mmmmmm


EG heard there were more green beans ready for "harvest"


The potted herb garden is doing really well.


We also have several different kinds of herbs stashed all over the yard. We've mixed them in with the azaleas, roses, and iris along with cantaloupe, watermelon, and more tomatoes.

Cantaloupe :)


Onions


Squash


And my tomatoes....well some of them


Ahhh and you may not be able to eat it but my hummingbirds can. The best it's looked since we planted it.

Muffins with Mom

I woke up a little early this morning. I had a special date and I needed to be dressed and ready to go by 730. Last week a darling little 5 year old brought me....

This...


Personalized and everything!


We were a bit early for the festivities so sassy pants and I sat in the car and read a little of "Swimming with the Dolphins".

Just look at her :)


She was thrilled when we finally got to go in :)


We headed back to her classroom where I was shown this.

Hmmmm that explains the favorite food/flower questions last night :)

Getting ready to recite a poem. Not really sure what was goin on here....


A quick smile for me


Then it was Muffin Time!


Another surprise at the table


We had a really good time!


And just a little bonus. We "kidnapped" TF and brought him home with us so Miss Megan and L could have some "mommy daughter time". This is his first time being in the exersaucer (and liking it). He was looking up at EG.