Incredible Helpers

No, not Gavin and Graeme.  They believe themselves to be incredible helpers, and they are getting the hang of it.  (Gavin actually helped cut veggies tonight for our salad.)  However, I'm talking about ladybugs.  I knew they were supposed to be helpful in the garden, eating bad bugs, etc.  They proved themselves today, for sure!

I've noticed in the last few weeks that we've had a number of ladybugs attracted to our massive parsley plants.  (No, we don't eat tons of parsley - it just grew back really, really big this year.)  This morning, though, I wanted to cut back the parsley to give the other veggies and smaller plants some sun and air.  Hmmm... I don't want to compost the ladybugs though.

Solution?  I transplanted about 5 ladybugs (2 mating, in fact, hopefully I didn't disturb things) to a little pot of 3 peppers that were completely covered in aphids.  Now, I've got little peppers throughout the garden, as well as a strawberry patch.  So I don't know why these were the ones attracting bugs.

Enter ladybugs.  The boys and I checked later this after noon.  Two plants virtually clean; one lady bug resting.  The third plant had some aphids left; ladybug still in action.  We actually got to watch him eat  few bugs!  It was pretty cool, you know, for the boys to watch.  They got to squish a few aphids too.  They pop a little.  So that's fun.

Checked later this evening: plant #3 clean.

Ladybugs rock.

Hey, Taco Time!

Now that Gavin can read, he's apparently quite fond of Taco Time.  He sees it everywhere we go - around town or on freeway exit signs - and he always wants to go.  We never do, and he's never been there before.  He can figure out, however, that they have tacos there.  And he likes tacos.

I'm learning things can get a little trickier once your children learn to read.  We passed an ice cream shop twice today, and it didn't escape him.  Again, we didn't go... but sheesh... I didn't think about this aspect of reading.

But, just so you know he's not entirely motived by junk food, his new favorite food is purple cabbage.  We had some in salad the other night and Craig made him try at least one bite before he said he didn't like it.  Now, it's a favorite - even rivals shrimp (or so he says) as the best ever.  He's gobbled it up everyday since, and has tried to feed it to Graeme (who's not so enamored).

New Buds and Tomato Surprises

 After a wonderful day in the yard, I thought I'd post some images of what is growing so far.  Even though the weather has been cold and wet, most things are still hanging in there and doing quite well.

Here is the flower/herb garden, which so far really only has chives blooming.  We've got lots of strawberries in the patch to the left (you can only see the start)!  If I can keep the bugs away, then we should have lots to pick!

Since I started a lot indoors this year (and lots survived), I've got a lot of little tomato plants.  I've forgotten what survived and what didn't, so I really have no idea what will turn up if each of them actually produces.  We've got at least 20 plants.  One already has little buds on it though!  That made my day!

This made my day too... pea blossoms finally!  I have a bunch along the fence that haven't started blooming yet, but these have... yeah!  And, again, I forget what kind of peas these are as I planted a few different kinds.  It's hard to keep track of what's being planted when you have helpers that are 2 and 4 years old.

The first baby zucchini!  It looks like someone already took a little bit of it, so I'll have to keep tabs... Or, really, no one in my family will care if the bugs eat it, because they won't.  Unless it's mixed with chocolate.

While I was snapping pictures, I figured I'd show you what the ants have done to my radishes.  Sure, the slugs may have helped a bit, but this is ant damage.  All the way!  (And they destroyed that broccoli plant I mentioned. Not even worth taking a picture.)

I did go ahead and buy three tomato plants, because I didn't really know if mine would survive and/or produce if they did.  This is what they looked like now. Hopefully the sacks will hold up for the season and not topple over if the plants get too big.

In the end, lots of surprises for the season ahead.  And, if we get some sun this summer, we should have lots of fun veggies to pick.  (I'll plant beans this week too... for later in the season.)

Never Too Old

As I was driving away from the park today with the boys, I saw something I've never seen.  And I was impressed, even a little inspired.  An older man, probably mid 60's judging from the crown of white hair, was trying to learn to skateboard.  In a business suit.  He was clearly learning, because now that I frequent BMX and skate parks, I could see he certainly didn't have the skills.  (Never been on a skateboard, but I'm a total expert.)

Was it an attempt to relate to teenage son or daughter?  Maybe a crazy corporate training exercise or something?  In any case, kudos to that guy.  It was a good reminder to get over myself (yourself) and move forward.  What ever dreams or hobbies you loved when you were a kid and let go.  Or maybe dreams you had as a kid (or adult for that matter), but never followed or pursued.

Go get that skateboard and hop on... metaphorically, of course.  (As I'm not actually a fan of skateboarding.)

Maybe get that drum set.