BED POST TIME

For year, "Bed Post Time" was an important institution of the Huish family.  When we needed to talk to one of them, they got to sit on the foot of our bed and lean on the bed post.  If it got to be long winded, they got to stretch out across the foot.


Jon and I were talking this morning and decided that we needed a special place for "Papa or Nanny Time".  We are pretty excited about it.




But as I was thinking, maybe a glider would be a better choice. . . .




Just thinking, wouldn't that be a nice place to get chewed out by an oldie?

 Friday night Gabriel came for a sleep-over.  Jon and I were so exhausted from the whole week.  But, true to his form, he made it a fun, funny evening.  Jon went to bed pretty early and my little buddy and I tried two movies before we settled on Cars, no surprise there, huh?    The next morning Jon went over to get Garrett for a play day while I made waffles.  They have both developed appetites that need to be reckoned with!  

Jon took them outside to start their next projects, all to do with Angry Birds" and next year's birthday cakes . . . I must remember to thank Stephen for what he found on the internet . . .  until it was time to go to Lowe's for building firetrucks, check out the garden dept and then it was off to Home Depot, then Silverbell nursery.   Home Depot no longer has their little pond display that had BIG fish and a couple of turtles, so fun to watch.  Fortunately, Silverbell has a great pond and they let the boys feed the fish.  They are so fun to watch.  I can hardly stand how fast they are growing up when I see them so relaxed, enjoying being brothers and just loving the simple things around them.    I just knew one of them was going to fall in . .  Matt said not to worry, it was only 20" deep . . . that wasn't what I was worried about.  when they were

 dorking around, and almost lost their balance, I noticed Matt watching.  I asked should I have them get down, and he said, "No, but there are some catfish in there that might think they are food.  It won't hurt them, but it might scare them . . . .".  So I left them and later found out that when Gabriel stuck his hand in the water, he did get nibbled . . . .  Hahahaha, loved it.  So did he, judging how big is eye and smile were while he was telling me about it.

I had a good time picking out some garden starts to replace the ones that I murdered last wee . . .  so frustrating.  These are gradually being moved to where they will grow to harden them a bit, especially the lettuce.  I will be planting more for successive plantings this winter.    I also found some great flowers for my window box.  It is called "Millions of Flowers".   the nursery said that these are what you see in the hanging baskets in all the magazines.  I love them and sure hope they do well . ..  year round, no less!  The flower beds next to the front door are going to have ornamental peppers called, "Black Pearl. They have dark purple foliage and get bright purple flowers.  The rest of the beds will fill in with sweet potatoes.   They have 3 kinds but suggested that I should only plant two in each bed that is 7' long.  See why I like shopping  out there?  They could have sold me a whole bunch more but told me to be patient, they will fill in fast!  I have one with bright green leaves and the other has  lighter green leaves with soft purple edges.   These are all supposed to last for several years, so I REALLY hope it will work out.  I have so many places to spend my $$ and time!  They also have the same watering needs, that will be a relief. . . . I have to redo the watering system to accommodate different.      

  I'll have to take pictures tomorrow so you can see how pretty they are . . . . so excited!!

A Very Long Week . . . .. . That Isn't Over Yet . . .

I bought these cute little shades for the bathroom lights a while back.  They were pretty expensive, so I kept the receipt, just in case.  I keep looking at them thinking, "I can copy this idea and probably even make better ones".  I have plain shades like these so it would be virtually free.  I think I will try one to make sure I can and take these back.

Last Weekend when Gabriel had his sleep over, I was painting my nails.  I teased Gabe about painting his and he said it would be OK with him, but could I do it in "camo".  He seemed to really like it and was a little disappointed when I washed it off before it dried.   I text to Stephen that I was going to do it and Mariah said don't worry, she won't have those colors . . . .. . HA!

Lincoln started the semester out being pretty mellow, especially for him . . . then the "terrible two's"started rearing it's exciting little head.  The only time I didn't find a disaster when it got too quiet, was the day I found him in Lynneah's bed . . ..  .the one he can barely squeeze into.  I couldn't keep him in it when he needed to nap there, now I can't keep him out.  Hope it survives him.  It has lots of use ahead of it!

The next morning I got outside early and moved all of the pepper plants to one tire.  They are all up, supported by tomato cages and ready for a lovely fall of producing peppers for me . . should I tell them?  It felt good to give myself a gardener's manicure again.  I need to get out there early every morning, it is so therapeutic to start each day with fresh air and sunshine.  My favorite nursery was supposed to get plants in this week, so I will need to make a visit since I accidentally left my starts out in the hot sun and didn't remember to water them with all that was going on.  I will plant more tomorrow, but in the meantime, I will put a few in the ground to get started with.  I want to do several plantings, so I will need more down the road


My one healthy Cape Honeysuckle is blooming so well.  Sure with those nasty grubs hadn't attacked the other one.  Poor thing is still hanging on. . .  just barely.  Guess I should finish cutting away the rest of the dead wood.    It was so much taller and fuller, it would have bloomed even more than the one that wasn't attacked.

 

My Lantana is blooming pretty well.  Everything seems to like the "cooler", drier weather.  the one that we almost lost is hanging in there and still growing.  It's another one that needs the dead wood cut back.  Boy does that hurt to say, too much of that hanging all around us, in more ways than one  ;-)    This is the Dallas red that I love so much.  the centers have a strong orange center when they are well developed.  The next one is a dark magenta with strong gold flower in it's center.  They had run out of the Dallas  one when I went back in so I compromised with it.  there are also a couple of the plain dark gold, but they haven't bloomed at all yet.  Wonder if I am in for a surprise.

It's after 2:00 a.m.  I must get some sleep, one way or the other.  It is really kind of pathetic how seldom I get postings done.  Jon is often a little disappointed when he checks  Funny how little I have to say when I have him nearby to talk to!

Hope Springs Eternal . . . . .

The Lantana gets a few more leaves each week . . .



and look just past my cute little assistant . .  you will be able to see a little green tuft at ground level.   That is all that is left of the honeysuckle . . . . . . But it is green mind you, it is green!







The bottle brush is really pathetic looking . . but then you look closer and . . . . . see these little bitty soft green leaves on the end of the branches that still don't snap off. . . .









Lincoln is showing you just how bright our sun is every morning . . . .  before we get the day's down pour . . . really strange considering how cool our days are . . . . no, I am NOT complaining!  He is in front of the pyrachantha that is still yellowing . . in fact, the bush on the right is now yellowing more.  I have treated it with iron, like every thing out there. . .  and the poison for the grubs.    Oh how I hope they make it OK.  There are berries that I am hoping to use for decorating this holiday season, just like when I was a kid.

Now that is just the front yard . . . then there is the back yard.  I have my teeny, weeny little  starts doing so nicely.  Lincoln is now getting little chores every day when he comes over.  He waters the plants in pots in the front yard and then these little cups..  . . hey!  We all have to start somewhere.  These have broccoli, brussel sprouts and 4 kinds of lettuce.

I pulled all of the tomatoes but one out today, and discovered peppers all over the place!  The first of the season for us.   These are the plants that got eaten down to little stumps twice by the ever present "killer rabbit" . .  which is still hanging out beneath the shop we suspect.  At least the dogs are convinced it is there.  No matter what, they beeline it over there, even in the rain now.  Crazy things will be babied and pampered this winter.  I plan to move some peppers back over there, yes, I said back.  It got too crowded with the tomatoes, so I moved them once this year and now they are growing chiles like crazy.   The tomato cages are all ready to support them and will give me an easy way to cover them this winter if needed.

I also need to get the peas (sugar pods . . yumm!!!), beets, carrots,  cabbage, and green beans. Can you believe the green beans.  The guy at  my favorite nursery lives up the street from me and said he has the best luck with them in the winter.  I might try one zucchini if I can think of a good way to protect in the coldest weather.  I am also going to try a couple of tomatoes, just to either keep myself humble or to prove I can pull it off. . . .;-]

Wish me luck!!!

Just A Little In The Dumps . . . . Oh Well

So as summer has ground us all to a halt, the garden kind of did the same.  It has been pretty discouraging to not have anything getting pollinated on it's own, but lessons have been learned and hopefully I will be able to apply them and have more success next year.  This is why I have encouraged those in the ward to get gardens going before they become a necessity.  Most soil does better and practices become more efficient over time.  Who knew the pesky bees would be in such short supply?

At the same time, my front yard that had been doing so well started to show some really bad signs.  I finally dug down and found grubs so we hot footed it down to HD and got some poison that I could water down FAST.  This cape honeysuckle is now completely bare and the stems have become brittle.  AARRGGHH!  This is the one that  was doing so well.  Now the other side is taking off.  The dwarf bottle brush's leaves are pretty dried out but there are a few new leaves at the end of some of the stems and the stems themselves are still pliable.  I REALLY hope that they will do like they did after the big freezes last winter and recover.  Right now is not the time for me to replace plants . . . and I just don't want to!  These have had a long season in the ground making roots so they should be able to really grow and fill in now.  Jon is even disappointed over them.  But we are big kids now and will accept what life brings us in this respect. . .  kicking,. screaming, and bawlingour eyes out . . .  we have had some excellent teachers you know . . . . but then go on.

So Busted!

Going to Lowe's this morning to make police cars that have a blinking blue light on top and everything.

Last time we took the boys over, a guy in the lumber dept. recognized me and asked "Where have you been and when will be back in for more redwood?" I told him that it would be awhile since I hadn't quite finished my projects and it was too hot to start more. He said not to worry, he would be there waiting when I needed more. (He has sold me a lot more than just redwood).

After he parked the car in some shade, Jon came in and asked a lady if she had seen his wife come in with 3 little boys. She told him that she sure had and "she isn't even in the garden dept today"

I was so BUSTED . . . Jon took it well. Hope no more comes to light today ;-D

Life is Made Of Many Hats

Last Friday after doing the Institute Friday $1 Lunch, we changed to our grand parent hats as we raced home to meet the Dollies.  First thing, Tati found a little gift bag that has become her official "treasure carrying" bag when she comes here.  She asks if she can have it, I tell her she can use it every time she comes and then she starts to fill it with various treasures that she finds around . .  of which are NUMEROUS  in our treasure cave here.  It's always fun to see what she comes up with . .  but of course all visits to Granny Nanny's and Papa's house begin with pine cone picking.  It was still hot and since I do more of the hot work at the institute, Papa gets to go out with them.

OK, what are you up to now?  I love all the
expressions the kids come up with! 

Next on the agenda, was to paint the bird feeders that I got for half price months ago and kept losing track of them.  Finally have all of them signed, sealed and delivered (sent home).  It was pretty interesting seeing what colors the kids picked, how particular they were, how long they would be particular and the out come on them.  It is truly amazing how many different ways my little rays of sunshine can think of to apply paint and destroy the bristles on a brush.  A couple of brushes have been retired due to the non-recovery condition they were left in.  Yes, they were all old brushes that are over 30 years old, but were kind of sentimental since they are the first ones that I learned to tole paint with.

My little Hummel girl had no orange on her feeder.  She started out really getting good coverage and started to get tired.  That brought out the sawing method and that created a whole new effect!  I love all the constant chatter and stories that I hear while the kids are busy.  If everyone in their lives only knew . . . I suppose they do it every where they go, so it would be pretty common knowledge. . . . and there are lots of grown ups that have NO secrets!



Arianna finally looked up. . .  but she still tried to not smile . . .  silly girl!




Tati relaxing and almost smiling for my picture.  Who in the world teaches these little characters it isn't cool to smile for the camera?

The next morning they got to stay for a couple of hours so we got to try again to make corn husk dolls . . .  Getting better!!

These were made from husks that I saved from our corn on the cob this summer and the hair was the silk.  Looks like they did dry a little funny and have already been played with . . . . that's a good thing.  I like seeing kids who can have fun with simple things in life!

So Much Randomness . . . . .

 We've had some storms this summer that were real lulus.  Fortunately, our pepper willow tree is long gone, but our neighbor hasn't been as lucky.  Another couple of storms, and they will be there!  One day I came home right after a storm went through and had a little panic moment.  One branch had blown up against our big trellis . .  it was OK.


Since Jon has not been working, away from home, we have been using our food storage.  I thought the smaller container of baking powder was a good amount for us, for a year . . . HA!  I am making pancakes, waffles and other quick breads . . . and of course went to get the bigger container very soon.  Like I always say, store what you eat, eat what you store, it's the only way to know what you actually may need to store.  Lesson learned!



We went out to check everything last week and found one of the lantanas looking kind of . .  may I say DEAD!  Poor Jon, I am sure he would like to have cried . .  he didn't, I breathed deep to keep from shedding a few tears.  Silly you say?  You would have had to be here through that first month he was home . . and the last few months to understand what we have been through.      I took this photo to show and remind us what he had to drill through to plant those pathetic little bushes.  Jon dug it up and could find nothing that would have caused it.  We decided that he should put it back in the ground and a few days later we found this sweet little surprise!

A few days after that we found this nasty little surprise . . . just about broke my heart.  This time we found grubs.  We have tossed the organic idea and I poisoned the nasty little buggers but good.  I don't know if it was in time to save two of the dwarf bottle brush and the cape honeysuckle that was really growing up the small trellis like crazy, but I can hope.





Trying to garden this summer has been such a roller coaster ride . .  something that really does NOT ring my bells anymore.  I have had to fight so hard to not give up.  I was so driven in the Spring time to get this done.  I had to fall back on those feelings repeatedly to keep going.  Jon has been so sweet to do the watering and take up doing so much of the outside work when he realized that my blood pressure was out of control and risking my health.  What  a blessing it has been.

The last couple of months have been a roller coaster in other ways as well.  We really love having Jon home.  I can not begin to explain how much we love it.   But reality has reared its ugly head and we have to come up with a way to supplement our finances a bit longer.   If he can find something part time that will allow him to  be off on Fridays, he will be called as a service missionary along with me, down at the institute.  A dream come true for both of us.  Where we will be led, we don't know, but we have decided to be prayerful in all of our decisions and follow the Spirit's promptings.  Leaving his job was a leap of faith, feeling like we were walking off a cliff into a black hole, figuratively speaking, of course.  We felt like it would be a slower process to find our way through this maze this time, but are trusting in a promise that we will not have extra, but will have what we need.

It is harder as we watch our kids also struggling, but maybe this is partly so we can not help them, financially, only in serving them.  They will be able to find resources and strength within themselves and we will pull together more strongly, as it should be in families, especially in these last days.