The tales of our Enchanted Garden

Who knew that gardening could be so exciting. It is warfare and beauty all mixed into one. When we arrived back to VA last week, we no longer had a few pumpkin leaves, it was now a full blown pumpkin patch that was slowly taking over our entire planter. Leaves so strong and high with so many male flowers blooming! We even found several female flowers. I was ecstatic...I thought we were going to miss them all while we were gone, but they were just starting to show! So we patiently waited for them to bloom so we could help pollinate but they just ended up wilting and falling off. I was ok with the first two falling off, but then we noticed the roots were starting to look yellow and all the leaves closest to the roots were wilting and dying.

We learned we had two problems...Powdery Mildew and Squash Vine Borers. The PM can be treated with a fungicide and removal of the infected leaves. However the SVB are pretty deadly. We saw the pics of others online and ran out to see how bad ours were...yup...terrible. Mike dissected some of the vines and in just a few of them found at least 6 borers (ugly little larvae). So the bugs we had been killing, the squash bugs was just one of our problems. The beautiful red bug flying around was the worst culprit; the SVB adult. AAHHH! So we had to do surgery and removed all the vines that had the holes and larvae in them, put mounds of dirt on the open vines and watered them. Hopefully it hasn't killed the pumpkins because we had to remove the main roots. But as most vine plants do, they plant secondary vines/roots along the ground to get more nutrition and water. Hopefully it will be enough to keep them going! However, they are starting to reach into the flower part of our garden which makes me nervous!

Then our green beans. We noticed holes in the leaves and little slivers on the sides that had been eaten. So again we used the wonderful internet and looked it up. Turns out we have caterpillars! It is so neat because they chew out a part of the leaf, turn it over themselves for protection. Mike and I went out with a flash light tonight and with the light shinning through the leaves we could see about 5 caterpillars. It is too cool, but I don't want them eating my bean leaves! We shall see how many make it and which ones turn into the butterfly. Here is a picture of the adult Long Tailed Skipper...pretty neat huh? We have several butterfly bushes in the front of the planter which they just love!

Here is our Red Pepper plant blooming. Beautiful white blossoms. We will be pollinating them tomorrow and hopefully see more peppers! The one that has been on there since we got it has finally turned red and now just waiting for it to be rip enough to pick!

The green beans bloom little purple flowers and are self pollinating. So we shouldn't have to worry about them. Can you see the red thing in the middle of the plants (not the red thing on the very left side of the picture, but the bigger one towards the middle? That is our red pepper!)

This is on the underside of one of the pumpkin leaves. These are squash bug eggs and they had just hatched. After we got back home, we knocked off eggs from at least 10 leaves and killed several adult bugs.

A Female blossom! See the baby pumpkin? It had to pollinate after it opened...too bad this is one that fell off too soon.

What we came home to! A full and beautiful garden! Kinda crazy looking huh?

A week later here is the damage. See the bald spot in the middle? That is where the SVB have overtaken and eaten the roots and vines.

Here is a shot of what used to be a very healthy and growing root system. I would post pics of the larvae and the holes, but it really grosses me out.

Again see the bald spot on the right side of the pumpkins? From the right of our planter there are the beans and pepper, then the pumpkins and then the flowers on the left. So the bald area is between the beans and the pumpkin:-(

Here is the branch that fell onto our deck and fence. Mike got a chain saw and chopped it right up. The fence fixed just fine but the deck is another story. Guess that will be next summer's project!
Here is little man Logan helping Mike out. He was a real trooper and drug the branches (his size) out to the front yard! I have never seen a 3 year old work so hard!
Another view of the damage.

On a lighter note...we transplanted the Hydrangea to the back yard so it would get much more shade and it is loving it back there. So happy for that! I can see it out my window from the kitchen and living room!

Epitome of what is known as "Family Time"

Mike had a crazy idea tonight to bike down to the beach, play at the park and ride back. I know it probably doesn't sound that crazy to you, but we don't have sidewalks on at least 3/4th of the 2 miles down there. On the way down we bounced down a railroad track and on the way back we were inches away from several cars and trucks on a dirt path along the blvd. Despite that stress of feeling like the bike trailer was going to be hit, I seriously had the best time in the world at the beach. It was a hot and muggy night, but just perfect at the beach with the wind and sun setting. They have a park in the sand so the boys played for a while, getting sand down their pants, on their faces and in their hair. Gotta love little boys when they actually lay down and roll around in the sand. Austin did a face plant in the sand, got up, smiled at me and all I could see was sand up his nose!

We decided to go down to the water just to test it out because the boys haven't been too fond of the ocean before. Logan ran right down to the water and started to splash and run all around in it. It was so fun to see a little boy enjoying the ocean beach, skipping and splashing around. Austin also took one look at the water and ran right into it. Just like a little boy, if we didn't stop him, he would run all the way in! You can see in this video (despite the crappy pixels from my phone) that Mike was holding Austin back most of the time! At one point Mike let go and Austin was running and falling down in the water just loving it! Even laid on his back! If I could have captured those moments in a pretend window, one that I could look out and feel the wind from the ocean, hear the waves crashing, have my heart flutter when my boys laugh and giggle, and reach out to my wonderful husband and father of my sons and grab his strong hand while we smile at each other and then gaze admiringly at the blessings we have; I would never shut that window!!

Anyways...needless to say, it was a great and memorable night.

ps...we have been so busy here! Sorry for the lack of posts! We got back from MN on Monday and had to clear out a massive branch from our now broken deck and fence on Tuesday, today we organized and tagged all our garage sale stuff for this weekend, and in the meant time been unpacking, doing laundry and playing with the boys. Ooofta! I have a bunch to update you all on, so stay tuned!!!

Be Still

He is here for the broken and life to the one who is undone

He is peace to the wounded and hope for the helpless one

He is here, He is here

Be still my soul be still

Be still my soul be still

Wait patiently upon the Lord

Be still my soul be still

When the waves rise against me and the wind tries to draw me away

I will stand on the mountain safe in your arms, I will sing

Be still my soul be still

Be still my soul be still

Wait patiently upon the Lord

Be still my soul be still

"Be still and know that I am God"

Last year when Mike was on deployment, this verse was breathed into me daily. I needed to constantly remind myself to quiet my heart and my mind and to be still. Through those long days in which I was dying for a five minute break between baths, wiping tables, and waking up alone, God walked beside me. He gave me that extra push to splash with my boys, smile and be grateful for a table to wipe, and new mercies every morning to start the day afresh.

That is something that all of us women, mom's, wives need to live by daily. Sometimes just stop ad-mist your business, take a breath, and know that He is God. In control of all, no matter the circumstances good and bad. Take His yoke and learn from Him...what love and compassion Jesus has for us! Know that He has created you unique and for a purpose that NO OTHER mom, woman or wife could ever do! You are special and powerful with God on your side...what can stop us? Take a listen to this beautiful melody by one of my new favorite artists, Kari Jobe. What simple yet powerful lyrics that can stick in your head throughout the day and get you through it.

Wanna have a good cry?

My mom showed this to me on FB and when it got to the little boy after the dog (watch and you will understand) I totally lost it. He had to be about 4 or 5 and had the sweetest look of joyful tears and "my daddy...sigh". Anyways, even though my soldier is home for the moment it still makes me emotional. Thank you daddy's who serve our amazing country.

MN fun

Only a week down and it feels like we have been here forever! We have gone to the MOA amusement park, Como Zoo, community center pool/waterpark, and plenty of walks! The boys are so tuckered out everyday that they take about a 3 hour nap...(very nice!). This week we are changing houses and going to my parents for the rest of the time. During those few days Mike and I will be getting a night out, professional family pictures taken and extended family time!

Here we are at the Como Zoo...it is free, a perfect size and by far the best to see animals in my opinion. There is a butterfly atrium that we went in and saw all kinds and enjoyed the beauty. It was fun to notice the different kinds of plants and see ones that we have in our own garden.

Logan didn't even know that this butterfly was on him and he kept swatting at his neck throughout the whole visit because he thought they were landing on him.
Here we are at the MOA at Legoland...a giant Woody! Logan was trying to get Austin in the picture with him.
Logan and Mommy riding the swings

Logan riding an up and down ride. At first he was unhappy with the ride, but then he saw that all the other kids were laughing so he started laughing.

I haven't shared a picture of one of our male pumpkin flowers yet, so here one is! We are still waiting for a female to show up which will give us a pumpkin!

Flash Me Friday!- Favorite piece of furniture

Unfortunately I can't show you all a picture of my favorite piece of furniture which more than likely would be our kitchen table. I don't love it for the looks. It is probably one of the most tore up pieces we have; it's been hammered on, picked with forks, has a 1/4 inch layer of syrup on it, the head of the chairs are falling off, etc. I love it because it is one of three remaining first pieces of furniture we bought as a married couple. So many family dinners as two, then three, then four...family and friend gatherings, long discussions, funny jokes and major decisions made at that table. Even though I am begging mike for a new dinning room set, I think I might actually shed a tear when I see that table go someday. Perhaps when we return home I will snap a picture of the ugly thing so even more people can create more memories with our family:-)

Surprise!!!

We are in MN! I am not sure who all knows due to the last several days being a blurr...literally; but we took an impromptu trip to MN! Mike was supposed to be training in AL starting this past sunday for 2 weeks, but at the last minute got canceled (YES!) and we all ended up on another long car drive to MN. We are going to spend about 2 weeks here as a whole family, get plenty of dates (even a night away), and play time with the boys! So here we are, I will update with pictures and stories for our reading pleasure:-)

One thing that made me hesitant about a trip for two weeks, was my garden! The pumpkin flowers are finally blooming (so far only the male ones

and you need the female to get the pumpkin to grow -long story) and may need help pollinating and I just planted the most beautiful Hydrangea plant called "Twist and Shout" which needs some extra love and attention. So to ease my fears we bought a cheap yet very reliable over the ground sprinkler system. Took us a few hours to get it just right, but every night the water will nourish my garden and my dear garden friend is going to check up on it every few days. I am anxious to get back home to see the new "family" because my garden friend said it has rained a ton since we left (YEAH!!). Here is a pic of the neat new kind of hydrangea. The Hydrangeas bloomed in VA almost 2 months ago and they are in full bloom here in MN...so beautiful!