Grow it in a Pot: Zucchini

I"m having a lot of fun with my "garden" this year. As you know, the growing season is very short in the mountains, and even though I tried to grow veggies something always happened. You know. Animal problems. Animals such as birds, squirrels, raccoons, or my own dogs would eat or dig up the plants. Or we'd get an unexpected frost.


But now I don't live in the mountains. I live in a canyon. With a real backyard. I've excited to be able to try again.

I began in March by planting Burpeee seeds in those little pellet pots. The germinated and thrived. I transferred them to big pots, filled with Miracle Grow Potting soil. I have to tell you that Miracle Grow it the best, if you don't have your own compost going.

On Monday I harvested enough fresh tender young zucchini for our family dinner with friends. I enjoy watching these vegetables grow, and I'm reminded that God created all life, and I'm thankful that He created gardens!

Roses for Mother's Day

I took these pictures this morning to share with you all.

A Mother's Day Basket

I was playing around with my photobooth program on my IMac again, and took a picture of a basket that I painted and had fired. It's a nice brown color, but I did it in sepia. Anyway, I'm filling it with something to give my mom for Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day, and Don't Drink Too Much!

I just had to say that! A really sweet parent (her son is in another first grade class), wished me a happy Mother's Day as she left school. She added, "Don't drink too much." Now, I don't drink. I am really puzzled by this. Do people consider Mother's Day a drinking holiday?


We finished up the Mother's Day gifts and cards, got them wrapped up, and sent home. The children loved making presents for their moms. I'm sure that the mother's will enjoy them!

This has been such a busy week for me. I've been in state mandated math training for the last three days. I think it that it has been worthwhile, but prepping and planning for the sub has taken me time each day after school. I have two days of training left to complete, and I'll be finished!

This week the children will make picture frames to give to their moms on Mother's Day. I have 40 pictures to edit and get printed today. I'm having the first graders paint and decorate wooden frames. Today I'll make a couple of samples to show the children.


I haven't been feeling well for the last week to two, and I think that it could be allergies, or a virus. I went to my hematologist for a six month "check up" appointment yesterday and he referred me for a couple of CT scans with contrast. I am thinking that I do not really need the scans. I appreciate his ordering them. Once you go through the type of "incident" that I did with the hypercoagulation which caused a DVT, Pulmonary embolisms, and hemorrhagic stroke, it is easy to be a little concerned about things. I am on Warfarin for the rest of my life.

I realized this yesterday evening that my stroke happened on Mother's Day in 2007. Next week will be the second anniversary.


I want to spent the gift of time that God has given me wisely. I want to show His love to those people around me, and care for my family.

I promise some fun posts soon!

It's Warming UP!

I'm trying not to miss the mountains. The weather there this time of year is usually so nice.


The thermometer in my backyard read 95 today in the shade. My house is air conditioned. We are quite comfortable at home. I have tile floors downstairs, which seem to keep the house cooler. I suspect that the water in the pool will be a good temperature for swimming before too long. I enjoy going outside at sunset and soaking my feet in the refreshing water while the sun dips lower and lower. Chloe and Riggley always come outside with me and enjoy investigating whatever they find. I have several large tubs of vegetables growing, mostly squash, tomatoes of various types, and onions. I also have herbs. I am enjoying this part of living "down the hill."


This week I'll go to the Los Angeles Zoo with my First Grade class. We've been discussing animals, and the children are a counting down the days until we go. Such excitement! We only go on one field trip each year, and the children have been looking forward to this for a long time.


I took pictures of these blooming flowers last year. I love the gardens at the zoo.



And of course, here is a Gorilla. I'm going to show this picture to my students tomorrow morning. I'll crop it a little so that the gorilla is bigger.

Baby David & Family

One of my students had a heart transplant as a toddler. He's been a happy boy and is doing well in school. He loves to run and play during recess, and I have often thought that having him in my class this year has been a special blessing. The only thing that I notice about him is that he constantly wears his coat. He gets cold easily, and keeps his coat on all day long.

His mother had another baby in November, and the doctors thought at first that everything was fine. They thought that baby David's heart was normal. The family rejoiced and brought their new son home. In March while we were off track things changed. Baby David got sick. Mom came to me yesterday to tell me that her baby, David, has fallen ill with a heart failing heart and is now on a Transplant waiting list. He has been on the waiting list for a heart for the last 23 days.

Mom is spending much of her time in the hospital and is concerned about her other two sons. Grandma is helping out at home, but the boys aren't wanting to go to school and are not happy at home. I think that going to school has helped them. Everything is "normal" there, with friends to talk to and work to do.


Please pray for this family and Baby David. Please pray that a donor heart will be found for him.

Oak Trees

Before my little trip to the San Fransico area, I was spending a lot of time working up at the mountain house. It's hard getting things packed up in a three level house with fairly steep stairs. The black bags you can see in this picture all were full of things for the Goodwill. They are gone now. We'll be back up there this Saturday working again.



When I need a break, I can go outside and look at the beautiful view. We had tree trimmers out and cleared out a lot of branches on the old California Oak trees that surround the house.

The view is so peaceful during this time of year. The lake beach will open on Memorial Day weekend, and then we'll hear the children's laughter as they go down the waterslide and frolic in the cool water.

And when I need a little cheer, I can think about Sarah. She is growing up happy and healthy.

More pictures!

I couldn't resist adding a couple more of my favorites!

Happy Birthday, Sarah Michelle!

I was so blessed to be able to go and visit my granddaughter for her birthday.  She is walking and is just so sweet, happy, smart, and is truly a joy! 

She is full of lovely smiles, and is walking well for a little one who is just now a year old!

INR 2.5

I woke up early today and feel wonderful.  Not sick at all in any way. My INR (clotting) results came back at 2.5, which is good . It needs to be between 2 and 3.  If it is under 2 I run the risk of clotting.  Over 3 means that I am risking hemorrhage.  It's nice to be right in the middle of the target range.   I don't have to get another blood test for a month.  The most important thing is to remember to eat a consistent amount of vegetables.  I'm not supposed to have spinach or greens at all.   (I'd advise everyone else to eat tons of them.)

Today we are driving back up the hill and packing up more junk. Yesterday we (mostly Scott) organized the garage and made room for the things we'll be bringing down today.  

We planted a red rose bush by the garage to replace the one that died when the house was vacant.  I've got 120 squash, tomato, and flower seedlings started. I have herbs growing in pots.  I purchased a little Japanese cucumber plant.I have no idea where I am going to plant it all!  If I were still living in the mountains, I'd never dare plant all of these things outside until May.  And then it would still be a little risky.  I'm thrilled to be able to garden!   

I unpacked about 6 boxes of kitchen stuff. I'm getting rid of more things.   I will keep my nice electric citrus juicer that I've had for over 25 years.  We used to pick up big bags of juicing oranges from the LDS orchards and enjoyed the fresh orange juice. The orchards were open to the public at certain times.  I use the juicer now when someone gives me a bag of homegrown lemons.  

 I don't have a place for my cookbooks.  They are still in the garage in boxes.  None of our bookcases are in this house yet, and very few books are unpacked.  

I'll post pictures soon!  

Reflections

I took this picture of our pool and jacuzzi a few weeks ago.  I love the way that my neighbor's house and our palm trees are reflected in the water.  I'm going out every day to see if the water is warm enough in the pool for swimming.  I'm excited because I've always dreamed of having a home with a pool but never really thought that we would.   

I've been having trouble getting used to my mac.  I expressly purchased it for photography and blogging,  but I've had a few little problems and I usually get sidetracked by doing something fun on the computer before I solve the problem. I have to call the MAC store and get some software installed, but all of my paperwork ~ receipts, everything, was misplaced. I blame it on the move.