Ring Your Bell, ring your bell...

Today CJ and I stood in the cold 32 degree weather for an hour (which is a long time for a 3 yr old) ringing bells for the Salvation Army and it was AWESOME. This is not really something that I normally sign up to do since my thoughts have always been: it's cold, the kids will be hard to handle, dealing with the generally unhappy public, and asking for money. All items that have dissuaded me in the past.

But two days ago a friend was trying to recruit volunteers for the final days of the Christmas drive since the organizers were busy dealing with a family illness. Pulling at my heart strings, I graciously agreed to help and am so glad I did.

CJ was a natural. She rang the bell with the little sass that she is famous for and wished the shoppers a Merry Christmas with that cute squeaky voice. People who had given a dollar on the way into the store, came back to give more when they left because "she is just so cute." I loved wishing stone-faced shoppers a Merry Christmas and seeing them break into a smile and thank me or wish me one as well. It was a good feeling and brought cheer to the season that didn't need to be wrapped in pretty paper.

Getting into the car to head home for hot cocoa for a job well done, I asked what she thought about doing that. She said, "It was good. Now other kids can have money to have a Christmas." It really is just that simple.

I will definitely do this again and most definitely with CJ. CJ brings in the big bucks. People driving by stopped and handed her money out the window, grumpy-looking shoppers would fish in their wallets for fives and tens, women would be just smitten with her and give their spare change, and practically every man from 16 to 72 would stop and hand HER the dollar to put into the bucket. They just couldn't help themselves from handing her cash. But as Zack says, that better stop after she hands back the bell to the Salvation Army. HA!

Merry Christmas blog-readers and look for more updates over the Christmas holiday week!
jean

Into the woods

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This was written the first week of November, but I never hit publish. Better late than never]

On Sunday (November8), we all took a hike. HA! That just sounds funny.

Since we haven't seen Aunt Ann since hiking our way around Maine in August, it was only natural that we headed outdoors the next chance we get.

Finally checked out Black Moshannon State Park. Did a quick hike (1 mile, but the kids make it a 2 hour trek). The day was a balmy 70 degrees on November 8th and the hike's payoff was the Ralph's Majestic Overlook. Definitely recommend the easy hike (with a little rock scrambling) to any of the locals!




Those are lollipops in their mouths.... although they look like smokes!

Football Food, Field, and Fans

Okay, the PSU v. Ohio State game was a horrible show of Nittany Lion football. They got spanked. Total bummer.

But I had a GREAT time at the game! And frankly.... that's all that really matters. ;-)

Aunt Ann came up for the weekend to spend some quality time with the kids and finally got to go to a Penn State football game in nice weather. The last game she attended, was back in 1993 when it pissed rain all day and night and her seats were the top row of the overhang. So, I am not surprised it took a good 16 years to come to her next game.





Zack, although working every game, had a bit of fun too! His coworker, Mike, and he went down on the field to check out the pre-game warm up. We were already up in the seats and got this snapshot of them. Pretty cool!

Zack is on the right of the inset zoom. They are standing at the 13 yard line.


The kids watched intently to the band entrance and the teams running onto the field. Then, for the next 2 hours it was a buffet, food fest. I am not sure, but I think the complete list of food that CJ ate goes like this:
1. cookie
2. peach
3. 4 pretzel rods
4. bag of sun chips
5. pear
6. half a cheesebuger
7. another cookie
8. 3 small pickles
9. olive
10. cake
11. strawberry ice cream
Quite the accomplishment from kick-off to the end of the 3rd quarter. HA!

Sometime after half-time, Zack's coworker (Maggie) found out that there was a special guest in the suite next door. Quickly, I grabbed my camera and headed next store with her. If you remember the post last year, "You Betcha!" (http://nittanyhome.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-betcha.html), Maggie and I introduced ourselves to Todd Palin. I think that we are moving up on the celebrity meter. Here we are with Ryan Seacrest:


Very man-pretty, nice guy. We asked him why he was at this game and he said that his father is an Alumni and since he was in Philly for the weekend, they came to the game. Then another woman asked if it was "REALLY him". He grabbed her hand to touch his face and said, "Yes, real. No surgery, No botox." To which I replied.... "REALLY?"

Then he scrunched his forehead wrinkles and squinted his eyes to point to the crows feet and said, "Yup. Really."

For those fans of Joel McHale on "The Soup".... YES. He is that small.

JoePa's replacement

This past Saturday Alexander and I got a "backstage" tour of Beaver Stadium (home to the Penn State Nittany Lion Football team). We were both VERY excited.

I knew that we would see the locker room, recruiting offices, and the tunnel the team uses to go out on the field --- but not sure if we would be going onto the field. Much to my delight and Alexander's we did! His first word after walking out the tunnel to the end zone grass... "AMAZING."




Then we got to see the press room where the coach, Joe Pa, holds his media conferences. I am thinking that we have a contender for the job when Joe retires... since Alexander will probably be an adult by that time!


The Present.


The Future.

Back to the Summer, For a Moment

Another video! This time, our entire summer, condensed down into two minutes and fifteen seconds. Enjoy!

And now back to FALL

Amazing what can change in one week. Today it was 65 degrees out and partly sunny. Which means the traditional and annual trek to Harner Farm for the pumpkin photo opt!



See how much they have grown! Compare this picture with last year's at:
http://nittanyhome.blogspot.com/2008/10/pumpkin-patch.html


The mountain of pumpkins are so inviting to the kids. They just love picking out "just the right" one.



This gargoyle stands guard over the crop of pumpkins from the beginning of October. Every time we pass it (it's on the way home so we usually see it multiple times a day), the kids look to see if it is still there.
On the way up to see it -- close and personal, they were playing it cool. Showing how brave they were by telling each other that it is just a 'halloween decoration" and "not real". So of course they are just pretending to be scared of it.

Now it's not funny anymore.

So yesterday's post was all fun and games, until our trees broke in half. This freak, heavy, wet snowfall coupled with the still-green leaves on the trees has caused numerous limbs to break and fall around the region. Unfortunately, ours were among the injured.




Three of the 5 trees lining our street fell victim to climate change.

As to whether or not the trees will survive, we figure that it's a wait-and-see scenario. In the meantime, we won't have to rake too many leaves this Fall. Or is it winter? I'm so confused.

We made the best of the situation with the kids. Yesterday they went sledding at a friend's house, had a snow ball fight, and today we built snow "people". CJ made a snowgirl. Thankfully we had plenty of carrots on stock for the noses....

Note the lush green grass and tree filled with green leaves. Quite the juxtaposition.


Ripley is actually eye'ing up the snowman's stick arm right above her nose. She tries to steal them from the kids.


At least someone is high-fiving over this snow!!

"Mommy, it kind of looks like winter outside, I think. But isn't it Fall?"

"Mommy, it kind of looks like winter outside, I think. But isn't it Fall?" These were the first words Alexander spoke when he woke up this morning... and they couldn't have been more spot-on.

It's Homecoming weekend at PSU. The quintessential Fall weekend filled with colorful foilage, football, campfires and pots of chili. There is a parade, school-spirit dress up day at school, a big football game, and SNOW. Who knew that we would have snow in Central PA the second weekend in October? Nostradamus? The Farmer's Almanac? Al Gore?


When we got back from the store on Thursday it had just started to snow. This is CJ trying to convince me we can start building snowmen.



When we moved to State College three years ago, we understood that our winters would be a bit longer, colder, and snowier than DC -- but this is a bit ridiculous. So ridiculous, that every time I look outside and see it STILL COMING DOWN on Day 2 of the supposed 3 day storm, I just laugh.

Now that school is taking the first snow-day of the year, I hope to enjoy the day. Perhaps some sledding? Or maybe we can make that snowman that CJ started asking to buid yesterday at the sight of the first falling snowflake. Stay tuned.

3 inches total by 8am on 10/16.


I guess I'm not going to get the grass mowed today. Aw shucks! ;-)

Did you learn anything today?

Since the beginning of school, we have asked Alexander "Did you learn anything today?" Each day we get the same reply, "ummmm... I don't remember." Then obviously you didn't learn anything!

After much prodding, we would get the usual Kindergarten stories -- limited to what he picked at lunch (chocolate milk), and what he played at recess (Star Wars). Until a day or so ago.

Zack and I were talking about doing something or another at the end of Football season, when Alexander asked when that would be. We told him November. And he looked up with this "AHA!" moment and said, "that's next month!" Zack and I hurt our necks snapping back to look at him in astonishment.

Zack: "How do you know that?"
Alexander: "It comes after October"
Zack, again: "How do you know that?"
Alexander: "It's in the song......
[play video]


After a round of applause, we said in unison, "SO, you ARE learning something at school!!!"

Finally got to REALLY enjoy the football game!

For the past three football seasons, I have had a great deal of fun tailgating and watching the game. I would meet friends and having some drinks before heading into the stadium to cheer my alma mater on to victory!

However Zack has not. Even though his job includes box/suite tickets to every football game, it comes with a price. He has to work. He wears a suit. He has to schmooze with politico wonks instead of just watching the game. He has to stand around for 3 hours before the game until the last person has left the suite. This perk of his job is what we call "bittersweet".

But not this past weekend! With three years under his belt, he proclaimed a day-off. Although he did leave armed with crazy-great seats on the 50 yard line and only 30 rows up from the office. We went to the game and had a blast. Tailgating with friends (so great to see you Susie!!), hanging with Jim and Alicia (up from Harrisburg) and our new State College friend Mark, we had a perfect Fall Football day.


Section 'WE' didn't know what hit them when we arrived. I had our whole row and the one behind us high-fiving and having a great time. I think that the moonshine that Susie provided pre-game really got things silly!


Notice that we are having a great time and the rows behind us look sour-pussed. Hmmm... too bad you can't buy beer at the game.

Firefly

I've been meaning to pull this video together since I shot it in July, but as usual, time got away from me. Today was a rainy slow day, so I finally got to it. I knew when I shot this footage that it was pretty dark (we were catching fireflies after all), but I think it's really cute stuff, and the song is perfect, so here goes...

We Are... Penn State!

Another great weekend of college football in Happy Valley. We took the kids to the Temple game this past Saturday. They attend one game a season and really love it. Who wouldn't? They are completely spoiled. Great seats up in the box and all the free junk food you can eat.



CJ looked forward to the game all week so she could wear a PSU cheerleader outfit and Alexander was ready to play in his football jersey. As a college student at Penn State, I always thought those parents who dressed their kids in that stuff were a bit wacky. And now I have joined those throngs of wacky parents. Cool. :-)




This year the Blue Band trumpet section has come up to the Suites to perform the "Hail to the Lion" song. The kids and I were outside watching the game and came running in just as they finished. Not to miss a photo opt, I ran and caught up to them in the hallway to ask for a group shot. Immediately, they gave the kids a hat and instruments. It was AWESOME!



As the fourth quarter approached (can you believe we lasted that long?), Zack asked the kids what last sugary treat would they like, "Cookie, cake, or ice cream." CJ opted for the M&M cookie while Alexander picked cake. Good choice... especially since the cake was a four-layer mountain of confections. After consuming it all with a smile on his face, he turned to Zack and said, "Daddy, can I have more?"
To which Zack responded, "More what?"
"Sugar, Daddy."
That about sums up why the kids love going to the game so much AND why they only go once a year.

School begins!!

Not sure who was more excited in this household to have school start... the kids or me! I will admit that there is a part of me that is sad to see the summer end since we had so much fun. 5 and 3 are great ages to enjoy the simple days of summer at the pool, beach, park, on vacation, and hanging out with friends. Plus.. we usually stayed in our PJs until 10am!!

Last Friday was Alexander's first day of kindergarten. I can't believe it. My little boy off to school on the bus. He was more than excited to go -- woke up at 6:30am to ask me if it was time to get the bus yet. Then decided he would get dressed first (before eating breakfast) just in case he had to run out the door to catch the bus. All grins and smiles, he bravely hopped on the bus and gave us a confident wave goodbye. Surprisingly, I didn't shed a tear. However, when Zack drove him off to the orientation hour the day before, I cried like a baby! The little boy is growing up and informed us that he will be going as "Alex" at school. When I asked why the switch, he explained that it was shorter to write. Brilliant! :-)


Showing off his new Spidey-backpack.





CJ also started her preschool this week. My big girl was excited too! She loves school and her new teacher (helps that we know her from church and playdates). While the majority of the attention has been focused on Alexander, she has been quietly doing workbooks to learn her numbers and letters. I keep telling her that if she keeps writing and learning so much at home that Mrs. King (her teacher) won't have anything left to teach her! Below is a picture outside of her school this year. What a stark contrast from last year in the same spot dropping off Alexander (see the post: Alexander Back to Preschool at http://nittanyhome.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexanders-back-to-preschool.html)

Tomato... In loving memory.

Our Tomatoes
Good growers, beautiful fruits.
Feb. 2009 - Aug. 17, 2009

We started with little seeds back in February with seed trays, heating pads, and lots of love. They grew and grew. We transplanted, fertilized, watered, pruned and tied up. The week we left for vacation they looked like this:

The tall row tied up to green stakes. Aren't they healthy and huge? Each plant was heavy with green fruit waiting for some real summer heat to turn them ripe and red. On our week vacation we hoped our return would be met with bushels of juicy red tomatoes.

Before even going inside to the house after 12 hours in the car, we anxiously walked around the house to the garden and found this:


AACKKK!!!!!!!!!!


Upon further review, the tomatoes had full-blown tomato blight.


This is just devastating.




Possibly some prize winning heirloom tomatoes that will never be.

All of our neighbors were stricken with this air-borne disease too. So sad. Last night, we riped out all the plants, fruit and underlying mulch and trashed it. Hopefully it won't come back next year, but there is no guarantee. In fact, I read that the spores can survive in the dirt even the coldest of winters. I will be in mourning for the rest of the summer.

Maine Part 3 thru 5

I think that Aunt Ann is going to be exhausted upon our return home... because I know that I will be. Isn't this suppose to be v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n??? At what point does vacation with kids return to the lounging and relaxing days of vacation pre-kids? I need to know so I have an endpoint in mind. Please advise.

In our continued quest to do 14 fabulous things per day to make the 14 hour trek worthwhile, here are three days' lists.
Day Three (Tuesday)
1. CJ, our three year old, and the CamelBack. She is incredible to watch down all 72 ounces of water from that pack. I really can't believe she is only 3.
2. Hiking around Hadlock Pond. This is not a major destination in the National Park, but we did still see a few groups of people. It is a small pond, 2+ miles in circumference, and an easy trail.
3. Aunt Ann tripping and falling without our video running!! Man, we keep missing out on this "AFV $10,000" video opportunities. She really has a special knack for falling. When it happens, it is sudden, but always in slow-motion. You could almost say: falling, but with grace. :-)
4. Turning the trail corner to find a Waterfall surprise!! I love when we hike and find a waterfall. They are so beautiful and peaceful.
5. Picnic on Seal Harbor. This is a nice spot of grass overlooking a beach and harbor that six years ago Zack and I sat and watched the boats. It was wonderful to share this with the family and Aunt Ann.
6. We stopped in Northeast Harbor for some blueberry pie. Six years ago there was a small bakery that made the best pie Zack and I ever tasted. Since then no other pie has held up to that memory. We were on another pie mission to find it again. We found the same place but it had been remodeled with many tourist dollars into a more "fine dining" location. What a let down. The pie wasn't homemade and they weren't fresh blueberries. Don't get me wrong, we ate it -- but we weren't happy about it.
7. Our kids. We are so impressed with their stamina to be in the car, to go different places, without complaint.
8. Pretty Marsh park. This outpost is on the west side of the island. Hardly any people visit it, so we enjoyed the rocks and playing in the sand/rocks for a good long time.
9. Thurstons Lobster Pound. I had another Lobster dinner. Need I say more? :-D
10. Kids playing war. You would think this sounds bad, right? However it is wonderful. They have discovered the world of cards and can actively (and correctly) play war with each other. Sitting on the "war carpet" in the living room, they spread their legs in a "V" and touch feet their feet to each others and play cards in the middle. It is a wonderful thing and I am touched everytime they play it.

Day Four (Wednesday)
1. Successfully completing the most important mission of the week. Getting in line for the church pie sale before they opened at 10am. Arriving at 9:45am, I was the 20th in line. We had seen the sign on the side of the road during the week and knew this had to be good when it was advertised as "Pies on Sale Until They Are All Gone". The chatty woman in line from Connecticut next to me told me that I was smart to get in line early because, "they are usually gone in 10 minutes". Wow, was she right. The church lady brought out the pies and there was a mad dash. Snapping up one of the last blueberry pies, the sale was over in 7 minutes. And, yes, the pie is superb! Thank goodness they didn't call this pie sale a festival.
2. Aunt Ann finishing a "moderate" trail hike to Great Head. Not what I would characterize as an outdoor adventurer, she held her own scaling up the mountain rocks to the top of the coast to enjoy the ever magnificent views. She didn't even fall. :-)
3. CJ being such a trooper. Shortly after applying sunscreen, she was jumping from one rock to another holding my hand when our grips slipped apart. She face-planted onto the trail and has some boo-boos on her face. Two minutes later, we were up and trekking. What a trooper!
4. Alexander the Leader. Mrs. Solo, his three-year-old preschool teacher has really bestowed him the value of being a line leader. Our little man led the expedition the whole 2 hour hike up rocks, down gravel, and finding every blue blaze along the way.
5. Snack time at Jordan Pond House. Again, think: Ice Cream. I love ice cream.
6. Unfortunately the wait for a table at the Jordan Pond House was 45 minutes and far too long to wait for tea and pop-overs. We enjoyed our blanket-snack picnic overlooking the mountains and pond. After the sugar rush from the ice cream the kids started running laps around the trees. That was hilarious and priceless.
7. CJ announcing that "Maine is the best place in the whole world."
8. Sipping a beer on the deck while the kids hot tubbed and I read a magazine. Ahhh.
9. Lobster dinner. YUMMY!!!
10. Going to a non-tourist restaurant and getting really friendly service and hearty food.
11. Blueberry pie. I can't believe that we held out for the whole day to eat this. It is already half gone.
12. A Double Qwirkle. That's right, I kicked major game butt! If you don't know this game (Qwirkle), you should -- it's fun. Then you would know it's like a grand slam, shooting the moon, eagle shot, and the like.
Still not to 14. Uh-oh, the week is half over.

Day Five (Thursday)
1. My morning jog with Ripley. This is the first time that I have willing gone out for a jog in the morning ON VACATION and without my ipod. If you know my general regard for running, you would know this is quite the feat. But I have really enjoyed the silent time, fresh air, pine trees and coastal views.
2. Long Pond and renting a canoe. We took the kids out and despite CJ's claims to being scared of the deep water -- we all had a ball.
3. Docking the boat up on the rock coast of the peninsula to have a snack, drink and inevitable wooded potty break.
4. Returning to the shore to have another wonderful picnic lunch with the whole gang.
5. Successfully talking the kids out of swimming in Long Pond (the air temp was 68 and the water was the same. It was chilly for our southern bones) and lobbying hard for a return to the hot tub.
6. Getting in the car and Alexander plainly stating, "That was really cool."
7. Seal Cove. We had driven past the cove the day before searching for a seal upon the recommendation of the local post office woman with no luck. On the way back from Long Pond, we had better luck. As we stood on the rocks with the kids chucking snails and rocks into the water, I saw a seal pop his/her head out of the water to see what we were doing. We all got a look at the head and body as it turned and swam back down the cove.
8. Alexander, again, plainly stating, "Finally, we saw the seal."
9. BBQ at the Atlantic Brewery. More than just the fine flavor of the ribs, how could I not mention seeing Zack gorge himself on the full rack of ribs and Alexander sucking down the Blueberry Soda like it was a cold malt liqueur?
10. CJ telling me that "Mommy, you take the best pictures in the whole wide world". I realize that her concept of 'the whole wide world' may be less than most of us, but I'll take it.
11. Alexander staying up past his bedtime to watch the Steelers pre-season football game.

Maine Part 2

I completely forgot to mention on our round about tour through New England to avoid traffic that we happened upon Amesbury, NH, the self-proclaimed "Carriage Capital of the World". As Alexander often says to me, "How do you know?" Is it still, in 2009, the Carriage Capital of the World? What about towns in other regions of the world that still use horseback or horse drawn vehicles as their major form of transportation? At least we can say that we have been there -- which puts us in a pretty small group of people: Special People who want to avoid 95 traffic.

Day Two
In our continuing goal to find 14 things per day that make this vacation worth the drive, here is my list for Day Two.
1. Another BE-autiful day in Maine. Sunny, 70s, no humidity and picturesque fog lifting from the many islands along the sea.
2. Cadillac Mountain. Approximately 1500 ft above sea level it is a 360 degree view of AWESOMENESS.
3. Thunder Hole. This is a spot on the Atlantic coast that has carved a hole in the rock and when waves come in it creates a "thundering" sound. Unfortunately, there was a lack of thunder when we happened by. No matter, we had a fun climbing along the rocky shoreline. Alexander was scrambling along the rocks, but still intensely aware of the waves. He hates waves.
4. Copping-a-squat under a tree at Thunder Hole for a picnic lunch. This was perfect. We were in the shade, on the cliff overlooking the cove and the coast, enjoying sandwiches and cheetos with a cool breeze blowing on us. Come on -- isn't that just perfect?
5. Having CJ climbing the rocks from the bottom to the top, getting to the top and turning around and saying "LET's do it AGAIN!"
6. The kids picking out postcards at the gift shop. Out of the selection of 50 scenes, they selected the same exact ones. Great minds think alike, right?
7. Bar Harbor. What a cute town filled to the brim with tourists. Finally saw the obligatory t-shirt, tchotchke, and fudge shops. Check, that is done.
8. Sitting on the grassy knoll of Bar Harbor's town green with our shoes and socks off and feeling the cool soft green grass.
9. The kids enjoying some sand time down on the harbor beachfront. Of course, CJ went in with her shoes still on.
10. Potty emergencies. Enough said.
11. The sense of success when the kids fall fast asleep on the ride back home.
12. Hot Tub. Once the kids woke up, they immediately wanted to hop into the hot tub. So, they stripped down and jumped in. I think this may be the last time that the innocence of naked kids in the hot tub will be acceptable. But for now, they have the cutest little white tushes!!

Ah well, I guess we are still striving for 14. Stay tuned.

Maine

We left on Saturday morning in the truck stuffed with two kids, one dog, a favorite Aunt, and two crazy parents (that would be Zack and I). According to multiple information sources, the ride was to take close to 11 or 12 hours. Fine. We can do that. We survived the 12 hour journey to Charleston, South Carolina.

When we drove onto the island in Maine... FOURTEEN hours later, we were relieved. The kids did really well for such a strenuous trek (even CJ's two vomiting episodes). Our good humor and decision to get out of the traffic in Massachusetts, afforded us a unique and less traveled route through the countryside of New England. We also discovered that Massachusetts rhymes with ASS-achusetts.

So for the remaining six days in the beauty of Mt. Desert Island, ME, I am determined to come up with 14 things that make this vacation superb.

Day One (Sunday):
1. Gorgeous sun and a high of 76 with zero humidity. Aunt Ann (from the swamp land of DC and who can't fathom a day with out humidity) was in heaven.
2. Hiking Bass Harbor Lighthouse and the Wonder Trail.
3. Seeing the kids picking and playing with the snails in the tidal pools
4. Lunch -- delicious haddock sandwich on the cove
5. Ice Cream. I love ice cream. I love ice cream on vacation. Really, I love ice cream.
6. Hot tubbing with the kids.
7. Our afternoon walk with the kids. We walked down the street to find pretty New England homes on the waterfront, some horses to feed, and a nice local who told us about a special beach to check out and then an alternate way to walk home on the rocky waterfront. It was really cool.
8. Should I count the multiple things on the walk as separate items??
9. LOBSTER on the docks in Southwest Harbor.
10. Pinot Grigio with my LOBSTER on the docks in Southwest Harbor.
11. The kids giving lobster a thumbs up!


12. Finding an adorable print at the town's art festival.
13. ...hmmmm. Can't think of 14 today, so let's hope for the best tomorrow.

Garden 2009... You say potaTOE, I say potaTAH.

Another weekend spent in the garden. Our main task on Saturday was to pick the row of potatoes. We were very excited to see how this first year crop would do. Thankfully, it was extremely bountiful!!


Here's the harvest and the guard. We estimate that we have about 20 to 25 pounds of delicious red potatoes!


It was quite the assembly line to clean them off. The kids were a huge help... mostly (I think) because it involved the hose.


Here's a good shot of the garden at-present. You can see the orange bucket full of potatoes.


Ripley spends most of her time in the zucchini and squash plants. We have no idea why, but she is keeping it free from critters and bunny thieves.


Our first bell pepper -- and it's PURPLE. Too cool. Oh... and some more squash and zucchini. We pull about that many every two to three days.


Row of lettuce. Yummy!


Here are the kids posing in front of "their garden". All of the sunflowers standing tall behind them to the pretty blue border flowers were carefully planted by them from seed. The umbrellas were for "shade" -- little Miss Diva thought it was too sunny out. HA!

Thanks to all who sent Carrot recipes. Now I need some potato recipes too!!