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Blessings Overflowing

Faith~Family~Creativity

May 8, 2014 By Jackie 6 Comments

In the Garden: The Garden Has Been Planted

In my April recap post I shared a picture of our garden. We had 30 tons of dirt hauled in the hopes that we won’t lose our garden to flooding like last year.

On Saturday, the kids and I headed to our local plant nursery to purchase seeds and plants.

We worked parts of each of the next five days (Saturday to Wednesday) to get everything planted. It is supposed to rain tonight so I think we got the garden planted just in time.

The Garden Has Been Planted 5-8-14

We did quite a few new things with the garden this year, besides the dirt, which not only add a little visual interest but will maximize our space.

Cinder Block Raised Beds

One thing that is new is the addition of cinder block raised beds. We had lined the west and south sides of the garden with cinder blocks prior to having the 30 tons of dirt hauled in.

I decided to extend the garden to the west by adding more cinder blocks to create two raised beds, one for herbs and one for strawberries.

We didn’t worry too much about making sure all of the blocks were level so they definitely aren’t perfect. However, they should be very functional and last longer than wood.

Cinder Block Planters

We set the cinder blocks on their sides so the holes are facing up. Julia helped me create a pattern of yellow and orange marigolds in one hole and onions in the other hole of each block. I am excited to have color in the garden this year.

Butternut Squash Trellis 5-8-14

Butternut squash always took up half of my small garden spot because it vines all over. Since I don’t have my small garden spot anymore I decided to get creative.

I found a piece of deck railing in our barn that I thought might work. We set it on bricks and zip tied it to two metal fence posts.

I then planted a hill of butternut squash on each side. When the plants start growing I will train them to grow up the trellis.

Cucumber Trellis 5-8-14

I also decided to use the same concept for our cucumbers this year.

My husband’s uncle gave me some plastic coated chain link fencing that we zip tied to some metal fence posts.

The fence is about 6 inches off the ground, and I made a small hill all along the front where I planted the cucumber seeds.

I have a friend who grows cucumbers this way with great success so I am hoping for the same.

My friend did tell me to make sure not to use fencing with thin wires because it could cut through the vines.

Lettuce & Potato Towers 5-8-14

Last year my husband and James built me a counter height garden box to plant lettuce in. We loved it and I have planted several types of leafy greens in it this year.

I also used the potato towers I made last year and filled them with two varieties of white potatoes. I am thinking of making one or two more towers because we eat a lot of potatoes.

Tomato Fence 5-8-14

I ditched the tomato cages this year and opted for using a hog/cattle panel that we zip tied to some metal fence posts. I planted 10 tomatoes on one side and nine on the other alternating them so that no tomatoes are directly opposite each other.

As the plants get taller I will probably use old pantyhose to tie them to the fence.

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peppers 5-8-14

I did plant some vegetables the old regular way. I divided the west end of the garden into three sections and planted broccoli, cabbage, and peppers.

I planted the jalapeño peppers in another spot of the garden beside the lettuce box.

I didn’t get a picture of it but I planted sugar snap peas in a circle around a tomato cage (that I will add some twine to). I have never planted peas before so I am hopeful they will vine up the tomato cage.

Corn & Beans 5-8-14

On the east side of the garden I planted 4 rows of green beans and 1 row of corn.

The beans are planted so that there are two rows right beside each other, some space to till, and two more rows right beside each other. This has worked well in the past and cuts down on weeds between the rows plus maximizes space.

I plan to plant one more row of sweet corn in a couple of weeks. This will allow us to have corn on the cob longer than if I planted it all at once.

Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini 5-8-14

The sweet potatoes have been planted in a big mound and the zucchini seeds have been planted in two hills.

I am so happy to have the garden planted and I am praying things go better than they have the past two years (drought in 2012 and flooding in 2013).

Garden West View 5-8-14

Here’s a recap of what I planted this year. We already had blackberries and chives from years past.

  • 16 Broccoli Plants
  • 12 Cabbage Plants
  • 16 Pepper Plants (8 Green, 4 Peperoncini, & 4 Jalapeño)
  • 19 Tomato Plants (16 Roma, 2 Grape, 1 Early Girl)
  • 1 Long Hill of Cucumbers
  • 2 Hills of Butternut Squash
  • 2 Hills of Zucchini
  • Leafy Greens (Buttercrunch, Romaine, Iceberg, Kale, & Spinach)
  • 4 Potato Towers
  • 12 Sweet Potatoes
  • 4 Rows of Green Beans
  • 1 Row of Corn (I will plant another in a week or two.)
  • Herbs (Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, Dill, Sage, Oregano)
  • Strawberries
  • Sugar Snap Peas
  • 70+ Marigolds
  • 70+ Onions (Red, White & Yellow)

I plan to share our garden’s progress with you each week. I’m hoping to stay on top of the weeds better this year. I have always said I grow weeds and children pretty well. 😉

Are you planting a garden this year? What will you plant?

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Filed Under: Gardening & Canning

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jackiesblessings

I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that h I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that has happened in 2020. There have been so many negatives for so many people. I can’t say it has all been positive for me either. However, there are some things that have happened in 2020 for which I am so grateful. 
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The main thing I am grateful for is the extra time I was able to spend with my kids. We had so much fun during quarantine and this summer. I know this wasn’t the case for everyone, but I do not regret the days when we had nothing planned and could just have fun together. Whether it was walking in the woods, playing games, watching a movie together, or even doing chores, I never once heard an “I’m bored.” 🙂 
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In addition to the gift of more time together, I am also grateful for all of the milestones we have celebrated this year. In June, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, and then we had four milestone birthdays. Julia turned 21, James turned 18, Joshua turned 16, and Joseph turned 13. (Janna felt left out, so we told her that her birthday was special because it was her last birthday in single digits.) Also, today marks 25 years that JT and I have been married. 
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While I won’t be sorry to see 2020 go, and I hope
and pray 2021 is better for so many people who are hurting right now, I don’t ever want to forget the good times we had this year. 
.
P.S. I took all of these pictures over fall break.
The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual church service yesterday, and I couldn’t resist getting a picture with them in front of this beautiful Christmas tree. ❤️
James has been playing school basketball since he James has been playing school basketball since he was in the fourth grade. Tonight he and his fellow Seniors  were recognized at their game, and I just can’t believe James is this old. 
.
Normally, Senior Night is the last game of the season. However,  because everything in the world seems so uncertain right now, we wanted to make sure the boys got a chance to be recognized. We wanted something “normal” for them. I am thankful James and his teammates not only got recognized but also won their game. 
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P.S. We had our masks on at all times other than when we took pictures.
We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is t We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is turning 13 today, and it just doesn’t seem possible. The beautiful baby boy who was placed in my arms on a cold and foggy day in December is still my “little” guy. However, after looking at this picture of the two of us, I don’t think he will be shorter than me for long. Joseph is still my shy guy, but he is also sweet, loving, kind, and just an all around good kid. We also lovingly refer to him as the cat whisperer because the kittens and cats follow him around like puppies. 🙂 It has been so much fun to have Joseph at school with me this year now that he is in junior high, and I am so thankful that I get to be his mama. Happy birthday, Joseph! ❤️
2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of 2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of those challenges was self-inflicted. 🙂 I just finished my fourth master’s level course of 2020 through Ball State, and I passed the high ability licensure exam last Thursday. This means that I will soon have high ability added to my teaching license. 
.
When I signed up to take my first class in January, I had no idea what 2020 was going to entail. Teaching in a pandemic isn’t for the faint of heart. Taking classes and caring for five kids while teaching in a pandemic has allowed me to see what I am really made of. I don’t mean to brag, but I am pretty happy that I received straight A’s. Beyond that, I learned so much, and I am grateful for this opportunity even though I felt stretched to my limits some days. 
.
Yes, 2020 has been challenging, but I have been blessed with more time with my family, knowledge gained, and challenges met and overcome.
I almost forgot to post this here. 🎂 Joshua is I almost forgot to post this here. 
🎂
Joshua is 16 years old today. It doesn’t seem possible that my little pip squeak of a baby boy is now about 6’4”. Joshua is now the tallest of the family, and I’m not sure he is done growing. There hasn’t been a dull moment since Joshua arrived, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. He is a fun-loving, hard-working, kind-hearted, and intelligent young man. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. I am so thankful God thought I was up to the task of being Joshua’s mama. ❤️
My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t c My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t cry as soon as he was born but first looked around to see what was going on in the world, is now a 6’2” handsome man. I truly never thought the years would go by so quickly, but here we are. James is 18 today. 

There are so many words I could use to describe James: hardworking, dedicated, persevering, intelligent, funny, curious, kindhearted, dependable, respectful, and helpful. I could also expound upon his accomplishments, and I could tell you how great he is. However, I don’t love James for what he has accomplished but simply because he is my son.

I have been so blessed to be James’s mom, and I thank God every day for entrusting him into my care. I don’t know what the future will hold for him, but I know he will do great things. 

For anyone reading this who is struggling with a tantrum throwing toddler, a strong-willed child, and/or a child who questions everything, I would like to encourage you. Look for the positive qualities your child possesses such as perseverance, dedication, and curiosity and build upon that. I will never regret the hard days of parenting because my prayers and hard work have paid off. Helping James reach his full potential and keep those qualities without breaking his spirit has been worth the effort.

Happy Birthday, James!
I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed sur I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed surreal. It felt chaotic. Nothing was normal. We are all exhausted. However, it was wonderful to be with my students again after five months, and my own kids enjoyed seeing their friends. I don’t know how this school year will play out, but I am ready to go back tomorrow and try to make teaching virtually and in person work to the best of my ability. My students are worth the effort. 
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James is a senior, and this was his last first day of school. Joshua is a sophomore, and Joseph is in 7th grade which means I have all three of my boys in the same building with me. Janna is in fourth grade, and she was very excited to be back at school. Julia will be a senior in college when she starts back next week. 
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I am praying we all have a safe and healthy school year. I plan to try not to think about the unknowns and what-ifs and take it one day at a time.
This morning I told four of my kids we were going This morning I told four of my kids we were going to go on an adventure. (No, I didn’t leave one out of the fun. James played in a golf tournament with his dad. 🙂) Anyway, it was quite an adventure. It started with my vehicle telling me one of the tires needed air, but it must be a bad sensor because it was fine. Then I almost ran out of gas. I drove us on all sorts of country roads we had never been on, and I even thought I was going south when I was actually going north for like 10 miles. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It was very obvious I have not been many places since March. 
.
Anyway, Julia, Joshua, Joseph, Janna, and I went to @maxandhoneys where we took some pictures and picked a beautiful bouquet. It was really fun. After that, we went to Greencastle and then to Lieber State Recreation Area. We finished by stopping to do a few things in my classroom, and we made it home before it started raining.
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I am so thankful for a day of doing something fun and “normal” but out of the ordinary. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s the best way to describe it. Yes, we had to wear masks sometimes and practice social distancing, but it was still a good day. 
.
Here are some pictures from our day. The last picture is of James before he went to play golf. How is he old enough to be a senior? 😢 I am so thankful for my family. 💕 Also, kudos to Joshua and Joseph for being good sports about picking flowers. Their future wives will thank me. 😀

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