I have a strict no girls allowed policy on my blog...but to celebrate the one year anniversary of Smonk You I decided to allow some girls to hang here just this one time.
The line-up is FANTASTIC, so please stop by everyday to check them out, and remember to check out their blogs too for more greatness.
First up is Mae from Parenting in Progress...she's a fantastic writer of words and will often throw out some awesome tweets. She asked if I had any ideas for a post and I said something about gardening because I'm a little jealous that she has a garden...but there's a reason we live in a row-house with 10 square feet of lawn that I never have to touch. Because if I had to take care of a garden or a lawn it would be dead.
And after you check out her post here check out her blog and check out this post that I will steal sometime in the future (but of course change the names.)
I'm really excited to be guest posting for Kenny and apparently he likes the posts in which I compare my kid to vegetables. Since the only other things I could think of to write about were cheese and Star Trek...
It's very hot in our part of Florida right now, mid 90s and up on the daily, and the sun is so strong that our garden (as are many home gardens in Florida this time of year, yes I feel the need to clarify that lest you consider us incompetent gardeners) is basically fried. While my friends to the North are planting in the spring I'm harvesting some of my last tomatoes. As they harvest at the end of summer I'm planting again.
This was our first garden and our definition of success was twofold: that we be able to eat something we grew in it and that we learn something. We made plenty of mistakes if that's what you want to call them. We drastically underestimated the amount of space broccoli plants need and we harvested the heads too early. The green beans we planted this year grew really well but I disliked eating them. We need to try a different bean this fall. Our zucchini and squash and cucumbers never came up at all, the squirrels got to them quick so obviously a stronger pest protection strategy is in order. And of course The Great Caterpillar Invasion Of 2010 kicked our asses and robbed us of at least 30 tomatoes. Trust me, we will be much more vigilant next time. Sons of bitches. We learned much more than we ate but were still wholly satisfied with the experience. Also, it was fun which is weird because I did not expect to like it. I miss going out in the evenings after Piper goes to bed and watering the plot while I drink wine and think about life's mysteries.
Piper is 18 months old and we're in that place where we're thinking about the next baby, reflecting on all that we've learned so far and what we would do differently or do the same, etc. But we're not ready to start trying yet. We're much too busy enjoying her and learning who she is. Every day she does something new and awesome like learn to climb up on the couch by herself or eat with a fork or say "juice". Today I told her my life would be easier if she used more words and she said "no". For the first time. Ever. Then she smiled at me and laughed. She's a comedian apparently.
Everyday we learn ways we can be better parents to this child and think about ways we'll be different or the same with the next one. In the evenings we talk about what our daughter did that day while we look at gardening books and pick new plants to try to grow. We're still new gardeners. And new parents. Becoming both has been more fun than I ever imagined.
The line-up is FANTASTIC, so please stop by everyday to check them out, and remember to check out their blogs too for more greatness.
First up is Mae from Parenting in Progress...she's a fantastic writer of words and will often throw out some awesome tweets. She asked if I had any ideas for a post and I said something about gardening because I'm a little jealous that she has a garden...but there's a reason we live in a row-house with 10 square feet of lawn that I never have to touch. Because if I had to take care of a garden or a lawn it would be dead.
And after you check out her post here check out her blog and check out this post that I will steal sometime in the future (but of course change the names.)
I'm really excited to be guest posting for Kenny and apparently he likes the posts in which I compare my kid to vegetables. Since the only other things I could think of to write about were cheese and Star Trek...
It's very hot in our part of Florida right now, mid 90s and up on the daily, and the sun is so strong that our garden (as are many home gardens in Florida this time of year, yes I feel the need to clarify that lest you consider us incompetent gardeners) is basically fried. While my friends to the North are planting in the spring I'm harvesting some of my last tomatoes. As they harvest at the end of summer I'm planting again.
This was our first garden and our definition of success was twofold: that we be able to eat something we grew in it and that we learn something. We made plenty of mistakes if that's what you want to call them. We drastically underestimated the amount of space broccoli plants need and we harvested the heads too early. The green beans we planted this year grew really well but I disliked eating them. We need to try a different bean this fall. Our zucchini and squash and cucumbers never came up at all, the squirrels got to them quick so obviously a stronger pest protection strategy is in order. And of course The Great Caterpillar Invasion Of 2010 kicked our asses and robbed us of at least 30 tomatoes. Trust me, we will be much more vigilant next time. Sons of bitches. We learned much more than we ate but were still wholly satisfied with the experience. Also, it was fun which is weird because I did not expect to like it. I miss going out in the evenings after Piper goes to bed and watering the plot while I drink wine and think about life's mysteries.
Piper is 18 months old and we're in that place where we're thinking about the next baby, reflecting on all that we've learned so far and what we would do differently or do the same, etc. But we're not ready to start trying yet. We're much too busy enjoying her and learning who she is. Every day she does something new and awesome like learn to climb up on the couch by herself or eat with a fork or say "juice". Today I told her my life would be easier if she used more words and she said "no". For the first time. Ever. Then she smiled at me and laughed. She's a comedian apparently.
Everyday we learn ways we can be better parents to this child and think about ways we'll be different or the same with the next one. In the evenings we talk about what our daughter did that day while we look at gardening books and pick new plants to try to grow. We're still new gardeners. And new parents. Becoming both has been more fun than I ever imagined.
i have a fried up florida garden too!
ReplyDeletei just moved here, but it was established
and i want to add some more things to eat whenever this heat lets up!
good to see you breaking the gender barriers on kenny's blog!
GO GIRLS!
Yeah for gardening! I ended up not planting one this year. We had an odd weather spring and then it just got too hot too quick. Oh, Yeah for parenting too. My older son is not much of an outdoors type of kid but my youngest LOVES to help me water, pick "matoes" and even tries to name the plants. I love him more for this. ok, maybe not.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that I love Mae and she can write her butt off, funny and can send out a hilarious tweet!
ReplyDeleteThe only way to learn is to make mistakes...that's what I try to teach my students and hope it can translate to their views on life. Oh, and I'm jealous of your gardening.
ReplyDeleteMy garden was commandeered by a muscovy duck. SHE is workin on her fam and ran me off.
ReplyDeleteI love Mae. That is all.
ReplyDeleteahh Florida and caterpillars...I know it too well! It sounds like a great garden, though.
ReplyDeleteI like in a condo in DC, and used to live in a row house - so alas, no garden for Vicki.
fantastic first guest poster :] i like it when she compares her kid to vegetables, too.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to learn is to make mistakes...that's what I try to teach my students and hope it can translate to their views on life. Oh, and I'm jealous of your gardening.
ReplyDeletei have a fried up florida garden too!
ReplyDeletei just moved here, but it was established
and i want to add some more things to eat whenever this heat lets up!
good to see you breaking the gender barriers on kenny's blog!
GO GIRLS!