Our Garden: A Horror Story

I have to say that I'm surprised our garden even lasted this long. We don't have a lot of room in our side yard, and since it is a side yard, it only gets a small amount of sunshine each day. But last spring we took the chance... and it was glorious.

Baby plants and watering boots

We planted my favorites: tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, jalepenos, and five different herbs. June even pitched in to help watering it. It became her first chore. She loved it.

Sitting next to the garden, eating Otter Pops to cure the afternoon blues.

The jalepeno plant didn't last long. We got to eat a total of three strawberries, the rest were eaten by ants before we picked them. The herbs were used in various dishes. The cucumbers grew beautifully, and were as crisp and juicy as ever.

Taking a break from the pool to admire the plants.

Then our tomatoes finally came in. I was thrilled. I couldn't wait to add them to salads, sandwiches, bruschetta, and pasta dishes. They were plump and green, and almost ripe.

Showing her our glorious tomatoes.

Then the unthinkable happened: One morning we woke up, and the top half of the plants were gone. We puzzled over this. The next day, William came outside to water them, and noticed a "cute", "little" green caterpillar. But upon closer inspection, that "cute" caterpillar was a Tomato Hornworm, and seemed to have brought friends... or an army? There were hundreds... okay, maybe 20ish, but they were eating and pooping and destroying our beautiful lush tomato plants. What once looked like an appetizing treat, turned into a bloodbath (when William tore out the plants and threw them into our garbage can).

What's left of our garden and the ENEMY.

Next time, we'll be ready... and by "ready" I mean we're not planting tomatoes ever again.

Note: Yes, I realize most of these photos were not really focused on the garden, but on June. Sorrynotsorry?

How to make a Terrarium

Step 1: Know a guy who knows how.

Step 2: Have him show you how.

Step 3: Display in your home and take all credit.

I've been wanting to learn how to make a terrarium for quite some time. My brother-in-law, Michael, works at a glass studio. Last time he was in town, he brought all the tools and showed me know. It's a dangerous job: the glass is sharp, and the chemicals used are poisonous, and metals are melting at high temperatures... but it was all worth it.

Thanks again, Mr. Glass, aka Samuel L. Jackson, aka Michael.

A Book for June

I've been wanting to make a family book for June so she can start learning names with faces. I received a coupon for a free 8X8 photo book on my birthday from Shutterfly, and I figured this was the perfect opportunity to finally make one: 

Click here to view this photo book larger
(Click the rectangles to turn the pages)

The only reason June seems to like it is because she thinks it's a game to find Chubbs in the book.

So basically, Chubbs wins.

It's time to step it up, Bradfords and Coombs'.

Thankful Day 14

I wanted to spread the love...

so I put the flowers from one bouquet into three jars, covered and tied with burlap.

Today I am thankful for Fresh & Easy. Their flowers are so cheap.

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Listening to: The Avett Brothers. Thank you, Carli.

Reading: Hunger Games. After watching the new trailer today (three or four times?), I decided it was time to read the book again.

Eating: Snyder's of Hanover Peanut Butter Pretzel Sandwiches dipped in Hershey's Milk Chocolate. 'Nuff said.

Finished Watching: Storage Wars... in like 3 days. Not a proud moment for me, but boy was I hooked.

Thinking about: making caramels tomorrow. I need to stop.

The Final Beatles Costume Song is...

'Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite':

William wanted this kite to be so big, he would have to walk sideways to get in through the door...mission accomplished.

Materials included wood, fabric, a belt, screws, and staples. Can you tell William built this costume? (Yes, built.) It even folds so it fits in the trunk.

So here are all three:

I think our little family makes a great Beatles album.

My goal before the end of October is to get a family portrait of all three of us... perhaps a Costumed Christmas Card picture?

Next Track on the Beatles Halloween Costume Playlist...

'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds':

This one's a given. Not much thought put into it really... but definitely fun to make. (Just so we're clear, those raindrops and 'Lucy' letters are both diamonds.)

It was so easy: I basically just glued everything on. I WAS going to stitch it all, but didn't.

I also got a new haircut. It hasn't been THIS short since high school. So now every time I look at myself in the mirror, I think about Gap overalls, learning how to drive in an Astro Van, and "Oops I Did It Again".

Man, I wish I was cooler in high school.

Octopus' Garden

I would have loved to get a picture of all three of us in our costumes. I haven't mastered using my camera at night, and it gets dark too early now (not that I'm complaining about the changing seasons).

So I'll just show our costumes one at a time.

Of course, my favorite favorite favorite kind of Halloween costumes are the homemade kind, especially with kids. I can't tell you how excited I was to make June's costume.

We wanted to do a Beatles theme this year. The ULTIMATE would be Seargent Pepper's uniforms. But I can only sew a straight line. And I'm not sure if June would have worn a wig. (Or a thick moustache?)

So instead we decided to just be Beatles songs.

Presenting: Octopus' Garden.

Oh how I loved this.

I was inspired by this version, so I went from there...

I started with a purple hoodie and pants, found matching purple fabric, found fabric that resembled the "suction cups" underneath the tentacles, stuffing, and stitched eyes on the hood. The tentacles are simply sewn onto a purple strip of fabric, which is tied around her neck a couple times.

Here's the best shot I could get of her octopus eye:

Doesn't this make you want to shout and swim about

the coral that lies beneath the waves?!

Excited for...

It seems like I'm constantly checking my phone for news and updates because lots of my close family and friends are having babies soon (especially baby girls, hence the girly bunting).

I can't wait.

(And no, I'm not pregnant.)

Listening to: 'Many Shades of Black' by the Raconteurs. He has a perfect voice.

Anticipating: This movie. Finally, a movie about my favorite Beatle. William and I are really excited too that Tom Petty is in it.

Reading: Austenland... So fun. Thanks Connie and Debbie for the recommendation! (Carli, you're the first on my list to loan this to. Get ready.)

Snacking on: Blackberries and Spicy Nacho Doritos

Wearing: The same striped shirt too many times this week. It's the perfect material for this heat.

Art the fart who blew up K-mart

Kent used to say that phrase in elementary school about a kid named 'Art'. Yeah, Art was kind of a jerk.

But today I'm not talking about Art the Fart...I'm talkin' about real art.

Andrea, of Pics-O-Andrea, is one of the most funny people I know. She is also an incredible artist.

She recently asked her readers to submit ideas for free artwork. Everyone should jump on this Crayola Wagon, cause this is a great opportunity to mooch off someone else's talents.

I drew a diagram of how to do it:

It's that easy... except of course you have to email her at picsoandrea@gmail.com.

Oh, and are you curious about the balloon animal picture? It's here. Isn't it amazing? The bicep one is mine too. (Andrea is a good sport for taking my idiotic ideas.)

Thanks again, Andrea! That was fun.