Learning to Be a Gardener

I recently got the notion in my mind that it would be a brilliant idea to plant my own vegetable garden this year.

Did I mention I might be insane?

Two toddlers, two big dogs, three cats and eight kittens, and somehow I thought I needed more on my plate? Bring it on, life! Let's do this.

So of course I had no idea where to start. I researched the crap out of how to start a garden. I found what veggies should be planted indoors first, and started those.

They grew faster than I was prepared for. My gardens still aren't even remotely ready, and I'm running out of growing space! My hubby is going to help get my outdoor gardens ready so that they can be planted outside by the end of this week.

Anyway, first thing's first: I made a plan for my garden. Now because I am still new at this, I am trying this thing called "square foot gardening". 

Square Foot Gardens

The concept is basically this: divide garden into square feet, assign a vegetable to each square foot (you can have more than one of each vegetable), and then find out how many plants you can have in that space.

For example, you can sixteen carrot plants, nine beet plants but only one broccoli.

I drew up a diagram of each garden to plan it out. To simplify it further, I am doing a row of each vegetable. So every foot at the front of the garden is a different vegetable. Except for the back, which is dedicated to "tall" plants, so will have a trellis for my tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and peas.

I looked up which veggies grow better together, which grow in the shade vs. sun, and what "helper" plants I could use.

Helper plants

Marigolds: help tomatoes grow better

Basil: make tomatoes taste better

Nasturtiums: keep bugs away from squash and broccoli

Petunias: protect beans from beetles

Oregano: protect cucumber from beetles

Geraniums: keep bugs away from corn (specifically Japanese beetles)

Chives: make carrots grow sweeter

Now I have the whole garden figured out, I just have to wait (patiently) for my gardens to be ready so I can finish planting all my vegetables! So excited!

Do you have any gardening tips to share? Any of you first-time vegetable gardeners?

God bless,

- M.

The Adventures of Porch Kitty (Part 2)

The kittens are quickly growing and are already developing little personalities! I absolutely adore them, with their tiny meows and itty bitty faces.

So for any of you following the kittens story, here are some pictures with a little bit about each of them.

 BatKitty: This little black kitten has a white Batman symbol on its chest, thus its name. Very calm and snuggly, also one of the quietest ones.

 Princess Anna: This little grey tabby is very noisy and wiggly, which makes it hard when its siblings are trying to sleep. It is quite noisy and does not like to be held. My daughter named it after the princess from Frozen.

 Tiny Toes: This little baby is the second smallest of the litter. It is very silky and black and has the same white mark on its chest as mama PK.

 Squeak: This little fella is the noisiest one of the group. Very high pitched squeaks often bring mama kitty running. Also the noisiest eater. This is the biggest of the black kittens.

 Tank: This big boy is the biggest of the litter. The most developed and a bit of a bully, constantly pushing away the smaller siblings so it can eat, Tank is also very loud but loves snuggles. This one is my daughter's favourite.

 Olaf: Probably the most overlooked of the litter, Olaf is all black and quiet. It is not big or small, somewhere in the middle of the kittens size-wise. Very snuggly though. It likes being held close. My daughter named him after the lovable snowman from Frozen.

 Queen Elsa: This little grey tabby is quite vocal, but not as wiggly as its counterpart Princess Anna, who it is almost identical to except for some brown markings on the face. This one seems to be mama's favourite, and is the first one she feeds and picks up whenever she moves them. My daughter named this one after a Frozen character as well.

Baby: This little one is the runt of the litter. Very skinny and quiet, usually preferring to hide between mama's legs. Silk black with faint grey stripes in its fur.

You can read about the porch kitty here. The most recent update on the kittens is available here.

Have a great day,

M.

PS: These little fellas will all be looking for loving homes in about 8-10 weeks, so if you or someone you know are interested please let me know! Tank and Queen Elsa have been spoken for but the others are all available :)

Let Her Be a Princess Today

I know this is different than what I usually post, but I thought I would share it anyway.

This is a poem I wrote called "Let Her Be a Princess Today".

Now I don't write poetry. The last poem I wrote was probably for school, and only because I had to. So please don't judge its lameness!

Your baby girl arrived today

You fall in love in the same old way

Fingers and toes, ruffles and bows

Hold her like a princess today

One good night's sleep is all that you pray

She treats every night like its day

Counting sheep, please go to sleep

Remember she's a princess today

Toddling in that familiar way

All she wants to do is play

Crayons and bugs, cuddles and hugs

Treat her like a princess today

Here she comes, you best make way

She wants to dance in the ballet

Spin and dance, a graceful stance

Dress her like a princess today

Her heart might lead her astray

Pull her close and she will push you away

Boys and cars, dancing in bars

Remind her she's a princess today

Getting ready in a cloud of hair spray

She's about to give her heart away

Vows and love, a gift from above

Let her be a princess today

Give you little princess a big hug today.

- M

The Adventures of Porch Kitty

About three weeks ago, a friend of mine posted on Facebook that there was a pregnant cat living on her porch. She was worried the kittens would be born in the bushes, so she was going to call animal control.

So, me having the tender heart that I do, I offered to have her stay with us until the kittens were weaned.

Thus began a long three weeks of waiting and watching... and more waiting...

Of course, this morning while I was out, the kittens were born. She had given birth to six beautiful kittens, and she couldn't be more proud. She rolled over to show them off and even pushed one towards me. They were so small and soft and squeaky!

So here is a picture of "PK" and her six little fluff balls.

UPDATE: I miscounted and there are in fact EIGHT little jelly beans in there. And they are A-DOR-ABLE!!!

You can read more about PK's latest adventures as a mama here and here.

Things Men Don't Say Enough to Their Wives

1. Thank you.

2. What do you think?

3. You are my best friend.

4. You are right.

5. I miss you.

6. You are beautiful.

7. You are an amazing wife/mother.

8. I forgive you.

9. You are all I need.

10. I am proud of you.

- M

PS: Check out my other blog post, Things We Don't Say Enough To Our Husbands.