Lessons from the Garden: Year 1

I could not be happier to finally have my own garden.  Things are growing nicely and the deer have only gotten a few sweet corn plants thus far, (knock on wood).  However, I am just now beginning to realize the extent to which I do not know what I'm doing!  So here begins my series of "Lessons from the Garden".  This is mostly for me, so I can look back and be reminded of what to/not to do next year. However, if you happen to read this and know something about gardening (including "deer-X"...I know...just build a fence!), please feel free to send suggestions.  Thank-you.

I am sensing a need to expand for next year!

1.  Vines need space...LOTS of space...MUCH more space than I gave them!

Notice the onions and basil plants being taken over by the squash.

Cantaloupe on the prowl...look out carrots!!

2.  I think ONE zucchini plant would be sufficient.

I was shocked to find so many and such large zucchini yesterday...
they were little green hotdogs just a few days ago!

3.  Compost DOES help plants grow...let's shoot for gettin' it in the garden next year.

Potato plants on the right, and I believe that's more zucchini (oh great!) on the left...

4. Sweet corn is NOT worth it in a small garden.  Especially when your dad and uncle grow about an acre of it every year.

5. Start your broccoli from plants.  If I had a picture of Grandma's plants vs. mine, the reasoning would be quite clear!

6. I just read that vine cucumbers apparently do best when trellised--this would have been helpful in keeping the cucumber vines from being eaten alive by the the pumpkins & gourds.

Hopefully we'll get more of these little guys before they're swallowed up alive!

I expect some more good growing days over the next week with this heat; which will probably mean more lessons learned.  So until next time...

Guys' Weekend

Jay, Mitch, Joel, & Luke spent the weekend w/ us...baseball, boating, swimming, movies, etc.  Oh, and some food! :)  We really enjoyed having them...now it's time to start planning the girls' weekend.

"A Man's Meal"...(no plates, no forks, just hands)...
...in contrast to the recent "Outdoor Dinner Party" :)
(Don't worry...this is just the first of the meat to come off the grill.)

Hangin' w/ the guys

I tried to avoid too much photography b/c I figured that wouldn't be "cool".  I also made sure not to sound too much like a mom and am sworn to "What happens at the Helmkamp's stays at the Helmkamp's"...just kidding mom! :)

Welcome to Iowa Alisa & Linda!

Alisa is moving back to Iowa (yeah!) and her friend Linda drove out with her for her first trip to Iowa so I threw them an outdoor dinner party.  The outdoor part was almost thwarted by some much needed rain, which ended up holding off until we'd thoroughly enjoyed the party and brought everything back inside.  We were all thankful that the rain held off...and just as thankful that if finally did come!  Here are a few pictures from our evening...

"Pick-your-own appetizer"

Beverages

Salad Bar

"The Dinning Room"

Mason jar lanters...I love jars

Sisters

...and friends

Thanks for coming!

Such good friends!

Sparklers lit in the lanterns :)

And here's some proof that it just plain wouldn't have been the same inside.  I was set up to have it indoors based on the weather forecast and about an hour before the girls pulled in I check the forecast again, just to make sure...and sure enough, no thunder storms until later!  So in a hurried hour, the party was moved back outdoors.  Yeah!

The toy room as it was intended to be used

A little different feel with drywall as the back drop

"It needs to be at least THREE TIMES this big!"

Every once-in-awhile, lately Jack will try to ride one of his small toys.  One morning I came around the corner  just in time to see him squat over a small car, trap it between his knees, and then "knee walk" across the room with it.  His perception of size is apparently underdeveloped at this point!

Loading himself on the flatbed...oversized load??

Whoops...missed.

Putting the tailgate up.

Mmm, Mmm, Peanut Butter

Nothin' like a little peanut butter toast...minus the toast!

Ahhhh...so good!

Little monkey face

Thanks for displaying your PB so well for the picture buddy!

Daddy's Little Helper

Jack had to get right in on the action while Ryan fixed the toilet handle.

I'm so thankful he has a very handy daddy to learn from.

Memorial Day weekend in STL

The past few years John and the girls have come up for Memorial Day, but with the boat ownership changed, we decided to get together in St. Louis this year.  We had a great weekend w/ lots of family and even got in on Ella's birthday party and Zach's graduation party.

Jack loved the girls!

Drivin' w/ Dad

The girls wanted Uncle Ry-ry to be the first one to tube with them
(Ella picked Ryan over her dad b/c he seemed like a little safer/more trusted driver to her...good pick! :))

Love this one!

Fun afternoon on the lake!

Ella loved feeding Jack

Fun with cousins

Jack & Chase started to interact more this time.
It was hilarious to watch them copy each other.

Riley vs. Jack & Chase

Bring it on Riley!

Jack & Uncle 'Non'