Square Foot Gardening

We've got lots of pretty plants growing, both uncultivated and in our square foot gardens!  Hopefully later in the summer, we'll have some delicious fruits and veggies to enjoy!

Decades ago my grandparents grew grapes.  They were supported by wires strung between three huge pylons in the back yard.  Today, they grow in a wild tangle with blackberries (below) and brambles and other fun stuff.  I've spent a considerable amount of time out there, working to clear out things that aren't grapes or blackberries and generally make that area more accessible.  Maybe by next year, I'll have it so under control that we can restring the wires, retrain the grapes, and mow around them!

 I planted beans!  They are called Lazy Housewife beans, which made me smile.  They can be eaten young, as snaps, which are not my favorite, or they can be left to dry on the vines and eaten as shelled beans.  They've really taken over, which makes me think they'll live up to their name, as I have done absolutely nothing except plant them and give them a trellis to climb.

 The sweet peas are still small, but they are blooming!

 One of the tomato plants has blooms too!

 And our garden has a tiny guardian!

 I bought a pitcher plant and a Venus fly trap at the Farmer's Market yesterday!  The vendor said to leave them in their peat moss/sandy soil and leave them outside.  In other words, leave it alone!  :)

The Venus fly trap bloomed as soon as I got it home.  Can't wait to share these with my students next year.

The soybeans, which I will harvest while they're young and green and eat shelled as edamame, have tiny purple blooms!

A New Beginning!

This has been a difficult spring.  A little over a week after we lost the baby, I found out I would not be returning to my job as a middle school teacher.  I made it out of my principal's office before I lost it, but heartbroken doesn't do justice to what I was feeling.  There are so many wonderful things about my current job.  First and foremost, I love love love my coworkers.  I am honored to have had the privilege to work them (you, if you're reading!).  I also love the community feel of our school, and I love working with middle schoolers.  I love my classroom (my fifth in five years, and by far my favorite!).  I am deeply, deeply connected to our school through family and dear friends, and I am so sad to be leaving all that.

However, as always, God has a plan for me.  He has been teaching me patience and trust this spring, and He has rewarded me with an amazing opportunity.  In the fall, I will be teaching 7th and 8th grade science AND Science Olympiad as a class at Canterbury School!  Google it if you're curious.  I am super-excited!  I can't wait to get started.  :)

The best thing about this spring has been all the love and support I've gotten from friends and family.  My coworkers have been extremely supportive, even taking care of things in my classroom when I needed a minute (or a few days) to recover my wits.  Friends across the country have prayed and hoped with me, and celebrated too!  I love you all so much!  You are such a blessing!