Garden & Zoo

Walter and I weeded the garden a little every day last week. Even the potatoes. I don't often do anything with the potatoes, but they are looking good, and the potato bugs, though still there, aren't such a huge army as before. I endeavor to perservere. We took some new pictures of that, before we finished weeding, but no big deal. Weeds are like housework, they're always there tomorrow. I have new things in the garden this year, and I've been learning. Two of them are swiss chard and beets. I made a yummy pizza with the swiss chard the other day. The crust is olive oil based, and you make a flavored olive oil with some minced garlic & crushed red pepper flakes. It turned out very good, and Ryan and I both agreed that a bottle of St. Paulie Girl Dark would have gone so well with it. I pickled beets yesterday morning for the first time. Wow, what a mess...my kitchen looked like the hotel room from the Scarface chainsaw scene.

Yesterday Nichole Bach and I took our kiddos up to Como Zoo. It was a lot of fun. Walter and Courtney didn't really know what was going on, but Walter perked up when we got to the pirana tank. The butterflies were something he liked too. It's just so nice to have someone with a baby similar in age so we can talk about the different stages and what they'll need, or need to give up, like Walter and his bottle. I didn't know it was bad to keep him using a bottle after 1 year old...so I better get crackin' on that! We stopped at Fudrucker's on the way home, I hadn't ever been there. The burgers were pretty yummy, and Walter loved the fries. Walter thought his Uncle Anthony may like them more than Red Robin's fries. Ha.

Anyway, that's about all so far. This weekend not much is going on but shed work. We have the garage doors left to do, and the floor. Next weekend is our 10 year reunion. I can't believe it's been that long, but the wrinkles on my face tell me it's no lie.

Walter and Gardening

I was out walking on our land last night, Walter and I. We had raspberries to pick and eat, despite the heat and humidity. I was looking at my 30x70 plot of vegetables to harvest, seeing what is ready, seeing the weeding I HAVEN'T been keeping up on, and fearing for the future when that time arrives for tomatoes and corn to be ready. I love gardening, but with Walter, I am clueless as to how I will get all done. I make salsa, juice & soup with my tomatoes. This year I also planted 1/2 a lb. of sweet corn.

Ryan works so very hard, and is tired when he gets home at night. He has projects also to balance with his time off. It's easy to be Superwoman when you don't have to change diapers, feed and give attention to a little one. Walter wants to be involved in everything and is forever wanting me with him. I guess I can have a girlfriend over to help, or mom and give them some of what I make. I'm just so used to handling it all, doing it all, and doing it well. Is it a pride thing to want to be able to do it all and be a mom too? What's my deal? I'm feeling defeated or something dumb.

Boating with Walter

Walter got to go on a boat ride on Sunday with Tim, Jackie & Alanah Nelson. We had a blast, and he slept through all of the wave bumps, even one that splashed us all. He whimpered a little, but kept on snoozing. We had lunch on the beach, with flies that bit us left and right, but we got to enjoy swimming a bit too. Alanah pulled me in and got me soaked.

We bought Walter and Incrediblock from Fisher Price on Craig's list. He digs on it big time. He started taking steps last night, but we aren't sure if they count as "First Steps" because he fell down right away. He is talking all of the time, and just such a good little guy.

He grinds his teeth though, which I cannot seem to get him to quit. It's frustrating, and is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. We played super hero the other day with a blanket from the hospital. He thought he needed a lot of cheerios energy to save the world. Good times.

Dub in the Tub

July Goings On...

Well things have been crazy around our home lately.

We've been building a shed that has taken the majority of our summer time. We got all of the steel on it this past Sunday, and the service door installed. Then, at 10 pm, straightline winds hit our home, getting our living room floor completely soaked and water was pouring in around our window trim. We went outside to inspect the shed, and one piece of roof steel was bent completely up and ruined. The service door was swung open so hard that two screw holes were made on it when it hit the steel siding. I think we both wanted to cry. I had to go outside and support the corn with more dirt, much of it was pushed over.

My sister, Hannah visited us a couple weeks ago now. We had a blast while she was here. After she headed home, Rod's girlfriend, Leah, had their baby boy. 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long, Tucker Matthew Wicklund. We went and saw them at the hospital, and Walter was very excited to meet his new cousin.

Walter has been doing awesome. Standing on his own, talking, trying to eat dog food. He's so persistant it's frustrating right now, but down the road I am sure it will be a great virtue to have. Walter's Aunt Nanners got him a blow up swimming pool that he just loves. I love it too, he gets so pooped out from it, it's great for his sleep.

I made a few strawberry pies for the 4th of July weekend, and a "S'mores cheesecake" that was OK. The flowers are in bloom, and the garden is coming along, although slowly this year. I haven't been doing too much crazy baking or cooking lately, although I did try my hand at some venison jerky last week, that turned out pretty tasty.

Selma (one of our goldens) got bit by something like a cat/racoon on her back and had to go to the vet last week. She's been our most expensive golden this year.

Picking up the pieces...more to come.