Tomatoes: trial or triumph?

I used to pride myself on having a green thumb--I took care of my parents' vegetable garden for a few years as a kid and then Michael and I grew terrific corn and tomatoes out west. I also used to have grand plans to major in horticulture because I loved flowers and plants and even made flash cards a few years ago so I could learn the names of various plants.

Then I realized that actually, my parents were really in charge of the garden, and Michael did way more watering than I did out in Provo.

So, this whole "gardening thing" this summer has been somewhat stressful, scary, and exciting for me. (Don't tell me how pathetic that sounds.) Given my lack of experience, don't you think that my first year Mother Nature could give me a gentle beginning, instead of baptism by fire? Apparently not.


Problem number one: blossom end rot. This delightful condition (shown above) occurs when there is inconsistent watering (too much, too little, or too sporadically) or a calcium deficiency. You can still eat the tomato after cutting off the rotten bottom, but the perfect fruit ain't purty no mo'.

Solution: lime supplement and more consistent watering (we've learned that we need to water at least once a day, if not twice).

Problem number two: aphids. (not pictured)

Solution: Spray an organic bug killer, like Earth tone Insect Control.

Problem number three: slugs. (not pictured)

Solution: I finally had to dispense with the beer cups because although MANY slugs were drowned, my flowers were still being eaten. So I purchased Sluggo, a pet-friendly (my neighbors have roaming pets) pesticide that has worked quite efficaciously.


And now for the royal pain in the heiny problem number four: hornworm caterpillars.

Yeah, do you see that delightful five-inch long, perfectly camouflaged nightmare eating my tomatoes and their leaves? He had no sense of decency--boy, did he and his siblings have droppings. (No joke--they were everywhere and looked impossibly large for a caterpillar. But they were theirs.)

Here you see Michael using a knife to pry off the caterpillar as he clings desperately to his life and food supply. We found five large ones and, I don't know, two or three little ones. Hornworm caterpillars hatch from eggs laid by the sphinx moth, in case you were wondering. They also spurt green guts if you pierce them with a knife accidentally.

Solution: Drowning.

In the meantime, we'll enjoy the fruits of our labors for as long as we can. It might only be for another week, but we'll take what we can get.

A father's day limerick

There once was a great guy named Dad
His daughter's heart he always had.
He read her sweet tales
Listened to her long wails
His presence always made her quite glad.

A few years beyond her a boy
Grew up with more masculine toys.
But like the young miss
With her childhood bliss
He too a great dad did enjoy.

One day that small girl grew up tall.
The young man that she met did enthrall
Her so much
And his heart she did touch
That a marriage them soon did befall.

At length tidings blew from the horn
A sweet daughter was soon to be born.
When once her dear pere
Saw the eyes they both share
His face deepest joy did adorn.

And now though the young girl seems grown
In her heart she has always known
That a father's devotion
Transcends time and motion . . .

Daddy's love is never outgrown.


Happy Father's Day to my own father, my father-in-law, and my dear husband and father of our daughter. I love you.

Last vote...one more time, please?!

It's a good thing I'm not indecisive or anything. (NOTE: We decided we need to do a landscape version instead of a portrait due to current frame situations.)


(1)

(2)


(3)
This is the last time I'll bug you! Or not.

Seriously, thanks for your help!

Help: urgent advice needed

Last month we had some family pictures taken by a sweet couple from church who do photography on the side. They've done some really lovely work. We were fairly pleased, but our biggest bummer was that there wasn't a particularly great one of the three of us. Or one of Clara actually looking straight at the camera with a genuine smile. I know, Michael and I are both perfectionists, so I guess it's all relative. But meanwhile, we really can't decide which shot we should use to hang on our own wall and to give to our parents.

Can you please help us decide which picture we should choose? Hey, if my parents and in-laws are reading this, why don't you just pick the one you like best?!

And can I just say that getting family pictures taken has to be one of the most stressful experiences ever? The last time we had them taken was before Clara turned two, and I think the next time will be when she gets married. And don't get me started on my hair in these pictures.

(1) This is the one of the few of Clara looking at the camera. She looks so delighted to be doing this.

(2) Clara looking up but half-smiling.

(3) Clara smiling more but eyes more closed.

(4) Cute smile but looking down.

(5) This one's nice, but the lighting is a bit harsh.
(6) Same in black and white.

(7) The lighting on this wasn't quite right so it looked best in black and white.


WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE BEST?


Here are some other sweet ones . . .

The beach!

My brother, Bryan, and his family invited us to stay a couple of days with them while they relaxed at Hilton Head. We begrudgingly accepted.

Once the tide went out, Clara loved the warm shallow water of the tidal pools, or "quiet water" as Grace called it.

Before that, she spent a lot of time cuddled up with me, trying to escape the strong winds and the uncomfortable sand.
Michael helping Grace build a sandcastle. It was quickly decimated.

Emily reading. Besides the fact that she's not only one of my dearest friends and also married to my brother, I'm also glad I know Emily because I can always hit her up for book suggestions.

Fun with Daddy! We were so proud of her for enjoying the waves after awhile.

Now, for the most important part of the visit: sandcastles.

Michael's: Perfectly engineered and equipped with two gargantuan guns.

Bryan's: Perhaps less perfectly constructed, but as he pointed out, it has way more guns and more turrets.

I'm not sure which castle would win in battle. I think a safer bet would be to form an alliance because they'd certainly need all the help they could get against the ultimate fortress:

Mine.

The seashells on the roof really put it over the top, don't you think?

Good times, great memories

This week we were treated to a visit from my awesome brother Bryan, his amazing wife, Emily, and their adorable kids, Clay and Grace. Clay and Grace both have such sweet, fun personalities, and Clara got along well with them, which was very heartwarming to see.

Clay and Clara (wearing my brother's cap).

Playing on the blow-up mattress. Look at Grace's curls!

We took them to the Savannah River and had a fun picnic. We always bring the potty wherever we go, so Clara enjoyed a scenic view while, y'know . . .

Buttery corn on the cob, hot chicken bruschetta, strawberry salad, Irish soda bread with strawberry freezer jam, and ColdStone ice cream afterward. It was my kind of picnic.

The aftermath: distended stomachs and contended bodies.

Summer comfort food

Need I say more?