We’ve been busy trying to get this yard into shape. It’s been a new adventure for me as this is the first year we’ve ventured into our yard to work and nurture. It’s almost a bit exciting, and I’ve found myself gloating over the progress more than once.

The newly planted grass seed is really taking off, but so are the weeds competing for the space. We had so much stinging nettle in our yard (high desert and all) that I never could walk barefooted in the yard. But that’s changed recently. Nevermind the funky feet, look at that GRASS!

But besides the grass, I happen to be growing lots of yummies too! Yesterday I looked closely at the Earth trying to find a sproutling. Nothing. This afternoon I looked again and had several little pretties popping out enthusiastically, like this little pumpkin sprout. Isn’t he cute? My corn sprouted, my beans, my okra. I’m waiting on the lettuce, eggplant, and zucchini. My tomato and cabbage plants are looking gorgeous. Bella is most excited about the cantaloupe and watermelon. And Noah can’t seem to quit pulling up my onions. Obviously he is like his daddy and wants me not to use onions, much less grow them.

I also noticed my first vegatable– a jalapeno– growing happily. I wanted so badly to grow some cilantro to go with those peppers and tomatoes! I’ve got my eyes peeled for cilantro baby plants or seeds. This momma makes some mean salsa!

Bella has been spotting a mommy hummingbird perched on a telephone line above our neighbor’s house. She’s there all the time. We named her Bitsy. Today I bought a hummingbird feeder and now she sits above our house on the telephone line. It’s so sweet!

The deer and rabbits don’t come into our yard, but I do have a pesky cute little varmint who won’t quit crawling through my eggplant area… Look at the mischief in his expression!

Apparently I’ve started growing some naked men in my garden as well. Don’t be jealous.

Jeremy is building an amazing grato, or stone hearth, in our yard. I’ll take pictures of it when it’s all done, but it’s going to be really neat. We broke it in early by roasting marshmallows and making smores with Austin the other night.

So tell me, how does your garden grow?