By henryjn, on May 13th, 2010%
I’ve added a badge on the left for The Shop. Yes, I’m opening up shop again. Selling bags, aprons and small accessories. I’ve gotten started sewing and am going to work steadily for the next few weeks to get things all set up. Stay tuned for the grand opening date!!
This year’s garden is coming along nicely and I think it’s the best yet because we were really selective with the type of plants. Planting ones that we will actually eat. We planted all four garden boxes back in April with the following:
Box 1:: 6 tomato plants and 3 each of yellow squash and zucchini
Box 2:: 3 Basil, 2 Thyme, 1 Orange Mint, 1 Parsley transplant, 1 Cilantro, 2 Tomato, 4 Bell Pepper, 1 Jalepeno, 1Datil Pepper and a couple dozen Red Onions
Box 3:: 1 Thorn-less Blackberry bush and 5 strawberry plants
Box 4:: 4 Blueberry bushes and a few watermelons
Since we were planting late and had not started any seedlings, we started with plants for everything. So far, we’ve gotten a few strawberries and two yellow squash. We had two actual blueberries and were patiently waiting for them to ripen, but just discovered that they were eaten by the birds. I’m planning on making lots of Pioneer Woman’s Pico de gallo, hence the tomatoes, cilantro, red onions and jalepenos. My mouth is watering as I write. The kids all love fruit, way more than the veggies, well 100% more than the veggies. So we planted strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. If I can just keep the birds and the kids from eating them as they grow, I might just be able to make a pie someday.
Up-close Look at the Garden:
This morning we were checking out the garden, when we discovered that one of the bell pepper plants had almost been totally eaten. We were looking around it when Jay noticed a bright green caterpillar that was looking very plump, thanks to that lovely bell pepper plant that we had so generously put there for him to munch. We pinched off the branch it was holding on to and placed him in one of our many caterpillar jars. After his photo shoot, I decided to go through the other plants to see what else was hanging around. I found 6 more of his Tomato Horn-worm buddies. I think it’s time to take some action, serious action of the pesticide variety.
Overall View of the Garden:
Here is what the garden is looking like now, a month after planting. We are learning as we go for sure and are far from knowing what we are doing. I have learned that it is fun to plant fruits and veggies because they are bringing wildlife literally to our back door. It gives us things to look up and learn about in a very practical and hands-on way. The little bit of food we yield is a bonus.
One more thing, do you see that big thing behind the garden? Well, that is a new to us playground that our very generous neighbors across the street gave us. The kids are out there everyday swinging away- Hooray for neighbors!!
By henryjn, on March 16th, 2010%
:: bluebird couple
:: hoping the bluebirds will take up this nice little home for the spring
:: american robin
:: red-bellied woodpecker (what’s up with that name? aren’t their heads red?)
:: a very popular tree for the woodpeckers in our area
:: any guesses on this bird? maybe a western meadowlark??
By henryjn, on March 2nd, 2010%
I had the opportunity to go on location to a, just for fun and to improve my photography skills, photo-shoot with the Canvas photography group. The location was on my sister’s property out in Bostwick- with deer, peacocks, baby calves, a horse, some dogs, and a pond with geese, ducks and a beautiful swan. The day was perfect for shooting, it was cool, yet the sun warmed everything up and provided the perfect lighting.
I’ve been teaching myself Photoshop for about a year now. It’s been a slow process. Working through online tutorials and using actions from here and here to give my photos that little extra interest.
I created before and afters for a few of the photos from my Kellerosa Photo-shoot. For these photos, I used Photoshop CS3, deleted any extra light or distracting elements and gave the eyes some attention. Then, I ran Pioneer Woman’s “Lovely and Ethereal” action from the updated set. Finally, I added PW’s Quick Edge Burn action and adjusted the opacity to suit each photo.
PS is totally addicting and takes up way too much time, but after an hour or two of working with my photos in PS, I have a permanent smile on my face for at least 30 minutes and that my friends makes it worth while. To see more photos from the shoot, go to my set on Flickr.
By henryjn, on January 27th, 2010%
:: harvesting carrots
:: preparing the raised bed for new seeds very soon, sparkle shoes required!
By henryjn, on January 15th, 2010%
The kids and I had the chance to join Jay for a business trip in South Florida for a few days earlier in the week. Before we had children, we lived there and met many amazing people that we will be forever tied to. We visited with our friends, hit the beach to play and explored The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton. The nature center was housing over 60 injured and sick sea turtles because of the surprisingly cold temperatures for South Florida. They normally have room for 7-9 turtles, so they were having to be very creative to house them. It was a fun visit…thanks to our friends that fed us and kept us company!
:: taking in the sun
:: a peaceful moment
:: Delray Beach in January
:: Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton
:: baby sea turtles being saved from the cold
By henryjn, on January 5th, 2010%
I love fresh starts, a brand-spankin’ new white calendar. I love to plan and fill in what’s going on and get ready for a new year. This year, I’ve already cleaned up the house and rearranged again. There is a good feeling I get when I can move some furniture around and the kids start spending time in a new spot and rediscover toys or crafts or books that we’ve had all along. I’ve got a new schedule all mapped out for us for 2010. I know from experience it’s not going to last, life will get in the way, but a girl has to have some goals and direction doesn’t she.
I wish I could go back and share all that has happened over the month or two since I last posted, but there’s just too much to cover and I just don’t have the words or time for that matter. I want to share photos of Christmas presents I made, but I don’t have the pictures. There were two yoga mat bags, this ball and a Wee Elephant named Peanut, two capes with hoods and a mermaid doll all handmade by me. (photo links are not mine, but found via Google) Our Christmas break was very nice. We stayed home a lot, all together and enjoyed an extended holiday with Daddy home to play games with and just be.
Now it’s back to reality for everyone. It’s cold though. Too cold to play outside. Which is a weird thing for us. I’ve had a fire going most of today and we are expecting really cold temperatures the rest of the week.
I’m starting a new project inspired by my desire to become a better photographer. It is an idea that I found while reading this blog.
You can check out my new project here:
emerald lane :: 100 PHOTOS
If you want to join me and others to become a better photographer, go to one hundred photos and leave a comment and Toni will add you to the list of participants on her sidebar. Even if you don’t have a blog, try it and post them to Facebook or to your own album. It will challenge you.
By henryjn, on November 2nd, 2009%
We traveled to the North Carolina Mountains last week to catch a glimpse of the fall color and cooler temperatures.
It was just breathtaking!
The kids even noticed the leaves while they were watching a movie in the car. Which I thought was amazing, since they look like they are comatose when they are tuned in.
It’s really that amazing!!
We stayed in Bryson City, NC home of Deep Creek and the Smoky Mountain Railroad. Our little rustic cabin was just the right size for us and two little space heaters kept us fairly warm during the cold nights.
We hiked in the National Park on our first full day and saw three different waterfalls on three short hikes. The boys enjoyed skipping rocks in the creek and trying to climb various trees and slopes. Erin liked the waterfalls and did some hiking of her own even though I was worried her little pink shoes with white trim would get muddy. She was supposed to ride in the backpack, but she got a little heavy after a while.
On our second full day, we drove over to Fontana Dam and enjoyed some scenic views of the mountains. Then, we took a final hike on the Appalachian Trail and played in the leaves. It was just nice to see “Fall” and experience what most people see every October. The kids were glad to go, but were thankful we were going home to warm Florida. Native Floridians don’t do well in colder temperatures.
:: Deep Creek
:: Check out that color
:: One of the three waterfalls
:: Cute little hiker with Ella her elephant blankie
:: our little cabin
:: view from Fontana Dam
:: a break from the trail
:: love these colors
:: making a leaf angel
By henryjn, on October 13th, 2009%
When it is still H-O-T in October what do you do?
When you live in Florida you spend time near or in the water.
Saturday we enjoyed this park…
:: Spring run into the St. Johns River
:: The cousins playing Pooh Sticks
Sunday, an afternoon on the beach…
:: digging in the sand
:: watching and chasing these birds
:: mud and water fights with Dad
:: cooking dinner and smores over the coals
:: enjoying the sweet goodness of the roasted mellow combined with chocolate and graham crackers
The End.
By henryjn, on October 1st, 2009%
By henryjn, on September 29th, 2009%
Little signs of a new season are starting to arrive late in September. Some leaves are changing and a nice cool-er breeze is making is possible to be outside in the morning and late afternoon.
We’ve planted another box garden next to the first one with onions, carrots, spinach and lettuce. The first box has been growing well, but we’ve been fighting off some worms. Jay has sprayed with pesticide and has now resorted to bagging the watermelons to keep the bugs out.
:: melon worm we found in a small watermelon
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Welcome I am Nancy Henry, mother to three really cool children, wife, designer, crafter, camera girl and a struggling writer. I share some of our life here when I get the chance. The focus is on the everyday and the beauty it beholds. Enjoy your stay and let me know you stopped by!
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