Catch-up Post
I really do like doing the blog. But I always procrastinate uploading new pictures from the camera onto the computer. When I do finally upload, I have pictures from many different topics and I don't want to make different posts or you might miss some. So here are some new pictures to update you on what we're up to.
They came to help Isaac fix part of our gutters.
Isaac and his dad built a really neat scaffolding system on our kitchen roof. It was extremely sturdy, and is still there so that Isaac can use it to work on the chimney for our new woodstove.
Another view of the scaffolding.
I did manage to plant some flowers this year, but they're mostly annuals.
Isaac built a compost bin, which turned out so nice that we have it prominently displayed instead of hidden behind the barn.
Isaac tilled four 20 by 20 garden plots in a cute four square arrangement with grass paths inbetween. We planted a fall garden in one of the plots (shown above - looks kind of like a pet cemetery!) We planted carrots, cucumbers, lettuces, cabbages, broccoli raab, and bush beans. We'll see what comes of it.
Click on the picture above to enlarge it. Then you can see the pretty red and green apples on our apple tree. They are very good!
Our plot of 'Peaches and Cream' sweet corn and 3 tomato plants. We spent several evenings hand picking cucumber beetles off of them, with no appreciable change in the population. They chewed a lot of the silks, so we may not have a huge yield.
There are some advantages to looking carefully at your corn. As I walked along knocking beetles into my jar of water and saying "cucumber beetle" over and over in my head, I noticed this cute little guy. My first thought was, "Man, I hope he's eating these cucumber beetles!"
Sam came and distracted me from my unpleasant task.
We have had such beautiful evenings recently, so Sam and Isaac camped out twice this weekend in the backyard, in preparation for the annual fall backpacking trip. Here he is modeling his new bookbag, which he packed with a flashlight and books.
Nana bought Sam this bookbag two weeks ago. He's going to use it for preschool. We visited the preschool today and Sam loved all the toys. He officially starts in a week. Isaac ordered him a "real" backpack last night for backpacking. He's going to be expected to carry his own sleeping bag and water, but only for about 2 miles a day.
I took Sam to Bicycle Safety Town a month ago. It's a place in Peoria where kids can ride bikes in a huge park with roads, street signs, etc. This picture shows his cool bike, which he can coast with for several yards at a time by running to build up speed, then picking up his feet.
Isaac put in a 30 amp outlet on our barn, so now we can have travel trailers hooked up on our property. So if you have one, hook it up and drive on over! We don't charge a fee, and we make yummy breakfasts, too.
See, your trailer could look like this! Isaac's parents came the weekend before last, and enjoyed some privacy while visiting relatives (a rare luxury).
They came to help Isaac fix part of our gutters.
Isaac and his dad built a really neat scaffolding system on our kitchen roof. It was extremely sturdy, and is still there so that Isaac can use it to work on the chimney for our new woodstove.
Another view of the scaffolding.
I did manage to plant some flowers this year, but they're mostly annuals.
Isaac built a compost bin, which turned out so nice that we have it prominently displayed instead of hidden behind the barn.
Isaac tilled four 20 by 20 garden plots in a cute four square arrangement with grass paths inbetween. We planted a fall garden in one of the plots (shown above - looks kind of like a pet cemetery!) We planted carrots, cucumbers, lettuces, cabbages, broccoli raab, and bush beans. We'll see what comes of it.
Click on the picture above to enlarge it. Then you can see the pretty red and green apples on our apple tree. They are very good!
Our plot of 'Peaches and Cream' sweet corn and 3 tomato plants. We spent several evenings hand picking cucumber beetles off of them, with no appreciable change in the population. They chewed a lot of the silks, so we may not have a huge yield.
There are some advantages to looking carefully at your corn. As I walked along knocking beetles into my jar of water and saying "cucumber beetle" over and over in my head, I noticed this cute little guy. My first thought was, "Man, I hope he's eating these cucumber beetles!"
Sam came and distracted me from my unpleasant task.
We have had such beautiful evenings recently, so Sam and Isaac camped out twice this weekend in the backyard, in preparation for the annual fall backpacking trip. Here he is modeling his new bookbag, which he packed with a flashlight and books.
Nana bought Sam this bookbag two weeks ago. He's going to use it for preschool. We visited the preschool today and Sam loved all the toys. He officially starts in a week. Isaac ordered him a "real" backpack last night for backpacking. He's going to be expected to carry his own sleeping bag and water, but only for about 2 miles a day. 
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