The Victory Garden: How does your garden grow?

The summer days are quickly passing me by and yet on these hot July days it seems as if there will be no end to it. Being at the halfway point I thought I'd update you on my garden. I have only harvested some herbs and arugula but it's coming on like gangbusters despite my late planting schedule and lack of rain. My preference is rain water for my garden but that is not in the forecast. I did acquire a rain barrel but we would need some rain to fill it first. The potato plants are coming along nicely, and we have only found one potato bug on them this year!

This quadrant contains arugula, potatoes, basil, chives, and sunflowers.

 I have followed my garden design but some plants appeared and disappeared on their own. For instance these huge pumpkin plants showed up by themselves and when the were small it was hard to differentiate them from zucchini plants. Sure now it's obvious! I have been trimming them regularly so as not to loose my beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Please sign the list if you would like a pie pumpkin this fall!

The two east quadrants contain tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and pumpkins.

Cilantro is randomly sprinkled through out my garden too.
My cucumbers are behind but my neighbors usually ask me to take some off their hands once they are sick of pickling. I gladly oblige them.
My lavender is blooming and smells heavenly...think I'll slip some in my pillowcase tonight. My brother gave me the lavender and some rosemary, thanks little brother!

The last quadrant contains lavender, rosemary, zucchini, and more pumpkins.

The middle of my garden has some eucalyptus and flowers such as stock.
I only purchased two varieties of tomatoes this year and had lots of returning plants. I did sprinkle cornmeal around the base in hopes of warding off blight. It's probably time to give them a second round.

Trying to keep the pumpkin vines at bay so my wax beans can flourish.

Weeding has slowed down but there are plenty of other to do's. The tomatoes will need to be tied up with nylons and there is still the business of making a fence for my cucumbers to climb up. No wonder summer flies by, the garden keeps you busy. Taking stock I would have to say I am disappointed that none of my jalapeno pepper seeds came up, but I prefer the grass paths over mulch paths. Much softer on the feet!
 Although I do not have enough space to plant enough for preserving, it is gratifying to be able to feed my family from our back yard. Now that's local!

The Victory Garden

There is a certain comfort in working the earth. The Amish believe it brings you closer to God. At the very least I think it brings you closer to your spirit. Simple things in life like fresh laundry on the line, grass in your toes and gardening can be very sweet. Not since WWII has there been such a trend in gardening to save money. Some gardeners have even quantified the savings.
There is a great debate about when to start your garden. Some gardeners swear by planting after Memorial Day, so as to avoid the frost. This year's weather proved that theory wrong. I planted my garden on Memorial Day and thankfully my garden is in a warm spot tucked between houses so it escaped the late spring frosts. First, I recruited professional help for my design. I am the first to admit that I am clueless about what plants do better in sun, shade, my zone, etc. A Spark o Life sent me a beautiful design with my wish list of plants and veggies.

Ready to grow! My garden is an 18' diameter circle.

This year I will venture to try cucumbers and train them up a fence! I will keep you updated on that venture.  What will go in my victory garden this year? Well I have tomatoes, potatoes, jalapenos, lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, cut flowers, and various herbs. While I could do a whole garden of exclusively herbs my family does prefer some other fresh veggies.

This year, for my son, I decided to grow cut flowers.

Off to a dry start, I did lose one of my herbs (although I do still hold out hope for it) and had to buy a replacement. Everything seems to be going well with some sprinkler treatments.

Although he got a new shovel and hoe this year, he favors the shovel.

Trying to keep the weeds at bay might prove difficult with my busy schedule but I will try my best!
At the very least I know my children LOVE helping me in the garden and are learning valuable life lessons.

He could have dug holes all day.
He did a great job of planting and "pulling the covers up
tight and tucking them in" as my grandmother would say.

My youngest, who seems to have a deep affinity for gardening, asks me how I know so much about gardening. My reply is, "I learned from helping your great-grandmother in her garden." My grandparents instilled so much valuable knowledge in me with their garden. It is wisdom I will always cherish.

Not unlike my children it is truly amazing how the garden grows.

 Even if I do not garden to the extent of my grandparents, I can appreciate my little garden. After all every little bit helps. "Food fights for Freedom!"

Happy gardening, Victory Girls!

40's Hairstyle Tutorial with a large flower

Today I think I will wear a flower!

Very cute I know, last night I took the time to roll my hair in the foam rollers. When I roll my
hair in the foam rollers I get two days of nice curls.

I just added some styling gel while damp, then rolled hair in the direction of the arrows.
I take care not to roll the rollers tight to my scalp except the bangs.
This is probably a matter of preference, but if you do not have a lot of layers,
as in the middy cut, it will get a bit puffy.
Plus, I find it easier to sleep on.

Then take the front section of your hair/bangs, backcomb the hair and then roll up and secure with bobby pins. Try to get the ends of the hair at the bottom  of your curl and secured with the pins.

Then do the same for the side section, rolling in an upward direction.

Hard to see, but there's the bobby pins.

Always check the back of your hairstyle.

 I usually plug in my curling iron when I start in case there are a few sections of hair that need smoothing.

Spray down any fly aways.

Flower looks good here.

Take a section of hair, twist, and pull back. Secure with bobby pins.

My big bobby pin that I am going to secure my flower with.

I also use more small bobby pins since this is a larger, heavier flower.

All done, time to go knock 'em dead!