Green Thumbs & Dirty Fingernails

I'm guest blogging over at Make & Takes today for my monthly bit on living more sustainably for you and your family.We're talking about gardening with kiddos. There's a great pic (if I do say so myself) of last year's lavender garden and one of my faves of Holden with one of his little gourds. His hair is also ridiculously blonde.

Hope you'll check it out.

Happy Earth Day, of course

Happy Tree Hugger Day Friends! What a GOOD FRIDAY it is!

We have been celebrating all week.

• It started with Meat-Free Monday (and Tuesday, Wed, Thurs and today, actually.)
• Read The Lorax -- again and again and again and again.
• Started my first 'official' bit as a regular contributor for Make & Takes talking about living more sustainably for your family and the planet. If you didn't check it out yesterday, just head on over via HERE.
• And Holden and I spent a good chunk of the day in the dirt and mud and with the worms getting part of our garden prepped. We also got some seeds in the ground; but who knows how they'll do with this weather being so awful.

So last year for Earth Day I did a post about what we were trying to do as a family to be more green. It's funny to look back at that now and see how we don't really 'try' anymore with that list...it's just a part of us. Like Yoda said (paraphrased): There is no try, only do or do not.

But this year, I've got a much bigger list... With the help of Practically Green and a five minute quiz you can see where you rank: somewhere between "barely green" and "wicked green." I didn't make the top cut, as my "Solidly Green" ranking comes with PLENTY of room for improvement; but living sustainably is not an overnight process.

Once you've taken the quiz and your score is tallied, you can earn badges of green honor in different areas of your life. I've gotta admit, I dig my "Natural Baby Badge." I totally double dog dare you to check it out.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary, How Does YOUR Garden Grow?

Perhaps I've mentioned Danny's story about when we were first engaged and he told himself (silly man) that he was getting the whole package if only he could wean me from my love of $500 designer hand bags? So I'm pretty much over the Burberry, but I've traded out passions for organic seeds and garden soil. (I am sooooo good at spending money, if only I could get paid to do it!)

So yes, we've been working on making our gardens grow here at the Mangum-Suite-Mangum household. And I will be the first to admit, I cannot believe it is actually working!

A few weeks ago, I took the following pictures:

Our tomato plants have more than doubled in size and are even bigger today!

The lavender garden is working out splendidly.
I shall have my own collection to use for fancy spa cookies!

Here's a closeup Martha Stewart style.

Beet Row.
And please notice the mint in our lawn. I refuse to let Danny 'treat' it;
because I love how it smells when he mows the lawn, it's the one part of our lawn that stays green through the entire summer AND it's a great to have on hand for my spa cookies. :)

Do you know what I love about growing your own lettuce?


When you eat it, it actually tastes like (wait for it....)
LETTUCE!

I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I just couldn't get over the fact that I actually grew something that was edible (not just wheat grass!)

Here's a closeup you could put some ranch dressing on... actually, it's too good for ranch.

The roses deserve a post all unto themselves... but I will say it's been heavenly cutting fresh flowers for the house. They are not my doing -- credit goes to my Grandma for the success and hardiness of the roses.

My little sister planted strawberries when they were living here. I added to her collection, but only one of my plants took. Like I said, I took these pictures a few weeks ago, so now those little green berries have long since turned to red and been devoured by the birds. Holden and I finally got to taste one today (so generous of the birds to let us indulge). Delicious!

More updates to come!

Mi jardin -OR- For Elwood & Libbie

Do you ever have the feeling like most of your life is a little chaotic and out of control? Or that no matter how many times you dust the electronics, make the bed, or wash your unmentionables, it will all start over again? I mean, I am the first to admit that my house is never thoroughly dusted, and given the choice between folding laundry or baking, I'll take the latter... but have you ever cleaned out a closet, or organized a drawer (or for the corporate types 'cleaned out your inbox?') and suddenly you feel like even though everything else may be (or seem like) a disaster, this one area of organization brings you peace?

That's how I feel about this:

View One

View Two

Years ago, this little spaced flourished as a rose and vegetable garden. My grandparents spent countless hours sowing and nurturing. It was quite a sight to behold. But time takes it toll, and after my grandpa passed away, there was just too much work for my Grandma...

By the time we bought the property (after my Grandma had passed), the white picket fence that used to line the garden had lost a side to a wind storm; and grass and weeds were so overgrown, it was hard to separate where the lawn ended and the 'garden' begun.

So we got some help and filled this:

With this (can you see the pile in the behind Danny?):

Our "helpers" discovered this.. yep, that's rhubarb, hidden in our secret garden!

We brought in this (the soil that is, the kid was already here.)

Danny built me these...

Holden "helps" out and discovers the magical powers of a hose...

And this video is more for our records than for entertainment purposes...

Stay tuned for more adventures from our secret garden....
I think Michael Pollan (and hopefully my grandparents)
would be proud.



This post written in loving memory of Grandpa & Grandma Lambert ("Elwood & Libbie")