Monthly Archives: May 2026

Sunday Garden Update- Spring planting complete!

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Saturday we spent most of the day working outside. I managed to weed a couple of the flower beds, and we ended up planting out all the peppers in 2 and half green stalks. After a stop at a local farm stand and an additional trip to Lowes, we also finished filling all three green stalks.  We planted out green beans and seeds to replace the loofa gourds that the frost killed.   My plan was to go outside today and take lots of pictures to share like this one.
I was so excited to share that we have squash plants, cantaloupe and more watermelon plants and zucchini plants that have germinated as well.  The only sad news was that multiple tomato plants were damaged and lost from the frost  this week.  I was actually taking pictures when I discovered this…
Yes something has decided to start using my garden and hard work as a snack buffet. Matt and I scrambled around to try and put up some barriers to stop the attack before it gets worse.  We added a pallet to the only entrance to these plants as well as some wire fencing on one side.
I am hoping this works otherwise we have to figure out what and how to barricade the side closest to the house as well. I re aimed the camera in hopes that if the critter is coming in from the house side the cameras will capture.  I will definitely keep posting about this.
Maybe next week a picture heavy post with lots of sprouts and things!

Summer Goals

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It occurred to me that I need to start planning or at least thinking about the summer and what goals I want to work toward.  I counted up, I will have 10 weeks this summer.  I know that for at least 2 of those weeks we are on vacations so I am going to set goals based on 8 weeks.
1. Make and order 8 photo books.
2.  Read a total of 8 books.
3. Make and freeze 12 baked ziti’s
4. Make and freeze 6 million dollar spaghetti pies
5. Make and freeze 6 pans of chicken enchiladas.
6. Either walk or exercise 3 times a week for at least 8 weeks
7. Make and freeze 6 taco pastas
8. Make and freeze 6 chicken, broccoli rice casseroles.
9. Make at least 50 meatballs and freeze
The one sad thing about this list is it is going to be expensive to purchase the ingredients but I know how the convivence makes it so nice. Now that this is written out  I am accountable.

Monday Menu Planning

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I am divided, I do not know or feel like the first of May on one hand but on the other side, I feel like I am starting to get into a better routine and catch up with my life. May has been called “Miss it May” and this is true for my work schedule but we have lots of different things happening around here. Braxton has ballgames, E has appointments and Kendall is graduating both Community College and High School this month.   So my brain and body need to get together and make it happen. This week we have lots of appointments and both ballgames are at 6pm which means we likely will not make it to either but we will try.

Breakfast- Saturday- Jimmy Dean Croissants . Sunday- I had gravy toast.    Monday-Sausage biscuits homemade, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday– find it (oatmeal, omelets, cereal and milk, sausage, pop-tarts ,cereal bars, pancakes and eggs)My goal is to make a baked oatmeal for one  morning  this week but we will see.

Lunch- Saturday- Lunch at the Zoo  Sunday- Christos   Left-overs are always great for lunches.

Dinner- Saturday- Mexican Truck at Campground Sunday- Homemade biscuits   Monday-Hot Dogs and Chips  Tuesday-  Salsa Chicken and Mexican rice Wednesday-Ham and Broccoli casserole Thursday-  KFC bowls  Friday-  Left-overs.

Gardening Update

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I am so glad I decided to leave the peppers in the greenhouse. We have had two nights of frost this week.  Luckily most of our tomatoes are still protected by the beds but other plants are not as lucky.  I am going to list each plant and then tell you plus or minus from last week. But first I did go ahead and put in the effort to replant some things with poor germinations rates. We planted more Anaheim peppers, only one survived my watering failure.  I also planted a whole row of cantaloupe (only 1 germinated). I also heavily seeded the watermelon (again only 1 germinated).  I replanted with double seeds the yellow summer squash as none had germinated. I also planted an additional 5 seeds for the zucchini. 4 zucchini germinated but the last couple of frost have damaged at least 2.

We have two additional days of temperatures dropping into the forties at night in the next week so I am glad I have decided to hold off planting out the pepper plants they appear to be thriving in the greenhouse and so far I am keeping up with the watering.  We still have 40 pepper plants!  I am on the lookout for a couple of Ashe county pimento plants as well.
Monster yellow- 2
Jalapenos- 3
Lunch box 17 (minus 1)
Rainbow minis 2
Sweet California 15 (plus 1)

We did lose quite a few tomato plants however Zach brought 6 plants home from the school greenhouse so the total only decreased by 1 to 47.
Amish Paste 19 (plus 1)
Tomato ( from seed packet and I will add the free tomato here next time) 13
Cherry Hill 3 (minus 3)
Germain Johnson 5 (minus 4)
Free from school greenhouse 6
Volunteer plants found 3

Green beans we have 26 that germinated but I am thinking that we will lose 4-6 from the frost.
Potatoes 18
Okra 2 (up from none last week)
I had purchased 2 basil plants and both are still alive and it appears I also have germination of basil seeds in my container

Cucumber 2 with one that was killed with the frost. I need to buy a seed packet to replace these.