Garden Fall 2013 Update {November 2013}

I've shared a few images on my instagram {private for family only} and twitter of our garden and realized I hadn't shared much here.  This year I planted quite a bit of plants, from seed, in our garden, here's how they came in...

above: little seedlings and sprouts within a few weeks of being planted.

above: a collage of a few intagramed images.

{while my instagram is private for friends and family in real life, I share all my images without kiddos on twitter}

our pumpkins a few weeks after seedlings, but as you can see the heat of an Arizona August damaged the plant.  It's difficult growing pumpkins here.  While they grow well here, if you don't start early enough they won't be ready by Halloween or even Thanksgiving. And if you plant to early they'll get destroyed by the heat.  I found no later than August gets me a few carvable (Howden) pumpkins, and even more (sugar pumkins) for pies by Thanksgiving!

The basil came in so well!

Kale, I often used for smoothies.

This squash, I think is a fairy squash from seeds I saved.

Some of that fresh picked kale and basil.

and some tomato seeds DID survive and I found a few baby tomatoes!

One of the not yet ripe sugar pumpkins that I'll be making into pie this Thanksgiving.

a Howden, not quite ready for Halloween.

Pumpkins on Sticks {sold at Trader Joes} are actually an eggplant/tomato cousin and mine weren't ready for Halloween, but maybe it will be orange by thanksgiving!

Above: our Halloween pumpkins.

I've added a few new trees and more plants are producing fruit, so I'll have to do another post soon!

How's your garden going? any tips for desert gardens welcome!

-Jennifer

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Camping; October 2013 {photographs and traveling with toddlers & infants}

This past weekend we finally went camping! I've been wanting to go for a few months now, the weather is cooler and Vera is 7 months so I feel very comfortable traveling with her now.  With the government shutdown we knew we wouldn't be able to go to a national forest camp ground, but after doing some research husband found "disbursed camping" in national parks was an alternative. Basically, it's first come first serve and mostly just pull offs of the the side of the road within the forest.  Not sure if it's "legal" but from what we found online, the worst they could do is tell you to leave, but there aren't any park rangers so we thought it would be worth the risk.  And we weren't the only ones, we pasted at least 7 other groups of campers before finding a vacant spot.

We headed up to Prescott area Friday after Husband got home from work, we ended up getting to our site and starting to set up around 8pm.  Husband built the fire {with the help of a store bought burning log} and set up our new tent while I entertained the girls.  I was very impressed with how easy the tent set up, especially for it being the first time and in the dark!  Which is good because for the cost of this tent we could have booked a hotel, but since it was such a good investment, we shouldn't ever have to.

For dinner I brought egg and bean burritos I made earlier in the morning, wrapped in tin foil and let warm up while the tent was being set up.

Went to sleep to camp fire {we put it out} and stars, & woke up to this. 

It was really cold all night and the only way I was able to fall asleep was with these little heat packs you put in your shoes {we put them in between socks}, and that was with lots of layers of merino wool. We think it dropped to 36* f and somehow the girls seemed fine.  Vera slept in this, and Sonja had these and the matching top.

The view from inside the tent was wonderful, once the sun came up it was actually warm out!

Handsome Husband and a warm fire, what else could a girl ask for?

Heating up the pre-brewed coffee!

I made a variation of these granola bars for breakfast.

We enjoyed the views while we ate and got ready for the day.

The girls had a great time! {and thanks Shell for my breastfeeding beanie, get it? It looks like a boob!}

Once we were packed up we drove down to a nearby trail head and went for a hike, but not before documenting the amazing view! 

Minor obstacles didn't stop us from exploring.

Father Daughter moments melt my heart!

Does anyone know what kind of plant this is? The leaves are like velvet. 

Lesson from the hike; Can you eat acorns?

Fall leaves.

Also, what is this plant with the plastic looking fiber {above}?

Here a flower from that velvet lettuce looking plant, still don't know what it is?! 

I wanted to climb this tree but since I had a baby on my back Husband had the honors. 

I get going out to hunt or shoot, but please pick up your brass!

More Acorns, Sonja wanted to take but I made her leave them for the squirrels.

Anyone know what this adorable MINI pepper looking plant/weed is? edible? 

On our way out this little guy decided to say, "hi!"

And just in case you didn't believe all of this was in Arizona, here's a cactus to prove it {Prescott is high desert}

AND that was our camping trip.  Thanks for reading along, if you know the names of any of the plants please let me know in the comments! I'm ashamed I don't know more native plants for the surrounding areas.

xoxo
-Jenn

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Honest to Blog!

So, I've seen this Honest Company on pinterest a few times and I finally clicked on the link to check it out.  The company was founded by Jessica Alba, not only an actress, but also a mom.  I loved that when I looked at the ingredients, they were actually good ingredients....

I tried the free sample with "the essentials" and the diapers.  We love cloth diapers but I thought I'd try these adorable disposables, since we're going to do a combo. of cloth and disposable while in Europe.  The trial was free plus shipping ($5.95). If you're a consistent disposable user they have monthly plans which ship the diapers straight to your door.  Pretty great, because no one likes running out of something and rushing to the store.  

Anyway, here's what I got...

How adorable are these diaper patterns?!

Also, I was stoked to get this practically overnight, so I'd have it in time for a quick trip to New York City with the girls,  I didn't have to go out and buy mini travel shampoos or laundry detergent I got them in this pack!  Also, I'm thrilled I now have a mini stash of wipes for the plane ride.  Holla!

If you're planning on traveling anytime soon, I highly suggest Honest Company's Trial for the travel sized "essentials," alone!

I just thought I'd share here for anyone who is interested and if you sign up under my referral code I get credit towards more diapers.  So check it out, if you love it sign up, if not just enjoy the freebies.

Click here to get your free trial.

xo

-Jenn

*This is not a sponsored post, however, I will be rewarded, with credit, if you continue your membership*

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D.I.Y. Tea Infused Vinegar {Cleaner, Disinfectant and Mop Solution}

I recently bought this tea from Teavana and I LOVE how it smells almost more than it tastes.

We already use orange peels and pineapple skin to create our own vinegar based disinfectant but after brewing this amazing tea I thought I'd try this out to reuse the loose leaf tea.  

I'm so happy I did because a few nights ago Husband said, "Did you add cherries to this vinegar [spray]?!" 

"No. I added tea."

"Oh because it smells awesome."

I store my infused vinegars for about a week in a large ball jar.  Then, I either strain out the particles and mop with 1 buck of water per jar OR I dilute it one part water one part vinegar in a spray bottle {to clean counter tops and glass surfaces}

Happy Infusing!

Jenn

***NOT A SPONSORED POST***

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D.I.Y. Postpartum Witch Hazel Pads

Here's a quick video from during my labor.  I found this trick before Sonja's birth and it helped my yoni {perineum} so much after my last birth I knew I'd need some for this birth.  So, once I knew this was the real deal I grabbed the supplies and let my sister in law make a batch for me.

What you'll need:
super absorbent maxi pads
witch hazel
a freezer

Add witchhazel to maxi pads and freeze.  Use immediately following the birth {as in within the hour}. Repeat as frequently as necessary.

Here's the link for the full video

Happy Home Birthing or Yoni Healing!
Jenn

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Fall Garden 2012 Update No. 3

Technically, it's now 2013 but our garden is still hanging on from fall 2012 .  I'll probably replant in February but thought I'd share one last fall update.  Since, thankfully, the frost didn't kill everything!

Above is our orange tree with just a few fruits this year.  Our tree is new just 4 short years old.  This is the first year the fruit actually tastes like oranges instead of just water!

Also, the lettuce, kale and carrots held on through the frost, I covered them with a blanket/quilt at night and let them sun during the day.  

Unfortunately, our pumpkins and winter squash didn't make it, and we never got to enjoy their fruit.  This year I'll make sure to have seeds in the ground no later than August 1st!

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