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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NonSchooling Classroom Update no. 1

I shared some photos on my twitter and instagram of our new classroom and guest room and thought I should probably share them here as well, with a little more information and a little decor analysis for those of you also looking to set up a classroom in your own home.

Here's what we've got going on in our 10x10 guest room...

My istacollage.

 This chalkboard is an upcycled gift from a sweet friend, her church had a few they were going to toss {its not in NEW condition but still got a little life left in it}. It cost nothing to install! The globe pictured on this shelf was a regift from my father-in-law. It's got beautiful gems and minerals for the continents and countries.  Husband's work printed those letters for a textbook company and this was a sample.  I also added these bins {in grey} to the top shelf of this ikea bookself.  Since I had the bookshelf from another room I'm not counting the original $89 cost.  But the 4 bins did bring me to just over $52 investment for this section of our classroom. But that's what I get for buying new...

This corner of the room was almost all upcycled as well.  My sister in law gave us this dresser when she moved out.  Good condition and free, but I'm planning on splurging on some anthropologie knobs {one, two, three, four, or five}.  The mirror was upcycled from my father-in-laws house and the tea cups were from my collection now on proper display.  That vintage sewing machine {that probably doesn't work} was  $10 donation find at a church garage sale.  The drawers are reserved for guests although a few of them are filled with printer paper and classroom supplies.

Not pictured: desk also gifted from my sister in law and matching chair.

Not yet purchased: World Map to hang above said desk.


And that's our current classroom, I'm sure you'll see more of it as you follow along with our non-schooling process and as I complete more D.I.Y. Projects for the room.  Thanks for reading along!

-Jenn

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Garden Update Fall 2013

After diligent watering night and day, we're finally starting to see some sproutlings!

I think these are the plants coming up, I documented where I planted everything via photographs and now I'm having a hard time finding the images.  I don't really label anymore, since my sticks become brittle so quickly here from the sun, instead I just document where the seeds go, although, once the plant is a bit bigger I can identify it without labels anyway.  

Here is my adorable baby basil plant(s)  I over planted because last time they didn't come in very well.  I'm going to be heartbroken when I have to murder most of these little plants, but that's gardening for you... Only the strongest, healthiest survive.

The best part about gardening isn't just the food we get to eat; it's the interaction between nature and my daughters.  They are both learning how much work goes into food.  They know we don't take more than we can eat.  Wastefulness is not an option.  It's a disgusting characteristic and we are grateful for everything we have.  For everything we consume something must be sacrificed, we don't take this relationship for granted, we are not disrespectful, we are not selfish.  We appreciate the sacrifices made for us, each day, everyday.  We are honored to take what was once a plant or animal and turn it into energy and live fully with that gift.  In this world nothing is created or destroyed, simply transformed.  

Happy Gardening,
Jenn

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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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Fall 2012 Garden Update no. 2

What's growing in our garden this Fall, an update...

We invested in these lovely metal yard dividers to keep the dogs out of the garden.

They sort of work.

 Here's what the whole garden looks like.

This is Oregano I purchased at Trader Joe's and have been too busy to replant. 

This is our Spaghetti Squash. {it doesn't look this good after the "cold" front we've had this week, but I think it will come back just fine in a few days.}

Kale and other leafy greens sneaking in the photo. 

I was so excited to see this little tomato plant, but when I checked on it today, I couldn't find it.

That cold front must have killed it. 

Spring salad mix. 

Pumpkin! 

My Fairy Tale and Italian Squashes were doing good up until a few weeks ago, I think they're done for, but here's to hoping. {I still water the whole area, so they might make a comeback} 

Fairy Tale Squash {up until a few days ago, now it's looking pretty gone} 

Carrots! 

Sugar Pumpkins {also probably gone after this cold front} 

Look how nicely they were coming in! 

More Pumpkins 

Thanks for following along with our garden progress, I'll post again when we get some produce to eat! Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long!

-Jenn

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Fall 2012 Garden Update no. 1

Meant to share these back in October, but here is the start to our Fall Garden!  We actually have a lot more progress than these photos show.  So, I'll be sure to snap some photographs this week and give you another update!

Until then, here are our happy seedlings from this season...

Lettuce Seedlings {above} 

 Squash Seedlings {above}

 A Pumpkin!  {above}

 The Pumpkin was started indoors in August and transferred Successfully! outside in September.

This fall, I planted Spaghetti Squash, Kale, Lettuce, Carrots, Tomatoes, Yellow Squash, Fairy Tale Squash and Pumpkins!  Everything was planted from seed and the tomatoes are the only things I haven't seen yet.  Another update coming soon!

-Jennifer

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Master Bedroom {Done.Done.&Done... mostly}

I'm so excited to be done with our bedroom!  I was really starting to get frustrated that I was going to have to birth in an unfinished room.  But, Husband was getting sick of it too and gave me the go ahead to get the last few items and he even did all the assembly for the pieces.  I guess the nice thing about co-sleeping is that instead of nesting a nursery for our baby, we nested our family bedroom.  Still not sure how the toddler sleeping situation is going to play out, but for now our room is done and we're very happy with the results. Previous posts regarding our bedroom update can be found here.

View from the doorway. 

Husband picked out this frame from Ikea.

Comforter here.

Sheets here.

Nightstands from thrift store, repurposed and painted {full post here}

Curtains are from Target available here.

{please excuse my prenatal vitamin overflow on my nightstand}

That curtain is covering up the bathroom entrance.  It used to be a pocket door but when we moved in it was just a walkway.  Now, there is a little more privacy.

New outlet covers and light switches from Home Depot

Purple wall is Spiced Plum from Home Depot primer and paint in one by Behr

For the closet I used a tension rod {in the shower department},

but used the same curtains found here.

Door knobs are from home depot.

Detail of the Henna Curtains 

I was going to make my own closet cover and curtains but when I went to buy the rods I found this fabric and so I got it.  It sort of felt like cheating, except I had been looking for fabric for months and I never found what I wanted, so even though they were already sewn and I had to buy them new, it was totally worth it! 

The Curtain Rods are also from Target and available here.

And just to give you an idea of what I started with here are the Befores and Afters...

pale pink upon move in.

My original color scheme and D.I.Y. closet cover.

Finished.

From the doorway, more pale pink WALLPAPER!

My first color scheme.

My FINISHED Moroccan master bedroom.

Well, mostly finished.  I still need to get a proper light and fan purchased and installed, which can wait until spring 2013 {maybe this, this or this one}.  I also want this mirror form Ikea for the purple wall. AND we need a wool rug, maybe a runner or full.  

Hope you like the upgrade, we sure do!

Jenn

p.s. If you're curious how much a redecor. project like this runs, I'd say including the bed, mattress, night stands, curtains and lanterns, basically EVERYTHING in this room... about $1000 maybe $1200.  

Breakdown: Bedding about $200, curtains $250ish, Bed Frame and Mattress 600? (should have kept the receipt), Nightstands $15 plus paint, Lanterns $25 each, Outlet covers & door knobs maybe another $25?

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