Pickling

If you are craving pickles, you should head on over! Yesterday I picked 7 fresh cucumbers from the garden. Knowing that I couldn't eat enough salads for that many cucumbers to be involved in, I used some old jam jars and a pickle mix and made some of my own pickles! It was very fun. Charlotte and I got a lot done today - we hung at the pool with our friends for a long time, did sock laundry (the worst!), weeded the garden and mowed the foot long grass in the backyard despite much protest from the lawnmower. I also had to get out some weedkiller. Apparently some very determined weeds are busting right through the landscape fabric and mulch in the rose bed. More mulch may be needed. Anyway, it is good to keep busy while Helaman works so much. We miss you H!

Visitors

This weekend Steve and Kalina came to visit us from Houston to celebrate a hot, hot, humid weekend here. Thanks for hanging out and leaving so many good treats and leftovers in our fridge! Charlotte keeps asking for "Steves" and "Tina" who she loved playing with. We will see you soon!

Summer Happenings

Last week the Ericksons came to visit us during Helaman's week off. We had fun going to the Book Depository Museum downtown, visiting family, eating out and seeing Charlotte follow her "honey" and "bear" around. She still won't say "grandpa" or "grandma"! We've had a hard time adjusting to Helaman's being gone all the time after having him home all year. He's now working 12 hour shifts every day, and staying overnight on call every few days.
Our first garden harvest were these two HUGE, delicious cucumbers! I had just about given up on the plants producing anything, but these were hidden amongst all the leaves.
I can't even keep up with the garden's growth - the corn is as high as the fence and we can see the ears developing. Yum!!!
Our favorite little plant is also growing like crazy so we got her a real bed to sleep in. She loves climbing in and out of it.