Saw it coming

I think I knew deep down I wouldn't keep up with a blog as often as I thought I would. But just having one and knowing I make goals keeps them in the front of my mind, even if I don't "write down" my updates. As the new year begins, I do have goals for each of the main areas I did last year and hope to continue working toward bettering myself in those ways. So, just so I keep them in mind, I'm going to at least write out my goals for this year.

1. Spiritually: This may be vague, but I need to work on my prayer relationship with God... remembering him throughout the day and talking to Him often. Secondly, to read and study the Bible more- focusing on passages for days at a time to draw a deeper understanding and remembrance.

2. Physically: I do not intend to do intense work-out routines or anything, but my main goal is to tone muscles and increase flexibility. Brisk walking, pull-ups, push-ups, ab routine, and yoga. With eating, I intend to cut nearly all processed and sugar foods from grocery shopping and focus on buying lean meats, organic fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. No more sugary drinks- just teas, and lots of water.

3. Mentally: I realized pushing myself to make myself read did not work last year, so instead I plan on always having a book that I am reading but not putting a time limit on when to finish and start the next. I'm currently reading The Maze Runner and have a few other books in mind I would like to read this year.

4. Socially: Sending cards, notes, and gifts to people who need encouragement or who are sick. Also birthday/anniversary cards!!!! I'm so bad at this! I need to do better. My mom and aunt and granny are so good about it and I want to be the same way!

Creative Planting

So it seems all my recent posts have been about my plants, but besides work and school, that's about the only area I've been making progress in! I did get a job offer as an Interventionist in the Camdenton School District, so that's definitely exciting news and enough to keep me on my toes this school year!

Since it seems I've been acquiring more and more plants, and pots are too expensive for my taste, I've tried to come up with some cheap solutions for containers. I found these sand buckets at the Dollar Store and think they make nice little homes for my mint plants! Plus the shovel makes a good marker!

                                         

As for my other plants, two of my tomato plants now have several flowers, as well as two of my jalapeno plants! Next step, vegetables (*crosses fingers*)

My other herbs are in a large round container.

...And I guess they are doing pretty well. I added a sage, chive, and thyme plant that I got on clearance at Wal-Mart for $1 each. I've been cooking with a few already and I looove it :)

Now hopefully the next time I update, I'll be eating some homemade salsa with my tomatoes and jalapenos?

Will I have vegetables soon?!

 

Well, the weather has gotten much warmer and my plants are getting much bigger! In this pic you see (from the right) a cherry tomato plant, a beefsteak tomato plant, two jalapeno pepper plants (in the middle back), a zucchini squash seedling recently planted and coming up (in middle front), another cherry tomato, and a vinca vine with basil coming up, then my hanging basket. :)

All is still growing well... I can't believe I've kept them alive from tiny seeds! However, my current concern is that the tomato plants do not have any yellow flowers (showing fruiting) yet... and they should be about now! So I'm going to try a few things I've heard may help (stressing them by watering much less, tomato food, etc.) Will I have vegetables soon?! We will see!!!

Patio Garden Update

Here are some pics of my growing patio garden! I worked on it some today; did some repotting, added some new plants, added more soil, fed, tidyed up, etc. Unfortunately, the patio has been getting less sun lately...so I hope the plants keep doing well. Of course we'll be moving in a couple months, as well, so I also hope they make the transport and have a sunny home at our new place!

[Plants: flowers (germanium & loebelia), herbs (basil & oregano), vegetables (beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, buttercrunch lettuce) and also a vinca vine!]

Mid-May Updates

Surprisingly, my plants are alive and thriving! The tomato plants are about 8-10 inches high... I will be amazed and ECSTATIC if I can get them to yield tomatoes this summer!

The most recent book I've started is The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan (first of the Percy Jackson series). I didn't think greek mythology fiction would appeal to me, but I am enjoying the read. Plus Rick Riordan just won a Mark Twain award this year and was voted one of the best author's by young readers, so I figure I need to get in the game here and see what he's about.

*sighs* My P90X routine has seemingly slipped into oblivion. But not to worry, I will pick it back up. I really liked the work-out while I was doing it everyday and it's definitely something I want to continue.

Also, I've been doing a few crafts here and there. Still have yet to begin the apron, but I have made two wreaths for Mother's day last week. They turned out super cute and surprisingly simple!

That's about all the updates I have! Let's see I covered my patio garden, books, fitness, projects, oh so HEALTH and BIBLE READING! I've still been incorporating lots of fruit and vegetables into our daily meals and loving it. Last night we had grilled pineapple (Mmmm...) with grilled chicken! And Bible Reading is going well as I am teaching the K-1 class at Eastside. That's a whole other story...but it's going well ;)

April Reading

This month I am continuing to read Patriots, since I slacked last month and didn't read much of it. Also for non-fiction I am reading 1801 Home Remedies published by Reader's Digest. It has a lot of great ideas for treating different health problems, burns, cuts, etc., to homemade cleaning ideas. It will be a light read and I'm looking forward to it!

They grow up so fast

 My Tomato babies ^

Basil as you see. Perhaps this year my green thumb will stay green! :) Maybe?!