When you leave your kids and your husband for 3 days, your always a little nervous to what you’ll come home to….there is always good and there is always bad.

Now the bad wasn’t soooo bad as far as the house and kids were concerned…

Nothing a little straightening couldn’t handle.

No broken bones.

But the garden had a few hiccups…

The Powdery Mildew we’ve been fighting on the Zucchini and Yellow Neck Squash has won.  We could continue to fight it, but we opted to remove the plants as it was just getting too tough to keep ahead of it.  Plus we’re just too new to growing veggies and truly have enough on the plate with the Littles not to have to “babysit” the squash too!  We started again with little plantings tonight and will try diligently to keep those little guys safe!

So very sad. this is not Powdery Mildew, not sure what it is.  I just know I don’t plan to eat it!

But THESE I plan to eat!  Are you kidding me?

This falls into the “Good” category!  We are growing corn, who knew!?!?

There are currently 5 ears and we are thrilled!

And Red Peppers…though they aren’t red yet…

And Jalapenos….which would be hot I think, even now.

Oh Jack!  Have we got some beanstalks for you!  We picked some beans tonight…hysterical, they look like alien fingers…just wait until I post them!  These suckers will grow to the moon and back….give em something to climb and they are off.  We had to save the Avocado tree that is next to this raised bed as they started wrapping around its branches and climbing it too…poor thing!

Would you believe artichokes?  I’m still in awe over this!  Seriously, who knew we could grow this!?!?

Raised bed #1 (this is where it started)

Raised bed #2…

Loved seeing this!  The cinder block wall holds a dear place in my heart now (not when we moved in) because of the heat it gives the garden.  What I like in this photo is the vines growing pumpkins, the nasturtiums growing strong and the sunflower baby leaves….this should add so much more life to this dreary wall!  And loads of fun for the kids come fall.

Picked a tray full of veggies and fruits when I got home.

Stay tuned for a post on a super easy Zucchini Carbonara,

and a scrumptious Buttermilk Plum and Peach Cake!