Wow I can't believe it has been almost a year since I have had a chance to blog. So many things have happened. I decided when I turned 45 to make this the year of me. I spent the last 20 being wife and mother and not doing anything for myself. I decided the first step would be to return to college to finish my degree which I abandoned when I became pregnant. I took 3 classes per semester. It was tough but I did very well and look forward to the next school year.
I believe I also defeated the rats which took up residence in my back yard last year and ate everything I tried to grow. So far I this summer I have lettuce, spinach, green beans, lima beans, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, green and yellow zucchini, broccoli, egg plant, red peppers, hot peppers, corn, tomatoes, onions, radishes, and carrots. I also added 2 peach trees, 2 blueberry bushes, black raspberries, and a strawberry fountain to the yard along with they usual mix of herbs.
I really have not done much shopping lately except a few things here and there which were free or close to it. My coupon book has suffered from lack of attention while I attended classes and I just have not had the energy to get it back in order. I try to keep up with the websites which help me find the deals but lately we have been living off the land and the over stock I have.

Herb garden with green onions, sage, oregano, basil, cilantro, garlic chives, spinach, and lettuce. I just added thyme over the weekend. Something was eating my lettuce. I found one cabbage worn which I smushed then used the pop-up hamper to protect it for a little while. It has come back and no longer needs my protection as of yesterday.Tomatoes in the self watering container I made:



Another self watering container with corn, tomatoes in the tire and my mint in the brown planter.
Last years boxes with dirt and compost. Lettuce, beans both pole and bush, and zucchini.
The box has celery, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, and red peppers
The homemade strawberry fountain.