A House to Home: State of the Garden and The Garden State

We extended our garden this year with thanks to our new/used tiller. We had hoped to extend it even more but ran out of time to turn it over for the sod to rot. So far we have harvested a small amount of snap peas, cilantro, arugula and blueberries. Nothing huge but its something in our bellies. For the blueberries, I put up a net to keep birds AND baby girl out (she would pluck it clean, ripe and un-ripe ones)-

Summer planting was a few weeks late due to unexpected travels and lots of rain. Special thanks to my husband for stepping up (all the while working lots of overtime at his job) and planting when I wasn't able. He saved our garden.
Little man helped me plant beans. Here is a new heirloom variety we are trying from Botanical Interests called Calypso Beans. They are drying beans for soups and such-

I have to admit, it's hard to let a toddler help you do something you need to hurry and complete. But teaching time and quality time do not come everyday, so I have to prioritize and suck it up. He asks to help and I want to encourage that quality, not turn it away.
I made him a measuring stick to space the beans-

Here's what we've got going so far. It has been a rainy season but so far nothing has rotted.... so far.

The heirloom sweet potatoes were shared by the Seaton family in TN. This is a very old variety that has been passed through many generation of their family. These boogers get BIG, tubers AND vines. I am very grateful to them for sharing with us. I love sweet potatoes.

Another share we are thankful for again, the garlic from Matthew and Maria in Syracuse. These will be ready to dig soon-

Another new addition for us is asparagus, generously given to us by Jonathan's parents.... along with expert growing instructions-

Other end of the garden-
Tomatoes, blue potatoes, beets (not doing so well), red bell peppers, pickling cucs and eggplant (doing the best we've ever had eggplant do)-

Now onto The Garden State (a.k.a New Jersey).
We were recently invited by some dear (and super cool) friends to join them on a vacation in lovely Ocean Grove, New Jersey. This area is very special to our friends and also Jonathan's family. Jonathan's grandfather used to preach in nearby Asbury Park. Alot of family vacations and special memories were made in this area. I enjoy the small vacation town feel and how nice the people in this lovely beach community are.
The lovely strip with shops, food and ice cream. Peaceful like a vacation should be-

We spent as much time as possible on the beach. Mrs. A is a beach and water lover (she used to lifeguard here when she was younger). Her sweet daughter is a water lover too. My kids loved playing in the sand more than the water. His friend (Mrs. A's daughter) was kind and played with him on shore too-

Baby girl became somewhat obsessed with her shovel and pail-

Becoming one with the sand-

She enjoyed some water time with daddy-

We headed down to Point Pleasant for some fun activities-

Little man taking his driving job very seriously.... keeping the wheel to the left the whole time.

Shark lover-

Showing them who is top of the food chain-

Fourth of July, Jersey Shore style (on the Point Pleasant boardwalk). Jonathan mentioned something about guys with blowouts. He had to explain that was a haircut for guys.... to a mommy with two in diapers in means something completely different.

Back in Ocean Grove, Fourth of July parade-

Isn't little man's friend soooo cute!

With the sirens and marching bands, it was loud at times. The photographer in the neon green shirt (in the distance) took a picture, laughing, at the kids and their ear protection.
Lifeguard jeep/float-