Pumpkins...

Dad informed us a about 5 years ago that pumpkins should be planted on the 4th of July if they are going to be ready for October.  So for about 5 years now, he's prepared a spot for the grand kids to plant pumpkins on the 4th of July.  This year, we decided to use a portion of our garden to do the same. 
We had a large 4th of July family gathering at our house, so just before dark, we got the younger kids lined up on the outskirts of the garden so each could plant a few pumpkin seeds. 

 Aunt Elaine kind of "managed" the line as she watched the annual pumpkin planting party!

Each child got their turn to walk out to the garden and plant a few hills of pumpkin seeds...My sister, Amanda, was the official photographer for the event...Thanks, Aunt Manda, for these photos!

It's Brett's Turn! 

It's Jarrett's Turn!

It's Jude's Turn!

 It's Madelyn's Turn!

 It's Reece's Turn!

Kately also had her turn with planting the pumpkins, but for some reason, both of her pics and one of Reece's pics were too blurry to post.  I am still working on this dilemma because I definitely don't want to leave her out of this post if at all possible! :-)

They planted 3 seeds in the top of each mound of dirt dad had formed prior to the kids coming out to the garden.  

We planted 5 types of orange pumpkins.  Then...dad had saved some seed from some white decorative pumpkins my mom had purchased a couple years ago which we decided to see if they would grow, too!  I sure hope they do...they are unique and beautiful!

After the kids planted the pumpkins, we had to wait a couple weeks to surround the plants with a thick layer of straw to help with weed control, to lock in moisture and to give the pumpkins a barrier to rest upon to help keep them from rotting &/or pests when they begin to grow.

This is definitely not one of the best pictures of me, but dad insisted because I was coated in sweat (yes, I had sweat in my eyes, too!) and had dirt all over my forehead.  The cup I am holding is one of dad's notorious cups of ice water he is rarely seen without when out on the farm or in the garden.  Ice water never tasted so good as it did that morning...I sure am you can't smell pictures because I know this one would knock you over!  LOL...

Where has Summer Gone?

As with most people with young children at home, we have kept really busy this summer!  The majority of the kids' and my time has been spent with grandparents and great-grandparents or on daily trips to White Water, Silver Dollar City, Kids Free Bowling, Parks or Swimming Pools.

It has been dreadfully hot and dry, so I have waited to get out in the garden till the last part of daylight if at all possible.  Since rainfalls have been few and far between this summer, we have tried our hardest to keep our garden watered and we have still been blessed with a bountiful crop of goodies!  I can only imagine what it would have been like had we received adequate rainfall!

I have learned so much in the past 8 months.  Some were things I knew I would learn but others I would have never guessed...one of which is what it feels like to have rivers of sweat run in my eyes as I am bent over working in the garden.  Wow...it really stings.  Dad and I have literally sweat gallons & gallons this summer, but I don't regret it a bit!  It has been so fun learning something new!

Between Dad, Ryan and I, we've been able to keep up with picking our garden items daily.  But, it has been a lot of work!  We've cooked A LOT, shared A LOT, froze A LOT, canned a little and sold a little...It has been a great summer so far!  Here are some pictures of random items I wanted to document...

While our corn was producing, Dad would come over in the mornings, pick a few dozen ears of corn (or more) and leave on my back porch so it could be refrigerated or shucked.

Brett was SO excited when we picked our first watermelon...he couldn't wait to eat the first bite.  His little arms were dripping with juice and his little fingers, face and neck were as sticky as ever! Now, every watermelon he gets ready to eat, he'll say..."Mom, did we grow this in our garden?" :-)  I've enjoyed so many sweet smiling moments this summer as I've watched my kids learn about the garden, process what they know and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

I don't know how we missed this cucumber so many times when we were picking, but this picture hardly gives it justice...It was at least 4" in diameter!

Okra has done better now that the hot temps have set in...Now, I've felt like it is coming out of my ears...there's only so much one can do with okra...it is a sticky gooey mess to get it prepared, but pretty tasty when dipped in cornmeal and fried in some canola oil!

Our pole beans are looking beautiful, but there not any beans on them yet...Not sure if there will ever be...They sure look impressive though!

My kids actually asked if they could have tomatoes for lunch the other day...Usually, I would say they would need to eat a sandwich or something with it, but hey...it's summer and the fresh tomatoes won't last long!  So...we all three sat down for lunch, each with our own big bowl of tomatoes!  YUMMY!  Dad took this picture of Brett on our back porch one evening when he was eating a tomato.  Of course, Brett wasn't going to let him eat it alone! So cute...