Beating the Squirrels

Every year, the squirrels do some damage in the garden.  Last year, the squirrels made it nearly impossible to grow things in pots on the deck, as they love to dig in the pots and would uproot all of the sprouts.  So, I have an ugly but functional solution this year:

These radish sprouts are covered by an old grill grate.   The second picture has some other metal grid thing on top, and so far, so good on keeping squirrels at bay.  

This pot is filled with Green Leaf Gailen, which is a type of Chinese kale that is supposed to be a bit like broccoli but easier to grow.  We're trying it this year, and it has sprouted, although it is hard to tell in the picture because the sprouts are still tiny.

Egg Pyramid

Elijah has been enjoying our egg pyramid, although he really wants me to stop using eggs and let it grow into a true pyramid.

As you can see, our chickens are laying really well.  We have 10 hens, and we generally get 8 eggs a day.  

Keeping Busy

Nathaniel was in Europe all week, but the kids and I have mostly been keeping busy around the house.  I started some sewing projects - and I finished this one:

Gyunay was a big help in determining that it needed finished fast.  He was very disgusted with me when I did not produce his "red stars" shirt within five minutes.  I also started on a spring dress for Lydia, did some mending, and I made a few things for the shop

I actually "up-cycled" part of this shirt.  The red was new fabric (or, fabric I've had in my stash for an undetermined amount of time), but the gray is all from an old dress shirt of Nathaniel's.  I was pleased with how it turned out, and my little man is excited about wearing it to church on Sunday.  

In gardening, remember how I planted some seeds last weekend?  Well, look at these!

The cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are the ones that have sprouted first.  None of the tomatoes have sprouted yet, but that's to be expected.  I'll be planting some more seeds this weekend (or maybe later today). 

It's Time...

To start seeds!
I've been looking forward to starting some seeds for some time now, so it was great to do so this weekend.

I planted most of these pots this weekend, but you can see the kale sprouts that I planted about a week ago.  So far, I've planted seeds for tomatoes (St. Pierre, Black Krim, Golden Jubilee, Woodle Orange), tomatillos, cabbage (red & green), cauliflower (hey, maybe someday I'll be able to grow it!), broccoli, sunberries, garden berries, onions, eggplant, Bulgarian peppers, cherry tomatoes (Yellow Pear, Black something, and Mexican Minis).  I also have big pots of carrots, radishes, turnips, and chard planted, and one flat of lettuce.  I still have many things to plant, but it is too early for some (like pumpkins) and I'm still rearranging my pots to make room for more.  All in all, though, I'm very excited to get the gardening started.

Still Here

I'm still here.  I know it's been a while.  We've had a lot of sickness the past couple of weeks, but we're trying to get everyone on the mend.

These two are now healthy and happy!

Actually, Gyunay has been with us for 2 years, and so far (knock on wood) he has never had more than a mild cold, even when he's been exposed to everything under the sun.  He must have an amazing immune system.  He did have a mild cold the past few days, but the same cold knocked Lydia flat last week, and has me so drained this week that it's unreal.

Around Sofia

This former mosque now holds the antiquities museum.  It is a small but very nice collection, and I enjoyed it.  

This was the view down the street where we stayed in an apartment for both trips.  That coral-colored building was a restaurant.  (And like all of the places we ate in Bulgaria, it was good!)

Nathaniel took this picture on our first night in Bulgaria.  (It's easy to remember when, because I always wear my glasses when I fly - so I can sleep on the plane!)  We both enjoy eating outdoors, so we had our first dinner in Bulgaria at a little roadside restaurant.  

Ancient Bulgaria

I thought I'd post a few more Bulgarian pictures.  These are all in Sofia, because that is the only city I've visited in Bulgaria, but there are tons of ruins and historic sites throughout the country.

This is the remains of the ancient Roman city of Serdica.  This is under the current city.  

This is the Church of St Petka of the Saddlers.  It was built in the Middle Ages.  It is still in use, and there were church services going on when we were there (both times), so I didn't go into the sanctuary, but it is a very interesting building right in the middle of Sofia.

And here is my little guy, in my favorite picture of him at the orphanage.  He was so little!