Is it a plant...or a toy?

Now that our radishes are grown and picked, and our peanuts are grown, Zee and I need a new plant to focus on. And just in time, we found a kit for birdhouse gourds! I'm so intrigued by gourds. I have this dream of a field full of pumpkins and gourds growing all around me. Maybe it's my love of autumn. Isn't this the best season?! I love the crispness in the air, the changing leaves (something I never had growing up in Arizona), just the whole atmosphere. So when I saw the gourd kit, it was necessary, in a time when J and I are deeming everything unnecessary. I'll definitely post pictures as soon as our gourds are growing. These will definitely be the most fun of all our plants so far.

Some Changes

I don't adapt well to change, so it's been a hectic few weeks, but it's finally starting to calm. Zee's wonderful babysitter could no longer babysit her after having a miscarriage at the beginning of September. Fortunately, J was working mid-shift through the end of the month, so we had some time to look for another caretaker. It wasn't easy for J to stay awake after working a full night, but we got through it. And thankfully I found another wonderful caretaker for Zee. She runs a licenced in-home daycare and watches only one other child in addition to her own two children. So four children total with my sweet baby. It's been a blessing.

Also, on a sad note, Moose will be going to live with J's parents for a while. He's such a wonderful dog, but between work (J), school (me), and Zee, we don't have the time or energy to provide the attention Moose needs. Also, Moose has somewhat outgrown the coop. We don't have much land here, about a quarter of an acre. Doesn't lend a lot of space for a 60+ lb dog. J's parents have two acres up in Pennsylvania, so it will give Moose a lot more room to run around. I can just imagine how much he will enjoy SNOW! I'm sad to think of sending him away, though. But it will be best for all of us for the moment. And it's only temporary. J's parents said we can reclaim our pup whenever we decide to. Part of me knows that will never happen, but it's nice to know that his parents have left us that option.

Well, I have a botany practical that I need to study for!

What beats rocks?

Zee is truly a nature girl. Even as an infant. All J or I had to do to calm our upset baby was take her outside. Just the feel of the cool breeze against her body was enough to calm her instantly. It's magical, this beautiful earth, to be able to sooth an infant like that. And now, as a rambunctious toddler, my precious daughter still loves to go outside. Digging in the dirt...my sweet archaeologist. Pointing out the "tees", which are indeed bushes, not trees...my happy botanist. But the best of all are the rocks. These small pebbles make my daughter so happy. She loves to squat down and toss handful after handful of pebbles. What a miracle, all the toys our bountiful planet provides. Ahhh, my lovely geologist.