Cutting Garden

I've always wanted a cutting garden and I am very excited that we turned the unused former chicken area to a big garden. I have a hard time cutting my flowers out of my yard.  I'm not sure why because there are more than enough.  Now I think I will not care about cutting them to use in the house.

To get this area ready, we tilled, dug out stumps, threw out rocks, bricks and all kinds of random things.  I took photos each day of the light to monitor how much light and shade we have in that back corner.  We had some cottonwood trees that had sprouted up years ago and we took those out with help from Paco.  I cut down some more gamble oak limbs and trees.  The finished result is much better light for flowers.

We realized that half of the area will probably stay shady unless we are willing to cut down a lot more trees which we don't want at this point.  Open to having more chickens there someday.

Then I weeded and raked and tried to level a bit the ground.  We used drip tape for the irrigation, like at Snuck Farm.  This was the easy part and took 40 minutes to install.   I got all the stuff at Dripworks.  Then I got some green trellis netting to support the plants as they grow.  I went to the Snuck Farm cold season and warm season plant sale and bought so many great things!  I love that they had a lot of the colors that I would choose for a bouquet.  We put down some compost over the existing soil and planted everything!

**Some of our neighbors were sad we got rid of our chickens and goats.  But the reason we had to was because our open chicken run combined with goats attracted a lot of rats.  Ew.  The goats prevented the cat from hunting in the run.  They would go after him if he came in.  So after trying to figure out new ways to contain the feed, we realized we just needed to have a period of no barnyard animals for a bit.  If I get chickens again I will bury hardware cloth below the smaller run and keep the run totally enclosed to prevent raccoons and rodents from accessing food or chickens.**

Before cutting trees lots of shadows.  Also goathouse is on its side cause its so heavy and I was moving it by myself to get it out of the way.

lots more sun!  Everything planted except a few dahlia tubers I saved from last year.  I'm going to try planting in the front yard just to see how they do.  200 square feet of flowers.  I'm excited!

We also cleared some junk trees from our orchard area and will plant pumpkins and
add another raspberry patch there.   Also we have one zucchini plant.

My pretty peachy Iris from the front yard.  This North side everything grows so well!

So while I would love to have all my yard look be stuffed with flowers, the water is the main issue.  I can't run drips everywhere and now I have trees to block the sun, etc.  So I just put all the things I love in the cutting garden and packed it in.

Here is what I have planted:

Dahlias:

Row 1w

Cafe au lait x 3

Daisy duke x3

Linda’s baby x3

Totally tangerine

Chim Luke 

Cornel bronze 

Jowey Chantel

Linda’s baby

My tubers not sure cafe au lait or other

Row 2w

Cafe au lait x3

Chim Luke x3

Black satin

Cafe au lait

Silver years

Sweet Natalie

Karma choc

Row 3w

Foxglove

Delphinium

Row 4w

Aster

Cosmos

Baby’s breath

East row

1

Zinnia seeds

Amaranth

2

Zinnia seeds

3

Sunflowers

3 kinds

Branching

White

Tall golden center

violets transplanted from pool area

10 Miles

Yesterday I ran 10 miles. Its such a good feeling.  I honestly never thought I would run another half marathon.  And I'm learning that the same process that worked for me 13 years ago is working for me now.  That process is that I feel a little bit of anxiety each week when facing my long run.  I am not sure if I have it in me.  Then, I run.  And I feel basically the same as the week before.  Its pretty good until the last mile.  The last mile is always hard.  And 10 miles really doesn't feel different than 6 miles.  And that feeling of accomplishment when its all over is incredible.  I did it!  I ran 10 miles.  Its a huge dopamine hit.

Earlier this year I was going to Orangetheory with Elise and they had these 28 minute "run for distance" block and I was so annoyed.  I look forward to running fast, and then walking and changing things up.  But now 28 minutes is like nothing.  Amazing how perspective is everything.  I swear running so much of running is mental.  

I have run two half marathons in the past 13 years but didn't run more than six miles long runs so it was a painful half.  And I didn't work through that process each week.  I just busted it out when raceday came.  This time I'm confident that I won't be miserable.  In fact, I think its going to be really fun!

The past few years I would say things like "back when I used to run" and I'm so happy that I don't have to feel like its something that lives in my past.

Monet said, "mom you should run a marathon after you're finished with your half!" and I shot that down really quickly.  I like having my other Orangetheory workouts.  I like the strength training and I need more of that and I don't want to crowd it out with lots and lots of cardio.  Its hard to fit in those super long runs.  But its been rolling around in my brain for the last month.  Maybe I will!  

I'm afraid of getting injured.  But so far I feel a little sore after my long run.  I think its normal to have a little knee pain after a run for up to a day.  But mine has been very manageable.  I'm using my Deep Blue and taking a couple ibuprofen rarely.  I really like my Hoka Gaviota 5 stability shoes.  (Scheels has a great selection of Hokas) No blisters, little pain.  I feel good.  

And life is getting less busy!  I have more time on my hands.

Yesterday had some surprises and the day got away from me and I didn't get my run in until later.  So I didn't eat or hydrate in a normal way.  And my run wasn't fast.  I still felt good I just had to go to the bathroom a lot cause I drank 32 oz right before I ran.  So it was slower.  But I felt great until that last mile.  It was windy and my hips were tight.

So I'm keeping that marathon possibility in my head.  Maybe I do some more halfs, then when I'm faster I run another marathon.  That seems practical.

Regrets: reflecting on the news

This weekend I read this story of a man named Nicolae Miu.  From what I can piece together, he was at a river and some drunk teens on tubes accused him of being a pedophile and taking photos of girls.  So he got mad and flipped their tubes over.  An older woman was trying to get him to just leave the situation cause it wasn't going anywhere good.  Then they started taunting him one of their female friends pushed him and he pulled out a knife and sliced her.  And then the boys all jumped on him?  Not even sure if that is the right order.  But he stabbed multiple teens and one died and the others had horrible injuries.

I watched the video of the situation and was flabbergasted at 1. how mean the teens were 2.  How horribly wrong the situation went when the guy responded with a knife when he could have just walked away

What a tragedy.  Now Nicolae is going to jail for 60 years.  And these kids lost their friend and suffered terrible injuries.

The kids were emboldened by the fact that there was a group of them, and Nicolae by the fact that he had a knife.

I think this situation is kinda like what we are looking at in the Middle East but on a smaller scale.  Someone needs to walk away.  Everyone needs to control their emotions before things get out of hand.

I do support Israel's right to defend itself, and rooting out Hamas is part of that.  But I don't want the US to be funding any more wars or sending aid to corrupt organizations.  The choices they make are not disconnected from the consequences that come with them.  Like the teens countries who know they have their allies to always back them up make dumb choices.  And sometimes, like Nicolae are emboldened by their weapons.  

I want to be the old lady in this situation and tell all the men to go home and quit acting so childish.

When One Door Closes...

Simone's had a lot of fun climbing with friends and also playing lacrosse.  

She was not able to play varsity until this year.  Her climbing schedule was first priority and she missed too many lacrosse practices to be fair to the other teammates vying for those varsity spots.  But she did get JV MVP (or something like that) and honestly loved it.  They had a great team last year with tons of good seniors and took State.  This year they lost a lot of players so she's been able to play varsity and its been so fun for her!  Their team is really fun and gets along well.

I love seeing how different my girls play the same sport.  Elise had really powerful strides and was very strong.  It is hard for defenders to move Elise when she's at full speed.  There were a lot who tried and quite a few collisions that didn't end well for her defenders.  I never once saw anyone outrun Elise on a sprint.  She definitely should have done track.  Actually she did her senior year for a month and was killing it then she had a stress fracture.  Anyway, Elise had a powerful shot.

Monet was insane at ground balls and had more ground balls than any girl in the state.  It was rare for her not to get the ground balls.  She could also outlast her defenders with her endurance.  In fact her coaches created a "backer" defense just for Monet's endurance.  Monet had a harder time breaking through defenders, so she honed her left handed shots.  Monet was very precise with her passes and had a ton of assists.

Simone hasn't had the same years of practicing her ball handling as her older sisters.  But she really shines on the fast breaks.  She can run fast and maneuver well with these little spin moves and has a powerful shot.  She can play great defense or offense.  Her coaches never bring her out or give her a rest.  So a few games this season when we've played some good teams with good offense Simone has been one who has been able to get some goals in on the fast breaks.  If she gets her left down she would have a huge advantage.

She's been taking the draw as well and that is also fun for her.  Both her sisters were good on the circle as middies.  I think Simone is best at doing the draw.  She's strong and that helps I'm sure to be able to control the direction.  She is also very clutch!  Someday I hope to see them all playing the summer leagues together!

Anyway, twice this season she was awarded "Player of the Game" by her coaches.

We had a bummer loss to PG last week in overtime.  We were down 0-5 in the first quarter.  Then Simone got switched to offense and we started having some goals.  She had three goals that game and the score was tied at 8-8 to put us into overtime.  So our coaches and players made adjustments after that first half.  Sadly in the sudden death overtime the ref (who seemed brand new) called a bad call and PG got a free position that won the game.  Always frustrating.  But after the game the other teams coach found her and told her that she was a "beast" which she took as a compliment.  We get a rematch next week.  Should be a good game.

The coaches asked me to take photos for the team, so I have a bunch of Simone.

The PERFECT day!

 Yesterday was like the best day ever.  And here is why:

I woke up to a text that the electrician had some time to finish installing our sauna heater on a Saturday morning.  Woo hoo!  I was so happy because it was more complicated than Jared or I could have done ourselves and I was kicking myself that I didn't hire an electrician weeks ago.

Earlier this week I was telling another mom from our school, and friend of a friend how much I loved her garden and that I bought the seeds she recommended on her instagram.  She told me about Snuck Farms and their cold season sale.  I don't know how I'd never even heard of Snuck Farms, but it is my kind of place.  Its beautiful!!!  I love the house and the property its located at.  They have a cute little food store with fresh juice and greens, sourdough, etc.  I went to black Friday like sale and got there 30 min early like she said.  Already there were at least 40 people in front of me.  I had low expectations.  But somehow I got some of nearly all the plants I'd had my eye on!  I had hoped for a more wholesale type but I'll take the little pony packs just fine.  I got some beautiful colors on things that are hard to grow from seed like Lisianthus.  I also got snapdragons, foxglove, strawflower, echinacea, etc  I'm very excited!

After the flower sale, I got to go to my hiking friends daughters baby shower.  And I knew the food would be amazing cause our other friend is so good at cooking and so creative.  It was so fun to socialize with these ladies that I don't see enough of these days and to eat delicious food.

Jared spent the day at Soren's Karate tournament and he had a great time.  He got two firsts and two seconds.  And was happy and excited to tell me all about it.

Then I came home and the sauna heater was all connected!  So I washed the rocks, then placed those and finished all the things to get it up and running.  Then I got to alternate the sauna and cold plunge in our freezing pool.  Everyone in the family was very excited.  I bought some accessories so we can use our oils and things in the sauna.  I've been wanting a sauna for a very long time.  With some of the health challenges I've had, I'm just hoping that this can be another tool in my overall health toolbox.  And I love saunas and especially pouring water on the rocks.  That's my favorite part.  Some of the cool benefits of alternating hot/cold is fat gets turned to brown fat, which is healthier for your body.  Its super good for the cardiovascular system.  Boosts immunity.  And I tend to get really swollen especially if I'm not exercising daily and that's when my ear gets way worse.  So I'm hoping the hot/cold can also help with that.  I didn't consider an infrared sauna.  We already have a light panel that I use and have really liked in my bedroom that I use before or after showering.

Elise is so excited too!  

Then I got ready to go for my run.  I saw my friend across the street and got to visit for a bit with her.  And then Jared dropped me off at Tibble and I ran down.  I felt so good and didn't have any pain.  There were so many people in the canyon enjoying all the beautiful weather.  It went by so fast and I finished 8 miles and felt very proud of myself.  Very pleased with my newish stability Hokas.

Love the faster times I get with running downhill!  I am still hoping to get under 10/mile for the race.  

Then Simones friends were all over using the sauna and hanging out.  Soren was at a fun pool party.  I went to In N Out and picked up some burgers cause we all ate so late.  

Anyway, it was a fun day.  

Back at it

After taking a week or so off of running cause I was sick with different things back to back, I finally got a good run in!  I did a couple short runs in California during spring break, but it was not great.

Today I ran a slow five miles.  And I saw this church I used to park at when I was a young mom with two little girls.  I was training for my second ever half marathon in Moab.  Monet was almost one.

And for my long runs I would drive the car up the highway and use the odometer to see how far my runs were.  I'd park at the church and run 6 miles to our home and then come to get the car later.

I had my camelbak that I'd always run with and my Sony Sportsman that fit perfectly in the pocket!  There was no commuter lane then.  No stoplights either!  

But I always loved this area we now live in and back then I would just hope that someday we could live here.  And I realized today how lucky we have been to be here.  So many curveballs and twists and turns along the way.  But I really love where I live.  

A couple more pictures from today because we are at that part of Spring when you get a nice day and you just revel in it!  Its so nice out this week.  And next week will be back to cold.  But that's okay because we are getting our new Costco.com Almost Heaven sauna put together and I'm so so excited.  The reviews are good so fingers crossed!  Jared's back is on the verge so while this would normally not take too long, we will have to finish tomorrow hopefully.  Almost there!