Toddler time-My little gardener girl

As I had mentioned in yesterday's post I am babysitting my  nearly  4 yr. old niece all week. She actually woke my sister up at 3:30 am and said, "Mommy, you take me to my Aunt Tona's house now?" lol. Gotta love that girl! We took a little trip to Target and Princess baby-girl had definite ideals of what she didn't and did want.

We ended up with this instead

We bought a packet of marigold seeds and she planted them all by herself!

Nope-no more seeds

Time to water

Wanting to dig!

Now to rake

The best part was after she planted her Marigold seeds is she stood in front of the flower pot jumping up and down and said, "Grow, Grow, Grow!" How often have I said that? haha

When her dad picked her up she was yawning because we had such a big adventure! My brother in law called me 10 minutes after he left and said now she wants to grow carrots and green beans! Then my sister called me several hours later and said all she heard was Aunt Tona, Aunt Tona, Aunt Tona, haha. Guess I made an impression. I sure do love that girl!

Change of plans--it's Toddler time

No Funky and Frugal finds Monday this week! I am babysitting my nearly 4 yr old niece this week so I won't have much time (or energy) for large posts. 

She is currently taking a nap (phew) which gives me an opportunity to do a quick post. Our plans for today are to have a grill out/ picnic in the back yard and to play in the garden.

When she wakes up from her nap, we are going to take a quick trip to Target so I can spoil buy my niece her very own garden tools!

Target, $12.99

And we are buying a flower pot and some marigold seeds so she can have own flower garden!

Maybe something like this?

As far as the grill out/ backyard picnic goes-- burgers, dogs, baked beans, potato salad, strawberries and angel food cake. Yum!!

Here is my kid friendly baked bean recipe 

(Canary beans are bigger and firmer bean--perfect for little fingers and unsteady spoons. There are no diced vegetables, it's not very spicy and it's kinda sweet)

2 of the  16 oz cans of  Canary beans drained and rinsed (I use Bush brand)

1 can condensed tomato soup

1/4 c water

2-3 tbs molasses

2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

1 c brown sugar (packed firm)

1 tbs mustard

1 tbs onion powder

1-2 tbs dried minced onion

1/4 tsp garlic

1/4 tsp paprika

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

pinch of  cumin powder

Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 350° for about an hour until sauced has thickened. You can add some fried and very well drained bacon crumbles if you like.

Happy Monday Y'all!

Sown and Harvest #6

Welcome to my Sunday post dedicated to all things garden, landscape, and plant related.

Weeding, poison oak and spiders, OH MY!

Weeding is in full swing yank. I cannot believe how quickly the weeds have established themselves. I seem to have a a nice thicket of poison oak which established itself in my big perennial  bed. I had to have the hubbs remove the 3 little patches since I am allergic.  Then the humongo spider I featured here has completely made itself at home in the bed with my rose and lavender. Should I be worried? It's kinda huge! Not sure if it is poisonous. All I know is it doesn't want to leave and I am wussie enough to respect that.

Wicked scary ((shudders))

I did a little shopping! New solar lights, flower boxes, a chaise lounge, a garden cart and pea gravel for potting shed floor. Not a bad haul.

I only stopped shopping because I ran out of room in the truck.

I can't wait to get a cushion for this, settle in with a good book and some iced tea (or maybe a wine cooler).

I am gonna go very plain-jane and get a beige cushion. I know not very exciting. But it is what is in stock in the store. I am to impatient to order online and wait for it ...sheesh

New solar lights! Every local store was out of stock for the crackle ones I wanted (boo). So I bought these. Practical and easily replaced if needed. These have a nice brushed nickel finish and are NOT plastic! Plus when they are lit up at night they cast a very cool "sunburst" pattern. Glad I bought them. (Except I didn't buy enough) Oh darn! (snaps fingers) Gee I have to go back to Home Depot. To shop. haha

Hampton Bay

6 bags of pea gravel  was put down on the previous garbage shed soon to be potting shed.  I think I need another 5 to 6 bags. The good news it no longer stinks since it has has the winter to air out. The bad news--it is still kinda creepy. Lots  of potential though. 

From this

To this

And I got a really awesome garden cart. Much easier to use than a wheelbarrow. It is rated for 250 lbs which is good, I can haul more rocks for the flower beds!

What's new in your yard and garden this week?