When my son was about 2 years old, I decided I needed a hobby. Pre-baby, my life had been teaching, working on my Masters Degree, and reading A LOT of books about reading and literacy in early childhood. Post-baby, my life was all about my new bundle of joy, teaching, and learning to balance the two.

My son loved to be outside (still does), so I decided gardening might be a good hobby for me. I wasn’t new to gardening. We grew up with a very large vegetable garden, all-you-can-eat raspberry bushes, and many hours of cleaning beans to freeze for the winter. Many years ago my husband, 2 year old, and I started our own garden. We eventually moved to a new house with a bigger area for gardening. It brings so much joy every year.

Here’s the family picking berries in the yard, several Summers ago. (That’s my Riley Dog right there. He died of cancer not long after this picture was taken.)

Here’s my freshly planted garden, as it looks from my bedroom window.

The area that the vegetable garden is in was completely empty, other than one REALLY big rhody bush when we moved in. We saw the idea to make rock pathways in one of my Country Garden’s magazines. My son and one of his preschool buddies (he’s 15 now) moved rocks from other areas of the yard to build the paths.

I usually grow veggies from seed, but the year I took this picture, we bought starts. Our new puppy, Cooper (he’s now 6), didn’t really know the “rules of the garden” like Riley did. I thought starts might be a better option.

Since my mom has really been the one to inspire my love of gardening, I thought I’d share a picture of her vegetable garden in the beauty of the Summer sun. She always says that no one sees her garden, so let’s show it off.

We built the raised garden boxes when she moved into this house. Her vegetables always grow about twice the size of mine. Her yard looks fabulous and very park-like.

As you can see, I’m getting very excited about planting and gardening! On the garden list, this year, I’m planning to plant potatoes, Walla Walla Sweet onions, parsley, cilantro, basil, tomatoes, and I’m hoping a few more berries.

Happy gardening!