At Home in Georgia

Music

I've finally gotten around to figuring out how to add a "playlist" to my blog.  I hope you enjoy it.

Music has such a special place in my heart and in my life.  Of all the things God has made for us to enjoy, music must be the most varied and emotional thing He's given us. 

My love and appreciation for music probably comes from my dad.  I remember being very little listening to "old" 45 rpm records, and Dad trying to teach me to tap the beat.  I just didn't get it.  But then he'd ask me if I could hear all the different instruments in a particular song.  I learned to appreciate all the varied parts of even the sublest instrument.  Each time I listened to a familiar song, I would pick out a different instrument or part to follow.  Well.... I still have no sense of rhythm (just ask my husband, who leads worship occasionally... he knows I still just don't get it).  I can tap out a beat, but that's about it.  When my brother and I got older, we'd all play "name that tune", and we got good enough that we could name a song within the first three notes.  My dad has an appreciation for many different types of music, too, so I think I got that from him too. 

I took about 8 years of piano lessons and, through no fault of my music teachers over the years, gained approximately 2 years of real piano knowledge.  Sigh... I just do not have a natural knack for music.  I can't sing, either!  The problem is that I have the disadvantage of knowing what a song is SUPPOSED to sound like, so I can't just "make a joyful noise" and not care that it sounds pretty pathetic.  :)

I'm currently playing (or trying to play) in our church handbell choir, and I really enjoy it.  It's totally different from any other instrument I've ever tried to play.  But that's an amazing thing, too, when you realize the teamwork it takes and how music is made by many people playing one or two notes at a time.

I've decided that maybe it's my lack of talent or "knack" for it that makes music so special to me.  When someone can sing beautifully and effortlessly, when I watch someone play the piano and it's just-- natural.... do they really understand what a gift that is?  It used to frustrate me, but now I just enjoy it and thank God for the gift of music and for His gift to so many of the ability to play, sing, write, compose, arrange.

God has used music to comfort me and encourage me in so many ways.  Besides the peace that washes over me when I listen to beautiful music, the words hold so much more meaning when set to a melody.  Since I always have had a love for music and since I grew up in church, I've naturally memorized (without ever trying) many, many wonderful hymns.  Not just the first verse, but even less known verses.  The music just made the words "stick".  Whenever I write the words to songs that have been special to me, they look so lonely and sound so plain without the music to go with them. 

One song I love, but couldn't find for my playlist is one by Selah that was so amazing to hear for the first time shortly after my friend's sister died in a car accident, leaving behind 2 small boys.  And recently, with the deaths of my uncle and my grandmother, this song has meant so much to me.

Late Summer....

What a fabulous summer it has been here in GA!  Last August and September were hot, dry, and truly miserable.  This week has been like late summers I remember growing up in MI.  Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the 60s.  It just can't be more perfect than that.  Already tonight at 8pm, it's below 80 degrees... Last year, we didn't get below 80 at all some nights.  It's green here!  We're still very behind for rainfall, but we have HAD rain, and it's beautiful here.  The storm that hit FL several times (I've forgotten the name now, with all the news about Gustav, Hanna, Ike, and Josephine!) gave us 3 days of steady rainfall. 

I've been wanting to get back to blogging, but with school starting, working most Saturdays and every Wednesday morning, and finding a new church, I just haven't felt like I have time to put thoughts together.

School has started for all of us... almost a month ago now.  It's going well... every day is a challenge of course, and things rarely go as planned.   But generally, I'm happy with how the first month has gone.  Seems like there's always a new adjustment... a new homeschool mom to watch them on Wednesday mornings, AWANA starting, etc., and then we start going to a homeschool co-op next Tuesday (a completely new thing for us).  I guess it keeps things exciting. 

I can't sign off without saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful husband!  We're getting ready to have a little birthday party for him.  I'm so thankful for him, and want everyone to know that I'm so happy to be married to him! 

~Michelle

Helen Beecham (July 2, 1920 - July 4, 2008)

My grandmother died in her home on July 4.  Her health had been failing for about a year, but the timing was so unexpected, just 8 days after the death of her son-in-law, my Uncle Dale. 

She and my grandfather were married for 62 years, and my grandpa fulfilled her wish to be at home even when it would have been easier for him to have her cared for in a nursing home.  My grandpa is my hero for that.

I went by myself and spent a full day and one night at my grandparents' house a week before she died, and we had such a sweet time visiting.  My grandma was feeling so bad that she'd been unable to play the piano because her fingers wouldn't work right since her stroke, so I played for a while and they both mentioned hymns they liked and I played through them.  I knew it was a special time that I'd always remember, but I had no idea that it would be the last chance I would have to visit like that with my Grandma.

A few days later was Uncle Dale's funeral, and my grandma looked stunning in her new outfit and her hair freshly styled by my cousin, Stacey.  I wish I'd taken a picture.  The funeral was so sad yet hope-filled, knowing that Uncle Dale is in Heaven because of his belief in Jesus Christ. 

Four days later, we received the news that my grandma had died.  The next day was the family reunion that was the reason for our trip to MI in the first place.  We decided to go, and my grandpa went too.  It was a very nice time visiting with extended family.  I was amazed at how connected all of my dad's family is even though we're spread out all over the United States.

Then my grandma's funeral.  The outpouring of sympathy and love from family and friends was so comforting.  I had the opportunity to speak at her funeral, and I felt so honored to be asked to do that.   

Please continue to pray for my family in the loss of these two wonderful people.  We definitely take comfort in knowing that they are in Heaven and that we will see them again someday, but we still miss them. 

In Memory of Dale Kennedy

This entry (soon to be a new blog entirely) is for words of sympathy for the family and friends of my Uncle Dale and Aunt Barb Kennedy.  Dale died in a tragic motorcycle accident yesterday, June 26, 2008. 

There is always a precious outpouring of concern at a time like this.  As phones are tied up and family becomes overwhelmed by the loving offers of support, sympathy, and help, this is a place to make sure all of your love and care is remembered. 

Your loving words mean so much to Barb and to the whole family, and we don't want to lose any of them in the blurry days ahead.  From all of us.... thank you.

~Michelle

Stitch Markers and Spinning Wheels

I'm adding some pictures of my stitch markers I've been making.  I wanted to make myself a set and had so much fun making them, that I may open an Etsy shop and see if I can sell a few sets.  For now, here are some pictures and if you want them or want to order some with a certain theme, I'll see what I can do.  A set of 4 (postage included) would be $3; 5 for $3.50 and 6 for $4.  I usually make one unique one in the set so that it could be used to mark the beginning of a round or middle of a row or whatever you might need. 

If you want to see more, just ask.  :)  Also, I wanted to include a link to the wheel I'm going to be buying.  http://www.heavenlyhandspinning.com/e-commerce-solutions-catalog.html  It's the Fidelis (the second picture). 

~Michelle

I'm going to get my spinning wheel tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day.  I've been saving my money and being patient.  Since we've been saving for a van, I couldn't rationalize taking "van money" to fund another craft!  So I took the $90 I made knitting dishcloths that a woman ordered for a church group and I set that aside.  Then I got $25 from my mom paying me back for something I'd ordered for her.  And I waited.  A little later, my Aunt Adele (whom I haven't seen in years) sent me a sweet note and a $25 money order toward my wheel.  This week, I worked two extra days and figured the last $60 I could go ahead and take to make up the rest of the money for the wheel.  Well, today, my brother and sister-in-law told me they were going to help me get my wheel and send me some money too.  I'm so glad I waited.... sure, I could have taken a day's pay and gone and gotten my wheel sooner, but it is going to be so much more special to me because I know that people who love me helped me get it and because I didn't take away from a more important project for instant gratification.  :)   

~Michelle

Memorial Day Weekend!

We're all ready for a break from the "usual".  I'm tired of working one of our two family days every week.  This weekend, I only have to work one of Carter's three days off.  What WILL we do with all of our time?! 

Today marks the end of another school year for Carter.  Next year he will have 5 9th grade Bible classes (meaning one prep and LOTS of the same tests to grade) and his Praise Band.  So he's very happy, because it had been looking like he'd have 4 9th grade and one 10th grade class. 

We at home, schooling, aren't quite done.  We have 17 more days, which translates into 2 more weeks while Carter finishes up year-end things at school, and then a day or two here and there during the summer when boredom sets in or it's too hot or (hopefully) too rainy to do anything else.

Emma has battled a two-round fight with poison ivy that's lasted more than a month.  She's finally looking better and feeling better.  Garrett had a "bike accident" a few weeks ago and is still bearing the marks from that.  Cassandra's survived the spring without any serious injury. 

The spring here has been wonderful.  Plenty of rain, so flowers, trees, and gardens are thriving.  Our garden is beautiful.  The weather has been fantastic.  Today has been the hottest day, topping out at 90 this afternoon, but now it's looking like it might rain.  Carter planted some grass in some bare spots in our yard (not to be confused with a LAWN), and amazingly enough, it came up.  So we are loving every day. 

And the house is going crazy, so my moment to blog is done. :)  Hope to update sooner next time!

~Michelle

Putting It All In Perspective

"While many are worrying about filling their gas tanks, many others around the world are struggling to fill their stomachs."  - World Bank president Robert Zoellick (quoted in World Magazine, May 3/10, 2008)

Just reminded me that as bad as things look, we still have it very good here in the United States.  My heart is filled with gratitude when I read this, and my unhappy, uneasy feelings about the future are lessened a bit. 

God's Word is full of admonitions to prepare, plan, and be busy working with what we have, but not in a frantic, worried, panicked way.  Why has He chosen to bless me with plenty when there are those around the world "struggling to fill their stomachs"?  I do not know, but the least I can do is be thankful for each day my family has enough.

~Michelle

Kids Say the Funniest Things...

So, my 3 year old little boy is cleaning up his room, putting his laundry in the basket, and he's singing as he marches around his room.  Remember the song... "God said it, I believe it. That's all that faith demands..."?  Well, here's what he was singing, very happily and confidently at the top of his lungs...

"God said it, I'm gonna eat it.  That's all that makes me mad..."

:)

~Michelle

Strawberries!

We picked strawberries today.  I took my son (3), and daughters (5 and 7) this morning and we picked 5 - 1 gallon buckets in 1/2 hour.  My older daughter picked 2 and my littles each picked about 1/2 bucket.  It was fun and the weather was perfect.  We were back home by 10:00am and I set the girls at the kitchen table with schoolwork while I made some freezer jam and got the rest ready to freeze.  I saved out about a bucket for eating.  But they were PERFECT berries.... juicy, beautiful, and wonderfully sweet.  Yummmmmy....

But even more sweet was the absolute fun we had together.  Maybe it was the lack of expectation on my part.  I anticipated trying to keep the littles from wandering off or picking where they weren't supposed to, and while I TOOK 5 buckets, I HOPED to fill at least 4. 

I had a delighted moment, when my 5 year old told my 7 year old..."See those flowers.... they will turn into fruit.  SEE??? You can see the berry starting to grow"  I had JUST talked to her about the parts of plants and how the flowers come first, then the fruit, and sometimes we eat the roots, and sometimes the fruit, and sometimes the seed or leaves.  Guess she was listening. 

And my 3 year old stayed right at my side "helping"... and he did help.  I'd show him some berries and he'd pull them off and put them in his bucket, or I'd give him some of mine to put in his bucket, and he was content to just be there with me. 

It was so enjoyable and it just seemed to be the way it should be.  We don't have many moments where all three children decide to cooperate and just have fun together, but today was a whole day of those moments.  I hope I can remember today when we're in the middle of one of "Those Days". 

Oh, be sure to check out the picture of the strawberries!!!!!

~Michelle

Garden Pictures

Ahhhh, it's starting to rain and it's thundering off in the distance.  I've never been so grateful for clouds and rain as I have since we've moved to Georgia.  The sun can be so intense and burning and the drought has just sapped the life out of everything the past few summers.  So for now, I'm enjoying the breezy spring days, knowing what is coming! 

But... I finally have a few garden pictures - you'll have to look at my photo album, since I still haven't figured out how to put them here nicely.  I covered everything with the straw when we had that freeze, so it's still a little messy from that.  We got some azaleas today from Walmart, but were told not to plant them just yet, because it's supposed to freeze this weekend.  It doesn't look like it will, and I really hope it doesn't.  But I'm not taking chances with azaleas.  :)

We've had a wonderful spring break.  The weather has been nice and we had nothing we really NEEDED to do except house and yard work.  And no big travel plans.  So we've just had a perfect week.  Went fishing and hiking, worked in the yard and garden, played some board games, cleaned most of the house, made ice cream, and cleaned some more.  

We had the windows open yesterday, last night, and today (there are about 5 days all year in GA that aren't too cold or too hot for that!).  Oops... just had to get up and close them all because it's starting to storm!  Have a great weekend!!

~Michelle

My Little Garden...

I did take pictures, but haven't had time to post them.  But sad news, we had a hard freeze last weekend, and I lost my peppers and some transplanted things.  My broccoli, peas, carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage did fine, but even covering everything couldn't save it all.  I heard from more expert gardeners that planting before April 1 or even April 15 is pretty risky.  So I"m happy to have my broccoli and peas doing as well as they are.  I replanted carrots, some peas, and started some beans today.  I like the idea of staggering the planting for a steady crop through the summer.  I also planted moss roses and phlox inside, and all the moss roses have come up and ONE phlox (must have had a crummy batch of seeds). 

My mom is here from KY for the week, and we have been having lots of fun and doing pretty much nothing as far as school, housework, or anything like that.  We went to Stone Mountain one day, had a big shopping day, and today just kind of took it easy.  Monday, we leave for KY to take her home and to visit with her and my dad (who had to return for work) for a few more days.  We have been discussing life with children and homeschooling and planning and organizing.  She has such great ideas, and it's so nice to have someone actually BE around us to see how things go and give advice that is so personalized to US.  I realize how blessed I am to have been homeschooled for a while... not only do I know what it's like to BE homeschooled, I can get help and advice from my own mom as a seasoned homeschool mom looking back.  Can't beat that! 

~Michelle

It's Friday.....

I heard the audio of this today on the radio.   I'd recommend you just listen the first time and not watch the video.  It's always so hard to capture the essence of Good Friday, when we know the end of the story.  But this does it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=naajYZSbWdw

Now I can't get it out of my head.  It's Friday.... but Sunday's coming!

~Michelle

Update on My Little Garden

Now, I have a few carrots popping up too!  And two more broccoli plants.  I think everything is staggered pretty well, so we won't have 10 heads of broccoli all ready at once.  Yesterday we planted all of our tomatoes, lettuce and broccoli that we'd started indoors.  Most went into the garden, but a few tomatoes went into pots.  Each of my children has two tomato plants to try to keep alive.  :)  So theirs are in pots.  Last night got down into the mid 30s so I was a little worried about my new little green things, but it looks like they're ok.  The fence will be put up today, since I've been afraid to look the past few mornings for fear everything might be nibbled away.  We have a plastic owl sitting out there, so maybe he's been protecting things for us.  :) 

There are no bugs out yet here, so I'm in the gardening honeymoon stage, where everything is pretty and perfect.  I don't know anything about pests, but I'm sure I'll be learning soon.  Sigh...

Today I'll be starting some flower seeds inside... my favorites, moss roses and phlox.  Most phlox is already blooming around here, but next year it will be able to come up and bloom whenever it wants to!

~Michelle

Giveaway

Chas, at My Cup Runneth Over at Heritage Acres Farm (http://www.homesteadblogger.com/chas/91739/) is giving away a book I'VE been wanting to read.  Go over and sign up!  :)

From Chas....

I would like to give you the opportunity to win...

A wonderful, wonderful book.
**Excerpt **Pull up a chair, dust off the cookie crumbs, and join Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald as they lay aside stereotypes like the “Stepford wife” and dispel such myths as the 1950s “perfect homemaker.” Laughter and tears will flow, and hopefully you will be infused with a renewed vision for victory as a wife and mother. Discover what it means to be a passionate housewife “desperate” for God alone!
Here's what you do...
Leave me a message and if you have a blog, webpage, whatever link back to me...
If you don't have a web home or for some reason can't link me... NO PROBLEM.... just leave me a comment too!  Just make sure you leave me with a way to find  you if you are the winner.
My email is chasburrell at tvn dot net if you would like to leave your email privately.
I will run this giveaway until next Thursday at midnight, I will announce the winner next Friday!
My Cup Runneth Over...Chas

If you win.... can I borrow it when you're done???      ~Michelle

My Little Garden!

I love living in GA.  While my Michigan family and friends are still plowing their driveways, I'm watching broccoli and peas appearing in my garden!   But I'm not really gloating, I'm really just amazed that I can have a little garden started already in mid-March.  I have lettuce, tomatoes, and more broccoli started indoors, and we planted some spring flower bulbs outside today. 

Now... the real test will be if I can keep them all alive until there's something worthy of eating. 

~Michelle

God's Goodness and Our Perspective

You might know that in August I went back to work as a nurse at our tiny local hospital after a 5 year "break" to be a full-time stay-at-home-mommy.  I never planned on going back to work until my children were at least in high school (if we decided to send them to private school at that time) or possibly even college. 

Although I would only be working one 12-hour shift a week, I did NOT want to do it, and I really struggled with disappointment and anger that I couldn't just continue focusing completely on my family and home.  I also had a very hard time dealing with all of the articles and wonderful encouragement and testimonies of moms who stayed home and God provided needs because of their committment to not go back to work when times got tough.  I was afraid maybe we really WEREN'T trusting God enough, and making this decision out of fear and lack of faith.  Our main reason for my going back was to save money to buy a used van to replace our worn-out, ready-to-die van, and to get out of our remaining debt.  There's so much to this story, I can't type it all out, but that's the background in a nutshell.  :)

Anyway, 7 months later, God is helping me to handle the whole situation much better.  Whether our decision was the right one or not, God has blessed us amazingly anyway.  That's what is so breathtaking about God's goodness - that even when we doubt and stumble and don't know where we are going, He still holds us and protects us and loves us. 

The 12 hours that I'm away from my family each week has made me appreciate them even more.  During that time our children have special time with Daddy all to themselves.  Daddy appreciates me a bit more after having them all to himself for a day, too.  :)  I've been able to make a difference in the lives of my patients for the 12 hours I spend caring for them.  I appreciate our extended family more after being reminded briefly each week that most families nowadays are broken, fracture, or at least strained and unhappy.  It's shattered my "tunnel vision" that has come as I've chosen to surround myself with uplifting, encouraging friends, books, etc., which are all wonderful and edifying, but in doing that, I chose to shut out the realities of a hurting, dying world that exists beyond my church and home. 

Although I'd NEVER encourage another SAHM to go back to work for any of those reasons, God has chosen to take this situation and teach me and bless us through it.  And these are the things I've learned.  It's still difficult and I still feel sick every time I have to leave and I still miss having my whole weekend to be with my entire family - I can't deny that.  It's not easy to jump into the medical world for that short period of time and still try to keep up with all the changes and information that I'm responsible to keep up with.

This past weekend, we received the news that Carter's grandfather in Arizona is failing fast and most of his sons and grandsons are planning a trip out to AZ to see him for what everyone believes will be the last time.  In the past, this wouldn't have ever been an option for us to consider.  But it was with such peace that I could agree with my husband that he needed to be there too.  And even more interestingly, I had agreed to work 2 days this weekend instead of one to help with staffing issues.  What I made in that extra day will almost cover the cost of his airline ticket. 

God continues to amaze us with His grace.

~Michelle

No Time to Blog!

You can sure tell it's spring... we're back to feeling like there just aren't enough hourse in the day.  I did read an article in "Above Rubies" today, though, that was a great reminder to slow it down a bit and find times of rest and relaxation together as a family.

I have finally succumbed to some sort of bug.  I made it for 7 months working back at the hospital and thru 5 months of flu season without so much as a sniffle, but after fighting off "something" for about a week, it finally won.  It's just a nasty cold, but it's really the first thing I've had in ages.  I'm so thankful to God for His gift to our family of a very healthy winter.

It's beautiful here again.  In the upper 60s.  I have a few things planted in my garden and gradually more and more things starting inside.  Lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes inside and lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and peas outside.  We'll see what makes it and what doesn't.  I'm keeping very close notes on what sprouts and when.  Almost all of our inside things have sprouted and come up very quickly.  Now if I can just keep them alive!

While I've been feeling a bit rotten, I've been trying to catch up on a few indoor cleaning projects (just the usual vacuuming, bathrooms, etc., that have been left behind as we've worked outside and I've been on a sewing rampage). 

So with all of this, there's just no time to blog!  :)

~Michelle

Another Busy Week

We're still working toward our garden and chickens.  We've had another busy week.  Carter took yesterday off from work to work on these things.  We borrowed a big truck (boy, are they nice!) and we all headed out to get topsoil, peat moss, railroad ties, fencing, fence posts, a new shovel and rake, wood chips, pine straw, and more.  I felt like a farm girl.  Hee, hee!

It took ALL day running around trying to get everything.  Of course, a few places didn't have what they'd advertised, and one trip in particular was a wasted trip.  Oh, well, it was VERY cold (for here), about 35 degrees, so we didn't really spend a lot of time outside anyway.  Carter set up one of my 4X4 (really more like 3.5X3.5) garden spots, and we have one more to go. 

Today, the children and I decided to do some work outside to help Daddy, who is coaching a golf game tonight and won't be home until late.  He's been realy focused on getting the garden ready for me and he's also really trying to get ready so we can start our chickens this spring instead of next year.  So we spread all the pine straw up by the house and all the wood chips in their two places in the yard.  Those are the things Carter likes to see done.  Cassandra, my 7 year old, has been an enormous help.  She comes alive working outside.  Who'd have thought?  Emma was much more of a help today, and even Garrett helped for a while.  His help is not exactly... ummm... help, so when he's ready to give up, I am too.  :)

The biggest project left for us is figuring out what to do about a chicken coop / hen house.  We'll probably build something simple, I guess.

I did come up with an idea for conserving water, today.  I get so tired of running the dishwasher every day.  We use a lot of bowls (for cereal and for popcorn and for... ice cream!) so we're often out even when the DW isn't full.  And it just seems like we should be able to go longer between running it.  We don't use a lot of paper... although when you're in a severe drough, it seems that using disposable is wiser than running the dishwasher all the time.  Anyway, I set the children to washing, rinsing, and drying their own cups and bowls and spoons.  They think it's cool because they get to wash (no one wants to dry, they all want to play in warm soapy water), and I just fill up the sink part way with hot soapy water and they can do it as soon as they're through and go on to the next thing. And another way to incorporate Garrett into the chore world.

Oh, we're also on a waiting list for $20 rain barrels that attach to the downspouts and are adapted with a spigot at the bottom for hooking up a hose for watering.  That will be important with our garden as well this year, esp. if we have a year as dry as last year.

And that's it... all updated for now!  :)

~Michelle

Ps. In my album is a picture of the front pine straw and you can see just a glimpse of my first garden section on the side, dwarfed by the huge brush pile!

A Day's Work

I'm so very tired tonight!  But it's that wonderful, we-had-a-hard-day-of-work kind of feeling.  We all worked outside today clearing out a wooded section of our lot that has just been taken over by nasty vines and briers.  I took before and after pictures, but they do NOT do it justice!  Cassandra stuck with Carter and me and worked with us the whole 3 1/2 hours we were out there.  Which is especially great since she'd been helping me with housework all morning before we'd gone to work outside.  The other two little ones gave up fairly quickly (Garrett wanted to use the chainsaw and wasn't happy that he wasn't allowed to, and Emma wanted to hand saw the swing set apart and wasn't happy when SHE wasn't allowed to) and played outside for a while, then got a little cold and went inside.  That's another story... 

Anyway.  We cleared a corner section that was just old dead, cut down trees and junk covered in vines.  And then we worked our way into the rest of the area cutting and pulling stuff out of the way.  I love that kind of work (once in a while!).  It was so good to be outside.  It was about 58 degrees and I stayed plenty warm in a sweatshirt and headband to keep my ears warm.  It was pretty windy, so we couldn't burn the "ginormous" pile of stuff we cleared out.  We'll have to do that another day.  The wood will burn well, but all the thorny stuff usually smolders.  And thankfully.... no one got hurt except for a few thorn-holes in hands and scratches on legs and faces and arms.  :)  Whenever the chain saw is out, I get nervous!

This is the area we will be having our chickens, and it will be a great place for them to find lots of bugs!  We talked to our neighbors and they think it's great that we're going to get chickens.  That was good... you always wonder if your neighbors will disapprove when you live in a subdivision!

And I was reminded today by Robyn (www.lentilsandrice.blogspot.com) of square-foot gardening.  I'd read the book a few years ago and decided that was the way to go if we ever tried a garden again.  We know we want to do "raised" garden sections, so that is already the first step to square-foot gardening.  The idea is that you plant in square sections instead of rows.  You can plant more, harvest more, and water less, plus you start out with a special mix that doesn't involve (in our case) planting seeds in brick (hard, dry GA red clay).  So we're excited about this, and hope to get this going pretty soon, too.  If Carter just didn't have to work, we could probably get everything done!  :)

Well, it's an early-to-bed evening.  I probably won't be able to get out of bed in the morning....

~Michelle