It's a brave new world for us around Casa Saldaña.  We have started a garden.  Our backyard already had a small plot of land cleared for this purpose by the last owners.  We finally got around to tilling it and getting some things planted.  Many of you know that gardening and I do not mix very well.  I have a bit of a black thumb.  David however, inherited a bit of his mother's ability in the garden. 

We now have thyme, rosemary, basil, thai basil, cilantro, ilalian parsley, sage, mint, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, red cabbage, a watermelon, and something else that I'm forgetting.  If this summer goes well, we will keep it up in the fall. 

We also did a LOT of landscaping in our front yard.  This has been two years coming.  We always joke that we are the scourge of our street, because our grass it patchy and we had nothing in the flowerbeds.  Literally, that azalea plant and the couple of hostas were all that was there.  It was really pitiful.  Well, no more!  If everything survives my touch we will eventually have a lovely front bed.

We had to extend the bed a tiny bit because we didn't realize that the Rhododendron needed 3 ft clearance.  When fully matured  it should get nice and big for some impact.  We planted two, in addition to a hydrangea for some real height.  I can't wait  to see how these do.  Also because the hydrangea was like $17.  It would be nice if it would survive. 

Mainly, it was just so wonderful to spend the entire day doing something as a family.  All of us working together, to make something grow and thrive.  Cooperating.  Helping. Laughing.  Honestly, that is all I really cared about.  And as I look out my studio window at the garden or out the front door at all the container plants of mint, coleus, pansies, and petunias I smile remembering all of the hands that touched those plants with love.