Straw Bale Garden

One thing that I have really been missing since we moved from Montrose, CO back to Telluride, CO is my garden.  I had the most wonderful garden in Montrose and spent so many hours there.  Getting my hands in the dirt keeps me grounded and is so needed for my soul.  I'm finally feeling a little more settled in our new house even though we still have quite the punch list. Although, that's how it goes since we are Do-It-Yourself-ers.  We are already planning our master bathroom remodel!

This spring we decided that we were going to have our garden!  I worked hard in our perennial garden pulling weeds and planting perennials based on their hardiness in this alpine region.  I planted lavender, coral bells, delphinium, black-eyed susan, hosta, lupine, sedum, plus some other miscellaneous fillers/ground covers.  I also planted some apple and peach trees and grapes.

I installed a drip irrigation system on a timer from our hose to make sure things got watered.  It is so dry here and the sun can beat down anything that isn't thoroughly watered on a regular basis.  Plus, we were going on vacation this summer and wanted everything to be easy as possible for our house sitter.  Otherwise, I would be wasting money in the ground without it.  It cost me around $300 for 4 zones.  Not too bad.

And finally, we yo-yoed about how to do a vegetable garden here.  We have a few limitations at this altitude (around 7000 ft.).  After careful thought and research on time, resources and money, we decided on a straw bale garden.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a raised garden only to have it fail.  We bought 18 bales of straw at the Nucla Co-op, 50 lbs. bag urea (Nitrogen), and 50 lb bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer.  We also bought stakes and fencing to make sure all the critters didn't eat everything up.  In March, I started seeds in the house.  I did a lot of different things so this year we could test out what grew best here.

Why we picked a straw bale garden:

- inexpensive ($4 bale)
- straw bales can be on top of any surface
- not very labor intensive
- it's super cool

Some down sides:

- you might only be able to use for one season
- you will have a big pile of mulch/compost material after the garden
- root veggies don't work in the straw
- watering is critical due to drying out fast
- grass grows in bales from seeds in the straw and mushrooms

How to start your own Straw Bale Garden

There are plenty of websites explaining all the ins and outs of straw bale gardening which I recommend that you research.  This just explains how we did it and what worked for us.

1. We placed 18 bales in the shape of a U with 6 bales on each side. You want to have the straw bale face up on the side with the ends of the straw. Pick a nice sunny spot.
2. We followed this procedure for putting Nitrogen, water and fertilizer on our bales to condition them to be ready to plant.  You start to break down/decompose the bale. We started this at the beginning of May.  The procedure says about 2 weeks but ours took about 3 weeks probably because it was still pretty chilly here.
3. We transplanted our seedlings into the bales.  Some transplants didn't harden well and others did great.  I would definitely do these from transplant again: tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers, strawberries, leek. All the others, I will plant from seed in the bale: herbs, beans, lettuce, kale, chard, cucumber, melons.  I planted potatoes in columns with straw but they didn't make it this year.  I plan next year to plant in ground around the bales - beets, carrots, radishes, potatoes, onion and garlic. 
4. We got anywhere from 4-6 plants per bale.
5. I set up the irrigation in the garden and it was worth every penny and the time.  I highly recommend it.  It's so easy to do!!
6. I planted the veggies with quite a bit of soil pep on top of the straw bale.  It helped it take root and it helped it retain moisture.  I also set up stakes and twine for my beans and tomatoes.  I let my melons and cucumbers cascade off the bale.  
7. After planting I used Fox Farm Microbrew Fertilizer to help feed my plants.  I also had to use some granular slug and earwig insecticide because they were consuming whole plants overnight.
8. I bought a big frost cloth so I can prolong my garden from the early frosts here and also to use next year to extend the spring season.  
9. Gardening makes me a happy girl!  I am crossing my fingers for a second season of planting in these bales.  

Telluride Holiday Pop-Up Market

I've always been the kind of person to create my own future instead of waiting on the other guy.  After moving to Telluride and starting my own lingerie business, I have had to get a little creative when it comes to promoting my business since I don't have a store front.  I noticed that in Telluride there was a lack of expos for small businesses and a lack of opportunities for us little businesses to get our name out there at a small fee. So, I decided to just create my own thing for all of us out there.  And even for stores to have a little promotional booth.  I'm also so excited at the tremendous response that I have gotten.  It was definitely a HUGE need. I hope to do many more Pop-Up style shows in the future at all types of locations - big and small.  

If you would like to join us or know someone who would like to participate, just go to www.mymarmie.com and go under the top tab POP-UP.  There is the vendor info and app.

Oh la la! my linen sheets

At the beginning of this past summer (2014), I purchased a set of 100% Linen Sheets that I ordered from Eastern Europe (Belarus actually).  I've been wanting to report back about my thoughts on sleeping on them.  But, I wanted to give myself enough time to really give y'all an accurate opinion.  Let me just say:

I LOVE THEM!

Yep, I just wash those suckers and put them right back on.  I'm not sure I'll want to even go back to using other sheets.

They are cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  They are soft yet feel so substantial.  They feel real.  I'm not sure if that conveys exactly how it feels.  To me, it's like discovering smart wool socks for the first time.  They just feel like quality yummy socks that's worth every penny compared to wearing ol' cotton ones.  

What else is cool is that the longer you have linen sheets the better they get.  In the last year before this purchase we had to throw away 3 fitted sheets due to them finally biting the dust and getting holes in them.  I really don't foresee that ever happening with these linen sheets.

They are so awesome that I feel like they need a name.  What do you think I should call them?

A {Blue} Birthday Party

My little Evelyn Blue turned 3 yesterday and she loves everything BLUE because she's Evelyn Blue. This year for her party she said she just wanted a Blue Birthday.  With the moving and unpacking into the new house, my motivation level for the party was way below par.  I didn't even come up with games to do until about a hour or two before the party started.  But she's 3 so it's all good.

But I was pretty happy with the small things that I did do.  Evelyn helped me decide on the cake, punch and ice cream.  We did a Southern Style Strawberry Cake with Blue Cream Cheese Icing, a Blue Sorbet Punch and Blueberry Ice Cream.  I served the kids on my blue trimmed little plates and cut crystal punch glasses.  They were all very excited about the fancy dishes (even the boys).

We ended up playing:

Duck Duck Goose

Freeze Dance 

Dance Off

Hokey Pokey (2 times because she loved it so much)

Southern Style Strawberry Cake

1 (18.5 ounce) box white cake mix
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry jello
1 Tablespoon self rising flour
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine cake mix, Jello, flour and sugar in a large bowl.  Mix well.  Add the oil & add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition then add the water and mix.  Divide the batter evenly into three 8-inch round baking pans that have been oiled and floured.  Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean and the layers pull away from the sides of the pan.

Transfer the layers from the oven to wire racks.  Let them cool, still in their pans, for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes, run a knife around the inside edge of each pan, then unmold each layer onto the racks to cool completely.  I like to flash freeze my layers before frosting them.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese, softened
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 (1 pound) boxes powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
blue food coloring
Blueberries
Sprinkles


To make the frosting, in a bowl combine the cream cheese and butter.  Beat until soft and pliable and no lumps remain.  Add one box of the powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract.  Beat until incorporated.  Add the second box of sugar and mix until incorporated.  If you would like a smoother consistency add a splash of milk.  If you would like a thicker consistency, and a bit more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.  Then add the food coloring.  Frost the cake and garnish with blueberries and sprinkles.

Blue Sorbet Punch

Get the Recipe HERE

And here is the delicious Blueberry Ben & Jerry's Frozen Yogurt that we had.

More Big News

Well, we have more big news to share.  This year has been full of surprises some good and some not good.  Life is about to get hectic once again.  Some friends guessed I might be pregnant.  Unfortunately, I am not but we're still on the fence about having another one.  Some people thought that I might start catering again.  I loved that time in my life but I don't have the kitchen or really the time to devote to that job esp. with homeschooling.  Catering was a lot of work with very long hours.

So, what is the Big News?

We are moving AGAIN!

Yep, that's right.  But, it's just 4 miles down the road.  The owners of our cabin in the woods wants to move back in.  Boohoo!  So we started looking for a new place about a month ago.  I initially had a lot of anxiety about having to move again.  I hadn't even unpacked from this move.  But gifts come in all kinds of packages.  I had been affirming to myself about living in the cabin in the woods and it happened.  Well, another thing that I haven't shared with you all is that I adore spanish style houses.  I used to draw house plans for fun when I was young and sometimes even now.  At one point I thought that I wanted to be an architect.  One style house that I love to draw is the Spanish style square house that has a central courtyard.  It's funny because Andy also loved to draw house plans growing up and he too loves that house style.  So, we both always said that when we were older that we would build a house like that - a Spanish/Moroccan hacienda with a central garden courtyard.

We found a house in Sawpit across from Fall Creek Rd.  It is a Spanish style house that is well built with 6 in walls and completely original from being built in 1979.  It doesn't have the central courtyard but it is so super cool.  It has a split level design so it is awesome for entertaining.  The girls have a secret passageway loft that connects their rooms.  It sits on 2 acres which includes river frontage across the Hwy and a beautiful canyon to explore in behind the house.  It has a playhouse for the girls too.  It is a house that is also a dream come true.  It has 4 br and 2 1/2 ba and a heated detached garage for Andy's workshop.  I am not looking forward to the move but I am looking forward to getting settled into a house that feels like our home.  The owners live in Oregon and have even offered to do owner financing.  Now, that is something to even get more excited about.  How many people get to test drive their house?

Do you want to see more?  Click the photo below to see the rest of the photos of our new Hacienda in the woods.

My Father's Day Pick

I decided to go with a timeless, manly-man present this year from us girls to Andy.  It just came in yesterday and I couldn't be more happier with the quality and beauty of the Best Made Company Axes.

I decided on the Unfinished Hudson Bay Axe.  They are all handmade in NY using materials all forged from the states.  The wood is Appalachian Hickory and the head is 2 lbs of alloy steel.  This axe is the oldest, most traditional pattern.  Each axe comes with a leather blade cover. There are lots of other axe designs for different uses.

Best made not only has axes but a plethora of other high quality items that every man will love.  

Andy is going to be beyond thrilled to get this!  It's one of those gifts that gets even better as time goes on.

Check out the other axes that they carry.  Aren't they beautiful?

Wedding Love and Flowers

I had a little time this morning to write a little and catch you all up on the family fun we have been having here in Georgia.  My little brother got married on May 3, 2014.  It was a family affair on our childhood farm.  Everyone did such a great job pitching in to make it so special for Mitch and Aimee.  We were so nervous the week before because the rain just kept coming and there was even tornados forecasted.  We were fortunate that the storm blew over and we had the most glorious, sunny day.

I did all the flowers for the wedding.  I picked all the greenery and filler from the farm.  There was so much to choose from.  I used camellia, honeysuckle, fern, hosta, some azalea and holly.  Then I paired it with the flowers that Aimee had ordered.  She had beautiful blush tulips, roses and peonies.  She wanted a loose, woodsy, romantic look.  I think it turned out just right.  I even made her a head wreath made from honeysuckle with lily of the valley tucked in the front.  My girls were flower girls and I made them each a baby's breath head wreath.  I loved the boutonnieres for them men.  I didn't get a good photo of it but it was one white peony that hadn't opened yet with a few sprigs of baby's breath and a variegated host leaf behind it.  It was so fresh and simple.

Andy helped other family members with slow cooking a pig.  We had a Southern feast with a Hispanic twist.  The pig was the main attraction but you could eat it three ways: bbq sandwich style with potato salad and coleslaw, carnitas style with homemade hot sauce and tortillas and limes, or island style with rice and black beans and plantains.  Aimee worked her tail off the week before making her own 3 tiered red velvet wedding cake.  My grandmother surprised my brother with a Hummingbird Cake for the groom's cake that I got to help her frost.

After the beautiful ceremony in front of our pond.  There was a wine and cheese hour while all the family got their pictures taken.  Then we had our grand pig feast.  Then the dancing started under twinkling lights that took the groomsmen ALL day to hang earlier in the week. ;)  It was such a fun fun day with lots of love.

I am so happy for my little brother.  Now, our family has grown to include Aimee's family.  I have two more sisters (Aimee and her sister).  I am looking forward to many more memories to come.  I only wish we lived closer to each other.

Our {New Cabin} in the Woods

I've been stating out loud since our Three Graces' retreat in November that I am going to have a cabin in the woods.  I truly believe that if you put your intentions out there then the Universe will deliver.  And deliver it did!  For nine years now Andy has been commuting an hour and a half to Telluride to work each way.  I really don't know how he did it for this long.  It took a toll on him and our family!  For the last several years we have been wanting to move back up to Telluride but it just didn't seem to ever happen.

We both decided to focus on the life we both wanted while not trying to force it.  We were able to rent our house out to the perfect family and then the perfect cabin became available to us.  We were in a long long line of people wanting this place.  Our family was picked to be able to live here.  I owe that all to my Southern heritage because the previous tenants are also Southern so we hit off immediately.

Today is the first day that I have really started to drag with unpacking.  We have been at it for two weeks now.  Packing up a house after 9 years is quite the chore and then unpacking is definitely not a walk in the park.  We have it livable but there is so much to do this summer to get it completely settled.

I wanted to share with you all our little place that we scored big on!  So just remember to say out loud twice a day what your heart desires and don't try to force it.  It will all happen just the way it is supposed to be.

**You will have to excuse the boxes and mess.  It is a work in progress!!

The outside of the house from the back where the view and yard is.

The side of the back of the house is where the covered patio is and where our porch furniture is hidden right now because of moving boxes.

The back yard view.

A little shed that I want to turn into the chicken coop.

Walking in upstairs into the living room.  It's a big open floor plan.

Our master bedroom.  It has a window across from the bed with beautiful views of the mountains. Our bathroom goes off to my right and behind the headboard are his and her closets.  So nice to hide our "clothes situation" behind closed doors!

Coming downstairs into the family room area.  Andy's going to build me a long narrow craft/sewing table for this area.  The girls and I are so excited about this!!

Here is the family room that is right off of the craft area.  It is so cozy and has a wood burning stove and doors that open up to the backyard and hot tub.

This is the mudroom that is to the bottom right of the stairs.  But right now it is holding our overflow of stuff.

Under the stairs we started a reading nook.  We'll paint and add lights and accessories to make it more cozy.

This room is shared with Evelyn and Sophia.  It is really big so we created their own spaces on each side of the room.  This is Sophia's side.

This is Evelyn's side.

This is Georgia's room.  She was so awesome and packed up almost her whole room and unpacked it all by herself!

Gratefulness

Sophia who is 7 has quite the flare for drama.  She is so quick to get angry over the littlest of things.  She used to be my super easy child and now she gives me a run for my money with her outbursts.  I am hoping this is just a development stage that will pass.  The other night she went into hysterics because I only read her 5 pages out of her book.  She began to say how awful her life is and how much she hates her life and how all of her friends' lives are so much better.  All of this over only 5 pages.  What kind of mother am I?  I am so terrible to have only read so little.  It was a big book so it took a bit to read those 5 pages.  It was late and it was time for her to go bed plus I still had other children to tuck in.

So today the perfect lesson came across my Facebook page.  It was a photo journal of children all over the world and pictures of their bedrooms.  Here is the great article!

I had all of the girls gather around the computer to see and we would find on the globe each location of the children.  After that they sat down at the table to write a list of all the things that they were grateful for.

I decided to also write my own list of things that I am grateful for in this move instead of focusing on the things that I will lose.

1. a beautiful view
2. more time with Andy
3. a happier husband
4. reconnecting with old friends
5. a bigger house
6. a mountain house
7. closer to ski and hike
8. involvement in a art driven community
9. getting to purge unused stuff
10. having a more efficient business for Andy 

things i will miss. my bathroom. wordless wednesday.

Video Story time with Georgia & Sophia. Cinderella Shadow Puppet Theater.

The girls learned about the story of Cinderella this week and we read some different versions.  We also talked about folk lore and storytelling.  They created their own fairy tales too.

Here is the Disney version that the girls are presenting to you guys with their shadow puppet theater.

Enjoy!

We had to do it in two parts due to the length of the show.

Wordless Wednesday. things to miss

I decided last week that I would take photos of the little treasures that I will miss in my home.  They may seem random to you but they are the things that surround me and I have grown to love them.

I have been having a difficult time moving forward with this relocation.  I am excited about it but I really really associate my safety, security and foundation around my house.  It is so unsettling to feel ungrounded.  I know that I will be fine once I get my stuff situated into the new house.

I've been doing little things to help myself be grounded.  I try to go barefoot all the time at home.  I meditate and visualize my roots going into the ground from my feet.  I have been rubbing my feet.  You can also take an epsom salt bath which I plan on doing too.

I know it is just situational but what a strange feeling for me to feel ungrounded.  I've never had a problem staying grounded.  My areas of work are always my heart and solar plexus areas.  I am being kind to myself until we get moved to the new house.

Here are the little details that make my home: