Yesterday we worked on expanding our little herb/veggie (and fruit!) garden.  We now have parsley, thyme, basil, purple basil, mint, rosemary, lavender, tomatoes, assorted salad greens, watermelon and pineapple plants in the ground.  We have had good luck sinking pineapple crowns into the ground through the years.  We have gotten some insanely perfect pineapples through the years.  They require NO maintenance which is a big bonus.  Their pointy ends also help keep pests away.  I through some marigolds in for color and I think they also keep some invaders away, as well.  Planted in good organic soil, Mitch and I hope that this is the start of learning how to grow our own food.

We have not been so lucky with trees.  When we moved into our home 10 years ago, we had a lot of trees.  We lost about 10 of them over the course of a few years of destructive hurricanes.  We planted a papaya tree and a mango tree in memory of my brother, who passed away from pancreatic cancer just a few years ago.  The papaya tree was infested with something so we had to get rid of it.  Our little tiny orange tree had a bunch of fruit and then one morning I walked outside and it was completely dead.  I have no idea what happened, but that one is gone, too.  The mango tree we ALMOST lost to disease but it seems to be coming back strong.  With as many lemons as I use weekly, our next investment will definitely be a lemon tree...and I would love to replace the orange tree, too.

Being able to go outside and with an empty basket and coming back in with it filled with food from the yard has definitely been on my bucket list.  I used to say "someday," because there were lots of  reasons I wasn't ready to get started.  Then I thought about "excuses and results" and how you cant have both.  Now I can step outside and though no basket is needed,  I can come back in with fresh herbs for my veggies and even a few greens for my salad.  Visions of tomatoes and the possibility of watermelons float in my head.  A little at a time, my goal is to get that garden overflowing with goodies from Mother Nature.

http://www.startaherbgarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Fresh_herbs_in_straw_basket_2.jpg

Fighting colds all week, Mitch and I did a lot of sleeping this weekend.  We heal while we sleep (right Carole?).  This morning, with the sun shining, I think the doctor's orders are sunshine and salt water.  There is something about the ocean and the way it mixes with the air and the sun, and the healing energy it creates, that cannot be found in a pill or a tincture.  With NO bad side effects, THIS is the kind of medicine that works for me.

And I am now going to say something that I never, ever thought I would say in my lifetime.  I am actually excited about the Dolphin/Jets game tonight.   This is a classic case of  "if you can't beat em, join em."  Better squeeze a nap in this afternoon.

SUNDAYS ARE THE BEST!  ENJOY YOURS!