Planting Seeds

Yesterday, it was 70--or very nearly 70--degrees! So all four of us spent a considerable amount of time out in the gardens.* Much of what we did was drudgery: raking leaves out of the garden beds, raking leaves out of the garden beds, and raking leaves out of the garden beds. Of course, there's also the fun of bagging all the leaves up. We also had to lay fresh mulch down, and put the pansies in the front pot, both of which are actually fun, but come only after hours of messing around with the leaves. Joe was excited to plant a package of zinnia seeds that Ted had brought home. By day's end though, Joe was excitedly eating the newly sprouted chives, showing Clara how to graze on them, too, and both of them were entranced with all the spring and summer toys that had made their way down from the rafters of the garage throughout the day.

So we planted the seeds this afternoon right after Clara went down for her nap. Joe has been learning about plants at school, where they have also planted seeds of various stripes, so he was an old hand at this activity. Last year, his little gardening gloves swam on his hands. Not so this year! He can even get them situated such that the thumb goes in the proper opening. He's all spouted up!

*"Out in the gardens" sounds much more refined, and thus, more fun, than "doing yard work." Having said that, admittedly, today, Julie feels like she did yard work all day yesterday, instead of prattling about in her cutting garden or some such in a floppy straw hat with a basket.