How Does Your Garden Grow?

Bananas in their early stages.

 These past few months we have been backyard gardening...something that I never thought we would have been able to do, but after googling, researching, and speaking to gardening experts, we realized that it was in fact possible.

Backyard gardening is a fulfilling hobby that we are so glad that we got into. I won't jump up and say that it hasn't had it shares of ups and downs, but I would say that it has taught us so much about the environment, our personal temperaments (LOL!), and life in general.

Trial and error has taught me the patience of gardening and its soothing attributes.  I can not even explain how proud we are when we see the seeds and transplants that we have watered sprout green. (I'm literally dancing around the house singing "YAY!!!! It didn't die!!!!)

It has given me an added boost of confidence and now I'm looking forward to trying new things...it also liberates me by giving me options...

Green Onions!

We don't know how long we are going to be in our present location, but while we are there, we are learning more about the fruits and vegetables that we have planted and are maintaining.  Some of the plants have already produced, but we are looking forward to tasting our very own sweet potatoes (I'm thinking fried, mashed, and baked...twice-baked even...lol).

I can't even begin to explain how good it feels to look up and see my hubby and son in the garden doing their own thing...even better is watching my son pick cherry tomatoes straight of the vine and pop them like candy.

Cherry Tomatoes

I can't wait to start producing more fruits and vegetables on a larger scale...I want to be able to produce enough food to assist with a healthier alternative in a small neighborhood.  I feel that every child should have the opportunity to put their hands in soil and experience growing their own fruits and vegetables.

I'm looking forward to sharing seeds and stories this year!

Hands up in happiness, heart full of hope,

xoxo Jenna

Out of Sync

I have been having problems with my ISP these days, and it has been really difficult getting online for more than 5 minutes (on a good day)…which, of course, is very frustrating. I’m trying to be as optimistic as possible about this, and I’m trying not to think of all the deadlines that I have been missing – and I should point out that my cell phone is also malfunctioning, so I can’t keep in contact with friends and family like I would wish to.

Right now I am at home, trying to get some work done, and taking care of the sidekick (the weather

changed so quickly here and he now has a stubborn cold). He has been out of school for a few days (doing a bit of work at home to keep him sharp) and keeping me company.

I feel like I’m under quarantine…LOL! I basically have no connection with the outside world right now...so if you are reading this, know that supplies are running low and we are trapped at this location. The beacon has malfunctioned, but we have been managing these past few days.  (LOL!!! I guess I don’t have to tell you that we have resorted to watching every DVD we can find to keep our imaginations going!)

 I will now admit that I have the initial symptoms of cabin fever…in paradise…is that possible?!?!?!

What have we been doing to keep ourselves busy? Writing, playing card match, dominoes ( the national pastime of The Bahamas..lol…have you watched the ‘Hello Monday’ segment , Dominoes yet? Refer to my previous blog post  (HERE)  if you have NO IDEA of what I’m talking about…and if that’s the case, you lead a  sad existence…..LOL), ummm…reading, and stuff… I’ve spent a few hours editing photos, and I did manage to get in contact with a few of my potential models...so there is hope after all.

I’m looking forward to this new week…and the optimist in me(or is it my pessimistic side???) is actually enjoying this bit of freedom from contact (Let’s just chalk it up to me being an introvert, so any side could have said that, and I would have agreed! HA!) 

If it wasn’t so cold, I could have made today a ‘beach day’ in celebration (which would have been killing two birds with one stone, because down here, when you have a cold, a swim is actually on the list of things you should do, along with keeping hydrated and warm).  Mind you, it’s about 65 degrees Fahrenheit…for a Bahamian, it might as well be 20 below zero, let me tell you! The faux fur-lined jackets & boots, tams, scarves, gloves and sweaters that we purchased for a ‘cold moment’ are out, which means ANY island in The Bahamas right now that is experiencing this weather has become a fashion runway! We don’t know when we will get an opportunity to wear all this wooly goodness again!!!

I think that the only reason we aren’t complaining about this drastic change in weather is because we were looking forward to a cold Christmas (well I was) and we never got it…that was difficult for me…I won’t complain about the 79 degrees we got Christmas Day, but it was weird because my tradition of Christmas pajamas alllll day accented by the warmest blanket I could find was shot down, and I actually wore shorts for our newest family tradition: the neighborhood bike ride!

I hope you guys enjoy your week, and I look forward to sharing mine with you!

Hands up in sanguinity, heart full of expectancy,

xoxo Jenna

It's Friday!!!! WOOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!

I don’t know why, but knowing that it is FINALLY Friday feels like I was releasing a breath that I didn’t know I was holding since Monday! Something about 72 hours where you can do whatever you please is liberating!!!  No school pickups and drop-offs, no more traffic, and most importantly – I don’t have to get out of bed until I feel like it (even though my body is programmed to wake up at 5:30am)!!!

I have not decided the plans for my weekend yet, but that’s okay, because it’s MINE, all mine! (Well, not really because I’m married and have wifely and mommy duties, but yeah….LOL)

I think I’m going to do a bit of house cleaning while I wait on my fruit and veggie box from Chiccharney Farms  :-) They are a 3rd generation agri-business stationed in Andros (one of our beautiful Bahama islands). I will blog all about the experience in short order, and let you know how you can receive YOUR fresh, native fruits and vegetables delivered straight to your doorstep (free of charge in New Providence).  

If you can't wait for my blog post, and wish to receive your fruit and vegetable box this weekend also, that's cool too :-) You can contact them at  (242) 676-2977 or (242) 423-3716 you can also contact them via email: chiccharneyfarmsltd@gmail.com.

I don’t even know what else to say! I'm just so excited that the weekend has FINALLY decided to grace us with it's presence! (I mean we have only been waiting for 4 days, 9 hours and 37 36 secs for this moment, but who's counting?!?!?!?)  I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

Hands up in excitement, heart full of EXCITEMENT,  (lol!)

xoxo Jenna 

WEEKEND HERE I COME!!!!!