It's wonderful to see the whole family at work on a beautiful spring day.

What fun pictures! I just wish they were bigger My favorite is Little Man with the watering can!

Edited: I meant to add that a garden is so much more fun when you have plants that came from other people, I used to love walking through my last garden and seeing all the plants that came from various trades, co-ops and giveaways! Made it extra special!

LOVELY photo's Trish - and yes...busy, busy, busy

Hetty- our bounty from the Hugel bed has been wonderful! It was definitely a visual lesson in love and perseverance for me.

Sue- baby steps...that's the most visual our children have been publicly! It's hard to make out the girls at all, I know...Little Man *loves* to be out there helping. He carries his watering can everywhere, unless he is restacking the pots, which he also loves to do. Poor baby did have his first run-in with fireants this morning while out with me He took it like a little man, though- didn't scream, but grumbled a whole lot!

We love love "seeing" our friends in our garden. I agree- it makes things that much more special!

I am rejoicing to see so much GREEN after the great drought last year!

Everyone certainly does look busy, busy, busy. Fun, spring days kind of busy. Happy busy. Love the photos of everyone chipping in. Paradise.

Ann- I'm still not sick of seeing green! It is pure joy to go on our walks and the ground beneath my feet isn't crunching. We still rejoice every time it is raining. Whew- nothing like a drought to make you appreciate those things.

Dave and I have been planning which dead trees to take out first to begin our clean-up. I think we have 8 that are the priority to be taken down in the next month. The forest is taking care of it's own- the dead trees out there continue to fall daily.

I understand. I've been through drastic droughts myself. I know that sound of crunching beneath your feet. I remember you said you like to go barefoot ---- ahhhhhhh, the feel of soft, cool grass on your soles --- there's nothing like it. When you notice the smell of the grass more than you ever did before.

Still so sad about all the trees. I guess you'll have tons of material for hugelkultur beds! I feel for the kids not being able to play in the forest but it still sounds far too dangerous.

Now that spring is here, we are able to see what is dead and what made it. Since all of the trees lost leaves late summer last year, we just didn't know exactly how many were lost. They now have "safe" areas that they can play in, and they are taking full advantage! That's why we'll be taking out those 7-8 trees that are in our immediate area. We'll see about the rest later.

At least they will get to play!!!!!!!

Yeah...they are acting like they've never been in the woods before! Clearly they've missed their forest- they've made their own little city of sorts down there. Dugouts, chairs, "houses", and all manner of things they've made for themselves.

All children should have a forest to play in. And to imagine in. Are there any of us who do not smile with fond remembrance of playing in the woods?

Trish, I just loved reading this blog and looking at the photos over and over again.
It gives me such a sense of well being, knowing there are still families around like yours.