Geraniums are not deer resistant.

I woke up bright and early to go look at all of my beautiful newly planted (by the moonlight mind you) geraniums.  As I was wiping the sleepy out of my eyes, it all came into focus.  Devastation.

We have somehow created a buffet for the deer and they keep coming back for more.

Needless to say I have plucked the sole survivors out of the ground and they have been transported to the decks, far away from harms nibble.

Where did winter go? I know some of you are cuddled up inside of your house with a fire, hot cocoa and lot’s of snuggling watching the snow fall outside. Well, let me tell you that spring has sprung in Austin, Texas. The birds are chirping and seem quite pleased that I’ve decided to fill the bird feeder with sunflower seeds. I’ve been trying to get a picture of them but I seem to always venture outside with a parade of dog and toddlers so they don’t stick around. I will catch one sooner or later.

With the incredible weather and Makena’s newly gifted Pansies we ventured outside to do some planting. I let Makena pick the spot where she wanted to plant her flowers. She marched around the side of the house, plastic shovel and watering can in hand ready to plant.

We decided to make a lesson out of the first planting of the year. We pulled out the vintage flower books and learned that Pansies are a type of Violet. Who knew? Okay, so maybe you already knew that. But we looked in our books and decided (Makena decided) that we need lots of flowers, and if we water them they will grow all the way up to the sky. Maybe she just read Jack and the Beanstalk? Who knows where they come up with these things.

All of this got me thinking about spring gardening. Oh do I have big plans I’m just not sure where to start. We live on about an acre and have lots of room for gardens. My question for you, my friends, is what should I plant? I would really like to plant blackberries, blueberries, tomatoes, things for cooking, things for canning, etc. Does anyone have any good suggestions for things to plant and resources (books/websites) that might help?

The only stipulation that we have is deer and I’m sure they would love some tasty blackberry vines. We do have lots of different levels of gardens that surround our house that the deer can’t reach. Anyone have a green thumb out there?

Makena’s boyfriend Gage joined us for our Mardi Gras celebrations last night. He jumped out of his mommy’s car, flowers in hand and said “Makena, I brought you some flowers.” Makena, on the other hand, had befriended our neighbor’s dog who was also over for a visit. So here is Gage running around with the flowers trying to catch Makena as Makena is trying to show Gage the dog. They finally met, somewhere in the middle, hugged and proceeded to run different directions again.

As we were making our way into the house, we noticed that Gage had stopped and was drawing a picture on the chalkboard. When we asked him what he was doing he replied “drawing a picture for Makena.” I just can’t get enough of this sweet little fella.

We proceeded to celebrate Fat Tuesday like two families with two kids each. There was Cobb Salad, Jambalaya and King’s Cake. Lots of rushing around, trying to get the kids fed so the adults could eat. Playing referee. Reminding each of the kids to play nice. Jumping onto the sofa. And lots of fun. Hope your Mardi Gras celebrations were just as festive! This is the way we plan to celebrate ours for years to come!