Saved.

This month's NaBloPoMo theme is "Saved". While I can't commit to blogging everyday this month (I've been hit and miss for the last while), I do like the idea of writing about saving. Today I'm going to write about something that has saved me, instead of the other way around. Surprisingly enough, it's my garden.

Prior to this summer, I have never enjoyed gardening. It was something that I did because I felt like I had to - it was a right of passage for living in the 'burbs. And then I had Max, and it all went to hell. Between being sleep deprived, caring for a baby, being pregnant again, and then caring for a baby and a toddler, my yard was the LAST thing on my mind. Really, I couldn't have cared less.

This year, I find that I look forward to getting outside to work on the garden. And even when I can't work on it, because I'm chasing the kids, I find myself puttering, picking weeds here and there, assessing what bush needs pruning (all of them), and what areas need...MULCH.

I got 2 cubic square yards of mulch delivered yesterday. That's a lot of mulch. My father-in-law, bless his heart, spread half this pile over the backyard (I took this aerial view from Max's room to show off his hard work). I added another pile later in the day, and yes, there is still quite a bit left over (I'll use it up, not to worry). I only wish I had taken a before picture from this perspective!
The mulch cleans everything up, makes the garden look well kept, and the added bonus is that Max loves the way it feels under his feet. I'm pretty sure he's wondering what the heck I'm up to in the backyard, but likes the fact that we're outside so much.
My neighbours, Michael and Irene are big fans of all of the work we've been doing. They took great joy in sharing some of the plants from their yard with me. Irene tells me that this one (back center) will turn purple in the Fall and be really pretty:
And daisies! Who doesn't love daisies? I am told these spread like wild fire, so I'll have to keep an eye on them so they don't take over:
One of my favourite plants is the hosta. We managed to separate out a really good one from their backyard, and I planted it in a nice shady area next to the shed. I'm willing to bet by next spring this whole area will be full of hostas.
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the front yard - lots of hack and slash gardening to be done (my favourite). Hopefully my mother-in-law won't hold my heavy hand against me! I can't wait to put my mind at ease and my muscles to work.