My Sunday: A Two Part Story Part 1: Planters

I've touched on here and there about how I really try not to work on Sundays. During the last semester I'll say I did an okay job with maintaining that rule. During the last few weeks of school I realized that not working on Sundays (or at least for an entire day which was solely dedicated to family and brain resting) was about expressing faith.  I knew that if God called me to do something and I did it, I wasn't going to turn out worse off because of it. I practiced this during my thesis at OSU and as He was my support as He always is. Well once again this semester, despite taking off at least one entire day each week did not put me in harm of my academic progress.

Now that I'm home for the summer it will indeed be easier to be even more mindful of that commitment because honestly, despite work I have to do, overall I have less on my plate.  What I need  to do with this grace period of time it to develop more firm habits and continue them through the actual school year without deviation.

On a day of rest, I really consider that to be a time that you do what you enjoy doing, and spend time with your family, or increase your fellowship with friends. Just investing in the things that at the end of the day are the only things that matter.

So on Sunday we came home from Danielle's birthday party and I had a task I wanted to work on. Putting myself into tasks is awesome therapy for me. Which is probably why when I bake I make like 47 things. I had this epiphany on Saturday.

I was thinking about how much I liked bouquets of flowers inside. Then I thought about how I didn't really like paying for them. Then I thought about how well my garden was doing, so maybe some flowers would do well too. Why not, right?

I started thinking of a simple way to do this without, again, being very costly. When I was younger, my dad kept all of his vinyl records in a banana crate much like below. I started to think that could be a pretty cool planter because I could move it around. I wondered if produce was still shipped in crates. So I decided to call the local Sprouts because they seem hippie enough that they might buy things that would come in crates (there's really no scientific or even observational logic to this- it's like I am prejudice when it comes to grocery stores).   Matt thought I was silly but my thought was that a phone call was free, and all they could do was so no, right? So I call up the produce department at Sprouts. And ya know what? They get their corn shipments in wooden crates. Score!!

 The woman I spoke to was really nice and she said I could come get them and they were.... Free.

We went to Lowe's to pick up some seeds, potting soil, and burlap (so the soil wouldn't run through). So I lined the crates with the burlap and used an enormous stapler (staple gun?) to get it all to stay in place. It was like wrapping an inside out present. 

Not all crates were created equally, so I had to use nails to reinforce them. I cannot imagine Matt was particularly thrilled about me going through his toolbox. I don't like for people to go through my  things so I would have been a nervous wreck. I guess since I left him alone to watch golf he was happy. 

Several different kinds of flowers including annuals and perennials. I was a little curious which would do better. I am also curious if the perennials will come back next year (I mean, that's what they're supposed to do, but I'm not sure if my design is good enough for their success).

So I started with some potting soil. 

Then I added some of MY compost. It's still doing really well. Thanks for asking! I feel like I need to use it for as many projects as possible so it frees up room in the composter. Something tells me that Matt isn't going to let me buy a second one. 

So this is how they look. I think they're pretty cute. And minimally invasive in terms of yard space. If they work out I'll be REALLY pleased. Of course, I'll let you know. Or I'll promise to and forget about it.

My parents were coming over and I really wanted to make them a nice salad from our garden. I harvested the romaine lettuce (back left) and one of the head lettuces (back right). I still can't believe we grew this ourselves. 

Here's a close up of the head lettuce. 

And we even had a couple of strawberries! A couple. 2. 

I cleaned up the vegetables and then set aside the not so great parts to go in the composter. 

I don't know if I have shown you this or not, but this is an under the sink compost pale that we have. You can find several options here on Amazon. The bag is a compostable bag that I got a conference (a pack I think comes with 24). It helps keep the whole thing more sanitary. They really do compost well too!

Throughout the week I just add things and when it is full I throw the whole thing in the composter. And no, it doesn't smell bad. If you go to school for a couple of weeks and leave it under the sink it might smell bad. And might start composting under the sink (nature, folks). And then your husband might find it. And then he might be really irritated. And then in his rage rearrange the stuff in your room with strength fueled by fury. Then it might turn out that you like the new set up any way. 

This project was a really fun way to spend the day. I like investing in my home and I liked working outside and just listening to music working on a project. Sounds like a wonderful Sunday, right? 

To be continued....

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