How Does Your Garden Grow?

My fingers have been itching to get dirty as of late.

Empty window boxes beckon me.  And my deck, with the not yet planted spots calls to me each afternoon.

I'm in serious need of dirt therapy.

To be one with the earth.  Fingers stretching into the deep dark soil.  A tiny seed with the promise of something beautiful.

Though I do not have a green thumb and long to take after any number of "old" southern gardeners in my family, I do enjoy the yearly planting of flowers and a few vegetables.

A few veggies, being mostly tomatoes.  Yes, I'm aware they aren't really a vegetable but I categorize them that way and always will.  Unlike Ouiser, I actually do love tomatoes.  I could eat them every single day.

Last night, hubby came home with a few cherry tomato plants I scored free off of Facebook.  My weekend goal is to plant them and anything else I can get my hands on.

The hope is that the veggies will at least supplement my weekly trips to the farmers market.  And the flowers, hanging from boxes along my dining room, bring a smile to me every morning, as hubby and I enjoy coffee.  And are a sunny hello as I pull into the drive each afternoon.

This year we also plan to plant a butterfly garden, from a kit I received in the mail.  I was surprised to learn that butterflies, specifically monarchs, are struggling to survive.  Their population has decreased by almost 90%.

After losing Austin, butterflies became very symbolic for us, as this is often the way he'll send us a sign.

There have been several goose-bump moments, like in the middle of winter when it seemed impossible, that we would see a butterfly.  But when it was needed most, a single yellow butterfly would make its appearance.

Seems a fitting time to start the garden Memorial day weekend, as a way to remember our sweet boy.