We rented this monstrosity of a machine today to chip up all the pine brush that was left from cutting down the trees to make a garden space. We had a lot of work ahead of us, so we invited friends over (Thanks Eric and Mark!) to help out, and Toby’s dad (Thanks Vick!) came up from Charleston to lend a hand. I, of course, was on baby duty. I tried to find someone to watch K so I could get out in my soon-to-be-garden and do some work, but no luck. I felt pretty guilty having all these other people doing my work. I know Toby wanted the trees down as much as I did so that we could get some sunlight in our house. But, I was the one who kept pushing to get the chipper so that I could get my garden going, and there I was sitting on my kister playing in the sun. My plan was to get the area organized and straighten up the grounds where the garden will go. The men’s plan – destruction!! When I saw the look of utter happiness on their faces as they tossed tree limbs and shrubbery into this metal monster and watched it chomp the wood into tiny pieces, all feelings of guilt diappeared. Once K went down for her nap, I got my gloves on and went to work. The smell in the air was fantastic! It was like someone had dumped a truck load of freshly cut orange peels in our front yard!

Now, I have to start working on putting up the garden fence and building the raised beds. I am thinking of building 6 triangle shaped beds that all point to a center area. I’m not sure what will go in the center yet. I may put a perenial bed there… we’ll see.