The 2009 year seen Michael & I working on a garden which was a 50% success, not bad for novices! It also seen us fill in the garage for the shop and decorate the house in my new French motif. The winter lasted till April and we really had no spring, but we still managed to build our deck and one fence. They are very well done and I am happy to say 100% success. My rose garden too, seen the planting of 17 roses all put in late fall, along the side fence and rock front bed in front of the deck. We also had a wonderful year in respect to our fruit trees. Our apples we are still using (just made 2 apple pies for New Years Day dinner) and our raspberries and blueberries were the best we had ever had. I think the biggest surprise was our little plum tree--planted on the other side of the garden and really it looked so small and non-descript, but it produced the sweetest, nicest plums that I was able to make lovely desserts with, as well as eating!
I think one of my biggest pleasures was having the time to cook. I made dishes I had never attempted such as cabbage rolls and a turkey (made once before 16 years ago!). All in all it was a good year. My parents were a blessing to have living so close, as well we hope to find them a home here permanently next year.
