Third flooding anniversary

Three years ago today, our lives forever changed.  The little property on the river that we were living our dreams on was flooded.  We lost almost everything that we've ever owned.  But of course, we were very grateful that our lives were spared and for the love and support our friends and families had shown us during that crazy time of our lives.

One last look at this beautiful property on the river that we made
so many happy memories on.

And just right before our third flooding anniversary we sold this property that we loved so much.  We really do love that property on the river that's why we held on to it for the past 3 years.  But now we are finally ready to let it go.  And at this time it just felt right to sell it.  Little did anyone know, and I didn't think the flood would affect us so much, but for the past 3 years we actually suffered from what I believe to be PTSD.  Every time it rains hard, we get really really nervous and really really worried about our cows.  Especially hubby, he gets really anxious and would constantly check the weather and make sure he would be able to go get the cows out if we needed to.  So with this place being sold, I think it would help us get some "emotional relief".

The Plant killer

So I've been wanting to get into gardening for quite some time.  But I was afraid to do so because I am a plant killer!  I murder plants...not intentionally, of course.  I wasn't born with a green thumb, ok?  So don't judge.  But last year I was given a couple of fruit trees/plants by various friends.  I was determined to NOT kill them this time.  And guess what?  Hard work paid off!  Look at all the fruit trees/plants they're all bearing fruits!  It's so exciting.  I never knew this gardening thing could be so exciting!  Everyday I go outside to check on the plants and see that the fruits are growing bigger every single day.  I never knew it could be so rewarding and satisfying.  Now I can't wait for them to grow big and get ripe so I can pick them and see what the fruits taste like!

So a friend of mine told me about Permaculture gardening a little while ago.  I've been looking into it.  It sounds so interesting.  Permaculture by definition is: "the development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient:"  So there's a lot of companion planting involved.  Basically you pair up plants that will give each other the nutrients and nitrogen that they need to thrive.  Also they serve us natural "pest control" and "weed control" for each other.  There are just so much to learn about this whole permaculture and companion planting thing.  I think I'm just barely scraping the surface as of now.  Couple of years after planting, your garden should be self-sustaining.  There will be very minimal maintenance involved.  I really love this idea!  I'm not quite to the point where I'm ready to do a full permaculture gardening yet.  Life is busy and everything costs money.  So we will just work on one project at a time.  

If you have any good tips or advice on permaculture gardening, do share!  

Grape vines are looking awesome!

Look at all the "baby grapes".  I can't wait for
you to get bigger and ripe so I can eat you!

Check out this blueberry bush!  It might not
be super big right now.  But there's quite a few
blueberries popping up.  We actually have 2 blueberry
bushes.  From what I've learned if you want to plant
blueberry bushes you need to have at least 2
so they can cross pollinate because blueberry
bushes don't self pollinate.

Can you spot the ripe one?

We pruned this lime tree a few weeks ago and
planted it in our garden area.  I will be working
on the companion plants to help it grow even better.

Lime tree might not look much, but there are
limes coming up everywhere.